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

The Banff Gondola has added something to its summit experience that doesn't cost extra: live music. From now through September 7, there's a band playing nightly from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. at the top of Sulphur Mountain - included with your gondola ticket. The drinks are still on you.

The Canada Strong Pass waives Banff park entry from today through September 7, with 25% off camping. Existing Discovery Pass holders get an extension rather than a refund, so no one who already paid is out of pocket.

Parks Canada is also running a car-sharing pilot this summer aimed at reducing traffic in the valley. Cars arriving with four or more passengers qualify for a free Whyte Museum pass - modest as carrots go, but the parking situation in Banff in July is its own argument for carpooling.

For anyone prioritising Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, Paradise Lodge & Bungalows is one of the most convenient cabin options. It is close enough to walk to Lake Louise, and guests can also book shuttle services to Moraine Lake through transport partners that stop at the property. Booking ahead is compulsory at this point in the season.

See Banff’s Lakes Before You Visit | Moraine Lake | Moraine Lake Rockpile | Lake Louise | Peyto Lake | Bow Lake

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👉 Find out what is happening this week and beyond on our Events Page.
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Every week, readers email us asking where to stay, what to prioritise, and how to make the most of their time here. We've put together a one-to-one consultation service so we can answer those questions properly - tailored to your trip, not a generic list.

For a classic Banff experience, this guided horseback ride is hard to beat. Over the course of an hour, you’ll ride beside the Bow River and through a beautiful part of the valley near Cave and Basin, with mountain views all around you.

It works well for first-time riders and anyone looking to add something memorable to their trip. We often recommend it to visiting friends and family, and because it only takes an hour, it’s easy to fit into a Banff visit.

Reserve now to enjoy a scenic horseback ride in Banff

🌄 Sunset Festival Returns to Sulphur Mountain. The Banff Gondola hosts live music at the summit nightly from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. through September 7, included with a ticket. The music's free once you're up there; the drinks are not.

🍁 Banff Admission Is Free This Summer. The Canada Strong Pass waives park entry from today until September 7, with 25% off camping. Existing Discovery Passes get extended, so anyone who paid early isn't out of pocket.

🚗 Four to a Car, Free Museum. Banff & Lake Louise Tourism is testing a Park Mode pilot that rewards cars carrying four or more people with free Whyte Museum passes. It is aimed at Calgary day-trippers, and for now the carrot is one museum ticket.

🚴 Tunnel Mountain First, Patagonia Later. Wings of Survival hosts a community ride up Tunnel Mountain on June 20, then coffee and a talk about their planned 30,000km cycle from Alaska to Patagonia. The hill is the warm-up.

🚧 Numa Creek Route to Rockwall Closed. A washed-out bridge at the 3.2km mark has made the Numa Creek trail impassable, closing that access to the Rockwall for the 2026 season. Floe Lake, Tumbling Creek and Helmet Falls still get you there.

🌦️ Another week, another round of showers-sun-showers for the Rockies. Thursday tops out at 15°C with a chance of showers; Friday flips to sunshine and a warmer 21°C, then Saturday clouds back over with showers and a high of 14°C. The pattern that has defined June so far shows no sign of letting up just yet. Full Forecast Here

🍽️ Eat your way through the Banff Springs Hotel. This small-group tour takes you behind the scenes of the iconic castle for tastings made with local Alberta ingredients, chef meet-and-greets, and stories from its storied past. Reserve your spot here.

🥾 Private Banff Hiking Tour - Fancy the trails without the crowds? This private guided hike lets your group pick from four routes, each with a certified guide unpacking the geology along the way. Sturdy boots and two litres of water are non-negotiable.

🚙 Calgary to Rockies SUV Tour - Why not skip the coach crowds? This private SUV tour runs from Calgary to Lake Louise and Canmore, hitting the classic Bow Valley landmarks at your own pace. Pack a waterproof layer; it's cooler up top than the city.

🚣 Jasper Family Rafting - Got the kids in tow? This family rafting trip tackles five sets of gentle Class 2 rapids on the Athabasca, with elk and eagles along the banks. Wetsuits provided; just wear swimwear underneath and skip the cotton.

🐻 Can you see wildlife from a gondola in Banff? Yes - some gondola routes pass directly over active wildlife corridors, making them a genuine way to spot animals without leaving the gondola.

🚶 Can you walk to the Three Sisters Viewpoint trailhead from Canmore town centre? Yes - it's around a half-hour stroll from downtown, making it an easy addition to a day exploring Canmore on foot.

🏨 Do you need to be a hotel guest to use the spa? Not always - many Banff hotel spas accept day visitors, though booking ahead is strongly recommended.

Banff in summer is busy, expensive, and not especially forgiving of families trying to wing it - the parking is a problem, the restaurants have queues, and the kids are already asking when they can go in a pool. These three hotels have thought about that more than most.

🏰 Fairmont Banff Springs - The case for spending more than you planned: two heated saltwater pools (one indoor, one outdoor), an on-site bowling alley, a "Kids @ The Castle" programme running scavenger hunts and nature safaris for ages 3 to 12, and Gatehouse Rooms with built-in bunk beds designed for exactly this situation. Children under 12 eat free from the kids' menu when dining with a paying adult. It's a lot of money, and it's also a lot of hotel. Compare prices before you book

🏡 Hidden Ridge Resort - The practical choice for families who'd rather not eat every meal in a restaurant. Condo-style units on Tunnel Mountain come with full kitchens, wood-burning fireplaces, sofa beds, and balconies - some sleeping up to eight or ten. On-site, there's a hot tub area, a children's playground, year-round BBQ stations, and a free shuttle into town so parking in Banff centre doesn't have to be your problem. Compare prices before you book

🏊 Lake Louise Inn - Being based in Lake Louise village rather than Banff town puts you closer to the lake itself. The inn has a heated indoor pool, three hot tubs, a Timberwolf Pizza and Pasta Cafe that tends to go down well with under-twelves, complimentary mini golf in summer, and children under 17 staying free in existing bedding. Not glamorous, but reliably solid. Compare prices before you book

Yesterday’s Question: Which viewpoint was this photo of Lake Louise taken from, offering a higher perspective above the lakeshore?

✅Answer: 1) Fairview Lookout - 61% Correct.

Fairview Lookout offers a great view over Lake Louise. Our guide explains how to get to Lake Louise and plan your visit.

If Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are high on your list, Paradise Lodge & Bungalows is a convenient place to stay. The property is about 1 km from the Lake Louise lakeshore, so you can walk there. Paradise Lodge also partners with Mountain Park Transportation to offer guests a shuttle service to Moraine Lake.

Reserve now to stay close to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake

📅 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

17:00 | Rooftop Sessions | Rose & Crown Banff | Banff

18:30 | Live Musician Night | The Dusty Boot | Banff

19:00 | Bingo Night | Canmore Legion | Canmore

19:00 | Live Music Fridays | Moxy Banff | Banff

19:00 | The Barflyz | Mineshaft Tavern | Canmore

19:30 | Friday Night Comedy | artsPlace Canmore | Canmore

19:30 | Waihona Kino by Tau Dance | The Banff Centre | Banff

19:30 | Greek Dinner Show | Balkan Restaurant | Banff

21:00 | Jam Night | The Stand Easy | Jasper

21:00 | David Roy: Live | Tavern 1883 | Canmore

22:00 | Jesse Roads Band | Rose & Crown Banff | Banff

22:00 | Fonzie Scheme: Live | The Drake | Canmore

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