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

Lake Louise is ice-free as of late May, which means the season is properly underway - and so are the crowds. If you haven't sorted your Parks Canada shuttle ticket or Roam Superpass for Moraine Lake yet, now is the time to look at alternatives. Paradise Lodge & Bungalows sits about 1 km from Lake Louise, close enough to walk to the lakeshore and pick up the Lake Connector shuttle across to Moraine Lake, which takes the parking question off the table entirely.

Parks Canada crews are currently sandbagging along the Bow and Pipestone rivers after a flood watch was issued for Banff National Park. No closures or evacuations at this point, but the official advice is to dust off your emergency kit - worth doing before you arrive, not after.

Canmore's Vegan Chef Challenge wrapped in April, with Kain Tayo taking first place and several of the competing restaurants keeping their vegan options on the menu going forward.

A new book reconstructs the 2024 wildfire below Marmot Basin in detail that's hard to set aside - at its peak, the fire was burning at 386,000 kilowatts per metre. For context, that's roughly seven times the energy released at Hiroshima. It's a useful read for understanding what the Rockies are dealing with

Plan Your Trip: If you are struggling to book the Parks Canada Shuttle or the Roam Superpass to Moraine Lake or Lake Louise, check out these posts for alternatives. How to get to Lake Louise | Moraine Lake

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If visiting Lake Louise and Moraine Lake is high on your list, Paradise Lodge & Bungalows is a very convenient place to stay. The cabins sit about 1 km from Lake Louise, which means you can walk to the lakeshore in around 15–20 minutes instead of worrying about the busy parking lots.

That location also makes visiting Moraine Lake easier. With a Parks Canada shuttle ticket, you can board the Lake Connector shuttle that runs between the two lakes. After a day exploring the trails and viewpoints, returning to a quiet cabin surrounded by trees feels a world away from the crowds

Reserve now to stay close to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake

💧 Flood Watch Issued for Banff Rivers. Parks Canada crews are sandbagging along the Bow and Pipestone rivers after a flood watch was issued for Banff National Park. No closures or evacuations - but the official advice includes dusting off your emergency kit.

💧 Lake Louise Is Ice-Free. Lake Louise has thawed, with open water visible as of late May - roughly on schedule for a normal year in Banff National Park.

🌱 Kain Tayo Takes the Plate. Canmore's Vegan Chef Challenge wrapped in April, with 14 restaurants competing for customer votes. Kain Tayo took first, Rocky Mountain Flatbread second, Wagashi Tea House third. Many of the vegan options are staying on the menu.

🚌 Jasper Buys Its Own Buses. Jasper Council moves toward a municipally owned transit fleet after a 65% jump in ridership through the first four months of 2026. Jasper Park Lodge corporate passes make up a significant share of riders.

🔥 The Fire That Broke the Scale. A new book reconstructs the 2024 wildfire below Marmot Basin, where the soil wasn't just sterilised - it was burned to ash and blasted away. At its peak: 386,000 kilowatts per metre. Seven times the energy of the Hiroshima bomb.

🦌 B.C. Hunting Draw Opens, Deadline June 23. British Columbia's 2026 limited-entry hunting draw is open, with updated regulations for mountain goat and elk hunting in the Kootenay region. Hunters apply through the WILD licensing system by June 23.

🌧️ The rain has settled in over Banff for a few days - pack accordingly. Sunday brings periods of rain with a high of 10°C, Monday stays wet with rain and a high of 8°C, and Tuesday keeps the pattern going with periods of rain and a high of 9°C. Full Forecast Here

🗓️ Planning a June trip to Banff? Our new Banff in June guide covers what to expect - weather, crowds, what's open, and how to make the most of the month before summer hits full pace. Read the Banff in June guide here.

🛶 Lake Louise Guided Canoe & Moraine Lake Tour - This six-hour tour solves two logistical headaches at once - skip the canoe queue at Lake Louise and get shuttle access to Moraine Lake in one trip. Small group, max 14. Pickups from Banff or Canmore.

