July Snowfall, Record Traffic, and the Bus Everyone’s Talking About

Hey Banff! Scenic Rides, Snowy Surprises, and Something Worth Celebrating

Banff had a moment this week - or maybe a few! A snowy July morning at Sunshine, new highs in park traffic, and a better way to get around all made headlines.

If you're looking to beat the parking grind, the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus is your new best friend, covering the top spots like Moraine Lake and Lake Louise.

A new guide is also out with helpful tips on accessible trails and transit - a nice step forward for making the park easier to explore for everyone.

• Banff in July: Read This Before You Visit

📅 Our events calendar is now fully live.
It's your go-to source for local music, festivals, and everything happening around town. Check it out and send us your feedback - we’d love to hear what you think!

🏔️ Banff in Brief - Headlines this Week

❄️ Yes, it really snowed in Banff this July
Sunshine Village's webcams captured fresh flakes falling on Goat's Eye Mountain in the middle of summer - welcome to Alberta! Full story

• Banff Weather by Month

🚌 Banff Hop-On Hop-Off Bus a Summer Success
The Banff Hop-On Hop-Off Bus is earning rave reviews this summer, with 4.9⭐ from hundreds of travellers. The yellow school-style shuttle takes visitors to Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and more - offering a stress-free way to explore without parking hassles. Tickets are selling fast.

🚫 Drone pilot and off-roader fined for breaking park laws in Banff
A Jeep in Cascade Ponds and an illegal drone flight near Crowfoot Glacier both landed their operators with fines in Canmore court. Read more

♿ Accessible Banff Guide Highlights Trails, Transit, and Travel Tips
A new guide is helping visitors with mobility challenges make the most of Banff, with detailed tips on accessible trails, wheelchair-friendly transit, and parking perks at top sites like Lake Louise and Minnewanka. Read more

🚗 Banff traffic nearly breaks all-time record over Canada Day weekend
Vehicle counters recorded over 33,000 cars entering Banff on Sunday, just shy of the 2017 all-time high, as visitor numbers continue to climb. More here

• Banff Parking: The Real Summit to Conquer

🐻 Bumper berry season brings bears to Bow Valley trails
With buffalo berries ripening fast, grizzlies are gorging along popular trails, leading to surprise encounters and fresh bear warnings. Read more

🐻 Grizzly bear with cubs prompts Rawson Lake trail closure
A bluff charge by a mother grizzly has led to a temporary closure of the Rawson Lake and Sarrail Ridge route for public safety. Full story

• Bear Safety

🐻 Lake Minnewanka trail restrictions are now in effect
From July 10 to September 15, hikers must travel in groups of 4 or more, carry bear spray, and leave dogs and bikes behind on restricted sections. Full details

• Lake Minnewanka: Banff’s Big, Bold Lakeside Adventure

🏠 Banff gives first-time buyers priority on home ownership waitlists
The Banff Housing Corporation has expanded its policy to prioritize first-time buyers across its portfolio, following a successful pilot at The Aster. Full story

🛒 Banff IGA and the union clash over workplace visits and rival representation
The store's owner accuses UFCW of workplace intimidation, while the union fires back with claims of employer-backed interference. More here

Readers' Choice: Most Visited Links from the Last Issue

• 🚫 Banff warns of $25,000 fines for rule-breakers

• 📆 Banff in July: Read This Before You Visit

• 📅 Parks Canada: Area closures and restrictions bulletin

🛫 Ready, Set, Explore: Plan Your Trip Now!🏞️

• How to Get to Lake Louise in 2025

• Banff Parking: The Real Summit to Conquer

• How to Get To Moraine Lake

• Banff’s Best Gondolas

• Why You Need to Hike Johnston Canyon

🎟️Events, Activities & Live Music 🎸

We keep it short here - head to OUR NEW EVENTS PAGE for full descriptions and links.

