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

A Banff hotel room this summer will cost more than it did last year, and there are real reasons for it. Domestic travel is up, Chinese group bookings are returning, free park admission is pulling in visitors who might otherwise have stayed away, and the number of hotel rooms in Banff is fixed. The $453 average nightly rate cited for 2025 was across the full year, including the quiet months. Summer will be higher.

If you're working out how to get around once you're here, Roam Transit's summer service restarts on May 13 - routes 1, 2, 4, 6, 8X, 9, and 12 return to or change their schedule that day.

Alberta is also moving toward a protected "Alberta Whisky" designation under Bill 24, with a Kentucky Bourbon Trail-style route on the table. Canmore's Wild Life Distillery took two top titles at the 2026 Canadian Whisky Awards and already meets every standard the bill proposes.

Private vehicles can't reach Moraine Lake at all this season, and Lake Louise parking is effectively a pre-dawn exercise. If you'd rather skip the logistics entirely, there's a half-day guided option covering both lakes in the activities section. Everything else is 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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Moraine Lake and Lake Louise are two of the most popular Banff destinations, but planning a visit can be surprisingly tricky. Moraine Lake has no private vehicle access, and parking at Lake Louise is extremely limited, especially in peak season.

This half-day tour removes those hurdles by including round-trip transport from Banff and handling access for you.

You get to spend around 80 minutes at each lake. This gives you time to walk the shoreline trails, take your photos of the turquoise water, and spend some time taking in the mountain views. With transport and timing taken care of, you can focus on the experience rather than the logistics.

Book now for a relaxed lakes experience

🌦️ The weekend redeems itself after a soggy Friday - showers today with a high of 15°C. Saturday clears up nicely with a mix of sun and cloud and a high of 18°C. Sunday follows suit - more sun and cloud, another 18°C, and a clear night dropping to 3°C. Full Forecast Here

🏨 Ten Reasons Banff Hotels Cost More This Summer. Domestic travel rebounds, Chinese group bookings returning, free park admission, and fixed supply are all hitting at once - here's the full breakdown. The $453 average nightly rate in 2025 was across the whole year, including the quiet months.

🚌 Roam Transit Summer Service Starts May 13. Routes 1, 2, 4, 6, 8X, 9, and 12 return or change schedule on May 13 - full details and updated timetables are on the Roam website. July reservations for the 8X open May 25.

🥃 Alberta Wants Its Own Whisky Label. Bill 24 would create a protected "Alberta Whisky" designation, and Canmore's Wild Life Distillery - which took two top titles at the 2026 Canadian Whisky Awards - already meets every standard it proposes. A Kentucky Bourbon Trail-style whisky route is also on the table.

🐻 Bear Closes Tryst Lake Parking Area. A grizzly bluff-charged a pedestrian on Mount Shark Road this week, prompting Alberta Parks to close the Tryst Lake parking area in Spray Valley indefinitely. A bluff charge stops short of contact, which is cold comfort at the time. This is the second incident this week.

🐾 Coast Canmore Goes Pet-Friendly on Ground Floor. The Coast Canmore Hotel has updated its entire ground floor to pet-friendly rooms following a flooring renovation, with treats on arrival and a pet-friendly patio at Table Food and Drink.

🏃 Grizzly Ultra Returns to Canmore. The Grizzly Ultra Marathon and Relay returns to the Canmore Nordic Centre on October 10 and 11, 2026. Already 75 per cent sold out.

🐟 Mount Robson Closes Waters to Watercraft. BC Parks has banned all watercraft and wading gear from Mount Robson Park lakes, rivers, and creeks to stop whirling disease from reaching the park. The parasite was first detected in Banff National Park in August 2016.

🐻 A grizzly bluff-charged a Kananaskis hiker on May 4 and stopped at four feet. Seven trails are now under warning. The same valley bottoms drawing hikers out after a long winter are where bears go first for spring growth.

Booking accommodation in Banff usually means choosing between expensive and modern or expensive and average. These three have been doing it longer than most - and that longevity shows up in ways that actually matter when you're there.

🏰 Fairmont Banff Springs - A castle-scale hotel bolted into the side of a mountain since 1888 doesn't need much of a sales pitch. What most people don't realise until they arrive is how much there is on-site - restaurants, spa, walking trails from the door - which means once you're here, you barely need to think about transport at all. Read The Reviews And Book

👑 Mount Royal Hotel - Been on Banff Avenue since 1908, which puts it firmly in the category of institutions rather than options. The location is as central as it gets, so you're walking to everything without a second thought - no parking drama, just out the door and into town. Read The Reviews And Book

🏨 King Edward Hotel - Less celebrated than its neighbours on this list, which is arguably its strongest selling point. Sits quietly on Banff Avenue, delivers what it promises, and doesn't charge you extra for the privilege of a famous name. A sensible base for people who want the history of the town around them without the castle price tag. Read The Reviews And Book

🚗 Can I drive to Lake Louise and park? Yes, but parking is extremely limited and fills before sunrise during peak season, costing $42.00/day. Get all transportation options for Lake Louise in Banff

🍂 Are the easy trails in Canmore open year-round? Most of Canmore's easy trails are accessible in all seasons, though conditions vary - some paths can be icy in winter, and certain trails are at their best in the warmer months.

🌲 Do the same wildlife safety rules apply to wolves as to bears? There is overlap, but wolves need their own specific set of precautions that visitors often overlook.

🦌 Canmore Evening Wildlife Tour - A three-hour golden hour run through the quieter wildlife corridors around Canmore and Banff, with a naturalist guide who adjusts the route based on recent sightings. Binoculars provided - bring a telephoto lens if you have one.

💧 Banff Thermal Waters & Hidden Waterfall Walk - A three-hour guided walk from the Cave and Basin out through Sundance Canyon, taking in the geothermal springs and hidden waterfalls that most visitors walk straight past. Easy to moderate terrain - sturdy shoes and layers required.

🏔️ Icefields Parkway Lakes Day Trip - An 11-hour run from Banff or Canmore hitting Lake Louise, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, and the Columbia Icefield in one guided circuit of the Icefields Parkway's best stops.

Yesterday’s Question: Which viewpoint was this photo of the Banff Springs Hotel taken from?

✅Answer: 4) Surprise Corner - 41% Correct

Surprise Corner offers one of the classic views of the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. Find out whether it’s worth the spend.

Our favourite thing about Baker Creek is the setting. The cabins sit beside a clear glacier-fed stream, and many are just steps from the water. It’s also about a 10-minute drive from Lake Louise along the Bow Valley Parkway, making it a convenient base if you’re hoping to reach the lake early before the crowds build.

Reserve now to stay beside Baker Creek in Banff National Park.

📅 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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