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

One of the Rockies' best waterfall drives is open and worth the trip. Takakkaw Falls in Yoho National Park is running hard on spring snowmelt, and the Yoho Valley Road - a narrow, switchback climb that trailers and large RVs cannot navigate - is open for the season. Plan for a full day and visit Emerald Lake and the Natural Bridge at the same time. Bring layers; the valley sits higher than it looks on the map.

Banff Sunshine is running a summer ski season this week, June 20 to July 5, with two chairlifts open on what's been a record snow year. Hiking and sightseeing access doesn't open until July 6, so if skiing is the draw, the time to go is now.

Parks Canada's final Bear Aware webinar of the spring runs this Wednesday, June 24 - a free 75-minute online session on bear identification, behaviour, and how to handle an encounter. Book your spot here if you're spending any time on the trails this summer.

Jill's trip planning consultations are booked solid until July 8. If you're planning a Rockies trip and want help with it, book a slot now rather than later.

Wildlife Safety | Bear | Elk | Wolf | Cougar

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👉 Find out what is happening this week and beyond on our Events Page.

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. Learn More

Reaching Moraine Lake and Lake Louise in summer often means navigating parking restrictions and fitting your plans around fixed tour schedules. This open-top bus tour takes a more flexible approach, with hourly departures that let you manage your time.

Travelling by double-decker bus, open on warm days and enclosed when it’s cooler, you’ll visit Moraine Lake for time on the Rockpile Trail before continuing to Lake Louise to explore the shoreline at your own pace. A lunch break in Lake Louise Village is included, and the full day runs 8 to 10 hours, so it doesn’t feel rushed.

Book here and explore on your own schedule

🌨️ Hail Hits Calgary: Book a Rental Now. A hailstorm has hit Calgary, and rental cars will go fast - insurance replacement bookings after major hail events have cleaned out city lots within days before. If you need a vehicle in the coming weeks, book today.

💧 Takakkaw Falls Running Strong. One of the Rockies' tallest waterfalls is open and running high on spring snowmelt. Worth the drive up the Yoho Valley Road.

⛷️ Summer Skiing Opens at Sunshine Village. Banff Sunshine's record snow year has earned a summer ski season: June 20 to July 5, with the Strawberry and Standish Express chairlifts running. Hiking and sightseeing don't open until July 6.

🐻 Free Bear Aware Webinar This Wednesday. Parks Canada wildlife specialists are running a 75-minute online session on June 24 covering bear identification, behaviour, and encounter prevention. It's the last of three sessions this spring.

🛣️ Highwood Pass Open, Conditions Patchy. Canada's highest paved road reopened this week after its winter closure, restoring access to southern Kananaskis. Trails are wet and muddy, a bear advisory is in effect, and last year's footage from the pass is a useful reminder that wildlife doesn't wait for peak season.

🐻 Bear Warning at Camp Chief Hector. Alberta Parks has issued a warning for Bow Valley Provincial Park after black bears were spotted in and around the YMCA camp feeding on natural vegetation. Bear spray and noise are advised.

🧘 Reformer Pilates Lands on Main Street. 103 Canmore Pilates is now open, with owner Shawna Clark focusing on recovery, mobility and beginner-friendly classes for active Bow Valley residents.

☀️ After weeks of back-and-forth, the Rockies are finally tipping toward sunshine. Sunday's still nursing a 30 per cent chance of showers and a cooler 15°C, but Monday brightens into a mix of sun and cloud at 16°C, and Tuesday goes all in with a sunny 22°C. Full Forecast Here

Canmore gets a new steakhouse on June 26. Hunter, at Spring Creek, is running a classic menu - shrimp cocktail, wedge salad, tartare - over a wood-fired Josper grill. Reservations are now open.

🚡 Jasper SkyTram - Fancy a quick lift into the alpine? This scenic tramway climbs to 2,263 metres in seven minutes, opening up six mountain ranges and a boardwalk among the marmots. Pack windproof layers; the summit runs far colder than town.

🍂 Larch Valley Guided Hike - Want autumn gold without the parking faff? This guided larch hike sorts transport from Banff and climbs to golden subalpine larches above the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Sturdy boots and proper layers essential; grizzlies roam here in berry season.

