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Planning a Trip? Read This First
🌟 What's On Banff - Events, Activities, Live Music & Good News! 😊
Kevin J
January 11, 2026
Hi Everyone! Here's What’s Happening This Week!
Yes, it's been snowing again. But this isn't just "more winter" - it's the good kind. After a few dry years, the recent snowfall is helping rebuild snowpack across the Rockies, which is great news for rivers, spring runoff, and basically everything that needs water later in the year. Winter is doing something useful.
Of course, when the snow stacks up, the mountains push back a bit. The Icefields Parkway will close today between Athabasca Falls and Saskatchewan River Crossing, so if that drive was on your list, it's a good moment to pause and check conditions before heading out.
On the fun side of things, Weekend of Wonder is coming up, and it's exactly the kind of event winter needs right now. Expect hands-on activities, family-friendly chaos, and enough going on to make the cold feel like less of a problem.
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 -3 °C.
Canmore: Mainly sunny, high 2 °C and low -2 °C.
Jasper: Mainly sunny, high 2 °C and low -5 °C.
👉 For a complete up-to-date forecast for the week ahead, visit our Weather Page.
Emerald Lake
This full-day trip is a practical way to see some of the Rockies' best-known sights without worrying about driving, parking, or access restrictions.
The itinerary includes Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Emerald Lake, Johnston Canyon, and Natural Bridge. The route is planned to make the most of the day, with time to walk lakeshore trails, take photos, and enjoy a relaxed lunch stop in Lake Louise Village.
If you’re short on time and prefer not to deal with the hassle of coordinating multiple locations, this could be a good option. You will cover a lot in one day while keeping the logistics simple.
🏔️ Fresh from the Rockies
❄️ Winter is winning on the Icefields Parkway this weekend. Parks Canada has confirmed a temporary closure between Athabasca Falls and Saskatchewan River Crossing, with reopening targeted for Monday evening if conditions cooperate.
🏔️ The Alberta Rockies are finally catching up on snow. Above-average snowfall is helping rebuild depleted snowpack, which experts say is critical for spring runoff, river health, and reducing long-term drought pressure.
🎉 This is Banff’s most wholesome winter chaos. Weekend of Wonder returns January 22-25 with barn dances, kids’ ice carving, storytelling, snow science, and just enough magic to make you forget how cold your toes are.
🚌 This guided hike includes Moraine Lake access, too. Parks Canada’s Consolation Lakes experience comes with expert guides, conservation learning, and shuttle transportation, making it a rare two-for-one Banff adventure.
☀️ Sunshine, fresh snow, and sled dogs in full stride. January’s combo of solid snowfall and clear days has Howling Dog Tours celebrating prime dogsledding conditions just outside Canmore.
🚏 Heads up, riders: Banff transit routes are shifting mid-January. Skijoring events will trigger detours and stop closures on Routes 1, 2, 3, 8X, and 9, so trips may take longer than usual.
🐕 Avalanche dogs, snow science, and free hot chocolate. A family-friendly Winter Safety Day in Kananaskis offers hands-on demos, wildlife tips, and rescue techniques, all designed to make winter adventures safer and smarter.
🏔️ Avalanche Canada just launched a powerful new safety tool. A national database now documents every known fatal avalanche in Canada since the late 1700s, turning centuries of tragedy into data meant to help prevent future loss.
⭐ Most Popular Last Issue
🔥 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.
🏕️ Quiz
Which lake is shown in this photo, taken in late May when ice often lingers? |
Today’s quiz answer now appears at the end of the events section below.
This guided winter e-bike tour is a simple way to spend time outdoors while seeing Banff from a new angle. The wide tyres add stability on snow, and the electric assist provides extra help when needed. No experience needed!
🏔️ Plan Your Trip
How to Make the Most of a 3-Day Trip to Banff
Banff Avenue
Three days in Banff is enough to see a lot, but it’s not the kind of place where winging it works well. Distances are short, but crowds, parking limits, and access rules mean a bit of structure helps everything flow more smoothly. A good approach is to ease in on day one, go big on day two, and save your most logistically tricky plans for day three.
The first day works best close to town. Walking Banff Avenue, stopping at Bow Falls and Surprise Corner, and looping through Vermilion Lakes lets you settle in without committing to long drives or early starts. Adding the Banff Gondola or Upper Hot Springs here works well too, especially if travel day energy is mixed. These are classic sights that don’t require much planning once you’re in town.
