Hi Everyone! Here's Whatโs Happening This Week!
Johnston Canyon is closed to all access following an incident near the Lower Falls. RCMP is leading the investigation, and details remain limited, but the closure covers the trail and day-use area entirely - so if you had plans there this weekend, you'll need to reroute.
Elsewhere on the trail network, the Legacy Trail between Banff and Canmore is open for the season. Early May comes with the usual caveats - winter gravel in patches, shaded ice where the sun hasn't reached, and weather that can shift without much notice. Roam Transit runs bike racks on the route if you're planning a one-way trip and want to skip the return leg.
In Canmore, Be a Pro Hockey Training is launching U13 and U15 development skates this summer - eight weekly on-ice sessions starting June 30, at $450 per player. Each group needs 12 skaters confirmed by May 31 to go ahead, so if you have a young player looking for structured summer ice time, the clock is running.
And if you're looking for something to do that doesn't involve trail detours or registration deadlines, the Bow River horseback ride from Banff Trail Riders runs an hour along the river past the Cave and Basin site. Beginner-friendly, no experience needed.
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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For many visitors, seeing Moraine Lake means juggling shuttle bookings and tight time windows. Staying at Moraine Lake Lodge removes that altogether. Guests are able to drive directly to the lake, which makes arrival simpler and gives you far more flexibility during your stay.
But the biggest benefit comes at the end of the day. Once the daytime crowds thin out and the last shuttles leave, the area regains a sense of space and quiet. Being on site gives you a rare chance to enjoy Moraine Lake without the chaos of the crowds.
๐๏ธ Fresh from the Rockies
โ๏ธ A beautiful stretch of spring sunshine is headed for the Rockies. Sunday kicks things off mainly sunny with a high of 18ยฐC, before Monday dips a little with a mix of sun and cloud and a high of 12ยฐC. Sunshine returns fully on Tuesday with a high of 17ยฐC. Full Forecast Here
๐จ Johnston Canyon Closed After Suspected Drowning. The trail and day-use area are closed to all access following an incident near the Lower Falls. RCMP is leading the investigation; no further details are being released.
๐ฒ Legacy Trail Open - With Caveats. The Banff-Canmore path is clear for the season, but early May means winter gravel in patches, shaded ice, and weather that can shift from t-shirt to fleece inside twenty minutes. Roam Transit runs bike racks if you're going one-way.
๐ Summer Hockey Programme Comes to Canmore. Be a Pro Hockey Training is launching U13 and U15 development skates in Canmore this summer - 8 weekly on-ice sessions from June 30, at $450 per player. Each group needs 12 skaters confirmed by May 31 to run.
๐ Three Rescues, Three Weeks, Same Story. Valley conditions felt like spring; alpine conditions hadn't got the memo. The Big Beehive saw two separate helicopter operations in five days - same trail, different groups, same mistake.
๐บ Half-Price Fish and Chips at Table. Table Food + Drink at the Coast Canmore Hotel is running 50% off fish and chips plus $5 Railyard lager on the patio, Monday to Thursday, 1 pm to 4 pm through May.
โณ Canmore Golf Season Opens May 8. Tarps are coming off at two courses simultaneously - Silvertip Resort reports the 14th hole is looking sharp, and tee times are open for booking. The Canmore Golf & Curling Club opens the same day, now in its 100th season.
๐๏ธ Fortress Mountain Plan Hits Indigenous Pushback. Bearspaw First Nation says it was excluded from both the environmental assessment and master plan for the proposed Kananaskis resort, which at full buildout would draw 10,000 visitors daily. The Nation flags unassessed burial sites, grizzly habitat, and treaty rights - and notes the only Indigenous reference in the master plan is a cultural centre listed in phase three.
โญ Most Popular Last Issue
๐๏ธ Do I need a park pass to visit Banff in 2026? Yes, unless your trip falls in the free admission window from June 19 to September 7, there is more to know before you go.
โบ Sleep Outside the System: Glamping in the Rockies
Banff's hotel market in peak season requires either deep pockets or remarkable optimism, and often both. These three properties in Kananaskis offer a different calculation - canvas, fresh air, and mountain views, without the Banff price tag.
