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

The Bow Valley Parkway has been declared the most beautiful cycling route on Earth, based on how long 100 people looked at a photograph of it. The answer was 2.57 seconds, a fraction longer than they gave Tuscany. Whatever the method, the timing is good: the road is closed to motorised traffic right now, and you can pick up an e-bike in Banff.

The Minnewanka side of Banff is closed to everyone. Parks Canada has shut the Lake Minnewanka and Aylmer Pass trails and six backcountry campgrounds after months of black bears searching for food along the shoreline. Entry carries fines up to $25,000, and there is no reopening date.

In Canmore, one retailer has lost two staff to cheaper rent in Calgary and a third to a cancelled work permit. Retail wages, she says, do not cover a Canmore address, and she is not the only one saying it.

For something quieter, Vivaldi's Four Seasons is being performed by candlelight at St Paul's Presbyterian in Banff on October 2. A live string quartet in a small historic church is a reasonable way to spend an October evening.

Plan Your Visit To Banff For September | October

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This round-trip shuttle picks up from Banff and Canmore and takes you straight to the lakes, with a guide pointing out park highlights along the way. 1 hour 20 minutes to explore at each lake.

Check it out and book

🚴 Bow Valley Parkway Tops World Ranking. A tour operator's eye-tracking study named the Banff to Lake Louise road the world's most beautiful cycling route, ahead of the Great Ocean Road and Tuscany. The winning photo held 100 viewers for 2.57 seconds. Now is the perfect time to do the ride. The Parkway is closed to motorised vehicles, and you can pick up an e-bike in Banff.

🐻 Lake Minnewanka Backcountry Closed Again. Parks Canada has shut the Lake Minnewanka and Aylmer Pass trails plus six backcountry campgrounds until further notice, after months of black bears looking for food. Entry is banned outright, with fines up to $25,000. Stay safe out there.

🚗 Staff Leaving Canmore for Calgary. One Canmore retailer lost two employees to cheaper rent in Calgary and a third to a cancelled work permit. Retail wages, she says, don't cover a Canmore address.

🛣️ Lac des Arcs Viewpoint Faces Removal. Alberta Transportation wants to close the Trans-Canada pullout east of Canmore and extend the westbound on-ramp instead, citing 85 collisions since 2023. The fix costs $1.4 million, once someone finds the money.

⚠️ Two More Deaths in Banff. A 24-year-old climber died in a fall on Recondite Peak last Wednesday, and a 33-year-old Calgary hiker died Saturday near Devil's Thumb above Lake Louise. Seven hikers have died in Banff and Kananaskis this summer.

🛞 Roadwork Flattens Tires on Trans-Canada. Eight drivers heading for Banff blew out tyres Tuesday on a raised edge at a construction zone near Jumping Pound Road. Two lost a day's pay; Alberta Transportation is reviewing it with the contractor.

🏨 Jasper's Mount Robson Inn Returns Bigger. Jasper hotelier is replacing the motel lost in the 2024 wildfire with a 100-room modular build, trucked in and stacked like Lego. It includes housing for 42 staff and more parking stalls than rooms.

🚗 Radium Show and Shine Turns 36. The Columbia Valley Classics event runs Friday evening and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., on the Springs Golf Course driving range. More than 1,000 classic cars are expected, so leave the clubs at home.

☀️ A stretch of crisp, sunny days settles in - Thursday brings clear skies at 20°C, Friday holds that same sunny warmth, and Saturday climbs slightly to 21°C. Nights are dipping right to freezing, so it's T-shirt days and toque nights for now. Full Forecast Here

⏳ Moraine Lake's Season Is Almost Over. Moraine Lake closes for the season within the month. Find out how to get there before access disappears for winter.

🌄 Only Got One Day for the Big Lakes. This full-day tour links Lake Louise and Moraine Lake with Emerald Lake, Natural Bridge and Johnston Canyon.

💰 Is it expensive to live in Canmore? The scenery does come with a price tag - find out what it costs to live there.

🚌 Moraine Lake Big Bus - Private cars haven't been allowed up Moraine Lake Road for years, so this open-top double-decker does the run from Deer Lodge instead. Parking's included and you can catch any bus back.