Day two is ideal for exploring beyond Banff via the Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive. This route lets you string together easy stops like Johnson Lake, Two Jack Lake, and Lake Minnewanka itself, with plenty of flexibility to linger or move on. It’s also a good day for short hikes, picnics, or wildlife spotting, especially earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon.
Day three usually needs the most advanced planning. Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are highlights, but access depends on shuttles, tours, or transit, all of which are easier when booked ahead. Pairing them with Icefields Parkway stops like Bow Lake or Peyto Lake helps make the most of the day without backtracking.
With a simple structure and realistic expectations, a three-day Banff trip feels full without being rushed.
🎸Events, Activities & Live Music
📅 Today’s Events are listed below. To view future events, visit our website.
Sun, 11th Jan
10:00 🎨 Workshop: Mini Ceramic Vases - artsPlace Canmore
11:00 🎿 Bow Valley Nordic Masters Cup - Canmore Nordic Centre
14:00 🛍️ Hangtime Flea Market - Rose & Crown, Banff
15:00 🎶 Live Music Afternoon - Three Bears, Banff
15:30 🥃 Park Distillery Tour - Park Distillery, Banff
19:00 🍽️ Balkan Greek Night: Dinner Show - The Balkan, Banff
19:00 🎶 The Companions in Concert - Canmore Brewing Company
19:30 🎤 Diyet & The Love Soldiers - artsPlace Canmore
20:00 🎲 Music Bingo with Sam - Tavern 1883, Canmore
21:00 🎉 Sunday Funday (Party) - Melissa's Missteak, Banff
21:00 🎉 Sunday Funday: Party - High Rollers, Banff
22:00 🎶 C. Series & Brent Lee - Rose & Crown, Banff
Monday, January 12
15:30 🥃 Park Distillery Tour - Park Distillery, Banff
18:30 🎨 Wood Burning Magnets - artsPlace Canmore
19:00 ❓ Trivia Night - Melissa's MisSteak, Banff
19:00 🎬 Reel Time: Sentimental Value - Lux Cinema Banff
20:00 ❓ Monday Trivia - High Rollers, Banff
20:00 🎶 Live Music Night - Three Bears, Banff
21:00 🎤 Open Mike Night - The Beaver, Banff
22:00 🎧 DJ Set: Tunes with Tenax - High Rollers, Banff
22:00 🎶 Silver Fox Acoustic Duo - Rose & Crown, Banff
Tuesday, January 13
13:00 🏃 Mountain Madness Relay Race - All over Banff
15:30 🥃 Park Distillery Tour - Park Distillery, Banff
19:00 ❓ Trivia Tuesday - Rose & Crown Restaurant & Pub, Canmore
19:30 🎭 Ensemble Pampinea: Fortune Will You Spare Us - artsPlace Canmore
22:00 🎧 DJ Styler Nazo - High Rollers, Banff
22:00 🎤 Karaoke Night at Mels - Melissa's MisSteak, Banff
22:00 🎶 Silver Fox Acoustic Duo - 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) Bow Lake
Bow Lake is often still partially frozen in late May. Find out what to expect in our Bow Lake Guide, or compare it with Peyto Lake and Lake Minnewanka.
Yesterday’s Quiz: 85% of you correctly chose Lake Minnewanka.
📢 The Banff Bulletin
The best food, tours, and finds across the Park.
🍳 A free grab-and-go breakfast package is available with stays at Mount Royal Hotel and Elk & Avenue Hotel in Banff. Early starts covered.
🏔️ Full-day Columbia Icefield tour covering Crowfoot Glacier, Peyto Lake and Icefields Parkway stops. Glacier Skywalk is optional. Discounted til 30th Jan.
🍺 Banff Ave Brewing Co Happy Hour - Late night specials from 9 pm daily with $4 shafts, $5 highballs and $10 ninjas. Full details
🏰 Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Spring savings now running at Fairmont Banff Springs, with limited-time hotel offers & special rates for select stays. View spring deals
🧊 Discounted Abraham Ice Bubbles Tour - Visit Abraham, Peyto and Bow Lakes, with snowshoeing. Was $143, now $87 until March 3. Reserve here
👋 That’s All For Now 🎬 Another week of mountain magic awaits! Jill & Kevin | Editor | What’s On Banff |  |
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