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

Somewhere in an Alberta government filing cabinet, a passenger rail plan has been quietly ageing for the better part of a decade. This week, the Transportation Minister said it will be released within weeks - high-speed rail between Edmonton and Calgary, with a Calgary-Banff connection still on the longer horizon. It is not a done thing, but it is further along than it has been.

The Icefields Parkway, meanwhile, is having a difficult weekend. A yellow warning for 15-20 cm of snow tonight is followed by two separate rounds of wind gusts up to 100 km/h on Saturday evening and into Sunday. The snow clears Sunday afternoon, leave any travelling until Monday.

March is also the last month for Nightrise at the Banff Gondola. The after-dark summit experience - lights, stories, and views over Banff - ends at the end of the month. If you have been meaning to go, now is the time. It is all below.

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 family or a group, having space to spread out can make a big difference. Blackstone Mountain Lodge in Canmore offers one, two, and three-bedroom suites with full kitchens, making longer stays or family trips much easier. You can prepare simple meals, keep snacks on hand, and enjoy the extra space that comes with separate bedrooms and living areas.

The lodge is in Canmore, about 20 minutes from Banff and minutes from the gates of Banff National Park. You still get the same dramatic Rocky Mountain scenery, but in a town that feels a little more relaxed. It works well if you want easy access to the park while staying somewhere that feels more like a home than a hotel.

Book now and enjoy the space of a mountain suite.

🌨️ 15-20 cm of snow forecast for Icefields Parkway tonight. Environment Canada has issued a yellow warning between Lake Louise and the Icefields Centre, with the heaviest snowfall over higher terrain. It clears Sunday afternoon. Plan your drive accordingly.

🌌 March is the last month to experience Nightrise at the Banff Gondola. The after-dark summit experience - lights, stories, and views over Banff - wraps up at the end of the month. Plan your visit before it's gone.

🚆 Alberta's passenger rail plan expected within weeks. Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen says it will include proponents for high-speed rail linking Edmonton and Calgary and their airports - part of a broader picture that could eventually include a Calgary-Banff connection. It has been over a decade in the making.

💨 Two wind systems are hitting Banff, Canmore, and Jasper this weekend. Gusts of 70-90 km/h on Saturday morning, then a second round on Saturday evening with gusts up to 100 km/h on Sunday. The Rockies are, as ever, last to settle.

🏔️ Parks Canada's Lake Louise consultation closes Monday, 9 March. The second round of public engagement on the Lake Louise Visitor Use Management Plan covers proposed strategies for managing congestion over the next 5-10 years. Feedback due by end of day Monday.

🏃 Spots running out for Melissa's Road Race in Banff. Registration for the 26 September 2026 event is at a multi-year high, with fewer than 300 places remaining across each distance.

🏨 The Rimrock is back! Reopening June 1st after a $100M renovation, this Sulphur Mountain icon returns as North America’s first Emblems Collection hotel with infinity pools and a fresh thermal wellness centre. Read The Reviews or Book Here.

Banff in peak season is many things - unhurried is not one of them, and the presence of several hundred unsupervised children in the hotel breakfast queue is not everyone’s idea of a relaxing holiday. These three properties have quietly solved that particular problem by simply not allowing them in.

🏡 Banff Boutique Inn - Ten rooms, free parking, complimentary breakfast, and a five-minute walk to town that sidesteps the shuttle queue entirely - the Deluxe King suite with soaker tub and electric fireplace is the quiet upgrade you won't regret. Read The Reviews | Book Here

🌸 Beaujolais Boutique B&B at Thea's House - A four-room adults-only B&B three blocks from Banff Avenue, where the hosts serve a three-course breakfast that will embarrass every hotel buffet in a ten-kilometre radius - gas fireplace, king beds, mountain views, and bike hire for when you feel obligated to earn it. Read The Reviews | Book Here

⛺ Skyridge Glamping - Just outside the national park boundary in Kananaskis, which means no park fees, fewer tour buses, and adults-only micro-cabins with heated floors, gourmet kitchens, and a spa bathroom that puts most hotels to shame - Banff is still easily on your doorstep for day trips, but you sleep somewhere quieter. Read The Reviews | Book Here

👻Who is Sam the Bellman? A beloved 1960s hotel worker is still helping guests at the Banff Springs decades after his death. One of the many ghosts that haunt Banff.

🚌Where does Roam Transit go? It links Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise, and the top attractions like the gondola, hot springs, and hiking trails. See the full guide

🏔️Is October a good time to visit Banff? Yes, find out why October is one of the most rewarding times to visit Banff National Park

🚌 Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Double Decker Shuttle - Skip the parking stress and ride a double-decker - open-top on some departures - straight to two of the Rockies' most iconic lakes. Explore at your own pace once you arrive.

🚣 Jasper National Park Family Rafting - A brilliant intro to whitewater for families, this two-hour trip down the Athabasca River tackles five Class 2 rapids - fun and splashy rather than scary. Suitable for ages 5+, no experience needed.

🚶 Banff Town Guided Walking Tour - A great way to get your bearings in Banff, this relaxed two-hour stroll covers the town's history, hidden photo spots, and local stories - plus a sweet treat along the way. Perfect for first-timers.

Yesterday’s Question: Why is swimming no longer permitted in the original hot spring pools at the Cave and Basin National Historic Site?

✅Answer: 4) To protect the endangered Banff Springs Snail - 58% Correct

The Banff Gondola is one of Banff’s most popular attractions. It offers an easy way to reach the summit of Sulphur Mountain without hiking. The short 8-minute ride leads to observation decks, a boardwalk, and an interpretive centre. For a special winter experience, head up at sunset and catch the Nightrise light show.

Book your ride for summit views without the hike!

📅 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 |

📅 Got An Event To Share?

📅 Submit Here (8 days before event date)
Complete starred sections. For a FREE LISTING, check the box on the promotions page.

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