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Hi Everyone! Here's Whatโ€™s Happening This Week!

A yearling black bear killed an elk calf in the Save-On Foods area on Saturday, was driven up a tree by the mother elk, and tranquilised by Fish and Wildlife officers at 2 pm while RCMP managed the scene. The 100-pound bear was relocated. The elk calf was not. It is, by any measure, a lot to happen in a supermarket car park.

Heart Creek Trail near Canmore is not a straightforward choice this week. A confirmed black bear sow with cubs is in the area, a tree-removal closure is active today, and maintenance continues through June 15. Quaite Valley remains accessible via the Quaite Creek trailhead if you need an alternative.

Mt. Norquay's family season pass drops to $1,719 through June 1 - a saving of $740 on two adults and kids under 17, with a no-questions refund available until October 31. If winter planning is on your list, Sunday is the deadline.

If you'd rather stay closer to the present, the 25-minute helicopter flight over Lake Minnewanka gives you a perspective on the landscape that no trail can. It's the kind of experience that people talk about the most when they get home.

All of that, plus events, trail conditions, and the week's weather, is below.

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๐Ÿ‘‰ Find out what is happening this week and beyond on our Events Page.
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If youโ€™re curious about the grand stone โ€œcastleโ€ 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. Youโ€™re 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.

๐Ÿ”๏ธ Fresh from the Rockies

๐Ÿป Not a Typical Saturday in Canmore. A yearling black bear killed an elk calf near Save-On Foods, was driven up a tree by the mother elk, and was tranquilised by Fish and Wildlife officers at 2 pm while RCMP managed the scene. The 100-pound bear was relocated.

โš ๏ธ Heart Creek? Not this Week! A confirmed black bear sow with cubs, a tree-removal closure today, and active maintenance through June 15 make Heart Creek Trail near Canmore a complicated choice right now. Quaite Valley is still accessible via the Quaite Creek trailhead.

โ›ท๏ธ Norquay Family Pass Sale Ends Sunday. Mt. Norquay's 2026-27 family season pass drops to $1,719 through June 1 - a saving of $740 on two adults and kids under 17. No-questions refund available until October 31.

๐ŸšŒ Cochrane-Bow Valley Transit: Still Nowhere. Housing costs are pushing Bow Valley workers to Cochrane, leaving them on an 80-kilometre daily drive with no regional transit option.

๐ŸŒฟ The Moss at Troll Falls Is Running Out of Time. Porsild's bryum, a federally threatened moss found at Troll Falls in Kananaskis, is declining - and researchers say opening Nakiska's parking lots for summer use could accelerate the pressure. The upper falls population had 10 colonies in 2004. It had zero by 2011.

๐ŸŒฆ๏ธ The Rockies are serving up a warm, showery stretch to close out May -temperatures peak mid-week before the clouds take over. Wednesday brings a mix of sun and cloud with a high of 23ยฐC. Thursday edges up to 25ยฐC with a chance of showers, while Friday cools slightly to 21ยฐC, again with a chance of showers. Full Forecast Here

โญ Most Popular Last Issue

For something that moves at a different pace entirely, the Wagon Ride and Cowboy Cookout takes you along the Bow River by horse-drawn wagon, stopping for a steak cooked to order in the backcountry.

๐ŸšฃActivities You Might Enjoy

๐ŸšŒ Moraine Lake Big Bus Shuttle - Private cars have been banned from Moraine Lake Road since 2023, so getting there takes planning. This double-decker shuttle from Deer Lodge includes parking and drops you lakeside to explore at your own pace - Rockpile Trail, Larch Valley, whatever suits.

๐Ÿšถ Banff Town Walking Tour - Skip Banff Avenue and join this two-hour guided walk that covers the town's history, local lore, and spots most visitors never find. Includes a snack and drink. Meet at the corner of Buffalo and Bear Streets.

๐Ÿ”๏ธ Yoho, Golden Skybridge & Takakkaw Falls Day Tour - A full day heading west into Yoho National Park, with stops at Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls, and Canada's highest suspension bridges above Golden. Pickups from Calgary, Canmore, or Banff. Pack layers - it gets cold up there.