Mon, 14th July

04:00 🌄 Moraine Lake Sunrise Tour - Banff & Canmore
07:30 🧗 Rock Climbing - Banff
09:00 🏞️ Moraine Lake, Lake Louise Tour - Banff
18:00 🌅 Banff Gondola Sunset Event - Banff Gondola - Banff
20:00 🎶 Live Music Night - Three Bears
21:00 🎤 Open Mike Night - The Beaver
22:00 🎧 DJ Set: Konstance in the House - High Rollers
22:00 🎶 Live Music: Brent Lee - Rose & Crown

Tue, 15th July

04:00 🌄 Moraine Lake Sunrise Tour - Banff & Canmore
09:00 🏞️ Moraine Lake, Lake Louise Tour - Banff
18:00 🌅 Banff Gondola Sunset Event - Banff Gondola - Banff
22:00 🎧 July First Party: DJ Styler Nazo - High Rollers
22:00 🎤 July Day Karaoke Night - Melissa's MisSteak
22:00 🎶 Silver Fox Acoustic Duo - Rose & Crown

Wed, 16th July

04:00 🌄 Moraine Lake Sunrise Tour - Banff & Canmore
09:00 🏞️ Moraine Lake, Lake Louise Tour - Banff
10:00 🌽 Banff Farmers Market - Central Park
15:00 🎶 Live Music Afternoon - Three Bears
18:00 🌅 Banff Gondola Sunset Event - Banff Gondola - Banff
18:30 🎤 Live Music: Mari Rosehill - Rimrock Larkspur Lounge
19:00 🗣️ Conversation: Honouring Métis Culture: Crea - The Banff Centre
20:00 🍻 Beers for Queers - Banff Ave Brewery
21:00 🎉 Latin Fiesta @ Melissa's MisSteak - Melissa's MisSteak
22:00 🎤 Tommy's Open Mic - Tommy's Neighbourhood Pub
22:00 🎧 Music with DJ Hops - High Rollers
22:00 🎶 DJ Nazo Live Set - Rose & Crown

Thu, 17th July

04:00 🌄 Moraine Lake Sunrise Tour - Banff & Canmore
07:00 🧘 Yoga in the Park - Central Park
09:00 🏞️ Moraine Lake, Lake Louise Tour - Banff
11:00 📖 Garden Story Time - Luxton Home Museum
16:00 🎶 Live Music: Steph O'Dette - The Bison
17:00 🏓 Pickleball - The Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre
18:00 🌅 Banff Gondola Sunset Event - Banff Gondola - Banff
18:30 🎤 Live Music: Mari Rosehill - Rimrock Larkspur Lounge
19:00 🎉 Thirsty Thursday Party - Melissa's MisSteak
19:00 🍽️ Balkan Greek Night: Dinner Show - The Balkan
19:30 🎻 Chamber Music Concert - The Banff Centre
20:00 🇮🇪 Irish Night: Live Music - St. James Gate
20:30 🎶 Live Music Thursdays - High Rollers
22:00 🎶 Live Music: Red Mile High - Rose & Crown

🎉 Want to see what’s coming up? OUR NEW EVENTS PAGE features a growing list of upcoming events, complete with descriptions and links.

🍺 Happy Hours & Food Specials 🍽️

Below are brief details of all the happy hours we could find in Banff. For more information, visit our dedicated Happy Hour Page.

🍻 Banff Ave Brewing Co (21:00+, Daily)
🎖️ Banff Legion (15:00-17:00, Wed-Sat & 15:00-close, Sun)
🫕 Bluebird (15:00-16:00, Daily)
🍔 Coyotes Southwestern Grill (16:30-18:00, Daily)
🍣 Hello Sunshine (15:00-16:00, Daily)
🎳 High Rollers (Until 18:00, Daily & 22:00+, Mon-Thurs)
🌮 Magpie & Stump & El Patio (15:00-17:00 & 22:00+, Daily)
🥩 Melissa’s MisSteak (15:00-18:00, Daily & 22:00-02:00, Sun-Thurs)
🍸 Park Distillery (15:00-17:00, Daily)
🍻 Sheepdog Brewing (13:00-17:00, Mon-Fri)
🍽️ Sudden Sally (14:00-17:00, Daily)
🍔 The Eddie Burger + Bar (22:00-close, Daily excl. holiday weekends)
🍷 The Fat Ox (14:00-16:00, Daily)
🍝 The Old Spaghetti Factory (14:00-17:00, Daily)
🐻 Three Bears Brewery (15:00-17:00, Daily)
⏰ Tommy’s (15:00-18:00 & 22:00-close)

👋 That’s All For Now 🎬

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