๐๏ธ Skyridge Glamping - Adults-only eco-cabins in Kananaskis Country, about an hour from both Calgary and Banff. The SkyGlass cabins have floor-to-ceiling windows, king beds, gourmet kitchens, and a spa with a sauna, which is a long way from sleeping on the ground. Free parking on site. Read The Reviews And Book
๐๏ธ Mount Engadine Lodge - Roughly an hour from Canmore along Spray Lakes Road, in a section of Kananaskis where the crowds from Banff simply don't reach. All meals are included - breakfast, packed lunch for the trail, and a three-course dinner, which changes the maths considerably. Glamping tents have gas fireplaces, ensuite bathrooms, and private balconies. Pets welcome. Read The Reviews And Book
๐ฒ Sundance by Basecamp - Canvas tents and tipis alongside the Kananaskis River, about 45 minutes from Banff. Less polished than the other two - shared showers, no Wi-Fi, outhouses - but the river setting is genuine, the firepits work, and the price reflects the trade-off honestly. A good option for families who want the experience without the luxury markup. Read The Reviews And Book
โYour Questions Answered
๐ค 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.
๐๏ธ Can anyone move to Banff? No - Banff is inside a national park and has strict rules about who is allowed to live there, usually tied to local employment.
๐ What can you see from the top of Tunnel Mountain? The summit offers sweeping views across Banff townsite, the Bow Valley, and surrounding peaks - impressive for a hike you can do before lunch.
๐ฃActivities You Might Enjoy
๐ด Bow River Horseback Ride - A one-hour ride along the Bow River from the Banff Trail Riders stables, skirting the Cave and Basin National Historic Site on horseback. Beginner-friendly.
๐ฝ๏ธ Banff Food Tour - Three hours, 4-6 local eateries, and a guided taste of Banff's culinary side that skips the tourist traps on the main strip. Poutine, Caesar cocktails, and locally made fudge - dietary requirements catered for with advance notice.
๐ Banff Hop-On Hop-Off Bus - A day pass on the yellow school buses that covers Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, and Moraine Lake - the only guaranteed way to reach Moraine Lake without a pre-booked Parks Canada shuttle. Aim for the 07:45 departure to make the most of it.
๐๏ธ Quiz
Which glacier is shown in this photo, taken from the popular Parker Ridge hike along the Icefields Parkway?
Yesterdayโs Question: Which gondola takes you up to alpine meadows known for wildflowers and hiking trails?
โ Answer: 1) Sunshine Village Gondola - 61% Correct
The Sunshine gondola gives access to alpine meadows and hiking trails above the treeline. Learn more in our Best Gondolas in Banff Guide.
Reaching Moraine Lake and Lake Louise in summer often means navigating parking restrictions and fitting your plans around fixed tour schedules. This open-top bus tour takes a more flexible approach, with hourly departures that let you manage your time.
๐ธEvents, Activities & Live Music
๐ Todayโs Events are listed below. To view future events, visit our website.
Sunday, May 3
14:00 |
The Rockies: Piano Concert |
St George in the Pines | Banff
15:00 |
Here Comes the Sun: The Beatles |
Carter-Ryan Theatre | Canmore
19:30 |
Ennis Sisters |
artsPlace Canmore | Canmore
21:00 |
Sunday Funday: Party |
High Rollers | Banff
21:30 |
Locals Night with DJ Palf |
Melissa's Missteak | Banff
22:00 |
Brent Lee: Live |
Rose & Crown | Banff
Monday, May 4
20:00 |
Live Music Night |
Three Bears | Banff
20:00 |
Monday Trivia |
High Rollers | Banff
22:00 |
DJ Set: With Tenax |
High Rollers | Banff
22:00 |
Karaoke Night |
The Drake | Canmore
22:00 |
Brent Lee: Live |
Rose & Crown | Banff
Tuesday, May 5
15:30 |
Park Distillery Tour |
Park Distillery | Banff
19:00 |
Trivia Tuesday |
Rose & Crown | Canmore
19:00 |
Film: Beautiful Boy |
artsPlace Canmore | Canmore
19:30 |
Here Comes the Sun: The Beatles |
Carter-Ryan Theatre | Canmore
21:00 |
DJ Styler Nazo |
High Rollers | Banff
21:00 |
Banff Punk Night |
Pump & Tap | Banff
22:00 |
Brent Lee: Live |
Rose & Crown | Banff
๐ Got An Event To Share?
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Submit Here (8 days before event date)
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๐ Thatโs All For Now ๐ฌ
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 | Whatโs On Banff

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