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- Horses, Skis, Chaos: Banff’s Wildest Show
Horses, Skis, Chaos: Banff’s Wildest Show
🌟 What's On Banff - Events, Activities, Live Music & Good News! 😊
Kevin J
January 08, 2026
Hi Everyone! Here's What’s Happening This Week!
SnowDays starts soon and opens with one of the most jaw-dropping events: skijoring. If you have never seen it, picture horses charging down the street with skiers flying behind them - fast, loud, and impossible to look away. It is the kind of winter chaos you can only get in the Rockies, and it always pulls a crowd.
On the other end of the scale (but still seriously cool), Canmore Museum has an avalanche rescue dog demo coming up with Java and handler Don McPhalen. Real training, real skills, and a behind-the-scenes look at how these teams practice for the moments that matter.
And if you are craving something active, Mountain Madness is back with a relay that flips between downhill skiing, running, skating, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing - costumes encouraged, bragging rights guaranteed.
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 -6 °C and low -12 °C.
Canmore: Mainly sunny, high -5 °C and low -11 °C.
Jasper: Mainly sunny, high -10 °C and low -16 °C.
👉 For a complete up-to-date forecast for the week ahead, visit our Weather Page.
Lake Louise is one of the must-see destinations in Banff National Park, but access isn’t easy. Staying at the Chateau Lake Louise is one of the most straightforward ways to experience Lake Louise without the usual challenges.
The hotel sits directly on the lakeshore, which means you can enjoy early mornings and quieter evenings once day visitors have left. Many of the area’s best-known hikes, including routes to Lake Agnes and the Plain of Six Glaciers, start right outside the hotel.
It’s also a practical base for visiting Moraine Lake, thanks to an exclusive guest shuttle that simplifies planning and avoids long days and early starts from Banff.
🏔️ Fresh from the Rockies
🏇 Skijoring is back, and Banff Avenue is about to thunder. Horses, skiers, and snowboarders charge through town during SnowDays on January 17-18, 2026, with trick riding, stunt skiing, instant replays, and a SkijorStyle fashion showdown baked into the chaos. This is one event we never miss!
❄️🐕 Watch a real avalanche rescue dog in action at Canmore Museum. A live winter demo brings trained rescue dog Java and handler Don McPhalen to the Barracks for snow burials, retrieval drills, and serious wow-factor.
🥾 Dream job alert: Alberta Parks wants new rangers. These roles focus on visitor experience, stewardship, and education, meaning you get paid to keep parks safe, welcoming, and running smoothly all season long. Must look good in green.
❄️ Banff snow crews are moving mountains - literally. More than 300 dump trucks of snow have already been hauled off local streets, enough to build a 150-foot-tall snow pile the width of the Central Park Gazebo. Check the schedule.
🏔️ Five sports, one team, total winter chaos. Mountain Madness returns to Banff with a two-hour relay that jumps from downhill skiing to running, skating, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing - costumes strongly encouraged. Don’t miss out.
⭐ Most Popular Last Issue
🏞️ Moraine Lake and Lake Louise are two Banff highlights, but access and parking can be difficult. This easy half-day tour includes round-trip transport from Banff, with around 90 minutes at each lake. Book now for a relaxed lakes experience.
🏕️ Quiz
Which lake is shown in this photo, it is known for its bright blue colour and is a short hike above Canmore? |
Today’s quiz answer appears at the end of the events section below.
The Banff Gondola is one of Banff’s most popular attractions, and with good reason. It offers an easy way to reach the summit of Sulphur Mountain without hiking. The short 8-minute ride leads to observation decks, a boardwalk, and an interpretive centre. For a special winter experience, head up at sunset and catch the Nightrise light show.
Book your ride for summit views without the hike!
🏔️ Plan Your Trip
How to Plan a Luxury Escape in Banff and Lake Louise
A luxury trip to Banff and Lake Louise is less about cramming in sights and more about choosing experiences that feel special from start to finish. Timing, reservations, and how you move between places matter just as much as where you stay. Many of the standout experiences here work best when they’re booked in advance and built into a slower, more intentional itinerary.
High-end experiences tend to cluster around a few key themes. Scenic access without effort, like gondola rides and helicopter tours, lets you take in the landscape without long hikes. Water-based experiences such as Lake Minnewanka cruises or canoeing on Lake Louise add a classic Rockies feel with minimal planning stress.
Guided adventures such as Via Ferrata routes, wildlife tours, and private hikes offer access to places that are harder to experience independently. Pairing these with spa time, fine dining, and unhurried evenings creates a natural rhythm to the trip.
Where you stay and how you get around also shape the experience. Central Banff hotels such as the Moose Hotel and Suites and Peak Hotel and Suites reduce travel time, while Moraine Lake Lodge gives you easy access to one of the park’s most popular spots.
Private transfers, shuttles, or guided transport remove the need to think about parking or driving. A luxury itinerary works best when each day has a clear focus and space to enjoy it properly, rather than trying to see everything at once.
🎸Events, Activities & Live Music
📅 Today’s Events are listed below. For more details and to view future events, visit our website.
Thu, 8th Jan
09:00 🚌 Celebrate with Roam Transit! - Canmore Civic Centre, Canmore
19:00 🍽️ Balkan Greek Night: Dinner Show - The Balkan, Banff
19:00 ❓ Trivia Night - The Blake Brewhouse & Distillery, Canmore
20:00 🎶 Irish Night: Live Music - St. James Gate, Banff
20:30 😂 Comedy: Conner Christmas - Tavern 1883, Canmore
21:00 🎧 DJ Bunny Hops - Magpie & Stump, Banff
22:00 🎉 Thirsty Thursday Party - Melissa's MisSteak, Banff
22:00 🎧 Live DJ Set - High Rollers, Banff
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: 1) Grassi Lakes
Grassi Lakes are known for their bright blue colour and a short, rewarding hike above Canmore. Find out more with our Grassi Lakes hike guide.
Yesterday’s quiz: 52% of you correctly chose The Three Sisters
📢 The Banff Bulletin
The best food, tours, and finds across the Park.
🏞️ Lake Louise & Johnston Canyon Half-Day Tour - Price drop from $89 to $60 until Jan 21 on this 4.9⭐ rated tour. View deal
🍕 Bridgette Bar Happy Hour, Canmore - Daily from 14:00 to 17:00, and again from 22:00, with 50% off all beverages and pizzas. View 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 $149, now $90 until March 3. Reserve here
🍖 The Elk & Oarsman Thursday Special - Daily deal featuring baby back ribs at $19 half rack or $25 full rack, plus Banded Peak pints for $5.75. Dine-in only. Check it out
👋 That’s All For Now 🎬 Another week of mountain magic awaits! Jill & Kevin | Editor | What’s On Banff |  |
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