Banff’s Hotels Win Big & Canmore's Luxury Spa

Hey friends! Here’s What’s Happening This Week!

It’s been a headline-making week in the Rockies. Four Banff National Park hotels (including one of our favourites, the Lodge at Bow Lake) have just earned MICHELIN Key awards, confirming what locals already knew - our mountain stays rank among the best in the world. Over in Canmore, there’s even more reason to celebrate: a new Nordic spa is officially in the works, promising saunas, plunge pools, and sweeping mountain views built for pure relaxation. But can it compete with Banff’s best spas?

And if winter’s already calling your name, Jasper’s got an early-season deal that’s hard to resist - stay at select hotels and your ski days are covered. Add in ghost walks, live music, and cozy happy hours around town, and October is looking pretty great.

Check out the full lineup below 👇

• Banff in October: Read This Before You Visit!

• Banff in November: What You Need To Know!

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🌤️ Weather Watch – Weekly Outlook (Thurs 6 pm)

Read Our Complete Guide To What You Can Expect From Banff’s Weather. Whenever You Plan To Visit

🏞️ Your Questions Answered!

1. Do I need a car to explore the Park? No, Banff National Park has a fantastic transit system.

2. I want to live in Banff. How can I do that? Well, it’s not easy. Find out why.

3. Where can I buy a park pass? There are plenty of options. We explain here.

4. Which hill should I hit if I'm new to skiing? Two nearby resorts make learning painless (and even fun). See where first-timers find their groove.

5. Who is Split Lip?. Split Lip is Banff’s Cannibal Bear. Find out how he got his name.

🏔️ Banff in Brief - Headlines this Week

🚧 Bow Glacier Falls trail closed until 2026. After June's deadly rockslide, Parks Canada says the area stays off-limits while geotechnical work wraps up. Hikers, reroute your plans and stay safe. Expect updates through 2025. Get the closure details.

🧖 Nordic spa experience coming to Canmore. Hot-cold-plunge fans, rejoice: a new wellness escape is planned for town, bringing steamy pools, saunas, and chill zones with jaw-dropping views. Consider this your future reset button. See what's planned.

Best Hotel Spas in Banff – Relaxation and Mountain Views

🎿 Ski for free in Jasper this winter. Yep, you read that right - book by Nov 23 and you'll score 3 days of lift tickets at Marmot Basin when you stay at select Jasper hotels -fresh tracks by day, cozy fires by night. Lock in the deal before it disappears!

🎭 Into the Woods opens at Carter-Ryan Theatre. From Oct 15-Nov 2, Sondheim’s fairytale mashup takes over Canmore’s Carter-Ryan Gallery in a whimsical, immersive forest set by Jason Carter. Snag your tickets before they vanish!

⭐ Four Banff National Park hotels make 2025 MICHELIN Keys. Fairmont Banff Springs, Chateau Lake Louise, Post Hotel & Spa, and The Lodge at Bow Lake earn One Key honours - proof that mountain magic meets five-star vibes. Rooms will go fast once winter hits. See Alberta’s MICHELIN picks.

👻 Banff & Canmore Ghost Walks. Step into the shadows this Halloween as costumed guides lead you through eerie alleys and chilling tales of restless spirits in the Rockies. Spooky spots are selling out fast. Book Banff | Book Canmore.

🏷️ Don’t Miss These Deals

✨✨ Stargaze in Banff's Wilderness with over One-Third Off: Trade daylight crowds for a night under the stars in Banff National Park. From a secluded spot with little light pollution, see constellations, the Milky Way, and even the northern lights on lucky nights. Book by October 13 to save.

⛷️ Ski & Stay at the Iconic Fairmont Banff Springs. Book to save almost one-third on winter stays at the Castle in the Rockies. Pair world-class skiing with the comfort of a historic mountain hotel. Tempted? See what guests are saying.

🏔️ Albertans score big with Pursuit Rewards. Locals can now unlock year-round deals on Banff and Jasper hotels, attractions, dining, and more - just by signing up for free. Savings, perks, and mountain adventures await! Join and start exploring.

🍺 Park Distillery - Cocktail Happy Hour in Banff Park Distillery offers a daily happy hour from 15:00-17:00 with half-price cocktails, $9 wines, $6.99 pints, and food specials. Guests can also book a distillery tour to see how the spirits are made.

🍽️ Juniper Bistro unveils cozy winter menu. Think firelit vibes and bold, colourful plates built for snow-season nights. The Juniper just dropped its winter dinner lineup, crafted for warmth, connection, and big flavour. Browse the winter menu.

🔥 Controlled burns in Jasper could mean smoky skies. Parks Canada crews are safely burning brush piles near Pyramid Beach to thin forest growth and cut wildfire risk. Smoke's expected, so don't panic if you see haze! Get the full update.

🔥 Jasper’s wildfire teaches lessons beyond the losses. Industry experts say the $1.3B disaster exposed deeper issues - from rebuilding in a national park to protecting entire communities, not just buildings. Discover the surprising takeaways.

🏃 Grizzly Ultra returns to Canmore this weekend. Over 1,800 runners tackle 50k of steep trails, wild views, and yes - bear spray required! Expect costumes, cheers, and serious endurance energy. Check the race lineup.

⭐ Readers’ Choice: Top Links from Last Issue

• 🍻 The Drake is closing… but only for a makeover

• 🚠 Take the Ride of a Lifetime - Banff Gondola Admission

• 🚫 Moraine Lake access closing Oct 13

🎸Events, Activities & Live Music

📅 Our events calendar is now fully live.
It's your go-to source for local music, festivals, and everything happening around town. BANFF EVENTS | CANMORE EVENTS

🍺 Happy Hours & Food Specials

Our Happy Hours listings have moved. To view a complete list of this week's happy hours, visit our Happy Hour pages.  BANFF HAPPY HOURS | CANMORE HAPPY HOURS

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