🧗 Mount Norquay Via Ferrata - No climbing experience needed. You're clipped to a steel cable the whole way, crossing a 30-metre suspension bridge with a guide to every eight people. Pick the 2.5-hour route or the 4-hour one.

🚁 Lake Minnewanka Helicopter Tour - Half an hour in the air from the Morley base, out past Yamnuska and End Mountain before dropping into the Minnewanka valley. Five seats, so it's not a bus in the sky.

🥾 Are hiking trails in Banff still open and accessible in October? Most valley trails remain open, though some higher-elevation routes become icy as the month progresses - microspikes can be useful later on, and conditions vary week to week.

🔔 Who is Sam the Bellman? A 1960s hotel worker said to still help guests at the Banff Springs decades after his death - and his story gets even stranger.

🥾 Is Policeman's Creek Trail suitable for families and beginners? It's one of the most accessible walks in the Rockies - flat, well-surfaced, and easy to shorten or extend depending on how far you want to go.

A live string quartet plays Vivaldi’s Four Seasons inside the striking St Paul's Presbyterian Church, one of Banff's historic landmarks - surrounded by candlelight.

Catch it 2nd October 2026; tickets here

Yesterday’s Question: When you see a "No Stopping" zone on the Bow Valley Parkway, what is the most common reason?

✅Answer: 2) Protection of sensitive wildlife habitat - 54% Correct

Many "No Stopping" zones along the Bow Valley Parkway help protect sensitive wildlife habitat. Learn more about the drive in our Bow Valley Parkway Guide.

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

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
17:00 | Chess Night | Canmore Public Library | Canmore
19:00 | Poker Night | Canmore Legion | Canmore
19:00 | Literary Cabaret: Computational Writing | The Banff Centre | Banff
19:00 | Poker Night | Canmore Legion | Canmore
19:30 | Balkan Greek Dinner Show | Balkan Restaurant | Banff
20:00 | Trivia Night | The Drake | Canmore
21:00 | DJ Styler Nazo: Requests Night | High Rollers | Banff
21:00 | Jam Night | Tavern 1883 | Canmore
21:00 | Daniel James McFadyen | The Drake | Canmore
22:00 | Thirsty Thursday Party | Melissa's Missteak | Banff
22:00 | Ferny Turnbull | Rose and Crown Banff | Banff

11:00 | Local Art Show and Sale | Elevation Place | Canmore
13:30 | Park Distillery Tour | Park Distillery | Banff
15:00 | Live Music Afternoon | Three Bears | Banff
15:00 | It's National Cheeseburger Day | Rose and Crown | Banff
15:00 | Oktoberfest | Sheepdog Brewing | 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 | Garrett Mason in Concert | Canmore Brewing Co | Canmore
19:30 | Balkan Greek Dinner Show | Balkan Restaurant | Banff
21:00 | Jam Night | The Stand Easy | Jasper
21:00 | Music Bingo | Beaver Bar | Banff
22:00 | Ferny Turnbull | Rose and Crown | Banff
22:00 | Friday Night Vibes With Local DJs | High Rollers | Banff
22:00 | Chilean Independence Celebration | Banff Sizzlers | Banff

11:00 | Local Art Show and Sale | Elevation Place | Canmore
13:00 | Oktoberfest | Sheepdog Brewing | Canmore
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
19:00 | Canmore Eagles Ice Hockey | Canmore Rec Centre | Canmore
21:00 | Colin MacDonald | Tavern 1883 | Canmore
22:00 | Club Night: DJ Raven | High Rollers | Banff
22:00 | Ferny Turnbull | Rose and Crown | Banff
22:00 | DJ Styler Nazo | The Drake | Canmore
22:00 | Cabots Crossing | The Drake | Canmore

09:00 | Canmore Terry For Run | Canmore Rec Centre | Canmore
11:00 | Red Zone Sundays | Rose and Crown | Banff
11:00 | Local Art Show and Sale | Elevation Place | Canmore
13:30 | Park Distillery Tour | Park Distillery | Banff
15:00 | Live Music Afternoon | Three Bears | Banff
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

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