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Two Seconds Left. Hockey Chaos Erupted
🌟 What's On Banff - Events, Activities, Live Music & Good News! 😊
Kevin J
January 10, 2026
In partnership with
Hi Everyone! Here's What’s Happening This Week!
If you missed it, Canmore had one of those "did that just happen?" moments on the ice. With two seconds left on the clock, a Canmore Eagles win over the Calgary Canucks erupted into a full-on late-game hockey brawl. It is the kind of story that spreads fast - and yep, it is as wild as it sounds.
On the brighter (and cheaper) side of winter: Mt. Norquay has a sweet perk for getting up the hill together. Their Cool 2 Carpool deal rewards full cars and shuttle riders with discounted lift tickets on select dates this season. More laps, less wallet pain - we love to see it.
And if you are already dreaming about the next big winter buzz, SnowDays is almost here. From January 16 to February 8, Banff turns into a month-long celebration with play zones, hubs on Bear Street, ice sculptures, and plenty of cold-weather fun. See the full schedule.
One more heads-up: free winter access is nearly done. The Canada Strong Pass covers park entry through January 15, so this is your last stretch to squeeze in a snowy stroll or sightseeing without the usual fee.
There is plenty more happening this week. Dive into the event listings below, or check out the detailed events page on our website.
Banff in January: Read this before planning your trip!
Banff in February: What you need to know!
🌤️ Today’s Weather
Banff: Mainly sunny, high 1 °C and low -5 °C.
Canmore: Mainly sunny, high 3 °C and low -3 °C.
Jasper: Mainly sunny, high 1 °C and low -4 °C.
👉 For a complete up-to-date forecast for the week ahead, visit our Weather Page.
Adventure outside the ordinary
What happens when one of the most trusted specialty outdoor retailers, REI Co-op, teams up with the world's largest travel company, Intrepid Travel? You get a unique collection of active trips that offer meaningful, immersive travel experiences in the outdoors.
It’s travel inspired by REI, operated by Intrepid. Think community farm stays in Costa Rica, camping in Joshua Tree’s wild backcountry, cycling in Peru’s Sacred Valley, or sleeping in mountain huts before summiting Mount Kilimanjaro.
So, where will you go? Explore more than 85 destinations worldwide with a small group of up to 16, and an expert local leader who’ll help you to truly experience the destination.
REI Co-op members save 15% on REI Exclusive trips and receive a 20% off coupon to use at REI Co-op after booking REI Recommended trips.
For T&Cs and to view the full collection of trips in 85+ destinations, visit rei.com/travel.
🏔️ Fresh from the Rockies
⛷️ Load the car, split the bill, ski all day. On select dates this winter, Mt. Norquay’s Cool 2 Carpool deal rewards full cars and shuttle riders with deeply discounted lift tickets and a feel-good bonus for the planet.
🥊 A late-game hockey brawl exploded in Canmore. With just two seconds left on the clock, a Canmore Eagles win over the Calgary Canucks spiralled into chaos, triggering one of the wildest AJHL fights in recent memory.
🔥 This is your full winter social calendar in one festival. From January 16 to February 8, SnowDays brings Play Zones, Bear Street hubs, ice sculptures, live DJs, and cold-weather magic that turns Banff into a month-long celebration.
🚌 Moraine Lake and Lake Louise shuttles require advance planning. Parks Canada shuttle reservations open April 15 at 8 am MT, with limited seats and high demand making last-minute trips almost impossible without a bit of strategy.
❄️ Free winter access to Banff is almost over. The Canada Strong Pass covers park entry through January 15, giving Canadians one last shot at snowy hikes, ski days, and winter sightseeing without the usual admission cost.
🐎Banff Trail Riders push back on redevelopment denial. After being denied in December, the horse stables project is now under appeal, with questions around scale, design, and whether parts of the plan crossed into unpermitted uses.
⭐ Most Popular Last Issue
❄️ Lake Louise has zero patience for “just a second” parking. Even on quiet winter days, sidewalks and access routes matter, and blocking them can mean tickets, recovery costs, and way more drama than your lake photos are worth.
