Hi Everyone! Here's What’s Happening This Week!
The Maligne Lake cruises are back on the water for another season, which means the 90-minute return trip to Spirit Island is bookable again from the dock 45 minutes south of Jasper. Summer fills these up fast - if you're planning a Jasper trip, this is one to sort early.
Closer to home, a cinnamon-coloured black bear has been approaching and following solo hikers on the Boom, Arnica, and Twin Lakes trails in Banff National Park. Parks Canada has issued a warning. The advice is straightforward: hike in groups of four or more.
If you're heading into Kananaskis this summer, it's worth knowing the Conservation Pass requirement is being waived on 13 designated days in 2026, starting with Wilderness Wednesday on June 3. Camping and facility fees still apply on free days, so it's not entirely free - just cheaper.
For anyone after a mountain stay that doesn't involve sleeping on the ground, Skyridge Glamping offers private cabins in a quiet natural setting - a reasonable middle ground between a hotel room and a tent.
Plan a visit to Johnston Canyon | Why you need to hike Johnston Canyon | Johnston Canyon Hike - Banff National Park in July | Take the Hop on Hop off Bus | eBike to the canyon
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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.
It is a great way to gain a high-altitude perspective of the Bow Valley and the surrounding peaks. However, we do recommend booking in advance, especially during busy periods, as tickets can sell out.
Book your ride for summit views without the hike!
🏔️ Fresh from the Rockies
Bow Lake (May 17th 2026)
🚤 Maligne Lake Cruises Open for Season. The Spirit Island cruise is running again from the Maligne Lake dock, 45 minutes south of Jasper. The 90-minute return trip reaches Spirit Island. Book ahead - summer cruises fill quickly.
📅 Kananaskis Pass Waived 13 More Times This Year. The Kananaskis Conservation Pass requirement is lifted on 13 designated days in 2026, starting with Wilderness Wednesday on June 3. Camping and facility fees still apply on free days.
🏔️ Spring Rescues Are Up. Prepare Accordingly. Parks Canada is warning hikers about avalanche terrain on popular routes, including Mount Rundle, Cory Pass Loop, and Lake Agnes, with many trails not reliably safe until mid-June. Search and rescue incidents in the Bow Valley rose 19 per cent in 2025.
🐻 Black Bear Trailing Hikers Near Twin Lakes. A cinnamon-coloured black bear has approached and followed solo hikers on the Boom, Arnica, and Twin Lakes trails in Banff National Park. Parks Canada has issued a warning. Hike in groups of four or more.
🚨 Body Recovered at Johnston Canyon. Pavlo Shemchuk, 25, who drowned at Johnston Canyon on May 1 after entering Johnston Creek near the Lower Falls, was found downstream on May 26. The trail has reopened. RCMP and Parks Canada have extended condolences to his family.
🌧️ The Rockies are serving up a soggy stretch - pack a rain jacket and embrace it. Thursday brings a mix of sun and cloud with a chance of showers, high 26°C. Friday stays unsettled with a 40% chance of showers, high 21°C. By Saturday, the sun takes a back seat entirely - showers move in with a high of just 14°C. Full Forecast Here
⭐ Most Popular Last Issue
🐻 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.
🚣Activities You Might Enjoy
🌌 Banff Night Sky & Northern Lights Tour - Banff is one of the better spots in Canada to chase the aurora. This three-hour guided night hike departs from Cave and Basin and adapts to conditions - if the lights don't show, you're getting a proper astronomy session instead.
🌿 Sunshine Meadows Guided Hike with Gondola - At 2,220m, Sunshine Meadows puts you on the Continental Divide without a punishing climb to get there. The gondola and chairlift do the heavy lifting, then a 12km guided loop takes you past Rock Isle, Larix, and Grizzly Lakes. Lunch included.
🪨 Canmore Caving Adventure - Rat's Nest Cave - This is not a show cave. Six hours underground in a wild, undeveloped limestone system on Grotto Mountain - rappelling in, crawling through tight passages, finishing at a subterranean pool. Gear provided; bring old clothes and sturdy boots.
