Alberta’s Plan to Shut Canmore Trails?

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

A quick Canmore update to start: the plan to close a big batch of unofficial "pirate trails" is still moving ahead, with wildlife protection as the main goal. Most people seem pretty supportive of it, and it’s useful to know what could change for hiking and biking routes over time.

On the fun side, Norquay has a birthday-style throwback coming up with its Day of Nostalgia - ski history, memorabilia, storytelling, races, and some après-style eats to finish the day right.

Looking ahead, the new Flying Canoe Festival runs Feb 26 to Mar 1 in Banff’s Central Park, with lantern-lit paths, storytelling, music, and glowing art for a proper winter-night wander. 🛶✨

And if your weekend needs a louder option, Banff Punk Night is on January 6 at the Pump and Tap - free entry, no cover, and a full lineup.

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!

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🌤️ Today’s Weather

Banff: Mainly sunny, high -3 °C and low -8 °C.
Canmore: Mostly cloudy with light snow, high 1 °C and low -5 °C.
Jasper: Mainly sunny, high -4 °C and low -10 °C.

👉 For a complete up-to-date forecast for the week ahead, visit our Weather Page.

🏔️ Plan Your Trip

Wildlife Safety in the Rockies: What You Need to Know

Seeing wildlife is part of what makes a trip to Banff, Canmore, and Jasper special, but it also comes with responsibility. Bears, elk, wolves, and cougars all live in and around the places visitors hike, walk, and drive every day. Most encounters are brief and uneventful, especially when people give animals space and pay attention to their surroundings.

Bears are the most talked-about, particularly from spring through fall. Carrying bear spray, knowing how to use it, making noise on trails, and keeping food secured are basic habits that matter. Elk can be just as dangerous, especially during calving season in spring and the rut in fall, when they can be unpredictable and aggressive if approached. Wolves are rarely seen and generally avoid people, but they should always be given distance if spotted. Cougars are extremely elusive, yet awareness matters, particularly at dawn and dusk or on quiet trails.

The key is simple awareness. Stay alert, respect closures, keep dogs leashed, and never approach wildlife for photos. When people and animals keep their distance, encounters usually stay safe for everyone.

Bow Valley Parkway: Slow Down and Plan to Linger

The Bow Valley Parkway is one of those places where rushing completely misses the point. This quieter alternative to the Trans-Canada Highway runs between Banff and Lake Louise and rewards drivers, cyclists, and hikers who are happy to slow down. Wildlife sightings are common, viewpoints come without crowds, and small pull-offs often lead to some of the most memorable moments of a Rockies trip.

Timing matters here more than distance. Early mornings and evenings offer the best chance to spot elk, deer, bears, and occasionally wolves, while midday tends to be calmer and better for hiking. Seasonal closures create car-free windows in spring and fall that make cycling especially appealing, but they also mean you need to check access before you go. Johnston Canyon draws the biggest crowds, while quieter stops like Silverton Falls, Moose Meadows, and Castle Cliffs reward those willing to explore beyond the obvious.

If you want scenery, wildlife, and a slower pace all rolled into one stretch of road, the Parkway is well worth building into your plans.

👉 Read the full guide

🏕️ Quiz

Yesterday’s Question

Which river is shown in this photo of Canmore (the same river flows through Banff)?

✅Answer: 3) Bow River

The Bow River flows through both Canmore and Banff and is easy to explore on foot. Take a walk along it with our Bow River Loop Trail Guide.

🏔️ Fresh from the Rockies

🥾 Canmore’s hidden trails face a major crackdown. Alberta wants to close hundreds of unofficial "pirate trails" around Canmore, rewriting decades of free-form hiking and biking in the name of wildlife protection and reshaping how locals move through the Bow Valley.

🔥 A ski hill birthday bash with serious retro energy. Norquay’s Day of Nostalgia brings memorabilia, races, storytelling, and après-style eats together for a full-slope celebration that feels like stepping straight into Banff ski history.

🛶 Banff’s Flying Canoe Festival is bringing winter nights to life. Debuting Feb 26 to Mar 1, this new evening festival transforms Central Park with lantern-lit paths, live storytelling, fiddle music, and glowing art inspired by the Flying Canoe legend.

🎸 Banff Punk Night Volume XII lands January 6. Beauty In Chaos Productions takes over with Jonny Rocketman’s Atomic Tango, Screw The Noise, Human Stain, and an acoustic opening from Nathan Arson, all packed into one free, no-cover night at the Pump and Tap.

❄️ Kicking Horse just dropped a record-smashing December. A jaw-dropping 213 inches of snow fell in one month, delivering deep, dry, face-shot powder and turning the BC backcountry into a full-blown winter fever dream.

✨ Murrieta’s rolls out a cosy three-course winter feast. For four nights only, this $49 chef-curated menu brings comfort classics like turkey pot pie, shrimp arrabbiata, and cinnamon apple cheesecake together for peak winter dining vibes in Canmore.

🎟️ Eight days of adventure films, sorted in one pass. The Banff Mountain Film Festival’s top-tier Chomolungma Pass is available now, stacking live screenings, online viewing, VIP goodies, and first dibs on on-site accommodation for 2026.

⭐ Most Popular Last Issue

❄️ Weekend of Wonder is taking over Banff this January. Running Jan 22–25 on Bear Street, this SnowDays Festival favourite packs daytime crafts, giant snow sculptures, roaming performers, and kid-friendly ice carving into one seriously fun winter takeover.

🎸Events, Activities & Live Music

📅 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 |

Friday, January 2

15:00 | Live Music Afternoon | Three Bears | Banff

15:30 | Park Distillery Tour | Park Distillery | Banff

17:00 | Irene Poole: Live | Canmore Brewing | Canmore

19:00 | Balkan Greek Night: Dinner Show | The Balkan | Banff

19:00 | Friday Bingo | Canmore Legion | Canmore

19:00 | Hockey: Canmore Eagles | Canmore Recreation Centre | Canmore

19:00 | Harmony Beach: Live | Mineshaft Tavern | Canmore

20:00 | Live Music Night | St. James Gate | Banff

21:00 | LifzGood Acoustic | Rose & Crown Restaurant & Pub | Canmore

22:00 | Friday Night Live DJ LT | High Rollers | Banff

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