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

Wilson, the Brittany Spaniel, was minding his own business at 7:15 a.m. when a great horned owl decided he looked like breakfast. The owl was wrong - Wilson weighs 30 pounds - but it took a moment to work that out.

The video is doing the rounds, and it is exactly as alarming as it sounds. Two days running now that the Rockies have produced footage worth stopping for: yesterday, an artist painting a fresco on frozen Abraham Lake, today a bird of prey reconsidering its life choices in a Muskrat Street back garden.

The rest of the issue is somewhat calmer, though not without consequence. Pursuit Collections made $452 million last year and is putting some of it back into the Banff Gondola and Jasper SkyTram.

Alberta wants hotels to stop quietly keeping destination marketing fees that are supposed to go elsewhere - Bill 16 would put an end to that.

And with summer approaching, the hop-on, hop-off bus covering Banff, Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, and Moraine Lake is a sensible thing to know about before the Lake Louise car park fills at dawn and leaves you with a long drive back to town.

On we go.

There is plenty happening this week. Dive into the event listings below, or check out the detailed events page on our website.

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Access and parking can be a real challenge in summer at places like Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, and Moraine Lake, with parking lots often filling before sunrise and Moraine Lake access restricted. This hop-on, hop-off bus is a practical way to get around those issues and still see the highlights.

You buy your ticket in advance and use the bus to travel between Banff town, Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and the Lake Louise Gondola. You decide where to stop and how long to stay, whether that’s hopping off at one place or visiting several along the route.

With guaranteed seating and no need to worry about driving or parking, it’s a flexible, low-stress way to explore Banff National Park during the busiest months.

Reserve your seat and leave the logistics to someone else

💔 Calgary teen dies after avalanche at Nakiska Ski Resort. A heartbreaking update from Kananaskis - a 15-year-old Calgary skier has died after being buried in an avalanche in a closed area at Nakiska. One skier managed to self-rescue, but despite a massive emergency response, the teen later passed away in hospital. A tragic loss shaking Alberta’s ski community.

🌤️ Sun to start, showers by midweek. Sunday brings sunshine and a high of 6°C, with gusts to 40 km/h. Monday is milder at 7°C with mixed cloud. Tuesday sees a chance of showers, high 5°C. Full forecast here.

🦉 Banff owl attacks 30-pound dog during morning bathroom break. A great horned owl struck Wilson, a Brittany Spaniel, in a fenced Muskrat Street yard at 7:15 a.m. The owl let go when it realised Wilson was too big to carry. Small pets should not be left outside unattended.

🏨 Alberta moves to stop hotels pocketing tourism fees. Bill 16 would require lodgings to show full room prices upfront and send 100% of destination marketing fees to organisations like Tourism Jasper. Some were keeping the money. Full details here.

🚡 Pursuit plans upgrades to the Banff Gondola and Jasper SkyTram. The attractions company posted record revenue of $452 million in 2025, boosted by post-wildfire Jasper recovery, and has flagged both local landmarks for experiential investment in 2026.

🔥 Alberta wildfire season starts March 1. Snow included. Approval is now required for burning in forest protection areas, campfires excepted. A cold April is forecast, but May could flip fast. The risk window is May-June.

🎨 Artist completes large-scale fresco on frozen Abraham Lake. David Popa painted "New Beginning" on the ice in two days as part of a Travel Alberta collaboration - the first of three planned works across the province. Abraham Lake requires no park pass.

🦌 Jasper Wildlife and Sightseeing Tour with Maligne Cruise - A brilliant full day out - spot bears, elk and eagles through the Maligne Valley, stroll Medicine Lake, then cruise out to iconic Spirit Island.

👻 Banff Ghost Walks - After dark, Banff's charming streets take on a whole new atmosphere. Join a small group tour through town and hear spine-tingling tales of unsolved mysteries and haunted landmarks. Brilliant for history buffs and thrill-seekers alike.

🌊 Kicking Horse River Half Day Whitewater Rafting - Fancy tackling 12 km of class 3-4 rapids through the stunning Canadian Rockies? This guided half-day trip near Golden has rave reviews, and everything's included - just bring a swimsuit.

Getting a hotel room in Banff is competitive enough without also trying to negotiate on behalf of a Labrador. These three properties have actually thought it through, so you and your dog can both arrive without feeling like an afterthought.

🏕️ Tunnel Mountain Resort - Cabins with proper space to breathe and a wooded setting that means you're already halfway on a walk the moment you step outside. They'll have a pet bed, bowls, a toy, and treats waiting on arrival - just mention the dog when you book. $30 per pet per night, pets must stay on a leash (it's the law in Banff anyway), and they can't be left unattended, so plan accordingly. Read The Reviews | Book Here

🫎 Moose Hotel & Suites - Bang in the middle of town, which means zero shuttle faff, and the Bow River is a short walk away for those early morning outings before the crowds arrive. Same thoughtful welcome kit as Tunnel Mountain - bed, bowls, toy, and treats - at $30 per pet per night. Just flag it at booking, and they'll have everything ready. Read The Reviews | Book Here

🏰 Fairmont Banff Springs - The pet programme here is genuinely well considered: a dedicated welcome amenity, dog-walking maps of the estate, and dog-sitting referrals if you want a grown-up dinner. The grounds are enormous and genuinely worth walking at dusk when the day-trippers have cleared out. Expensive, yes - but the $50 per night pet fee covers rather more than a bowl of water and a sideways look. Read The Reviews | Book Here

🌞Is August a good time to visit Banff? It is summer at its most vivid, with warm days, brilliant turquoise lakes, and a packed calendar of events - but peak crowds and fully booked accommodation mean it takes real planning to get it right. See the full guide

👻Is the Bankhead Ghost Town hike suitable for families? Yes, the mostly flat trail and hands-on ruins make it a great outing for all ages in Banff National Park. A great hike for kids.

🐺Are wolves actually dangerous to hikers in Banff and Kananaskis? Wolves are naturally elusive and avoid people - but food conditioning changes everything, and knowing the warning signs matters.

Yesterday’s Question: Which of these famous mountain parks is located in British Columbia?

✅Answers: 1) Yoho National Park & 4) Yoho & Kootenay National Parks - 84% correct

Both Yoho and Kootenay National Parks are in BC. Yoho is an easy drive from Banff, with popular stops such as Emerald Lake and the spectacular Takakkaw Falls.

This tour brings together a bike ride, a canyon walk, and a scenic drive into one easy half-day. The e-bikes make it possible to enjoy the views without it feeling like a workout. You’ll ride at a relaxed pace through places such as Vermilion Lakes and along the Bow Valley Parkway.

Book now to explore the Banff National Park with ease.

📅 Today’s Events are listed below. To view future events, visit our website.

BANFF EVENTS | CANMORE EVENTS | JASPER EVENTS | BANFF HAPPY HOURS | CANMORE HAPPY HOURS |

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