Hi Everyone! Here's What’s Happening This Week!
If you felt something move before dawn on Friday, there was an earthquake north of Canmore at 4:46 a.m. The reported magnitude is now 4.3, correcting the earlier figure in our roundup. It's the sort of local news that some readers experienced before anyone had written it up.
Next week's Banff Craft Beer Festival requires a little more deliberate planning. It runs from 22-24 October at Cave and Basin, with $40 in sample tokens included in admission. There's no parking, so choose the free shuttle or walk. A warm layer also deserves a place in the plan.
Parks Canada is investigating superintendent Sal Rasheed's off-leash dog incident, after previously saying the matter had been addressed. The reporting also raises wider staff concerns about morale and confidence in the agency's leadership.
If you'd prefer to spend an evening away from the news, the three-hour guided stargazing trip includes a 3.5 km walk, help with night photography and a guide who knows what you're looking at. Northern lights are a possible bonus, rather than something anyone can promise.
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Leave the winter driving to a local guide on this eight-hour trip along the Icefields Parkway. Explore Abraham Lake's frozen bubbles and walk to the Peyto Lake viewpoint, with Banff pickup, hot drinks, ice cleats and hiking poles included.
🏔️ Fresh from the Rockies
Ha Ling Peak from the Bow River Loop Trail
🍺 Banff's beer festival is back. Sample Alberta beer and food at Cave and Basin from 22-24 October. Your ticket includes $40 in tokens; take the free shuttle or walk, as there's no parking.
📍 Earthquake north of Canmore. Did you feel the magnitude 4.3 earthquake on 16 October? Earthquakes Canada recorded it at 4:46 a.m., 35 km north of Canmore.
🐕 Banff superintendent faces further investigation. Parks Canada is investigating Sal Rasheed's off-leash dog incident after previously saying the matter was addressed. Staff concerns extend beyond the incident to morale and trust in the agency.
🚌 Taking Roam this autumn. Lake Louise is still on the bus map, but some summer favourites aren't. Our Roam routes and tickets guide covers year-round Route 8X, reservable passes and seasonal changes before you head out.
🏆 A world title for Banff Springs. Preserving and sharing its history has earned Fairmont Banff Springs the Best Historic Resort Worldwide award at the 2026 Historic Hotels Annual Awards of Excellence.
🎿 Norquay's pass sale is nearly over. Still choosing your winter pass? Norquay's season pass sale ends at midnight on 18 October, with adult passes from $449 and Power of Four passes from $269 per person.
🌲 Tunnel Mountain wildfire extinguished. The Tunnel Mountain fire is out, with crews confirming no remaining hot spots on 14 October. Vegetation remains dry, so keep campfires in designated pits and put them out completely.
☀️ Banff's sunshine streak rolls on - with highs holding steady at 11°C. Sunday brings sunny skies and 11°C; Monday mixes in a few clouds with a mix of sun and cloud and 11°C; and Tuesday goes back to full sunshine, also 11°C. Pack sunglasses and a warm layer for those chilly mornings. Full Forecast Here
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🚌 Brake failure caused Icefields bus crash. An inquiry into the rollover at the Columbia Icefield near Jasper has concluded, six years after the fatal 2020 crash.
🐕 Park Boss Admits Leash Lapse. Banff superintendent Sal Rasheed has not disputed being photographed with his dog unleashed on the Tunnel Mountain trail.
🐕 Canmore councillor seeks tougher dog enforcement. After an off-leash dog killed a deer in Canmore on 11 October, Wade Graham is calling for fines without warnings.
🚣Activities You Might Enjoy
⛰️ Banff Gondola - Skip the slog up Sulphur Mountain. The gondola reaches the top in about eight minutes, leaving time to walk the boardwalk to Sanson's Peak and its 1903 weather observatory, with views across six mountain ranges.
🔦 Johnston Canyon Evening Icewalk - Ever walked a canyon by starlight? This guided night walk from Banff follows the catwalks to Johnston Canyon's frozen Lower Falls for hot chocolate by a natural cave, with the option to return with headlamps off.
