Hi Everyone! Here's Whatβs Happening This Week!
Basecamp, the Canmore company behind Everwild Nordic Spa, has announced plans to build three new locations by 2028 - one in Banff, one in Fernie, and a third called Harmony that, at 138,000 square feet, is positioning itself as one of the largest spas in North America. It is a significant expansion for a relatively young brand, and a clear sign the Rockiesβ growth industry is hot pools and cold plunges, not hard hats.
Not everyone is feeling quite so serene this week. A glamping proposal near Quarry Lake has attracted nearly 2,000 petition signatures from Canmore residents who would prefer their green spaces without canvas suites and mood lighting attached. The public input period closes today, then the decision moves upward.
Elsewhere, the Castle Junction bridge has been taken out by the weather, with no word on when it will reopen. Traffic is rerouting away from the Bow Valley Parkway and adding a detour nobody planned for.
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 youβre curious about the grand stone βcastleβ overlooking Banff, this is it. The Fairmont Banff Springs has been welcoming travellers for more than a century and remains one of the most recognisable hotels in the Canadian Rockies. It sits just above the Bow River, a short drive from downtown, giving you mountain views in every direction.
Staying here is as much about the setting as the hotel itself. Youβre close enough to town for an easy visit, but the hotel grounds feel tucked into the mountains, with walking trails and viewpoints just outside the door.
ποΈ Fresh from the Rockies
Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park
π§οΈA soggy start gives way to a more wintry feel by Sunday. Friday reaches 7Β°C with rain lingering through the day. Saturday cools to 3Β°C with periods of rain continuing. Sunday drops to 1Β°C with a 40% chance of flurries in the mix. Full forecast here.
π§ Basecamp plans to build three new Nordic spas by 2028. The Canmore-based company will add Everwild locations in Banff, Fernie, and Harmony - the last of which, at 138,000 square feet, aims to be one of North America's largest.
βΊ Canmore residents push back on Quarry Lake glamping plan. A proposal for 74 glamping units near Quarry Lake has drawn nearly 2,000 petition signatures and 400 public comments. The town's public input period closes today.
π Castle Junction bridge closed due to weather damage. The Bow River bridge at Castle Junction is shut with no timeline for reopening, cutting direct access between the Trans-Canada and Bow Valley Parkway.
ποΈ Three Kananaskis campgrounds now taking reservations. Cataract Creek, Paddy's Flat, and Interlakes open for booking on March 30 at 9 a.m. Forty per cent of sites remain first-come, first-served, for those who prefer a little suspense.
π§ Caribou/Lynx intersection closing for three months. The Lynx/Caribou junction shuts from March 30 to June 30 for water main replacement. Banff Avenue is the detour. Full closure details here.
β Most Popular Last Issue
πΎ A family of lynx strolled across the slopes at Lake Louise. A British snowboarder on a birthday trip filmed the cats crossing an active ski trail, apparently unbothered. The resort calls it a reminder that the wild still rules here. It does seem to. See the video.
βYour Questions Answered
βοΈ 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.
πΊAre 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.
ποΈ What can you see at Bankhead Ghost Town? A preserved lamphouse, a real coal mining railcar, old industrial machinery, a historic powerhouse, and much more to discover on the trail. Read the full guide
π£Activities You Might Enjoy
π¦ Canmore Evening Wildlife Tour - Spot elk, deer, and maybe a bear or two on this three-hour golden hour tour through the quieter corners of Banff National Park. Small groups, expert guides, and binoculars provided.
ποΈ Columbia Icefield 5 Lakes Tour - Lake Louise, Peyto, Bow, Crowfoot, and Waterfowl all in one epic 11-hour day along the Icefields Parkway - with the Athabasca Glacier waiting at the end. Your driver does the hard work.
π§ Banff Thermal Waters & Hidden Waterfall Walk - A three-hour guided stroll from the birthplace of Canada's National Parks, past mineral-rich springs and tucked-away waterfalls in Sundance Canyon. Easy-going, scenic, and well off the tourist trail.
π³ Hotels With Kitchens: Eat In, Spend Less, Sleep Better
Banff's restaurants are excellent, expensive, and often booked solid by people who planned further ahead than you did. These three hotels come with proper kitchens, which solves several problems at once.
π« Moose Hotel & Suites - Right on Banff Avenue, which sounds like a liability until you realise you can stumble back with dinner supplies, without moving your car again until checkout. The suites have full kitchens and rooftop pools, and the location means you're already where everyone else is paying to park. Read The Reviews | Book Here
π² Hidden Ridge Resort - Perched above town on Tunnel Mountain, these condo-style units have full kitchens, fireplaces, and enough square footage that a family of four won't start hating each other by day two. The shuttle into town runs regularly, which is genuinely preferable to driving once you've seen the parking situation on a Saturday in July. Read The Reviews | Book Here
πͺ΅ Baker Creek Mountain Resort - Sitting quietly between Banff and Lake Louise along the Bow Valley Parkway, this one opts out of the town centre scramble entirely. The log chalets have kitchenettes, the wildlife corridor runs right past the property, and the slower road means you'll see more elk than tour buses. A great base if your itinerary leans toward the backcountry rather than the high street. Read The Reviews | Book Here
ποΈ Quiz
What is the main reason Moraine Lake is closed to private vehicles?
Yesterdayβs Question: Which famous body of water features this jetty: the starting point for lake cruises during the summer?
β Answer: 1) Lake Minnewanka - 74% Correct
Lake Minnewanka is the only lake in Banff National Park with summer boat cruises. Plan your visit with our Lake Minnewanka Guide.
This could easily be the standout experience from your Banff trip. The 25-minute helicopter flight from Canmore offers a completely different view of the landscape, lifting you above rivers, valleys, and mountain ranges, giving you a perspective you canβt get from the ground.
Book now & see the Rockies from a new perspective!
πΈEvents, Activities & Live Music
π Todayβs Events are listed below. To view future events, visit our website.
Friday, March 20
17:00 |
Liam Daisley: Live |
Canmore Brewing Company | Canmore
19:00 |
Community Film Screening |
The Banff Centre | Banff
19:00 |
Live Music Fridays |
Moxy Banff | Banff
19:00 |
Swanee & Charlie Butler |
Mineshaft Tavern | Canmore
19:30 |
Comedy Night |
The Rose & Crown Banff | Banff
19:30 |
Comedy Night |
artsPlace Canmore | Canmore
19:30 |
Dolly: Here She Comes Again |
Carter-Ryan Theatre | Canmore
20:00 |
Live Music Night |
St. James Gate | Banff
21:00 |
Arn Smit: Live |
Tavern 1883 | Canmore
21:00 |
Mitch Belot: Live |
Rose & Crown | Canmore
22:00 |
Friday Night Vibes DJ LT |
High Rollers | Banff
22:00 |
Halle Ponton |
Rose & Crown | Banff
22:00 |
Aparicity & DJ Nazo |
The Drake | Canmore
π Got An Event To Share?
π
Submit Here (8 days before event date)
Complete starred sections. For a FREE LISTING, check the box on the promotions page.
π Thatβs All For Now π¬
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 | Whatβs On Banff

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