🏕️ Quiz
Which lake is shown in this photo, known for offering motor boat cruises in Banff National Park? |
Today’s quiz answer appears at the end of the events section below.
Access and parking are a real challenge in summer at places such as Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, and Moraine Lake. Some access is restricted, and car parks can fill up before sunrise. This hop-on, hop-off bus lets you move between key stops at your own pace, with guaranteed seating and no driving or parking stress.
🏔️ Plan Your Trip
A Practical Guide to Banff’s Lakes: What to See and How to Plan
Banff’s lakes are famous for a reason, but they don’t all offer the same experience. Some are right beside the road, others need planning, and a few work best early in the day or at specific times of year. Knowing the difference saves time, frustration, and a lot of unnecessary driving.
Lake Louise is the most iconic and also the busiest. It’s easy to access by shuttle or tour and works well for a lakeshore walk, canoe rental, or connecting hikes. Moraine Lake delivers the biggest visual payoff, but access is limited to shuttles, tours, or biking the road, and sunrise visits need advance planning. These two lakes are stunning, but they require the most logistics.
If you want beauty without the crowds, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, and Waterfowl Lakes along the Icefields Parkway are easier to visit and just as impressive. Vermilion Lakes are right by Banff town and perfect for sunrise or sunset, while Two Jack Lake and Lake Minnewanka work well for relaxed stops, picnics, and boat cruises.
Season matters too. Most lakes thaw between late May and early June, peak in colour mid-summer, and take on a completely different look in fall and winter. Some freeze solid and are great for winter walks, while others are best admired from shore year-round.
Choosing the right mix of headline lakes and quieter stops makes the experience far more enjoyable.
🎸Events, Activities & Live Music
📅 Today’s Events are listed below. To view future events, visit our website.
Sat, 10th Jan
10:00 🔄 Full Moon Swap - Canmore Public Library, Canmore
10:55 🎭 Opera in HD: I Puritani - artsPlace Canmore, Canmore
13:15 🥃 Wild Life Distillery Tour - Wild Life Distillery, Canmore
15:00 🎶 Live Music Afternoon - Three Bears, Banff
15:30 🥃 Park Distillery Tour - Park Distillery, Banff
20:00 🎶 Live Music Night - St. James Gate, Banff
20:00 💃 Salsa Socials - artsPlace Canmore, Canmore
21:00 🎤 Dr Z Duo: Live - Tavern 1883, Canmore
22:00 🎧 DJ Raven on the Decks - High Rollers, Banff
22:00 🎤 Tyler Wood: Live - Rose & Crown, Canmore
22:00 🎶 The Sessions - Rose & Crown, Banff
📅 Got An Event To Share?
📅 Submit Here (8 days before event date)
Complete starred sections. For a FREE LISTING, check the box on the promotions page.
🏕️ Today’s Quiz Answer
✅Answer: 2) Lake Minnewanka
Lake Minnewanka is the only lake in Banff National Park where motor boat cruises operate. You can find more details in our Lake Minnewanka Guide.
Yesterday’s Quiz - 51% of you correctly chose Larch Valley.
📢 The Banff Bulletin
The best food, tours, and finds across the Park.
🏨 Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Various deals, including seasonal offers, romance and ski packages. See deal details & check the reviews.
🏞️ Banff National Park Full-Day Trip - Includes Lake Louise and the Johnston Canyon icewalk. Was $120, now $96 until Jan 28. View deal
🍺 Coyotes Southwestern Grill - Daily happy hour 16:30 to 18:00 with $10 pizzas, 1/2 appies, $6 wines & pints, plus 40% off cocktails in a Santa Fe style setting. View details
🧊 Discounted Abraham Ice Bubbles Tour - Visit Abraham, Peyto and Bow Lakes, with snowshoeing. Was $143, now $87 until March 3. Reserve here
🏞️ Banff Highlights Tour Deal - See Lake Louise, Emerald Lake, Bow & Peyto Lakes, plus Crowfoot Glacier on a 5⭐ rated day tour. Discounted until Jan 23. Book now
👋 That’s All For Now 🎬 Another week of mountain magic awaits! Jill & Kevin | Editor | What’s On Banff |  |
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