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

Moraine Lake has a short season, and it ends on Monday.

The road closes after October 12, which is also Thanksgiving Monday, so expect company. Parks Canada shuttles run daily until then and require a reservation. (Alternatives can be found here.) After that, there is no getting there by car or shuttle until 2027.

A grizzly has closed Hidden Lake and Baker Lake campgrounds after taking an interest in tents and gear. Day hikers can still walk in. Anyone who pitches a tent faces a fine of up to $25,000, which makes it the most expensive campsite in the park.

A $10,000 ski prize covers five nights in Golden for two, two days at Kicking Horse and a day of heli-skiing. Both skiers need to be strong intermediate or better, and the draw is around December 2.

Saturday's forecast has a high of 2°C and possible snow, so winter is not far off. Once it settles in, Johnston Canyon's Upper Falls freezes into a 30-metre column of ice, often with climbers on it. The guided ice walk from Banff follows the catwalks up, with ice cleats, hot chocolate and a maple cookie included.

Plan a visit to Moraine Lake | How to get to Moraine Lake | Book the Lake Louise / Moraine Lake shuttle (video)

Plan Your Visit To Banff For October | December

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The canyon's a different place in winter. The waterfalls freeze solid, and this guided hike follows the catwalks up to the Upper Falls, now a towering wall of ice.

Book your ice walk

🐻 Grizzly Closes Two Banff Campgrounds. Parks Canada closed Hidden Lake and Baker Lake campgrounds after a grizzly investigated tents and gear. Day hikers can still walk in, but anyone pitching a tent risks a fine of up to $25,000.

🚌 Moraine Lake Road Closes After October 12. Parks Canada shuttles keep running daily until then, and reservations are required. For anyone squeezing in a final visit, here is how to get to Moraine Lake.

⛷️ Win a Heli-Skiing Trip to Golden. A $10,000 prize covers five nights in Golden for two, plus two days at Kicking Horse and a day of heli-skiing. Both skiers need strong intermediate-to-advanced ability, and the draw is around December 2.

🍽️ Taste for Adventure Returns. Banff and Lake Louise restaurants run special menus from October 22 to November 5. Prices run from three courses for $30 at the Rose & Crown to six for $129 at Storm Mountain Lodge.

👕 Canmore Consignment Shop Opens Online. Green Rabbit Consignment, a new Instagram storefront, sells like-new clothing across Canmore and Banff. It grew out of a spring clothing swap at Canmore Brewing and is taking fall clothing on consignment.

🎿 SkiBig3 Resorts Unveil Winter Upgrades. Among this season's SkiBig3 upgrades, Lake Louise adds two connector runs into Richardson's Ridge, and Norquay's new surface lift has tripled its learning area. Sunshine, meanwhile, has added an indoor cocktail bar mid-mountain.

🔥 Wildfire Risk Rises Around Kananaskis. Dry conditions have raised wildfire risk around Kananaskis, Canmore and Stoney Nakoda. Smoke and flames from a prescribed burn on Stoney Nakoda land may be visible from Highways 1 and 1A in the coming weeks.

🌧️ Make the most of Thursday's warmth - by Saturday, the thermometer drops, and snowflakes may crash the party. Thursday has a high of 18°C and a 30% chance of showers, while Friday brings showers and a high of 13°C. Saturday turns to rain or snow with a chilly high of just 2°C, so dig out the warm layers. Full Forecast Here

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🐻 In the Okanagan, a family pulled a bear cub out of the lake and freed it near the shore. WildSafeBC called it a good result. A rescue society disagrees. Video here.

🦌 Timed for Dusk, When the Wildlife Comes Out. Your guide builds the route around recent sightings, from Lake Minnewanka to Bow Falls. Check availability for your dates

🧭 How to Get to Moraine Lake. Our guide breaks down how to reach Moraine Lake so you can plan your visit ahead of time. Read the full guide

🏰 Castle Food Experience at Banff Springs - Why not eat your way around the castle? This three-hour tour moves from the wine cellar to the main dining room across five pairings, with a chef's demo and a look through the hotel's photo archives.

🌉 Golden Skybridge, Emerald Lake and Takakkaw Falls - Fancy Yoho and Golden in a single day? Pickup from Calgary, Canmore or Banff takes you to Emerald Lake, the Natural Bridge and Takakkaw Falls before an afternoon at the Golden Skybridge, Canada's highest suspension bridge. Skybridge tickets are extra.

🧊 Johnston Canyon Icewalk - Once winter sets in, Johnston Canyon's Upper Falls freezes into a 30-metre column of ice, often with climbers on it. This guided walk from Banff takes the catwalks there, with ice cleats, hot chocolate and a maple cookie included.

🏨 Do you need to be a hotel guest to use the spa? Not always - many Banff hotel spas accept day visitors, though booking ahead is strongly recommended.

🐻 What should you do if you come face to face with a bear on a trail in Banff or Canmore? Your response depends on the situation - back away slowly if unseen, stand your ground if charged, and always have your bear spray accessible.