❓Your Questions Answered
🐻 Who is Boo the grizzly bear? Boo is a famous rescued grizzly living at the Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge in Golden, BC - one of the most well-known bear conservation stories in the Canadian Rockies.
💰 Is it cheaper to stay in Canmore than Banff? Generally, yes - accommodation in Canmore tends to cost less, and that saving often goes straight into activities like guided hikes or canoe hire rather than sitting in your pocket.
🏔️ How busy is Banff in August? August is one of the busiest months of the year - booking accommodation, shuttles, and tours well in advance is strongly advised to avoid disappointment.
🏔️ Sleep in Banff Without Selling a Kidney
Accommodation in Banff is one of the park's more reliable ways to ruin a holiday budget before you've even reached the trailhead. These three properties won't win any awards for glamour, but they'll keep the credit card damage manageable while still giving you a great base in the Rockies.
⛰️ Banff Rocky Mountain Resort - About 4 km from the town centre at the base of Rundle and Cascade mountains, with a free on-request shuttle running to downtown. Condos come with full kitchens and fireplaces, and the property has an indoor pool, hot tubs, tennis courts, and an on-site restaurant. Wildlife regularly wanders through the grounds. Read The Reviews And Book
🌲 Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets - On Tunnel Mountain Road, four minutes from downtown by car, with free unlimited access to Banff's town shuttle, so you're not forced to wrestle with parking every time you want a coffee. Every suite has a full kitchen, which is worth more than it sounds when you've seen Banff restaurant prices. Two indoor waterslides on site - useful if you're travelling with children. Read The Reviews And Book
🏡 The Dorothy Motel - A small boutique motel at the quieter eastern end of Banff Avenue, 15 minutes on foot from downtown or a free ROAM transit pass away. Rooms are modern and practical - mini-fridge, microwave, in-room coffee, free parking - and guests get complimentary access to the rooftop hot pools at the neighbouring Hotel Canoe. A tidy operation that doesn't try to be more than it is. Read The Reviews And Book
🏕️ Quiz
Which viewpoint is shown in this photo along the Bow Valley Parkway, famous for its sweeping river bend and railway views?
Yesterday’s Question: The nickname “Split Lip” in Banff refers to which of the following?
✅ Answer: B) A famous grizzly bear known for a scar on its mouth - 93% Correct.
Split Lip is one of Banff’s best-known grizzlies, known for the scar that earned him his name. Learn more about his story.
If you like the idea of being surrounded by mountain scenery but don’t want the effort that comes with camping, Skyridge Glamping sits nicely in between. The private cabins are set in a quiet natural setting, giving you a real sense of being away from it all.
🎸Events, Activities & Live Music
📅 Featured events for today are listed below. Visit our website for a complete list.
FULL EVENT CALENDAR | BANFF & LAKE LOUISE | CANMORE | JASPER NP
BANFF HAPPY HOURS | CANMORE HAPPY HOURS
Thursday, May 28
10:00 | Canmore Mountain Market | Elevation Place | Canmore
16:00 | Visual Arts Open Lecture Series | The Banff Centre | Banff
17:00 | Chess Night | Canmore Public Library | Canmore
18:30 | Enemy Alien Internment in Canada | The Whyte Museum | Banff
19:00 | Trivia Night | The Drake | Canmore
19:00 | Banff Centre World Tour: Film | artsPlace Canmore | Canmore
19:00 | Stories and Voices Cabaret | The Banff Centre | Banff
19:15 | Celtic Gospel Concert | St Mary's Catholic Church | Banff
19:30 | Here Comes the Sun: The Beatles | Carter-Ryan Theatre | Canmore
19:30 | Balkan Greek Dinner Show | Balkan Restaurant | Banff
20:00 | DJ Deon: Vinyl Set | The Dusty Boot | Banff
22:00 | Puttin' on the Foil: Live | Rose & Crown Banff | Banff
📅 Got An Event To Share?
📅 👉 Submit Here (3 days before the event date) for a FREE LISTING
👋 That’s All For Now 🎬
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 | What’s On Banff
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