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

Banff and Canmore are under an official yellow air quality warning through the weekend, driven by wildfire smoke that has been drifting into the valley since midweek. Anyone older, younger, or managing a health condition that minds smoke has good reason to sit this one out, and honestly, so does everyone else once the haze gets thick enough to blur the peaks.

Which makes an evening at Canmore's Carter-Ryan Theatre a reasonable substitute for a hike. The Cheezie Musical, tracing Hawkins Cheezies back to their 1957 Ontario origins, opened this week and runs through August 16. Tickets start at $40.54, which buys two hours indoors for roughly what a bulk box of the actual snack costs.

For the stretches when the smoke thins, the hop-on-hop-off bus is still one of the least complicated ways to see Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and the Lake Louise Gondola. One ticket, no fixed schedule, and someone else worrying about parking.

Or skip the bus altogether and sleep at the trailhead. Johnston Canyon Lodge & Bungalows sits close enough to the canyon that you can walk in before the crowds arrive or after the last tour bus leaves.

Plan a visit to Johnston Canyon | Why you need to hike Johnston Canyon | Johnston Canyon Hike - Banff National Park in July | Take the Hop-on Hop-off Bus | eBike to the canyon

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This one runs to Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and the Lake Louise Gondola, and you choose how long to spend at each. No fixed lunch stop, no guide moving the group along, just guaranteed seating between stops.

Check it out and lock in your seat

🌫️ Air Quality Warning Hits Banff. Environment Canada's yellow air quality warning for Banff and Canmore, driven by wildfire smoke, lasts through the weekend. Older residents, young children, and those with health conditions should limit time outdoors.

🧀 Cheezies Take Centre Stage. The Cheezie Musical, telling the origin story of Hawkins Cheezies in 1957 Ontario, runs at Canmore's Carter-Ryan Theatre through August 16. Tickets start at $40.54 - roughly what a bulk box of the actual snack would cost.

🐻 Bear Report Trims One, Adds One. This week's bear report lifts the Lake Minnewanka closure to a warning and closes Rawson Lake Trail and Sarrail Ridge for a grizzly with cubs. Minnewanka's reprieve lasts three days before the seasonal restriction shuts it anyway.

⛰️ Ski Resort Fight Ends in a Park. After decades in court, including a loss at the Supreme Court of Canada, the former Jumbo Glacier Resort site west of Invermere is now headed toward permanent protection instead.

🧗 Rundle Rock Gives Way. A rockslide shut Rundle Rock, Rundlehorn, MacLab Slab and Goldrush Tuesday, closing the route from Spray River Bridge to the golf course loop pending a geotechnical assessment. No injuries were reported, and the golf course itself is open.

☀️ Rockies weather is trending warm and bright through the weekend. Thursday stays mixed with sun and cloud at 24°C, then it's clear skies Friday at 22°C before Saturday climbs to 26°C. A great few days to plan some time outdoors. Full Forecast Here

If Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are still on your list, the shuttle logistics alone can eat half a day. This full-day tour strings them together with Emerald Lake, Natural Bridge and Johnston Canyon, so someone else handles the timing.

🛶 Lake Louise Canoe & Moraine Lake Tour - Paddle Lake Louise's glacial water to the foot of Victoria Glacier, then continue to Moraine Lake for the Rockpile's famous view - no queues, no road closure hassle. Get out to both lakes in a single day.

🚠 Jasper SkyTram - Ride the longest, highest cable tramway in Canada up Whistlers Mountain in under eight minutes, stepping out to boardwalk views across six mountain ranges and marmots sunning on the rocks. Jasper's fastest route to the alpine, with a full flight of live commentary included.

🚙 Calgary to Banff SUV Tour - Trade the prairie horizon for the jagged limestone peaks of Banff National Park, stopping at Bow Falls, Surprise Corner and the turquoise waters of Lake Louise along the way. The drive itself becomes the highlight when someone else is behind the wheel.

🕗 How early do Banff car parks fill up in summer? Downtown lots are typically full by 10 am - arriving early or using free outlying lots saves a lot of frustration.

🥾 Where are the best places to see the larches in Banff? From alpine hikes to scenic drives, there are options for every fitness level - you do not need to be an experienced hiker to enjoy the golden display.

👀 Can visitors actually see The Boss? Sightings happen, mostly from roadsides like the Bow Valley Parkway - but treating any encounter with caution and distance is always the right approach.

The Johnston Canyon trailhead is steps from your cabin, so you can walk it before the crowds show up or after the buses leave, all without the usual hunt for parking.

Find out more

Yesterday’s Question: What is Banff named after?

✅ Answer: C) The Scottish hometown of two railway officials - 64% Correct

📅 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

04:00 | Alberta Road Show | Banff Springs Hotel | Banff

10:00 | Canmore Mountain Market | Elevation Place | Canmore

11:00 | Oh Canada Exhibit | Elevation Place | Canmore

13:00 | Anne of Green Gables | Centennial Park | Canmore

18:00 | Pub Nights | Bill Warren Training Centre | Canmore

18:00 | Sunset Festival @ Banff Gondola | Banff Gondola | Banff

19:00 | Trivia Night | The Drake | Canmore

19:00 | Literary Cabaret: Summer Writers | The Banff Centre | Banff

19:00 | Little Women | Centennial Park | Canmore

19:00 | Asog- Movie | artsPlace Canmore | Canmore

19:30 | The Cheezie Musical | Carter-Ryan Theatre | Canmore

21:00 | Mike Burns | Rose and Crown Canmore | Canmore

22:00 | Throttle Up | Rose and Crown Banff | Banff

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