🚡 Jasper SkyTram - Whistlers Mountain - Canada's longest aerial tramway, seven and a half minutes to 2,263 metres, with views of six mountain ranges on a clear day. Grab your SkyTram ticket early and factor in time for the summit trail if your legs are willing - it's another 1.4km to the top. Pack a windproof layer regardless of what it's doing in town.

🍂 Larch Valley Guided Hike with Lunch - Larch Valley in autumn is one of the better things you can do in the Rockies, and the golden window is short. This guided return hike from Moraine Lake handles the transport, includes lunch and trekking poles, and keeps you in a group, which matters here during berry season. Eight hours, 565m of elevation gain.

📅 Does Banff have events and festivals year-round? Yes - festivals and events run in every season across Banff, Canmore, and Jasper, from winter carnivals to summer music festivals.

🌉 What is the Canmore Engine Bridge, and why is it worth visiting? It's a historic railway bridge turned pedestrian and cycling path, sitting right in downtown Canmore with mountain views that make it one of the best easy stops in the Rockies.

👥 Is it safe to hike alone in Banff? Solo hiking significantly raises your risk in bear country - travelling in a group and making plenty of noise is strongly recommended.

Kananaskis sits right next door to Banff but operates at a different pace - fewer crowds, and considerably more wildlife on the drive in. These three properties make the most of that.

🌲 Sundance by Basecamp - Canvas tents and tipis alongside the Kananaskis River, about an hour from Banff. Shared showers, no Wi-Fi, outhouses - it's honest about what it is. Firepits, river walks, and a small trading post on site. Good option for families who want the outdoor experience without overcomplicating it. Read The Reviews And Book

🏔️ Mount Engadine Lodge - About an hour from Canmore along Spray Lakes Road, in the kind of remote that Banff visitors rarely reach. All meals included - breakfast, a packed lunch for the trail, and a three-course dinner each evening. Glamping tents have gas fireplaces, ensuite bathrooms with hot showers, and private balconies. Bikes and snowshoes available for guests. Pets welcome. Read The Reviews And Book

🏕️ 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 on site. Free parking. If you're going to call it glamping, this is what that actually looks like. Read The Reviews And Book

Yesterday’s Question: Which lake is the closest to the town of Banff?

✅ Answer: C) Lake Minnewanka - 64% Correct

Just 15 minutes from Banff, Lake Minnewanka is perfect for a cruise, picnic, or a relaxed lakeside walk. Plan your visit.

If you’re hoping to see wildlife and visit Spirit Island, this tour combines both in a single trip. Follow the Maligne Valley, with a stop at Medicine Lake before continuing to Maligne Lake. From there, take a 90-minute cruise to one of the most recognisable views in the Canadian Rockies. All with transport and timing taken care of.

Book now and explore Jasper’s Maligne Valley with ease

📅 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

07:30 | 26th Big Bear Classic – Disc Golf | Canmore Nordic Centre | Canmore

08:00 | The Sunday Social x Strides Canmore | Lovely Ice Cream | Canmore

13:00 | Stoney Medallion Necklace Workshop | Listen Studios | Canmore

15:00 | Here Comes the Sun: The Beatles | Carter-Ryan Theatre | Canmore

19:00 | Moonlight – Movie and Panel Discussion | artsPlace Canmore | Canmore

22:00 | Brent Lee: Live | Rose & Crown Banff | Banff

16:00 | Visual Arts Lecture: MaÏa Tellit Hawad | The Banff Centre | Banff

19:00 | Music Bingo live | Rose & Crown | Canmore

20:00 | Monday Trivia | High Rollers | Banff

20:00 | Live Music Night | Three Bears | Banff

22:00 | Karaoke Night | The Drake | Canmore

22:00 | Brent Lee | Rose & Crown Banff | Banff

All day | Lux Cinema – Cheap Tuesday | Lux Cinema Banff | Banff

18:00 | Honouring Indigenous Strength Art Show | Elevation Place | Canmore

19:00 | Trivia Tuesday | Rose & Crown Canmore | Canmore

19:00 | The Art of Adventure | artsPlace Canmore | Canmore

21:00 | Banff Punk Night | The Pump & Tap Tavern | Banff

22:00 | Jesse Peters | Rose & Crown Banff | Banff

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