Hi Everyone! Here's What’s Happening This Week!

A man painted a mural on a frozen lake. That is not a metaphor. David Popa spent two days on the surface of Abraham Lake last week, producing something that is genuinely difficult to describe in a way that does it justice. The video is doing the rounds, and you should absolutely watch it. Clear your schedule for four minutes.

Banff Winter Carnival is also still on through to 30 March at Cave and Basin. The programme runs from Thursday to Monday each week and covers everything from mini curling to vintage film screenings - relaxed, family-friendly, and included with site admission. No booking required.

And if a trip is in the works, we have put together a shortlist of three hotels right in the centre of Banff, where you can step outside and be somewhere immediately. No shuttles, no logistics - just the town on your doorstep. (Mount Royal | Peaks Hotel | Banff Park Lodge)

There is plenty more happening this week. Dive into the event listings below, or check out the detailed events page on our website.

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This family-friendly horse-drawn sleigh ride is a lovely way to enjoy a classic Banff winter experience. You'll bundle up under warm blankets and let the horses do the work as you travel through snow-covered mountain meadows.

Along the way, there are open views towards Mount Rundle and Cascade Mountain, with a good chance of spotting elk or deer in the quieter winter landscape. The pace is gentle and suits all ages, making it a great choice if you’re travelling with family or just want something low-effort.

The ride finishes back at the stables with time to warm up by the campfire and enjoy a hot drink

Book to enjoy a unique winter experience in Banff

🎨 Artist completes large-scale fresco on frozen Abraham Lake. David Popa painted "New Beginning" on the ice in two days as part of a Travel Alberta collaboration - the first of three planned works across the province. Abraham Lake requires no park pass.

❄️ Up to 30 cm forecast as southern Alberta roads deteriorate. Environment Canada has issued snowfall warnings from Jasper to Medicine Hat, with the Canmore area already seeing 20 cm. The Icefields Parkway could top 30 cm.

🎨 YWCA Banff's VINEart Gala auction is live until 14 March. The fundraiser targets $330,000 for emergency shelter, housing, and a new Canmore service hub. Tours, art, and restaurant packages are among the 31 lots available to bid on now.

🎉 Banff Winter Carnival continues at Cave and Basin. Mini curling, box hockey, and vintage films run from Thursday to Monday until 30 March, included with site admission. No booking required, but you will need a Parks Canada pass.

🚡 Fairmont Hot Springs chairlift opens after failing two inspections. The lift, which accesses nearly all intermediate and advanced terrain, was cleared on 19 February - six weeks into a season that typically starts 20 December. Season pass holders are asking for refunds. The resort has not yet responded.

💃 Big Gay Burlesque at the Rose & Crown this Saturday. Hosted by Karla Marx, the 18+ show features Alberta burlesque performers including Chack Bare Again, Dare Reaire, Stemzzzz, and Bitch Sassidy. Doors at 9 PM, show at 9:30.

💸 Alberta's tourism levy rises from 4% to 6% on 1 April. A new 6% rental vehicle tax follows in January 2027. For a $400 Banff hotel room, that's an extra $6 per night - modest on its own, though it compounds quickly over a week.

🐴 1-Hour Bow River Horseback Ride - Saddle up and ride alongside the Bow River past the historic Cave and Basin area, with jaw-dropping Rocky Mountain views all around. A brilliant way to see Banff at a gentler pace. Fancy giving it a go?

🧊 Columbia Icefield Tour with Glacier Skywalk - Ride a giant ice explorer vehicle onto the Athabasca Glacier, walk on actual glacial ice, then take in jaw-dropping views from the glass-bottom Skywalk. A real bucket-list experience. Not one to miss.

🚵 4-Hour E-Bike and Walking Tour in Johnston Canyon - Ride through Vermilion Lakes, cruise the Bow Valley Parkway, then swap your e-bike for hiking boots to explore Johnston Canyon's stunning Lower Falls. Small groups, expert guides, and 26km of scenery. Why not give it a go?

Banff's parking situation is, charitably, an exercise in patience - and the shuttle timetable rarely aligns with anyone's actual plans. These three downtown properties put you within walking distance of everything, which means you spend your time in the mountains rather than a car park.

🏛️ Mount Royal Hotel - One of the oldest buildings on Banff Avenue, which means you're not just central - you're on the main drag, above a restaurant and steps from every coffee shop, trailhead bus stop, and après spot in town. The rooftop hot tubs are genuinely earned after a day of hiking, and the small onboard museum is a nice touch for rainy afternoons. Rooms facing the avenue are lively; request one facing Tunnel Mountain if you value your sleep. Read The Reviews | Book Here

🏔️ Peaks Hotel & Suites - Newer, quieter, and tucked just off Bear Street on the Woonerf pedestrian zone, so you get the central location without the Banff Avenue foot traffic rattling past your window at midnight. Suites come with kitchenettes, which go a long way when Banff restaurant prices start to add up. Access to the pool, hot tub, and steam room at Banff Park Lodge across the street is included - a useful arrangement. Read The Reviews | Book Here

🌲 Banff Park Lodge - Positioned between downtown and the Bow River, which sounds like a compromise but is actually rather civilised - quieter than the avenue, yet you're still on foot to every shop and restaurant. Freshly renovated rooms as of spring 2025, an indoor pool, eucalyptus steam room, and heated underground parking make this one genuinely good value for families or anyone who'd rather not haul gear through a car park in January. Read The Reviews | Book Here

🏔️Is Banff or Canmore cheaper? Canmore sits outside the national park, so hotels and dining typically cost less - but there's more to the story than money. See the full guide.

👮Can you extend the Policeman's Creek walk into a longer route? Yes, the trail connects to Canmore's wider network, including the Bow River Loop - there are more options worth knowing about.

🍕Is Banff worth visiting for food, not just scenery? Absolutely - craft distilleries, fine dining, and guided food tours make Banff a destination for your taste buds, too.

Yesterday’s Question: Which of these popular recreation areas bordering Banff is not a national park?

✅Answer: 3) Kananaskis - 71% Correct

While it offers similar mountain scenery, Kananaskis is managed by the province of Alberta rather than Parks Canada.

When travellers on TripAdvisor rank a hotel as the number one rated place to stay in Banff, it’s usually worth a closer look. In this case, a big part of the appeal is location. Peaks Hotel & Suites is less than a minute from Banff Avenue, so you’re right in the centre of town, with restaurants, cafés, and shops all within easy walking distance.

Check it out for yourself here

📅 Today’s Events are listed below. To view future events, visit our website.

BANFF EVENTS | CANMORE EVENTS | JASPER EVENTS | BANFF HAPPY HOURS | CANMORE HAPPY HOURS |

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