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

The bears in Jasper have found the fruit trees, and the fruit trees are in town. Parks Canada says black bears have been feeding around the townsite on the same routes children take to school on foot and by bike. Residents are asked to remove attractants and report any sightings.

Banff gets a different kind of visitor. Prime Minister Mark Carney and his cabinet meet here Thursday and Friday, and the Town is clear that nothing changes for the rest of us🤣: no road closures, no restrictions, no traffic disruption.

Should you want a few hours well away from Banff Avenue, a guided walk takes quiet trails past thermal springs and waterfalls that don't appear on the standard itinerary. It runs for three hours, and the guide keeps an eye out for wildlife.

Further ahead: on 6 November, a string quartet plays ABBA against Queen in St Paul's Church, lit by several hundred candles and nothing else. Tickets are on sale now, and the church is not large.

Correction: In the last issue, we advised that “Alberta votes on 20th October.” The correct date is the 19th of October.

Plan a visit to Moraine Lake | How to get to Moraine Lake | Moraine Lake in August | Moraine Lake Rockpile Trail

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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

🏛️ Carney Meets In Banff This Week. Prime Minister Mark Carney and federal cabinet ministers meet in Banff Thursday and Friday for the government's fall Cabinet Planning Forum. The Town says to expect no road closures, restrictions, or traffic disruptions.

🐻 Bear Warning For Jasper Townsite. Black bears have been feeding on fruit trees around town, raising concern as children walk and bike to school. Parks Canada asks residents to remove bear attractants and report sightings at 780-852-6155. Bear Safety

🚴 Bow Valley Parkway Is Closed To Cars. Through October 6, cyclists can ride the parkway car-free, sharing the road with the wildlife that usually just watches traffic go by. Water, layers, and bear spray are recommended. eBike and Hike Banff to Johnston Canyon along the Bow Valley Parkway

🦌 Elk Rutting Season Begins. Bull elk become aggressive through September and October, and Alberta Parks urges people to stay at least 30 metres back. If one approaches, stand your ground, maintain eye contact, and back away slowly. Elk Safety

🍂 Larch Season Shuttle Requires Reservations. With larch season approaching, the Alpine Start shuttle offers early access to Moraine Lake from the Lake Louise Lakeshore lot, running 4 am and 5 am departures until October 12. Reservations are required. Larch Valley Guided Hike with Transfers

🏔️ Barry Blanchard's Second Memoir Arrives. The Canmore alpinist's new memoir, The Echo (Ad), covers Everest, K2, and a near-fatal brain injury. It also reveals he once held Sylvester Stallone's hand on a cliff edge.

🏒 A Hockey Team Arrives From Korea. Korea University visits the Canmore Recreation Centre (Ad) on Friday at 7 pm, arriving with a win already on the board against Cranbrook of the BCHL.

❄️ A sharp chill moves in overnight, and this weekend brings the first hint of frost - Thursday cools sharply to 13°C with a chance of showers; Friday holds that cooler pattern at 12°C, before Saturday clears up sunny at 16°C. Overnight lows may dip below freezing by the weekend. Full Forecast Here

🦌 Timed for Dusk, When the Wildlife Comes Out. Your guide builds the route around that day's recent sightings. Check availability for your dates

🚌 This Hotel Has Its Own Moraine and Louise Shuttles. Skip the Parks Canada lottery with free Lake Louise and private Moraine Lake options. Find out more

🗳️ What Alberta's Oct 19th Referendum Means for Visitors. The vote won't target tourists, but could thin out peak-week service. See what's at stake

🏔️ Columbia Icefield and Five Lakes - Someone else drives the Parkway while you take in Bow Lake, Peyto and Waterfowl. Three hours at the Columbia Icefield rounds it off.

🤠 Cowboy Cookout Wagon Ride - Steak cooked to order at a backcountry cabin, reached by horse-drawn wagon along the Bow. Lassoing and horseshoes while you wait, then a different route home over Windy Knoll.

📸 Luxury Banff and Castle Mountain Tour - Eight people, one guide, and a day taking in Norquay, Minnewanka, Two Jack, the Hoodoos and Bow Falls. Your guide doubles as a photographer, which reviewers rate highly.

🍂 When is larch season in Banff? The larches typically turn golden for a short window in autumn, making it one of the most popular times to visit - timing your trip carefully is essential.

💧 Is Takakkaw Falls worth a detour from Banff? Yes. It is one of Canada's most dramatic waterfalls and the trail is flat, short, and suitable for all fitness levels.

🚡 Which gondola is best for a first visit to Banff? It depends on what you want - views, wildlife, altitude, or a quieter ride. Each option has a distinct character worth considering before you book.

Hundreds of flickering candles will fill St Paul’s Church as a live string quartet performs some of the best-loved songs of ABBA and Queen.

