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

There is a rule in Banff National Park that dogs must stay on a leash. This week, it turned out to cover the person who runs the park.

Superintendent Sal Rasheed has not disputed being photographed with his dog off-leash on the Tunnel Mountain trail, and Parks Canada has a review underway. The maximum fine is $25,000 for him or anyone else.

If you live in Alberta, Tourism Jasper and TELUS World of Science are giving away two nights at Château Jasper during the Dark Sky Festival, October 23-25, for up to four people. Entries close Tuesday, October 13.

Closer to home, the Banff Craft Beer Festival brings more than 40 breweries, distilleries and restaurants to the Cave and Basin from October 22-24. Tickets include $40 in food and beer vouchers. It is partly outdoors, in late October, so bring a proper jacket.

Saturday's snow was a reminder that winter is not far off. Once it settles in, the horse-drawn sleigh ride heads out through snowy meadows, with wool blankets and a guide keeping an eye out for elk. Holiday dates go first.

Plan Your Visit To Banff For October | December

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Lake Louise and Moraine Lake take more planning than most visitors expect. This full-day tour keeps it simple, linking them with Emerald Lake, Natural Bridge and Johnston Canyon, so you can focus on the stops rather than the shuttles, parking and timing.

See the full tour details

🐕 Park Boss Admits Leash Lapse. Banff superintendent Sal Rasheed has not disputed being photographed with his dog unleashed on the Tunnel Mountain trail, and Parks Canada has a review underway. The maximum fine is $25,000.

🔭 Free Beds Under Jasper's Stars. Tourism Jasper and TELUS World of Science are giving away two nights at Château Jasper during the Dark Sky Festival, October 23-25, for up to four people. Entry closes October 13; Alberta residents only.

❄️ Snowmaking Weather Arrives at Norquay. Banff's hometown hill is aiming to open November 7, weather permitting, and its fall season pass sale runs until October 18. Passes include reciprocal skiing at Castle Mountain.

🍺 Banff Beerfest Taps Cave & Basin. The Banff Craft Beer Festival brings 40-plus breweries, distilleries and restaurants to four sessions over three days, October 22-24, with $40 in food and beer vouchers included. It is partly outdoors, in late October.

🏰 One Castle, Two Rankings. Readers of Condé Nast Traveller's UK edition named the Fairmont Banff Springs the top resort across Canada and the US. Readers of its US sister magazine put it third in Canada.

♨️ Last Soak at Miette. Monday, October 12, is the final day for Miette Hot Springs and Miette Road before both close for the season. The road stays open to walkers and cyclists year-round, though the pools don't.

🏞️ Kootenay Plains Up for Reclassification. Alberta wants to fold the Kootenay Plains Ecological Reserve, east of Banff National Park, into a provincial park, which conservationists say weakens protection. Visits rose from about 5,000 in 1996 to over 34,000 in 2023.

🌤️ Winter's dress rehearsal is wrapping up - after a snowy Saturday, the week ahead trades flurries for sunglasses. Sunday brings a mix of sun and cloud and a high of 3°C. Monday turns sunny and warms up to 11°C, and Tuesday keeps the blue skies coming with a high of 12°C. Full Forecast Here

🚌 Moraine Lake Road Closes After October 12. 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.

❄️ Hike Johnston Canyon to a 30m Ice Tower. This guided winter walk follows the catwalks past frozen waterfalls to the Upper Falls ice wall. Book your ice walk

🌌 Banff Night Sky: Stargazing and Northern Lights - Ever tried photographing stars on your phone? A short drive and headlamp walk reach a dark-sky spot where your guide covers constellations, star myths and the right camera settings, plus the northern lights if they show.

♨️ Thermal Waters and Hidden Waterfalls Walk - Hot springs bubbling up through the rock and waterfalls most visitors never find are the draw on this three-hour guided walk from the Cave and Basin, with a guide who shares wildlife facts and photo tips.

🧊 Johnston Canyon Icewalk - Pack your warmest boots. On this guided walk from Banff, ice cleats keep you steady on the catwalks to Johnston Canyon's frozen Upper Falls, a 30-metre column of ice that climbers often scale. Hot chocolate waits at the top.

🅿️ Is parking available at Lake Louise? Parking exists but fills very early in summer and costs $42 per day. Arriving before sunrise gives you the best chance of a space.

🚨 Can elk attack people? Yes - stay at least 30 metres back, particularly when they are protecting calves or during rut.

🏔️ Can anyone move to Banff? No - Banff is inside a national park and has strict rules about who is allowed to live there, usually tied to local employment.

Enjoy a gentle ride through snowy meadows, wrapped in wool blankets while your guide shares stories and watches for elk. Holiday slots go fast!

Reserve your spot

From our last issue: Which landmark is shown in this photo, often called the “Castle in the Rockies”?

✅ Answer: 1) Banff Springs Hotel - 84% Correct

Fairmont Banff Springs is one of Banff’s most iconic sights; find out whether it’s worth the splurge.

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

00:00 | 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
15:00 | Ain’t We Got Fun | Carter-Ryan Theatre | Canmore
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

00:00 | 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
20:00 | Live Music Night | Three Bears | Banff
20:00 | Monday Trivia | High Rollers | Banff
21:00 | Open Mic Night | Beaver Bar | Banff
22:00 | Brent Lee | Rose and Crown | Banff
22:00 | Karaoke Night | The Drake | Canmore

13:30 | Park Distillery Tour | Park Distillery | Banff
19:00 | Trivia Tuesday | Rose and Crown Canmore | Canmore
19:00 | Literary Cabaret: Memoir - Chapter 2 | The Banff Centre | Banff
19:00 | Film: Paradise Paradox | artsPlace | Canmore
19:30 | Ain’t We Got Fun | Carter-Ryan Theatre | Canmore
19:30 | Bing-Glow! Launch Night | Rose and Crown Banff | Banff
20:30 | Line Dancing | The Dusty Boot | Banff
21:00 | DJ Styler Nazo | High Rollers | Banff
22:00 | Jesse Peters | Rose and Crown | Banff
22:00 | Noche Caliente | The Drake | Canmore

12:00 | Slooh Airstream Experience | Jasper Town | Jasper
13:30 | Park Distillery Tour | Park Distillery | Banff
15:00 | Live Music Afternoon | Three Bears | Banff
18:00 | Open Mic Night | Wild Life Distillery | Canmore
19:00 | Open Mic/Jam Night | Rose and Crown | Canmore
19:00 | Trivia Night | The Stand Easy | Jasper
19:00 | Open Mic Night | The Local | Canmore
19:30 | Ain’t We Got Fun | Carter-Ryan Theatre | Canmore
20:00 | Trivia Night | Beaver Bar | Banff
20:30 | Line Dancing | The Dusty Boot | Banff
22:00 | DJ Bunny Hops | High Rollers | Banff
22:00 | DJ Tenax | Rose and Crown | Banff

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