Hi Everyone! Here's What’s Happening This Week!
Yesterday morning, three people were found clinging to trees along the Bow River downstream of Edworthy Park. They were pulled out safely. All three had lifejackets on - a detail worth noting given where the river is sitting right now. The advisory had been issued the morning before.
Canada Day in Banff runs from road closures at 9 a.m. through to the main stage wrapping at 5 p.m. The Train Station lot is free and the first to fill; the Lake Minnewanka Park & Ride is the contingency. The programme covers a parade, farmers market, and live music. Fireworks have been off the table for a while now, and that hasn't changed.
For a longer trip into the mountains, the Spirit Island tour out of Jasper combines wildlife along the Maligne Valley with a cruise to Spirit Island - one of those views that earns its reputation. Transport and timing are handled.
On accommodation, The Malcolm Hotel in Canmore is the answer to Banff pricing that most people don't think to look for. Heated outdoor pool, hot tubs with a view of the Three Sisters, and a location that puts you close enough to everything that matters.
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If you’re hoping to see wildlife and visit Spirit Island, this tour combines both in a single trip. Follow the Maligne Valley, with a stop at Medicine Lake before continuing to Maligne Lake. From there, take a 90-minute cruise to one of the most recognisable views in the Canadian Rockies. All with transport and timing taken care of.
🏔️ Fresh from the Rockies
🌊 Rescued From the Bow, One Day After the Advisory. Three people - one adult and two youths - were pulled from the Bow River this morning after clinging to trees downstream of Edworthy Park. All three were wearing lifejackets - which, at current flow rates, is the only reason this is not a different story.
🅿️ Mark These Dates if You Hike Kananaskis. The Conservation Pass is waived on 11 days across the rest of 2026 - including Canada Day tomorrow, Parks Day, Remembrance Day, and Christmas. Camping and facility fees still apply, and your Canada Strong Pass won't work here.
🎉 Canada Day in Banff Needs a Plan. Road closures begin at 9 a.m., the Train Station lot is free and fills fast, and the Lake Minnewanka Park & Ride connects to Roam Transit if it's gone. The parade, market, and main stage run through to 5 p.m. No fireworks - wildfire risk has permanently changed that.
🎉 A Full Day of It in Canmore Tomorrow. The Canada Day programme runs from a 9 a.m. fun run and Rotary breakfast through to the noon parade along Fairholme Drive and Main Street. The Nordic Ski Club's fun run - now in its 35th year - offers 3km, 5km, and 10km options.
🌊 Kananaskis Village Is Open. Canada Day goes ahead tomorrow in Kananaskis, with Highway 40 open from Highway 1 to the Village and key businesses running. The rest of the region is under a State of Local Emergency.
🌧️ A soggy start to July. Wednesday brings sun and cloud with a 30% chance of afternoon showers, high 18°C. Thursday is the grey day of the trio - cloudy with a 60% chance of showers and a cool 15°C. Friday stays overcast with showers likely, but temps recover to 19°C. Full Forecast Here
⭐ Most Popular Last Issue
🐻 Viral Kananaskis Grizzly Encounter Prompts Warning. A grizzly near Mount Engadine Lodge repeatedly circled and lunged at a leashed dog just before 6 a.m. on June 24 - 82 seconds of it caught on video and now widely circulating.
🏔️5 Things to Do at Mount Norquay This Summer
Mount Norquay sits just minutes from Banff townsite but gets overlooked by visitors focused on the bigger names. That's a mistake worth correcting. Whether you're after a physical challenge, an easy afternoon out, or just somewhere to eat lunch with a view that justifies the trip, Norquay has more going on than most people realise. Here are five things worth doing there this summer.
Sightseeing Chair - The North American Chair is one of the more underrated ways to earn a view in Banff. It's a short, open-air ride that drops you at the sightseeing deck with a panorama of the Rockies. No sweat required.
Via Ferrata - Norquay is the only place in Banff National Park where you can do a via ferrata. There are five routes to choose from, ranging in length and difficulty, and all guided by ACMG-certified guides. Book online before you go - availability does fill up.
Hiking - Norquay sits at 1,600 metres and has well-maintained trails through subalpine terrain with good signage and straightforward access from the resort base. If you want to get into the mountains without driving further into the park, this is a solid starting point.
E-Bikes - Bike Banff operates out of the train station and rents e-bikes, regular bikes, and kids' options. Staff will point you in the right direction.
Food and Drinks with a View - The on-mountain dining room sits at around 7,000 feet and does all-day breakfast, shared plates, and local Alberta beers. Worth a stop even if you're not doing anything more active - the view from up there is hard to argue with.
❓Your Questions Answered
🏔️ Can anyone move to Banff? No - Banff is inside a national park and has strict rules about who is allowed to live there, usually tied to local employment.
🌲 Do the same wildlife safety rules apply to wolves as to bears? There is overlap, but wolves need their own specific set of precautions that visitors often overlook.
🏔️ What will I actually see on Policeman's Creek Trail? Mountain views, wetlands, birdlife, and a couple of historic landmarks - it covers more ground than its easy reputation suggests.
If you like the idea of a luxury mountain hotel but don’t love Banff prices, The Malcolm Hotel in Canmore is well worth considering. One of the highlights is the outdoor heated pool and hot tubs overlooking the Three Sisters. After a day hiking, sightseeing, or skiing in the Bow Valley, it’s a great place to relax and take in the views.
🏕️ Quiz
What river flows through the town of Banff?
Yesterday’s Question: Which town is shown in this photo featuring the Policeman’s Creek boardwalk?
✅Answer: 2) Canmore - 80% Correct
Canmore’s Policeman’s Creek boardwalk is a scenic town walk with riverside views. Plan your visit with our Policeman’s Creek Trail guide.
🎸Events, Activities & Live Music
📅 Featured events for today are listed below. Visit our website for a complete list.
FULL EVENT CALENDAR | BANFF & LAKE LOUISE | CANMORE | JASPER NP
BANFF HAPPY HOURS | CANMORE HAPPY HOURS
Wednesday, July 1
All Day | Canada Day Jasper | Jasper Town | Jasper
All Day | Canada Day Canmore | Canmore Town | Canmore
All Day | Canada Day Banff | Banff Town | Banff
09:00 | Canada Day Patio Party | The Fat Ox | Banff
10:00 | Banff Farmers Market | Central Park | Banff
14:00 | Live Music | Big Dog Smokehouse & BBQ | Canmore
14:30 | Canada Day: Live Music | The Dusty Boot | Banff
18:00 | Sunset Festival @ Banff Gondola | Banff Gondola | Banff
19:00 | Music Bingo | Melissa's Missteak | Banff
19:00 | Open Mic Night | The Local | Canmore
19:30 | The Cheezie Musical | Carter-Ryan Theatre | Canmore
20:30 | Trivia Night | Tavern 1883 | Canmore
20:30 | Line Dancing Beginners | The Dusty Boot | Banff
21:00 | Open Mic/Jam Night | Rose and Crown Canmore | Canmore
21:30 | Line Dancing Intermediate | The Dusty Boot | Banff
22:00 | Zoolion | The Drake | Canmore
📅 Got An Event To Share?
📅 👉 Submit Here (3 days before the event date) for a FREE LISTING
👋 That’s All For Now 🎬
Another week of mountain magic awaits!
We're so glad you're here for the ride.
Keep exploring and sharing, and we'll see you in the next issue with another full lineup of Banff happenings.
Jill & Kevin | Editor | What’s On Banff
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