Catch it on 6 November 2026; tickets here.

Yesterday’s Question: Which famous body of water features this jetty, the starting point for lake cruises during the summer?

✅Answer: 1) Lake Minnewanka - 77% Correct

Lake Minnewanka is the only lake in Banff National Park with summer boat cruises. Plan your visit with our Lake Minnewanka Guide.

Featured events are below. View the FULL EVENT CALENDAR for complete details.

🎤 Bad Decisions Come To The Drake. Three comedians with Canada's Got Talent and Winnipeg Comedy Festival credits hit Canmore's Screaming Retriever stage September 22, promising 90 minutes of regrettable life choices.

🧀 Fondue And Wine Night, Wednesdays. The Malcolm Hotel's weekly fondue night runs 5 pm to 9 pm with a three-course fondue for two at $90, plus half price on the entire wine menu. Cheese first, chocolate after.

08:00 | 5th Annual Supervillain Charity Golf Tournament | Silvertip Resort | Canmore
10:00 | Canmore Mountain Market | Elevation Place | Canmore
11:00 | Local Art Show and Sale | Elevation Place | Canmore
13:30 | Park Distillery Tour | Park Distillery | Banff
16:00 | Steph O'Dette | The Bison | Banff
19:00 | Poker Night | Canmore Legion | Canmore
19:00 | Literary Cabaret: Computational Writing | The Banff Centre | Banff
19:30 | Balkan Greek Dinner Show | Balkan Restaurant | Banff
20:00 | Trivia Night | The Drake | Canmore
20:00 | Mountain Culture Films | The Banff Centre | Banff
21:00 | DJ Styler Nazo: Requests Night | High Rollers | Banff
22:00 | Thirsty Thursday Party | Melissa's Missteak | Banff
22:00 | JG + The District | Rose and Crown Banff | Banff
22:00 | Jesse Peters | The Drake | Canmore

11:00 | Jasper Folk Music Festival | Commemoration Park | Jasper
13:30 | Park Distillery Tour | Park Distillery | Banff
15:00 | Live Music Afternoon | Three Bears | Banff
16:00 | Share and Repair Fair | Elevation Place | Canmore
16:00 | Clothing Swap-O-Rama | Canmore Public Library | Canmore
18:00 | Andy Curtis: Live | Wild Life Distillery | Canmore
18:30 | Live Music Night | The Dusty Boot | Banff
19:00 | Bingo Night | Canmore Legion | Canmore
19:00 | Live Music Fridays | Moxy Banff | Banff
19:00 | Long Table Dinner Series with Live Music | The Fat Ox | Banff
19:30 | Balkan Greek Dinner Show | Balkan Restaurant | Banff
20:00 | The Blackfoot Man | The Banff Centre | Banff
21:00 | Jam Night | The Stand Easy | Jasper
21:00 | Dr.Z Duo | Tavern 1883 | Canmore
22:00 | Friday Night Vibes DJ LT | High Rollers | Banff
22:00 | JG + The District | Rose and Crown Banff | Banff
22:00 | Red Mile High | The Drake | Canmore
22:00 | DJ Wolfie Beatz | The Drake | Canmore

10:00 | Family ARTventures | The Banff Centre | Banff
10:00 | Clothing Swap-O-Rama | Canmore Public Library | Canmore
11:00 | Local Art Show and Sale | Elevation Place | Canmore
11:00 | Jasper Folk Music Festival | Commemoration Park | Jasper
12:00 | Forty-ish Birthday Party | Rose and Crown Banff | Banff
12:00 | Harvest Festival | Central Park | Banff
13:15 | Saturday Distillery Tour | Wild Life Distillery | 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
19:30 | James Ehnes' 50th Canada Birthday Tour | The Banff Centre | Banff
21:00 | Dr.Z Duo | Tavern 1883 | Canmore
22:00 | Club Night: DJ Raven | High Rollers | Banff
22:00 | JG + The District | Rose and Crown Banff | Banff
22:00 | Red Mile High | The Drake | Canmore
22:00 | DJ Styler Nazo | The Drake | Canmore

10:00 | Clothing Swap-O-Rama | Canmore Public Library | Canmore
11:00 | Local Art Show and Sale | Elevation Place | Canmore
12:00 | Harvest Festival | Central Park | Banff
13:30 | Park Distillery Tour | Park Distillery | Banff
15:00 | Live Music Afternoon | Three Bears | Banff
17:00 | Colin Macdonald | The Drake | Canmore
18:00 | CONTRA | Rose and Crown Banff | Banff
19:30 | Balkan Greek Dinner Show | Balkan Restaurant | Banff
19:30 | Steve Poltz | artsPlace Canmore | Canmore
20:30 | Line Dancing | The Dusty Boot | 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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