Hi Everyone! Here's What’s Happening This Week!
The trail to Bow Glacier Falls has been closed for a year. A rockfall on the Icefields Parkway killed two hikers in June 2025, and Parks Canada has not given a reopening date - or confirmed that one is coming. Geotechnical work is ongoing. If you had that hike on your list, it stays off for now.
On the subject of things people apparently didn't know about: a UK golf publication has declared the Canadian Rockies one of North America's most underrated golf destinations, with Banff Springs, Silvertip, and Kananaskis among the named highlights. Locals were, by all accounts, unmoved by the revelation.
The OpenTable outdoor dining list for 2026 is out, and Bridgette Bar Canmore is the only Rockies entry among 18 Alberta inclusions - a list otherwise pulled heavily toward Calgary.
For anyone already planning a Parkway day, the Columbia Icefield and Skywalk is the logical anchor - a six-wheeled Ice Explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier, followed by a glass-bottomed walkway 280 metres above the Sunwapta Valley. Bring a windproof layer; the temperature on the glacier is a different world to the valley.
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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 sits directly on the lakeshore, which means you can enjoy early mornings and quieter evenings once day visitors have left. Many of the area’s best-known hikes, including routes to Lake Agnes and the Plain of Six Glaciers, start right outside the hotel.
It’s also a practical base for visiting Moraine Lake, making it easier to fit in shuttle or guided options without juggling long travel days or early starts from Banff.
🏔️ Fresh from the Rockies
🥾 Bow Glacier Falls: Still No Return Date. One year after a rockfall on the Icefields Parkway killed two hikers, the area remains closed while geotechnical work continues. Parks Canada has not said when - or whether - the trail will fully reopen.
🏌️ Rockies Golf: Apparently a Hidden Gem😂😂. A UK golf publication has declared the Canadian Rockies one of North America's most underrated golf destinations, citing Banff Springs, Silvertip, and Kananaskis among the highlights. Locals, presumably, were surprised to learn this.
🏔️ Banff and Canmore to Plan Together. The two towns are pooling $65,000 to hire a consultant and establish a destination stewardship council for the Bow Valley. As one planner put it, Banff's newest hotels are already being built in Canmore.
🍽️ One Canmore Restaurant Makes the Cut. OpenTable's 2026 top 100 list for outdoor dining in Canada includes 18 Alberta entries. Bridgette Bar Canmore is the only Rockies representative on a list otherwise dominated by Calgary.
🌊 High Water Closes Two Banff Town Trails. The Fenland Loop and Marsh Trail are closed until further notice due to flooding. The Bow is running higher than normal - exercise caution near the river.
🌧️ It's another wet stretch ahead for Banff - but the clouds do eventually part. Thursday brings mainly cloudy skies with a high of 17°C, followed by showers on Friday (12°C) and a 60% chance of showers on Saturday (10°C). Hang tight - sunnier days return next week. Full Forecast Here
⭐ Most Popular Last Issue
Download Your Apps Before You Go. Cell service is patchy across much of the Rockies, so download before you leave. Get AllTrails and save any trails offline. GuideAlong is also worth grabbing - it's an audio guide that narrates your drive and works completely offline.
🚣Activities You Might Enjoy
🧊 Columbia Icefield & Skywalk - You ride a six-wheeled Ice Explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier, step out onto the ice, then transfer to a glass-bottomed Skywalk suspended 280 metres above the Sunwapta Valley. About three hours in total. Bring a windproof layer - it's significantly colder on the glacier than the car park.
🍁 Banff Food Tour - Three hours, four to six stops, and a proper introduction to what Banff actually tastes like beyond the main strip. The Banff Food Tour covers poutine, a Caesar cocktail, local fudge, and a decent amount of town history between bites. Flag dietary requirements in advance, and you'll be well looked after.
