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

Bear 122 was fitted with a GPS tracking collar by Parks Canada on May 13. By the following week, it was off. Parks Canada noted this is not unusual for a large male grizzly - which is probably true, though it doesn't make the image any less entertaining. The Boss is estimated at 25 to 30 years old and around 700 pounds, and apparently has views on being monitored.

Bighorn sheep are also moving around on their own schedule this week. Roads in Banff cut through prime habitat, and Parks Canada is reminding drivers to stay in their vehicles and stay alert near rocky slopes - wildlife shows up well beyond the marked crossing zones.

Over in Canmore, the Reclaimer Trail at the Nordic Centre closes Sunday, June 8 for scheduled maintenance. If that's on your list this weekend, Saturday is your window.

If you're after 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.

Before we get into this week's news, a genuine thank you to everyone who has booked or reached out about our new Banff and Canadian Rockies Trip Consultation Service. We've added some extra slots, but we're keeping it to two sessions a day so each one gets the attention it needs. Drop us an email if you can’t find a slot that works.

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This could easily be the standout experience from your Banff trip. The 30-minute helicopter flight offers a completely different view of the landscape, lifting you above rivers, valleys, and mountain ranges, giving you a perspective you can’t get from the ground.

You’ll fly past the iconic Mount Yamnuska and over Lake Minnewanka, where the wide open terrain really shows the scale of the area. It’s a short flight, but it gives you a clear sense of just how vast and dramatic this part of the Rockies is.

Book now & see the Rockies from a new perspective!

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.

🐻 The Boss Removes His Collar. Again. Bear 122 was fitted with a GPS tracking collar by Parks Canada on May 13. Within a week, he'd taken it off. Parks Canada described this as not unusual for a large male grizzly. The Boss is estimated at 25 to 30 years old and roughly 700 pounds.

🐏 Bighorn Sheep Don't Read Speed Signs. Roads in Banff cut through wildlife habitat, and bighorn sheep move on their own schedule. Parks Canada reminds drivers to stay in their vehicles, stay alert near rocky slopes, and expect wildlife well beyond marked crossings.

💧 Kootenay Closures Lift, One Bridge Doesn't. Stream flows in Kootenay National Park are back to seasonal averages, and Marble Canyon and Vermilion Lake Day Use Area have reopened. The Dog Lake suspension bridge stays closed - it took a debris strike during high water and still needs assessment.

🦇 Deadly Bat Fungus Reaches Jasper. White-nose syndrome has been confirmed in Jasper National Park's only known bat hibernation cave. Parks Canada is applying probiotic treatments near maternity roosts to slow the spread. The disease kills 90 to 98 per cent of infected colonies.

🚧 Reclaimer Trail Closes for Maintenance Sunday. The Reclaimer Trail at Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park closes June 8 for scheduled maintenance work.

☀️ A wet Sunday gives way to a sunny stretch - with a nice run of days ahead. Sunday brings showers and a high of 8°C, but Monday flips the script with full sunshine and 16°C. Tuesday stays pleasant with a mix of sun and cloud at 15°C. Full Forecast Here

🪖 Legion Pushes Back on Gondola Shuttle Zone. The Town of Banff has designated the three or four parking spaces in front of the Banff Legion as a Pursuit gondola shuttle pick-up zone from May 15 to October 12. The Legion says those spaces are the only accessible parking for seniors, veterans, and members with mobility challenges, and the only loading point for deliveries and service vehicles. The executive committee is calling on the Town to reconsider, citing a lack of meaningful consultation and an imbalance between tourism priorities and local needs.

🌊 Moraine Lake without the madness. Stay at Moraine Lake Lodge and drive straight to the lake - no shuttles, no tight time windows. Once the crowds leave, you get the lake almost to yourself. Book now for a calmer visit to Moraine Lake

🏔️ Yoho Sights - A full day west of Banff covering Emerald Lake, the Natural Bridge, Takakkaw Falls, and the Golden Skybridge - Canada's highest suspension bridges at 426 feet above the canyon floor. The Yoho day trip runs about 12 hours with an early start, so bring snacks and a windproof layer.

