Hi Everyone! Here's What’s Happening This Week!
Late May is meant to be when the trails open up, not when Parks Canada starts saying avalanche again.
That word is back near Lake Louise, where heat and rain have pushed the hazard up enough that Parks Canada wants people off the Beehive, Lake Agnes and Plain of the Six Glaciers for now.
The Bow River is the week's other problem. A High Streamflow Advisory runs down to Ghost Reservoir, with levels set to climb another 30 cm by Friday, and the muddy water hides sinkholes and open sewers. The Fenland loop near Banff and the Pipestone River trails at Lake Louise are both closed, with a $25,000 penalty for ignoring either.
If the trails you had planned are off the table, the lakes themselves haven't gone anywhere. Moraine Lake has no private vehicle access, and Lake Louise parking fills early, so the Easy Half-Day Tour from Banff handles the driving and the access.
One last request: stay 30 metres from nesting loons, or three bus lengths, before a startled pair abandons their chicks.
Everything else is below.
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If you like the idea of a luxury mountain hotel but don’t love the prices that often come with staying in Banff, The Malcolm Hotel in Canmore is well worth considering. It sits in the Spring Creek area just a short walk from downtown, so you’re close to Canmore’s restaurants, shops, and galleries while still being an easy drive from Banff National Park.
One of the most popular features is the outdoor heated pool and hot tubs overlooking the Three Sisters Peaks. After a day hiking, sightseeing, or skiing in the Bow Valley, it’s a great place to unwind while taking in one of Canmore’s best mountain views.
🏔️ Fresh from the Rockies
Three Sisters Peaks in Spring
🌊 Bow River Rising Through Banff. Warm weather is melting a deep snowpack, and a High Streamflow Advisory covers the river to Ghost Reservoir, with levels set to climb another 30 cm by Friday. The muddy water hides sinkholes and open sewers.
🏔️ Heat Is Driving Avalanche Risk. Warm temperatures and rain have raised the avalanche hazard near Lake Louise, and Parks Canada says to avoid the Beehive, Lake Agnes and Plain of the Six Glaciers trails.
🚠 5,200 Weigh In on Gondola. Albertans filed more than 5,200 submissions on whether to clear the way for the Silvertip sightseeing gondola up Mount Lady MacDonald in Canmore. The province isn’t saying how many were opposed.
🎤 artsPlace Books a Summer of Stand-Up. The four-show comedy series runs from June through August in Canmore. The August headliner, David Nihill, has TED and Netflix credits; tickets are $39.
🐻 Bear Warning at Lower Lake. A warning covers the Lower Lake and Bill Benson trails in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, between William Watson Lodge and Canyon day-use. This comes after multiple bears turned up in the area.
🌊 High Water Closes Two Trails. Flooding has shut the Fenland loop near Banff and the Pipestone River trails at Lake Louise. Same penalty for ignoring either: $25,000.
🐟 Whirling Disease Found East of Jasper. The fish parasite has turned up in the McLeod River sub-watershed, though not yet inside Jasper National Park. It's already been confirmed in Banff, Yoho and Waterton.
🦆 Give the Loons Three Bus Lengths. Parks Canada now asks visitors to keep 30 metres from nesting loons on Banff's waterbodies - measured, helpfully, as three bus lengths. Get closer, and a spooked pair may abandon their chicks.
🌧️ The mountains are trading sunshine for showers this weekend. Friday brings a mix of sun and cloud with a chance of showers, high 19°C. Saturday turns fully wet with showers and a high of 16°C, and Sunday keeps the rain going with a high of just 9°C - pack layers and keep the waterproof jacket handy. Full Forecast Here
⭐ Most Popular Last Issue
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.
🚣Activities You Might Enjoy
🏰 Eat the Castle - Fairmont Banff Springs Food Tour - If you've walked past the Banff Springs Hotel and wondered what's inside, this three-hour food and history tour gives you access - five food and drink pairings across the hotel's dining venues, plus a look behind the scenes with the kitchen team.
