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

If Canada is on your holiday shortlist, it now tops someone else's too. The country ranks first in Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection's 2027 travel-safety report, which draws on American travellers' experiences and wider safety measures. New Zealand and Australia take the next two places.

For a Rockies trip, that broad picture sits alongside a few specific updates. Parts of Mount Indefatigable are closed because of grizzly activity, including the bowl below the south peak, the true summit and the east peak. There's no reopening date yet.

Back in Banff, summer traffic figures have renewed calls for a park-wide transport plan. The free train station parking lot was filling by 11 am, which explains why leaving the car behind has its appeal beyond saving on fuel.

That's one convenience of the Johnston Canyon evening icewalk, with Banff transport included. A guide leads you to the Lower Falls by headlamp, with hot chocolate and maple cookies along the way. It's one for later-winter plans: the canyon's current construction closure runs through 11 December, and departures depend on access reopening.

Read on. We've included a walk that starts in downtown Canmore, too.

Plan Your Visit To Banff For November | December | January | February

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🧳 Canada tops travel-safety ranking for 2027. Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection places Canada first in its 2027 travel-safety ranking, ahead of New Zealand and Australia. The list combines American travellers' experiences with Global Peace Index data.

⛔ Grizzly activity closes Mount Indefatigable areas. The Mount Indefatigable bear closure covers the bowl below the south peak, the true summit and the east peak. These areas remain closed until further notice, with an affected-area map linked in WildSmart's update.

🥾 Construction closes two Banff trail sections. The Rockies closures roundup includes 300 metres of Spray Quarry Trail beside the golf course and 450 metres of Spray River East. Both sections closed on 9 November and remain shut until further notice.

🚗 Banff records 1.8 million summer vehicles. July and August brought roughly 100,000 more vehicle entries than in 2025. The Banff traffic figures show the free train station car park filling by 11 am, adding pressure for a park-wide transport plan.

🎞️ Banff in the 1920s, on film. Fairmont Banff Springs has shared 1920s footage of Banff, credited to Old Canada Series, for a look back at the national park's history.

🐻 Bella Coola bears killed after attack. Officials say forensic testing linked a female grizzly and three cubs to the fatal Bella Coola attack on a mother and daughter. All four bears were killed; authorities described the attack as predatory.

🎿 Free Lake Louise skiing for military. Canadian veterans, serving Canadian Armed Forces members and British personnel serving at Suffield can ski free at Lake Louise until 15 November. Bring valid military ID to outdoor ticket windows or Guest Services.

🎬 Banff festival winners announced. Three Canadian films won awards at the Banff Mountain Festival, while Canmore's Sarah Hueniken received the Summit of Excellence Award. Nearly all winning films will stream in Canada and the US from 12 to 22 November.

☀️ Banff's giving winter the cold shoulder for a few more days. Thursday brings a mix of sun and cloud with a high of 12°C, so make the most of the milder weather. Friday is sunny with a high of 10°C, followed by more sunshine on Saturday and a high of 7°C. Full Forecast Here

🏞️ Free Banff entry proposed for 2027. The federal budget proposes bringing back free park admission next summer.

🏔️ Let's Plan Your Banff Trip. See how our trip planning services can help you make the most of your visit with advice from a local. Watch the video

🧊 Ice Bubbles Without the Winter Driving. Visit Abraham Lake and Peyto Lake on an eight-hour tour with Banff pickup. Plan your winter outing

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🚡 Lake Louise from above. For mountain views without an uphill hike, the Lake Louise summer gondola climbs above the ski resort. Admission includes the Wildlife Interpretive Centre; any bear sightings along the way are a bonus, never guaranteed.

🌊 Let your guide row. First-time rafters can try the Athabasca River rafting trip, combining small rapids with calmer stretches while the guide handles the oars. The two-hour outing includes return transport from Jasper; children must be at least three.

🥾 An evening in Johnston Canyon. For walkers who prefer a guided outing, this Johnston Canyon evening hike combines canyon trails with scenic stops. Allow five to six hours, including travel.

Allow a full day for a one-way sightseeing drive between Lake Louise and Jasper. The route is 232 km, and driving alone takes around three to four hours. We'd budget seven to nine hours with viewpoints, short walks and lunch. Starting in Banff adds roughly another hour.

How you spend that time depends on your plans:

Our Bow Lake guide and Peyto Lake guide explain two of the southern stops.

Fill up before leaving, bring lunch and download your maps. Services are limited and mobile coverage is unreliable.

These timings are for good road conditions. In winter, shorter daylight, snow and possible avalanche-control closures make a flexible plan essential.

Explore Johnston Canyon after dark on a guided winter walk to the Lower Falls. Your headlamp lights the catwalks and frozen canyon, with hot chocolate and maple cookies along the way. This 2.5-hour outing includes Banff transport, ice cleats and a headlamp to keep. Departures depend on trail access.

Check availability

We've updated our Johnston Canyon walking guide with the current construction closure and suspended bus service. Check it before planning a visit: the main canyon trail is closed through 11 December.

Our new Lake Minnewanka visitor guide covers winter access, shoreline walks and the village beneath the water. It's useful for planning a quieter visit now, with cruise options included for those looking ahead to summer.

Planning a climb close to town? Our refreshed Tunnel Mountain hiking guide explains the trailheads, route and summit views, with winter advice on icy footing, ice cleats and poles to help you decide whether conditions suit your plans.

Policeman's Creek, Canmore

You don't have to leave downtown Canmore for a walk beside the water. Start near the Big Head sculpture and follow Policeman's Creek through reeds and along the boardwalk, with mountain views between the trees. The main loop is 1.24 km and takes around 15 to 30 minutes.

For a longer outing, continue along the connected paths towards Spring Creek. The wooden boardwalk can become slippery after frost or snow, and the western entrance has steps. Take your time, then head back into town for somewhere warm to sit.

Read our Policeman's Creek walking guide

Here's what's happening today. Planning ahead? See our FULL EVENT CALENDAR for the rest of the week's events and beyond.

13:30 | Park Distillery Tour | Park Distillery | Banff
14:30 | Eat the Castle Food Tour | Banff Springs Hotel | Banff
16:30 | In Search of Christmas Spirit | Cascade of Time Garden | Banff
17:00 | Chess Night | Canmore Public Library | Canmore
17:30 | That Never Happened | artsPlace | Canmore
19:00 | Poker Night | Canmore Legion | Canmore
19:00 | Trivia Night | The Drake | Canmore
19:30 | Balkan Greek Dinner Show | Balkan Restaurant | Banff
20:30 | Cass Furman: Stand-up Comedy | Tavern 1883 | Canmore
21:00 | DJ Styler Nazo: Requests Night | High Rollers | Banff
22:00 | Mike Mackenzie Band | Rose and Crown Banff | Banff
22:00 | Thirsty Thursday Party | Melissa's Missteak | Banff

📅 👉 Submit Here (3 days before the event date) for a FREE LISTING

From our last issue: What famous scenic road is Bow Lake located along?

✅Answer: 2) Icefields Parkway - 59% Correct

Bow Lake is one of the easiest and most scenic stops along the Icefields Parkway. Learn more in our Bow Lake Guide.

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