🦌 Banff Wildlife Tour - A three-hour evening tour timed for peak animal activity, covering Lake Minnewanka, Two Jack Lake, Bow Falls, and Surprise Corner. The itinerary stays flexible so guides can follow recent sightings. Book the wildlife tour and dress for the cold - temperatures drop fast once the sun goes behind the peaks.

⛵ Minnewanka Cruise - An hour on the largest lake in Banff National Park, heading towards Devil's Gap with commentary on the submerged resort village flooded when the dam went up in 1941. Bighorn sheep and eagles are regular sightings along the shoreline. The Lake Minnewanka cruise gets cold on the water - bring a windproof layer regardless of the forecast.

📅 When is the best time of year to visit Johnston Canyon? Every season offers something different - summer brings roaring waterfalls, winter turns the canyon into a frozen landscape, and spring and autumn mean fewer crowds.

❄️ Can you hike Tunnel Mountain in winter? Yes, it is hikeable year-round, though icy conditions are common - knowing what gear to bring makes a real difference in the colder months.

🤍 Was there really a white grizzly bear in Banff? Yes - a rare white-coated grizzly known as Nakoda lived in Banff and Yoho National Parks, and her story became one of the most closely followed wildlife tales in the Canadian Rockies.

Travelling with a dog in Banff adds a layer of logistics that most accommodation in the national park hasn't fully thought through. These three have.

🏰 Fairmont Banff Springs - A CAD $50 per night pet fee gets you rather more than a reluctant nod at reception - the hotel provides beds, bowls, treats, and a welcome gift, and has designated grassy areas on the grounds for the inevitable morning routine. Note that dogs aren't permitted in the restaurants or the pool, but the surrounding grounds and trail access more than compensate. Read The Reviews And Book

⛺ Tunnel Mountain Resort - Set in the forest a short drive from downtown, this one suits dogs considerably better than a town-centre hotel would. The natural surroundings are the main draw - you're not negotiating pavements and tourist foot traffic before your dog has had a proper walk. Pet fee is CAD $30 per pet per night. Read The Reviews And Book

🏨 Moose Hotel & Suites - Central Banff Avenue location, indoor pool, rooftop hot pools, and a dog-friendly patio at the on-site Pacini restaurant - which is a genuinely useful combination when you're coordinating a holiday around an animal. Pet fee is CAD $30 per pet per night. Book pet-specific rooms in advance rather than hoping on arrival. Read The Reviews And Book

Yesterday’s Question: Which town is not located within a national park?

✅ Answer: C) Canmore - 85% Correct

Canmore sits just outside Banff National Park - and it’s every bit as beautiful. Discover some of its easy local hikes.

Our favourite thing about Baker Creek is the setting. The cabins sit beside a clear glacier-fed stream, and many are just steps from the water. It’s also about a 10-minute drive from Lake Louise along the Bow Valley Parkway, making it a convenient base if you’re hoping to reach the lake early before the crowds build.

Reserve now to stay beside Baker Creek in Banff National Park.

📅 Featured events for today are listed below. Visit our website for a complete list.

FULL EVENT CALENDAR | BANFF & LAKE LOUISE | CANMORE | JASPER NP

14:00 | Annual Patio Party | Table Food & Drink | Canmore

14:00 | HangTime Vintage Flea Market | Rose & Crown | Banff

16:30 | Fashion Show Fundraiser | Canmore Brewing Co | Canmore

20:00 | Two-Spirit Takeover | Blake Brewhouse & Distillery | Canmore

20:00 | HangTime Vintage Flea Market After Party | Rose & Crown | Banff

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

16:00 | Visual Arts Open Lecture Series | The Banff Centre | Banff

20:00 | Monday Trivia | High Rollers | Banff

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

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

22:00 | Karaoke Night | The Drake | Canmore

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

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

16:00 | Mountain Biking Fundamentals: CYAN | Canmore Nordic Centre | Canmore

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

19:00 | Blue Moon | artsPlace Canmore | Canmore

19:00 | Literary Cabaret: Literary Journalism | The Banff Centre | Banff

22:00 | Dean Lonsdale | Rose & Crown Banff | Banff

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