🗺️ How do you get to the Canmore Engine Bridge? The bridge is easily reached on foot from several points near downtown Canmore - parking and access options are straightforward for all visitors.

This 3-hour guided walk trades Banff Avenue for quiet trails, past geothermal springs and hidden waterfalls, with your guide pointing out wildlife along the way.

Check availability

From our last issue: Which Banff-area ski resort is located closest to the town of Banff?

✅Answer: 3) Mount Norquay: 56% Correct

Mount Norquay is around a 15-minute drive from downtown, making it the easiest ski hill to reach for a quick day on the slopes. Compare all resorts in our Banff ski resorts guide.

Featured events are listed below. View the FULL EVENT CALENDAR for a complete list.

All Day | Banff Pride Festival | Banff Town | Banff
11:00 | Art Show and Sale: Meg Nicks | Canmore Art Guild | Canmore
13:30 | Park Distillery Tour | Park Distillery | Banff
17:00 | Chess Night | Canmore Public Library | Canmore
19:00 | Literary Cabaret: Memoir - Chapter 1 | The Banff Centre | Banff
19:00 | Poker Night | Canmore Legion | Canmore
19:30 | Quartetto Gelato | artsPlace Canmore | Canmore
19:30 | Balkan Greek Dinner Show | Balkan Restaurant | Banff
19:30 | Comedy Night With Brett Forte | Rose and Crown Banff | Banff
19:30 | Ain’t We Got Fun | Carter-Ryan Theatre | Canmore
20:00 | Trivia Night | The Drake | Canmore
21:00 | DJ Styler Nazo: Requests Night | High Rollers | Banff
22:00 | Thirsty Thursday Party | Melissa’s Missteak | Banff
22:00 | Wild T & The Spirit | Rose and Crown Banff | Banff

All Day | Banff Pride Festival | Banff Town | Banff
11:00 | Art Show and Sale: Meg Nicks | Canmore Art Guild | Canmore
13:30 | Park Distillery Tour | Park Distillery | Banff
15:00 | Live Music Afternoon | Three Bears | Banff
18:30 | Live Music Night | The Dusty Boot | Banff
19:00 | Canmore Eagles Ice Hockey Game | Canmore Rec Centre | Canmore
19:00 | Bingo Night | Canmore Legion | Canmore
19:00 | Live Music Fridays | Moxy Banff | Banff
19:00 | artsPlace Open Mic Nights | artsPlace Canmore | Canmore
19:30 | Balkan Greek Dinner Show | Balkan Restaurant | Banff
19:30 | Ain’t We Got Fun | Carter-Ryan Theatre | Canmore
20:30 | A Drag and Burlesque Showcase | Mason Hall | Banff
21:00 | Colin MacDonald | Tavern 1883 | Canmore
21:00 | Music Bingo | Beaver Bar | Banff
21:00 | Jam Night | The Stand Easy | Jasper
22:00 | DJ Wolfie Beatz | The Drake | Canmore
22:00 | Friday Night Vibes: Local DJ | High Rollers | Banff
22:00 | Halo | The Drake | Canmore

All Day | Banff Pride Festival | Banff Town | Banff
10:00 | Family ARTventures | Walter Phillips Gallery | Banff
11:00 | Art Show and Sale: Meg Nicks | Canmore Art Guild | Canmore
13:15 | Saturday Distillery Tour | Wild Life Distillery | Canmore
13:30 | Park Distillery Tour | Park Distillery | Banff
15:00 | Ain’t We Got Fun (Matinee) | Carter-Ryan Theatre | Canmore
15:00 | Live Music Afternoon | Three Bears | Banff
18:30 | Salsa Socials | artsPlace Canmore | Canmore
19:30 | Ain’t We Got Fun | Carter-Ryan Theatre | Canmore
19:30 | Jens Lindemann: A Tribute to the Trumpet Greats | The Banff Centre | Banff
22:00 | DJ Styler Nazo | The Drake | Canmore
22:00 | Club Night: DJ Raven | High Rollers | Banff

All Day | Banff Pride Festival | Banff Town | Banff
11:00 | Art Show and Sale: Meg Nicks | Canmore Art Guild | Canmore
13:30 | Park Distillery Tour | Park Distillery | Banff
15:00 | Live Music Afternoon | Three Bears | Banff
19:00 | Jimi: Bar Stars and Beauty Queens Tour | The Banff Centre | Banff
19:30 | Balkan Greek Dinner Show | Balkan Restaurant | Banff
19:30 | CONSTANTINOPLE : ESTUARY | artsPlace Canmore | Canmore
20:30 | Line Dancing | The Dusty Boot | Banff
21:00 | Karaoke Night | Beaver Bar | Banff
21:00 | Sunday Funday: Party | High Rollers | Banff
21:30 | Locals Night with DJ Set | Melissa’s Missteak | Banff
22:00 | Sunday Night Karaoke | Banff Sizzlers | Banff
22:00 | Brent Lee | Rose and Crown Banff | Banff

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