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

Canmore's proposed gondola up Mount Lady Macdonald has officially entered provincial review - which, given the project was first floated in 2017, qualifies as news. Stone Creek Resorts needs provincial park boundary changes and land-use amendments to make it work, and public feedback is now being gathered.

Whether it gets built is still an open question, but it is no longer just a proposal gathering dust in a drawer somewhere.

Elsewhere, the Icefields Parkway is closed for avalanche control until Friday - 92 cm of snow and rain forecast along the route this week - so check 511.alberta.ca before you head out, and treat the reopening date as approximate.

Alberta's 2025 roadkill figures also landed at a record 7,400 animals on provincial roads, up 13% from last year. That number only counts the ones someone stopped to report, which puts the real figure considerably higher.

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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If you’re travelling with kids, it’s good to know there’s one place in Banff where they can simply be kids for a while. The waterpark at Douglas Fir Resort has the town’s only waterslides, along with a shallow wading pool and indoor play areas where younger visitors can burn off some energy.

It’s the kind of break many families appreciate after a day of sightseeing or hiking. While the kids are busy on the slides, adults can slow things down in the hot tubs or relax nearby. The setup works well for families who want a mix of fun for children and a bit of downtime for everyone else, without needing to leave Banff to find it.

Book now and enjoy Banff’s only waterslides

🌧️ A mild but showery stretch midweek. Wednesday brings a 30% chance of showers with a high of 10°C. Thursday sees more consistent showers and a high of 12°C. Friday stays unsettled with showers continuing and a high near 11°C. Full forecast here.

🚠 Silvertip gondola hits a provincial peak. The proposed sightseeing lift is entering a formal review stage. It involves shifting park boundaries and land-use policy, so don't expect to be hovering over Mount Lady Macdonald by Tuesday.

🌨️ The Icefields Parkway is closed for avalanche control until Friday. Up to 92 cm of snow and rain is forecast along the route this week. Parks Canada closed the road from Athabasca Falls to Saskatchewan Crossing at noon on Monday. Check 511.alberta.ca before heading out - reopening Friday is weather dependent.

🦌 Alberta's 2025 roadkill numbers are the highest ever recorded. Over 7,400 animals were reported killed on provincial roads - up 13% from 2024. A 2021 study suggests the real number is significantly higher. These are only the ones someone stopped to report.

🏂 Teen snowboarder hospitalised after collision with snowmobile at Sunshine. The incident occurred around 1 p.m. on March 14 near the top of the Banff Ave. run below the WaWa lift. The youth was transported to Alberta Children's Hospital in serious but stable condition. The investigation is ongoing.

🎹 Devin Cuddy plays Canmore Brewing on May 2. The Toronto pianist blends New Orleans blues, outlaw country, and roots rock. His show there sold out last year. Tickets are $40 now, $45 at the door if any remain.

🚲 Johnston Canyon E-Bike & Hike. Ride e-bikes past Vermilion Lakes and along the Bow Valley Parkway before a guided walk to the Lower Falls. This half-day tour blends a scenic cycle with a classic canyon hike. Book your spot today.

The Fairmonts were built by the Canadian Pacific Railway over a century ago to convince people that the train journey west was worth it. The railway's gone; the hotels very much aren't - and if you're going to splurge anywhere in the Rockies, these are the three worth the wince at checkout.

🏔️ Fairmont Banff Springs - A castle. An actual castle, in the mountains, in Canada. It shouldn't work, and yet here we are. Staying here means you can walk into town, skip the parking lottery entirely, and come back to a pool and spa when your legs give out on the trail. The building does most of the heavy lifting - you just have to show up. Read The Reviews And Book

🛶 Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise - The lake is genuinely that colour - no filter required, no exaggeration needed. The trick with Lake Louise is getting there before the crowds do, and staying at the Chateau is the easiest way to manage that. Wander down before breakfast, and you'll have it mostly to yourself. Wait until noon, and you'll be sharing it with half of Alberta. Read The Reviews And Book

🌲 Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Less grand hotel, more summer camp for adults who've done well for themselves. It's a collection of lakeside cabins, elk wander past at odd hours, and Jasper is quieter and cheaper than Banff in almost every other respect. The Dark Sky Preserve status means the stargazing is ridiculous on a clear night - bring a jacket and low expectations of getting an early night. Read The Reviews And Book

💰 How much does downtown Banff parking cost? Paid parking runs from $7 to $12 per hour from 8 am to 8 pm throughout downtown.

🐻Who is Boo? An orphaned grizzly cub rescued in 2002, now the star of the world's largest bear refuge near Golden, BC - his story is remarkable.

🐻 Is wildlife a concern on the Bow Falls Trail? Despite being close to town, elk and bears are regularly spotted here, so staying alert matters more than you might expect. See the full guide

🌊 Kicking Horse River Whitewater Rafting - Tackle 12km of the Kicking Horse River near Golden, including the notorious Class 4 "Portage Shotgun" stretch. All gear provided, glacially cold water guaranteed. A wild ride through the Canadian Rockies.

🦌 Jasper Wildlife and Maligne Lake Cruise - Spend six hours exploring Jasper's Maligne Valley - scanning for elk, moose and bears along the way - before cruising out to iconic Spirit Island. A full-day immersion in the Rockies.

⛏️ Canmore History Tour - Cowboys and Coal Miners - A 90-minute stroll through Canmore's surprisingly gritty past, from frontier cowboys to the coal mines that fuelled Western Canada - long before the boutiques moved in. Great context for any Bow Valley visit.

Yesterday’s Question: When you see a "No Stopping" zone on the Bow Valley Parkway, what is the most common reason?

✅Answer: 2) Protection of sensitive wildlife habitat - 39% Correct

Many "No Stopping" zones along the Bow Valley Parkway help protect sensitive wildlife habitat. Learn more about the drive in our Bow Valley Parkway Guide.

Access and parking are a real challenge in summer at places such as Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, and Moraine Lake, where access is restricted, and car parks can fill up before sunrise. This hop-on, hop-off bus lets you move between key stops at your own pace, with guaranteed seating and no driving stress.

Reserve your seat and leave the logistics to someone else

📅 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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