🥾 Premium Private Hiking Tours - Banff Region - Small groups, certified guide, your choice of four routes: Bow Glacier Falls, Boom Lake, Emerald Basin, or Stanley Glacier. Book one of these private full-day hikes if you want an interpretive experience in the alpine without the crowds. Pickup from Banff or Canmore.
🚙 Calgary to Banff & Lake Louise Private SUV Tour - A good option if you're flying into Calgary and want the Rockies without hiring a car. This 8.5-hour private tour takes in Banff Springs, Bow Falls, Lake Louise, and a stop in Canmore on the way back. Bespoke and unhurried.
❓Your Questions Answered
🚨 Can elk attack people? Yes - stay at least 30 metres back, particularly when they are protecting calves or during the rutting season.
👨👩👧 Is Bankhead Ghost Town a good activity for families with young children? It's one of the more family-friendly spots in Banff - flat, short, and full of things to look at, making the Bankhead Ghost Town walk a great choice for kids.
🍂 When is the best time to walk Policeman's Creek Trail? The trail is open year-round and beautiful in every season - early morning visits tend to be quieter, with the best light for photos.
♨️ Three Hotels for When You Actually Need to Recover
A week in the Rockies tends to catch up with you - the altitude, the long days, the hikes you probably shouldn't have attempted on day one. These three properties make it easier to actually rest, with proper spa facilities on-site rather than a discount voucher for something across town.
🏔️ Rimrock Banff - Currently closed for a full renovation and reopening July 2026 as Rimrock Banff, Emblems Collection - with a new thermal wellness facility and infinity pool on Sulphur Mountain. If you're planning a summer 2026 trip, early rates are already live, and this is worth booking before everyone else figures it out. Read The Reviews And Book
🦌 Banff Caribou Lodge and Spa - On Banff Avenue with free underground parking and free Banff transit passes included - which matters more than it sounds when you're trying to avoid the town's parking situation. The Red Earth Spa is a full-service operation with six treatment rooms, a hot pool, and a sauna on-site. The Keg Steakhouse is in the lobby, which removes at least one decision from your evening. Read The Reviews And Book
🌿 Everwild, Canmore - Based in Canmore rather than Banff, which comes with its own practical advantages - free parking, a quieter town, and a Nordic thermal spa on-site with saunas, cold plunges, and hot pools. Banff is 20 minutes down the valley when you want it. For a trip focused on recovery as much as activity, Canmore is an underrated base. Read The Reviews And Book
🏕️ Quiz
Which ski resort is not located within Banff National Park?
Yesterday’s Question: Which viewpoint is shown in this photo along the Bow Valley Parkway, famous for its sweeping river bend and railway views?
✅Answer: 2) Morant’s Curve - 53% Correct
Morant’s Curve is a well-known stop along the Bow Valley Parkway, loved for its river bend and railway views. Find out how to enjoy the drive in our Bow Valley Parkway Guide.
Moraine Lake and Lake Louise are two of the most popular Banff destinations, but Moraine Lake has no private vehicle access, and parking at Lake Louise is extremely limited. This half-day tour removes those hurdles by including round-trip transport from Banff and handling access for you.
🎸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
Friday, May 29
15:00 | Live Music Afternoon | Three Bears | Banff
17:00 | Rooftop Sessions | Rose & Crown Banff | Banff
18:00 | Scale of Change: Film | Canmore Brewing Co | Canmore
18:30 | Live Musician Baiden | The Dusty Boot | Banff
19:00 | There is Room Duo: "Encounters" | St George in the Pines | Banff
19:00 | Two Lane Black Top: Live | Mineshaft Tavern | Canmore
19:30 | Motown 6: Live Music | artsPlace Canmore | Canmore
21:00 | Ramblin' Hey Ho Ha's: Live | Tavern 1883 | Canmore
21:00 | Jam Night | The Stand Easy | Jasper
22:00 | Jamie Allanach | Rose & Crown Canmore | Canmore
22:00 | Puttin' on the Foil: Live | Rose & Crown Banff | Banff
22:00 | Tallboy: Live | The Drake | Canmore
📅 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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