Hi Everyone! Here's What’s Happening This Week!
Two towns that have spent decades managing their relationship with the surrounding wilderness have now been formally ranked among Canada's most exposed wildfire communities. The risk is structural - a function of where the buildings are, not what the forecast says - and it raises questions about long-term planning in mountain communities that go well beyond this summer.
Parks Canada has issued a bear warning for the Lake Minnewanka Trail this week. Mating pairs in the area mean the trail is carrying more wildlife activity than usual. It remains open, and that is worth factoring into your plans if you were heading that way.
The Bow Valley Parkway's eastern 17km is closed to vehicles daily until June 25, which makes it one of the better arguments for getting a bike out this week. The corridor is long, flat enough to be enjoyable, and without cars it becomes a genuinely different experience. If you would rather have a guide and a motor doing some of the work, the Johnston Canyon e-bike tour covers the Parkway and the canyon in a single half-day. The closure returns in September if the timing doesn't work now.
If the week calls for something slower, Skyridge Glamping sits in a quiet natural setting with private cabins, mountain surroundings, and none of the logistics that come with actual camping. A reasonable base if you want the landscape without the groundsheet.
Our Banff in July post is now fully updated for 2026. Check it out.
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If you like the idea of being surrounded by mountain scenery but don’t want the effort that comes with camping, Skyridge Glamping sits nicely in between. The private cabins are set in a quiet natural setting, giving you a real sense of being away from it all.
At the same time, they offer the comforts that make a stay easy, like a comfortable bed, a warm bathroom, and space to relax indoors. This works well if you want evenings spent looking out at the landscape, mornings that feel unhurried, and a stay that’s about slowing down rather than filling every hour with activities.
🏔️ Fresh from the Rockies
Bow River from the Bow Valley Parkway
🔥 Canmore and Banff Named High Wildfire-Risk Towns. A national risk study has ranked Canmore and Banff among Canada's most structurally exposed wildfire communities - not because of forecast conditions this summer, but because of how many homes sit inside the wildland-urban interface.
🎟️ Jasper Locals Days Return June 14-21. Residents of Jasper, Hinton, and Valemount can access the Maligne Lake Cruise, Jasper SkyTram, and Columbia Icefield Adventure for $5. Proceeds go to the Pursuit Community Fund.
🐻 Bear Warning Issued for Lake Minnewanka Trail. Parks Canada has flagged the Lake Minnewanka Trail for special caution - mating pairs have been seen in the area. The trail remains open.
🚴 Johnston Canyon Is Car-Free Until June 25. The eastern 17km of the Bow Valley Parkway is closed to vehicles daily until June 25, leaving cyclists with one of the Rockies' best scenic corridors to themselves. The closure returns again through September.
🏔️ Woman Dies After Fall on Mount Bryant. A 47-year-old Airdrie woman fell while descending Mount Bryant in Kananaskis on Saturday morning. She was with others at the time.
🌧️ Wet midweek gives way to a sunny stretch - with temperatures climbing nicely by the weekend. Wednesday brings showers with a risk of thunderstorms, 13°C. Thursday clears right up - sunny and a pleasant 18°C. Friday dips back to showers and 15°C, but hold on: the weekend looks lovely. Full Forecast Here
⭐ Most Popular Last Issue
If you're interested in a different perspective on the landscape entirely, the 30-minute helicopter flight over Lake Minnewanka gives you a sense of the scale of this place that's genuinely hard to get from the ground.
🚣Activities You Might Enjoy
🤠 Cowboy Cookout - Swap the coach tour for something slower. This three-hour wagon ride from Warner Stables follows the Bow River to a backcountry cabin where steak gets cooked to order on an open grill. Lassoing lessons included. Layers and closed-toed shoes essential.
🛶 Big Canoe River Explorer - One of the better ways to see the Bow River without fighting a paddle solo. The 12-person voyageur canoe tour runs 1.5 hours from the Banff Canoe Club, with guides covering the river's actual history rather than the usual tourist script. Windproof jacket worth packing.
🦌 Evening Wildlife Tour - Canmore - The golden hour is when the Bow Valley gets interesting. This small-group evening tour targets elk, deer, and the occasional bear in the quieter corridors away from town. Door-to-door pickup from Canmore. Binoculars provided; a telephoto lens helps.
❓Your Questions Answered
🅿️ Is parking available at Lake Louise? Parking exists but fills very early in summer and costs $42 per day. Arriving before sunrise gives you the best chance of a space.
🐾 Why has Split Lip been linked to killing other bears' cubs? It is a natural behaviour called sexually selected infanticide, common among dominant male grizzlies - but the incidents involving Split Lip are more dramatic than most, and well worth reading in full.
💧 Is Takakkaw Falls worth a detour from Banff? Absolutely. It is one of Canada's most dramatic waterfalls and the trail is flat, short, and suitable for all fitness levels.
🌄 Skip the Queue: Where to Sleep in the Lake Louise Area
Moraine Lake Lodge sits right on the edge of Moraine Lake
Getting into the Lake Louise corridor in peak season requires either a reservation, a shuttle, or a very early start - and often all three. Staying on the right side of the road changes the experience considerably.
🏨 Lake Louise Inn - A 247-room property on Village Road, and just a short walk from the village shops. Three on-site restaurants mean you're not scrambling for dinner after a long day on the trails, and the heated indoor pool is a reasonable way to end one. Check It Out
🌲 Paradise Lodge & Bungalows - Individually renovated cabins about 1km from Lake Louise, with kitchens, fireplaces, and free parking. No restaurant on site, but the village is a short drive, and being able to walk to the lakeshore trailheads without joining the car park queue is a practical advantage that's worth more than it sounds. See For Yourself
🌿 Moraine Lake Lodge - Adults only, and priced accordingly, but the access argument alone is compelling: private vehicles cannot drive to Moraine Lake in peak season, so guests here are among the very few who can simply walk out to the water. Complimentary canoeing, guided hikes, and afternoon tea in the library fill in the rest. Take A Look
🏕️ Quiz
What is the public transit company in Banff called?
Yesterday’s Question: Which lake is shown in this photo, known for offering motorboat cruises in Banff National Park?
✅Answer: 2) Lake Minnewanka - 89% Correct
Lake Minnewanka is the only lake in Banff National Park where motorboat cruises operate. You can find more details in our Lake Minnewanka Guide.
This tour brings together a bike ride, a canyon walk, and a scenic drive into one easy half-day. The e-bikes make it possible to enjoy the views without it feeling like a workout. You’ll ride at a relaxed pace through places such as Vermilion Lakes and along the Bow Valley Parkway.
🎸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, June 10
All Day| Canmore MTB Classic | Canmore Nordic Centre | Canmore
10:00 | Banff Farmers Market | Central Park | Banff
15:00 | Live Music Afternoon | Three Bears | Banff
17:00 | Chess Night | Jasper Municipal Library | Jasper
18:30 | Dance Workshop | The Banff Centre | Banff
19:00 | Music Bingo | Melissa's Missteak | Banff
19:00 | Open Mic Night | The Local | Canmore
19:00 | Yoga in the Park: CYAN | Riverside Park | Canmore
20:30 | Trivia Night | Tavern 1883 | Canmore
21:00 | Open Mic/Jam Night | Rose & Crown Canmore | Canmore
22:00 | DJ Bunny Hops | High Rollers | Banff
22:00 | Tommy's Open Mic | Tommy's Pub | Banff
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👋 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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