🏝️ Jasper Wildlife Tour with Maligne Lake Cruise - Staying in Jasper? Hotel pickup starts a drive up the Maligne Valley watching for bears, elk and moose, with a stroll at Medicine Lake, the 'disappearing lake', before a 90-minute cruise to Spirit Island.
❓Your Questions Answered
☀️ Is August a good time to visit Banff? It is summer at its most vivid, with warm days, brilliant turquoise lakes, and a packed calendar of events - but peak crowds and fully booked accommodation mean it takes real planning to get it right. See the full guide
🐺 Are wolves dangerous to visitors in Banff and Kananaskis? Wolves naturally avoid people, but knowing how to behave around them keeps both you and the animals safe.
📅 Can you hike Grassi Lakes in any season? Yes, though conditions vary - what to expect changes significantly between summer, autumn, and winter visits.
Explore Banff after dark on a three-hour guided stargazing trip, with transport from the meeting point and a 3.5 km walk. Learn about constellations and get help with night photography. Northern lights sightings are rare and unpredictable, so treat any aurora as a bonus.
🏕️ Quiz
What is the name of the small group of lakes just west of Banff ?
From our last issue: What natural feature is shown in this photo?
✅ Answer: 1) Takakkaw Falls - 73% Correct
Takakkaw Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in the Canadian Rockies - see our guide to Takakkaw Falls for what to expect when you visit.
🎸Events, Activities & Live Music
Featured events are listed below. View the FULL EVENT CALENDAR for a complete list.
Sunday, October 18
11:00 | Art Show and Sale: Meg Nicks | Canmore Art Guild | 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
15:00 | Ain’t We Got Fun (Matinee) | Carter-Ryan Theatre | Canmore
16:30 | Sue Chick Denton: Pop Up Choir | Canmore Brewing Co | Canmore
19:00 | Stoners of Standup Comedy | The Drake | Canmore
19:30 | Balkan Greek Dinner Show | Balkan Restaurant | Banff
20:30 | Line Dancing | The Dusty Boot | Banff
21:00 | Sunday Funday: Party | High Rollers | Banff
21:00 | Karaoke Night | Beaver Bar | 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
Monday, October 19
11:00 | Art Show and Sale: Meg Nicks | Canmore Art Guild | Canmore
12:00 | Slooh Airstream Experience | Jasper Town | Jasper
13:30 | Park Distillery Tour | Park Distillery | Banff
19:00 | Earth Talks | Canmore Public Library | Canmore
20:00 | REFERENDUM! The Trees Appeal | artsPlace Canmore | Canmore
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 | Banff
22:00 | Karaoke Night | The Drake | Canmore
Tuesday, October 20
12:00 | Slooh Airstream Experience | Jasper Town | Jasper
13:30 | Park Distillery Tour | Park Distillery | Banff
19:00 | Trivia Tuesday | Rose and Crown Canmore | Canmore
19:00 | After The Snowfall (Matchstick Ski Film 2025) | artsPlace Canmore | Canmore
19:30 | Ain’t We Got Fun | Carter-Ryan Theatre | Canmore
20:30 | Line Dancing | The Dusty Boot | Banff
21:00 | DJ Styler Nazo | High Rollers | Banff
22:00 | Dumb Crush | The Drake | Canmore
22:00 | Jesse Peters | Rose and Crown Banff | Banff
Wednesday, October 21
10:30 | Baby Prints on Pottery | Crock A Doodle | 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
19:00 | Trivia Night | The Stand Easy | Jasper
19:00 | Open Mic/Jam Night | Rose and Crown Canmore | Canmore
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 Rankeado | Rose and Crown Banff | Banff
22:00 | DJ Bunny Hops | High Rollers | Banff
📅 Got An Event To Share?
📅 👉 Submit Here (3 days before the event date) for a FREE LISTING
👋 That’s All For Now 🎬
Another week of mountain magic awaits!
We're so glad you're here for the ride.
Keep exploring and sharing, and we'll see you in the next issue with another full lineup of Banff happenings.
Jill & Kevin | Editor | What’s On Banff
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