🚲 E-Bike and Hike to Johnston Canyon - A 26km ride out along the Bow Valley Parkway, then a one-hour hike into the canyon to the Lower Falls. The e-bike and hike combo takes around four hours, and a shuttle brings you back. Waterproof layers are worth bringing regardless of the forecast; the canyon is damp.
❓Your Questions Answered
👨👩👧 Are Banff gondolas suitable for families and people with limited mobility? Most are accessible and family-friendly, though summit conditions and facilities differ between each one - worth checking before you go.
🛁 What hotel spas are available in Banff and the surrounding area? Several hotels offer everything from rooftop mineral pools to full-service treatment rooms - Banff's hotel spa options cover a wide range of budgets and experiences.
🚪 What happened to Room 873 at Banff Springs? It was sealed off after disturbing reports - the door simply no longer exists, and the full story raises more questions than answers.
🛒 Skip the Restaurant Tab - These Hotels Have Kitchens
Banff restaurant prices are, to put it charitably, ambitious - having a kitchen or kitchenette in your room won't solve everything, but it'll take the edge off a long week of eating out three times a day.
🦌 Moose Hotel & Suites - Right on Banff Avenue, a one-minute walk from everything, the Moose is the most town-central of these three. Book a suite, and you get a kitchenette with microwave, mini-fridge, and toaster - enough for breakfast and a packed lunch before heading out. Free underground parking and complimentary ROAM bus passes are included, which counts for something when every other cost in Banff is trying to catch you off guard. Read The Reviews And Book
🏔️ Tunnel Mountain Resort - A short drive up from downtown, the condos here come with full kitchens - fridge, oven, stovetop, and proper cooking kit - which puts them in a different category to the standard hotel kitchenette. There's no on-site restaurant, so you're cooking or driving, but on a multi-night stay the savings are obvious. Free parking on-site and the town is close enough that it doesn't feel isolated. Read The Reviews And Book
🏕️ Baker Creek by Basecamp - The furthest from town, sitting on the Bow Valley Parkway between Banff and Lake Louise, Baker Creek earns its distance. The cabins have full kitchens with wood-burning fireplaces, creekside fire pits outside, and enough quiet that you'll actually decompress. Stock up on groceries before you leave town - the nearest shops are in Lake Louise Village - and you'll have everything you need without having to go anywhere. Read The Reviews And Book
🏕️ Quiz
Which hiking area near Moraine Lake is shown in this photo, famous for golden larch trees in autumn?
Yesterday’s Question: The nickname “The Boss” in Banff refers to which of the following?
✅ Answer: D) Both A and B - 24% Correct
“The Boss” is both a Banff restaurant and the name of a powerful male grizzly known for his size and strength. Meet the real boss of Banff.
If you want to experience alpine scenery around Jasper without committing to a long hike, the Jasper SkyTram is one of the simplest ways to do it. In just 7.5 minutes, the tram lifts you onto Whistler's Mountain, where you can stroll the boardwalk or hike the short Whistler’s Summit Trail.
🎸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 4
10:00 | Canmore Mountain Market | Elevation Place | Canmore
10:00 | Bike Maintenance Workshop | Origin at Spring Creek | Canmore
17:00 | Chess Night | Canmore Public Library | Canmore
17:00 | Hot Dog Eating Contest | Rose & Crown Banff | Banff
17:00 | Hot Dogs for Cool Dogs | Lake Louise Inn | Lake Louise
18:00 | Pub Nights | Bill Warren Training Centre | Canmore
18:20 | CAMBA x Social Rides | Canmore Nordic Centre | Canmore
19:00 | Poker Night | Canmore Legion | Canmore
19:00 | Literary Cabaret: Literary Journalism | The Banff Centre | Banff
19:30 | White Space (Avant Premiere) | The Banff Centre | Banff
19:30 | Balkan Greek Dinner Show | Balkan Restaurant | Banff
21:00 | Peak Laughs: Charles Haycock | The Banff Centre | 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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