🌅 Moraine Lake Sunrise or Sunset Tour - Why not catch the lake at its quietest? This shoulder-hours tour lands you at the Rockpile for alpenglow or stargazing, blankets included. Dress for near-freezing temperatures, even mid-summer.

🗺️ How long should you set aside for a Johnston Canyon visit? It depends on how far you go - a quick return to the Lower Falls takes under an hour, while the full hike to the Ink Pots is a half-day out.

🐻 Who is The Boss in Banff? The Boss is Bear 122, the most famous grizzly in the Rockies - a dominant male whose story is woven into Banff's wildlife history.

🌦️ What should I expect from the weather during larch season? Conditions in the Rockies can change fast in autumn - dressing in layers and checking forecasts before heading out is strongly advised.

Banff is not a cheap place to sleep, and anyone who's priced up a weekend here in peak season will know exactly how quickly the accommodation bill becomes the dominant line item. These three properties offer a more reasonable deal without asking you to compromise on location or facilities.

🏡 The Dorothy Motel - A compact boutique motel at the eastern end of Banff Avenue, modern and well-maintained, with in-room mini-fridge, microwave, in-room coffee, and free parking on site. Downtown is 15 minutes on foot, or you can use the complimentary ROAM transit pass the motel provides. Guests also get access to the rooftop hot pools at the neighbouring Hotel Canoe - a quietly excellent perk at this price point.

⛰️ Banff Rocky Mountain Resort - Positioned at the base of Rundle and Cascade mountains on Banff Avenue, about 4 km from the town centre. Condos have full kitchens and fireplaces, and the property includes an indoor pool, indoor and outdoor hot tubs, tennis courts, and an on-site restaurant. A free shuttle runs to downtown on request. Further out than some visitors would prefer, but the rate tends to reflect it, and elk wandering the grounds has a way of softening the commute

🌲 Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets - On Tunnel Mountain Road, four minutes from downtown by car, with free unlimited shuttle access into town included for all guests. Every suite comes with a full kitchen - genuinely useful when Banff restaurant prices start adding up. The resort also has two indoor waterslides, a pool, saunas, and a fitness centre. Families will find this particularly well set up.

Yesterday’s Question: What is the Canmore “Big Head”?

✅ Answer: B) A giant sculpture of a head in downtown Canmore - 72% Correct

The “Big Head” is one of Canmore’s quirkiest landmarks and a favourite photo stop. Learn more about its story.

Lake Louise is one of the must-see destinations in Banff National Park, but access isn’t easy. Staying at the Chateau Lake Louise is one of the most straightforward ways to experience Lake Louise without the usual challenges. The hotel is also the starting point for many of the area’s best-known hikes, and a practical base for visiting Moraine Lake.

Find out more about this iconic hotel

📅 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

12:00 | Big Shiny Birthday Bash | Grizzly BBQ Beer Garden | Canmore

16:00 | Father's Day at the Fat Ox | The Fat Ox | Banff

18:00 | Gord March: Live | Rose & Crown Canmore | Canmore

19:00 | Meadowlarks | artsPlace Canmore | Canmore

19:00 | The Gummy Bear Invitational | Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course | Banff

22:00 | Brent Lee | Rose & Crown Banff | Banff

20:00 | Monday Trivia | High Rollers | Banff

20:00 | Live Music Night | Three Bears | Banff

20:00 | Tyson Ray Borsboom: Live | Three Bears | Banff

22:00 | DJ Set: With Tenax | High Rollers | Banff

22:00 | Karaoke Night | The Drake | Canmore

22:00 | Andrew StayGold | Rose & Crown Banff | Banff

All Day | Lux Cinema – Cheap Tuesday | Lux Cinema Banff | Banff

15:00 | Tyson Ray Borsboom | Park Distillery | Banff

17:00 | Comedy Magic: Monsters of Schlock | The Drake | Canmore

19:00 | Trivia Tuesday | Rose & Crown Canmore | Canmore

19:00 | Monsters Of Schlock: Comedy Magic | The Drake | Canmore

22:00 | Silver Fox Duo | Rose & Crown Banff | Banff

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