โ“Your Questions Answered

๐Ÿบ Does Banff have craft beer and local drinks worth trying? Yes - Banff has a great craft brewery and distillery scene producing locally made beers and spirits, often using ingredients and water sourced from the Rockies.

๐Ÿ”๏ธ How does Canmore compare to Banff for family-friendly hiking? Canmore's easy trails are right in town, free to access, and less crowded than Banff's popular routes - making it a genuinely practical choice for families with young children.

๐Ÿ‘€ Is it common to see wolves in Banff or Kananaskis? Sightings are rare - wolves are elusive by nature. What to do if you do encounter one is worth knowing before you go.

๐ŸšถNo Car Required: Banff Hotels That Put You in the Middle of Everything

Banff is not a town that rewards being far from the centre - the shuttle queues, the parking stress, and the constant ten-minute buffer add up fast. These three properties solve that problem by simply being where you need to be.

๐Ÿ”๏ธ Mount Royal Hotel - Open since 1908 and sitting directly on Banff Avenue, this is about as central as Banff accommodation gets. The rooftop hot tubs overlooking Cascade Mountain are the headline feature, and the in-hotel museum and library give you something to do on a rainy afternoon that isn't shopping. Parking is available on-site at $10 a night, but spaces are limited and first-come, so factor that in if you're driving. Rooms are on the smaller side, but that's the trade-off for being steps from everything. Read The Reviews And Book

๐ŸŒฒ Banff Park Lodge - Positioned between downtown and the Bow River, which means it's quieter than properties directly on Banff Avenue without being any less convenient. Three on-site restaurants, an indoor pool, eucalyptus steam room, hot tub, heated underground parking, and a ski shuttle that stops at the front door in winter. It's a full-service resort hotel in a central location - which in Banff is not as easy a combination to find. Read The Reviews And Book

๐Ÿจ Peaks Hotel & Suites - The newest of the three, rated number one on TripAdvisor among Banff hotels, and connected directly to the town's pedestrian zone, so you're walking to dinner rather than planning it. Rooms come with fridges and espresso makers, underground parking is available on-site, and guests can use the pool and restaurant at sister hotel Banff Park Lodge just across the street. Read The Reviews And Book

๐Ÿ•๏ธ Quiz

Yesterdayโ€™s Question: Which group of three mountain peaks is shown in this photo overlooking Canmore?

โœ…Answer: 1) The Three Sisters - 92% Correct.

The Three Sisters are one of Canmoreโ€™s most recognisable mountain views. For a great photo spot, check out Three Sisters Viewpoint Trail.

This could easily be the standout experience from your Banff trip. The 25-minute helicopter flight over Lake Minnewanka offers a completely different view of the landscape, lifting you above rivers, valleys, and mountain ranges, giving you a perspective you canโ€™t get from the ground.

Book now & see the Rockies from a new perspective!

๐ŸŽธEvents, Activities & Live Music

๐Ÿ“… Featured events for today are listed below. Visit our website for a complete list.

Wednesday, May 27

10:00 | Banff Farmers Market | Central Park | Banff

3:00 | Live Music Afternoon | Three Bears | Banff

3:00 | Here Comes the Sun: The Beatles | Carter-Ryan Theatre | Canmore

3:30 | Park Distillery Tour | Park Distillery | Banff

7:00 | Music Bingo | Melissa's Missteak | Banff

7:00 | Open Mic Night | The Local | Canmore

7:30 | Here Comes the Sun: The Beatles | Carter-Ryan Theatre | Canmore

8:30 | Trivia Night | Tavern 1883 | Canmore

9:00 | Open Mic/Jam Night | Rose & Crown Canmore | Canmore

10:00 | DJ Bunny Hops | High Rollers | Banff

10:00 | Tommy's Open Mic | Tommy's Pub | Banff

10:00 | DJ B-Kode | Rose & Crown Banff | Banff

๐Ÿ“… Got An Event To Share?

๐Ÿ“… ๐Ÿ‘‰ Submit Here (3 days before the event date) for a FREE LISTING

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๐Ÿ‘‹ Thatโ€™s All For Now ๐ŸŽฌ

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 | Whatโ€™s On Banff

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