Hi Everyone! Here's What’s Happening This Week!
The eastern Bow Valley Parkway stays closed to cars until June 25, which makes this the last week to ride it without traffic before it reopens to vehicles. It is the quietest the road gets all year, and the wildlife has it to itself overnight.
A grizzly has closed part of Kananaskis. A bluff charge shut the Upper Lake Circuit between North Interlakes and White Spruce, including the Everest Trail. A bluff charge means the bear stopped short this time.
Father's Day is June 21, and Sheepdog Brewing is running Beer School at Mount Engadine to mark it: flight tastings at 1:30 and 3:30, lawn games, a campfire, and s'mores, for $37.50 a head, reservations required.
If you would prefer to keep the celebration indoors, the Fairmont Banff Springs food tour takes a small group through the castle for five tastings and a chef's demo.
Canmore Easy Hikes | Bow River Loop | Quarry Lake | Three Sisters | Policeman’s Creek | Larch Island
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👉 Find out what is happening this week and beyond on our Events Page.
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🏔️ Banff Trip Planning Consultation
Not sure where to stay? Wondering how many days you need? Trying to fit too much into your itinerary?
Book a 50-minute consultation with Jill for personalised advice on planning your Banff and Canadian Rockies trip. You'll also receive a written summary and follow-up email support.
If you’re travelling with family or a group, having space to spread out can make a big difference. Blackstone Mountain Lodge in Canmore offers one, two, and three-bedroom suites with full kitchens, making longer stays or family trips much easier. You can prepare simple meals, keep snacks on hand, and enjoy the extra space that comes with separate bedrooms and living areas.
The lodge is in Canmore, about 20 minutes from Banff and minutes from the gates of Banff National Park. You still get the same dramatic Rocky Mountain scenery, but in a town that feels a little more relaxed. It works well if you want easy access to the park while staying somewhere that feels more like a home than a hotel.
🏔️ Fresh from the Rockies
Bow River - Banff National Park
🚴 It’s your last week. Bow Valley Parkway Stays Car-Free Until June 25. The eastern section of the Bow Valley Parkway remains closed to vehicles for one more week, accessible via Vermilion Lakes Drive and the Legacy Trail. The parkway closes to all users from 8 PM to 8 AM for wildlife restrictions.
🐻 Grizzly Closes Kananaskis Lake Circuit Section. A grizzly bear bluff charge has shut the Upper Kananaskis Lake Circuit between North Interlakes and White Spruce Day Use Areas, including the Everest Trail. A bluff charge means the bear stopped - this time.
🚗 Banff Is Getting a Car Share Programme. The Town is launching a car share service because Banff covers less than 4 sq km and every square metre is already developed. It targets trips Roam doesn't cover: canoe launches, Calgary runs, trailheads off the bus network.
🍺 Father's Day Beer School at Mount Engadine. Sheepdog Brewing is running Beer School sessions at Mount Engadine on June 21, with flight tastings at 1:30 and 3:30 PM, lawn games, campfire, and s'mores. Reservations required at $37.50 per person.
🚌 Edmonton Gets a Direct Bus to Jasper. FlixBus is launching a seasonal daily route between Edmonton and Jasper National Park from June 18. The service runs Thursdays to Mondays only.
🌦️ The flip-flop forecast continues - Banff can't seem to make up its mind, and this week is no different. Thursday brings a chance of showers and a high of 15°C, before Friday clears to a sunny 21°C. The showers are back for Saturday, topping out at 14°C. Full Forecast Here
⭐ Most Popular Last Issue
🕳️ A Hole Opened Up at Lake Minnewanka. In early May, a sinkhole on the beach revealed a hidden underground room built from log walls and hand-cut planking, with no plans, photos, or records. Best guess: 1944, and nobody's sure what it was for.
🚣Activities You Might Enjoy
🥾 Sunshine Meadows Guided Hike - Fancy alpine scenery without the brutal climb? This guided meadows hike rides the gondola up, then wanders past three high lakes on the Continental Divide. Bring layers and a litre of water; the weather turns fast up here.
🔦 Canmore Caving Adventure - Always wondered what's underground? This wild cave tour drops you 18 metres by rope into Rat's Nest Cave, crawling through a real limestone labyrinth. Expect dirt, narrow squeezes, and sturdy boots are non-negotiable.
🏰 Eat the Castle at Banff Springs - Why not pair history with a feast? This castle food tour winds through the Fairmont's grandest rooms over five tastings, with a chef's demo thrown in. Smart-casual dress and a healthy appetite recommended.
❓Your Questions Answered
♿ Is Roam Transit accessible for all visitors? Yes - the buses are designed to be accessible and comfortable for all passengers, including those with mobility needs.
💰 Is it expensive to live in Canmore? The scenery does come with a price tag - find out what it costs to live there.
📅 Does Banff have events and festivals year-round? Yes - festivals and events run in every season across Banff, Canmore, and Jasper, from winter carnivals to summer music festivals.
🛖 Skip Banff, Sleep Better
Canmore sits just outside the national park boundary - quieter streets, lower rates, and a town with its own distinct character. These three properties give you a great base without the Banff premium.
🏔️ Blackstone Mountain Lodge - Full condo-style suites with gourmet kitchens, in-suite laundry, balconies, and mountain views that don't require you to leave the building for. The outdoor pool and two hot tubs handle the post-hike recovery, and heated underground parking means no scraping ice at 7 am. Works especially well for families or groups splitting the cost across a two or three-bedroom suite. Compare prices before you book
🏨 The Malcolm Hotel - Canmore's smartest full-service option, with a rooftop pool, hot tubs, the Stirling Grill on-site, and free underground parking built into the room rate. It sits in the Spring Creek neighbourhood, a five-minute walk from Main Street - close enough to be convenient, far enough from the main drag that it's actually quiet at night. Compare prices before you book
🏕️ Pocaterra Inn - Three-star pricing with an included breakfast buffet, free parking, and an indoor pool with waterslide that earns its keep if you're travelling with children. Rooms are well-sized, reviews are consistently positive, and the value-to-comfort ratio is noticeably better than you'll find for equivalent money inside the park. Compare prices before you book
🏕️ Quiz
Which viewpoint was this photo of Lake Louise taken from, offering a higher perspective above the lakeshore?
Yesterday’s Question: What is the Legacy Trail?
✅ Answer: B) A paved cycling path between Banff and Canmore - 80% Correct.
The Legacy Trail links Banff and Canmore with stunning mountain views along the way. Learn more about the route.
This small-group experience takes you behind the scenes of the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel as you visit several dining areas inside the historic building. You’ll enjoy a series of tastings made with locally sourced Alberta ingredients, meet members of the culinary team, and hear stories about the hotel’s history as you explore its grand hallways.
🎸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
Thursday, June 18
10:00 | Canmore Mountain Market | Elevation Place | Canmore
13:30 | Workshop: Making a Medicine Pouch | The Banff Centre | Banff
16:30 | Annual Summer Solstice Party | The Malcolm Hotel | Canmore
17:00 | Chess Night | Canmore Public Library | Canmore
18:00 | Pub Nights | Bill Warren Training Centre | Canmore
18:20 | CAMBA x Dirt Queens Social Rides | Canmore Nordic Centre | Canmore
19:00 | Poker Night | Canmore Legion | Canmore
19:00 | Trivia Night | The Drake | Canmore
19:30 | Balkan Greek Dinner Show | Balkan Restaurant | Banff
21:00 | DJ Palf | High Rollers | Banff
21:00 | Jam Night: Live | Tavern 1883 | Canmore
22:00 | Jesse Roads Band | Rose & Crown Banff | Banff
📅 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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