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

Larch season in the Rockies lasts about three weeks, and this year two separate parties have decided to take some of it for themselves.

The first is a native moth. Its caterpillars have been stripping needles from larches between Healy Creek and Lake Louise, and Larch Valley is now more rust than gold. Parks Canada expects the trees to recover and says these outbreaks tend to be short-lived, which is good news for the trees and less so for anyone with a Sentinel Pass hike booked this weekend.

The second is a grizzly. After a bluff charge in Spray Valley, Tryst Lake, Commonwealth Valley and Smutwood Peak have all closed, with no end date. Those are three of the better larch hikes in Kananaskis, so plan around them rather than hope.

If the larches are a write-off, the Bow Valley Parkway is not. The eastern section is closed to cars, which makes this the best time to e-bike it, and this tour pairs the ride with a walk to Johnston Canyon's Lower Falls before a shuttle back to town.

Elsewhere, former Canmore chef Tracy Little has launched a Substack on Bow Valley restaurant openings, closings and all the local industry gossip.

Plan Your Visit To Banff For September | October

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Combine two very different Banff experiences. A relaxed e-bike ride through Vermilion Lakes and along the Bow Valley Parkway, then stretch your legs on the walk to Johnston Canyon's Lower Falls. Afterwards, simply hop on the shuttle back to Banff.

Check it out and book

🍂 Larch Valley Goes Rust. A native moth's caterpillars are stripping the needles from larches between Healy Creek and Lake Louise, turning Larch Valley reddish-brown. Parks Canada expects the trees to survive, and outbreaks tend to be short-lived.

🍽️ Ex-Chef Goes Off Menu. Former Canmore chef Tracy Little has launched a Substack on Bow Valley openings, closings, ownership and gossip, arguing most local restaurant coverage is pay-to-play. Tips are welcome. Any buried bodies, she clarifies, are metaphorical.

🐻 Grizzly Shuts Three Larch Hikes. Tryst Lake, Commonwealth Valley and Smutwood Peak in Spray Valley have been closed after a grizzly bluff charge. The closure is open-ended, and lands in the week larch hikers have been waiting for.

🍂 Larch Bus Gets Connected. The free Kananaskis larch bus now links up with the Brewster Express at Stoney Nakoda, with stops at Troll Falls and Wedge Pond. Seats are first-come, first-served, so the parking scramble becomes a seat scramble.

⛰️ Seven Mountain Deaths Since June. Seven people have died hiking, scrambling or climbing in Banff and Kananaskis since June, including on Mount Temple, Yamnuska and Tent Ridge. Three more have drowned in the Bow Valley since May.

🐾 Cougar Warning at Sheep River. Alberta Parks has issued a cougar warning for the Meadow and Loggers loops near Sandy McNabb after a carcass was found. The trails remain open and are usually busy with dogs and kids.

🔥 Fire Season Missed the Memo. The Calgary Forest Area, Kananaskis included, has moved to high wildfire danger after several dry, gusty days. It has logged 99 wildfires since January, burning just over 22 hectares between them.

🌧️ First real bite of fall arrives - Thursday holds mild at 17°C, Friday turns wetter and cooler with showers dropping it to 15°C, and Saturday keeps that soggy chill going at just 10°C, with overnight lows falling below zero. That warmth we've had lately is packing up fast, so dig out the warmer layers for the weekend. Full Forecast Here

🚡 Silvertip Gondola Clears First Hurdle. Alberta has designated Mount Lady MacDonald a resort area, letting Stone Creek Resorts file a year-round gondola plan.

🐴 No Riding Experience? No Problem. This hour-long Bow River horseback ride leaves from near Cave and Basin and has you back before dinner. Book your ride

🍂 Are you planning a fall visit in 2027? Check out our full guide to visiting Banff in September.

🚶 Banff's Backstreet Walking Tour - Skip Banff Avenue and head for the back streets instead, past the Luxton Home and into the story of the Banff Merman. Two hours on foot, a snack and drink included, with hotel pickup thrown in too.

🚡 Jasper SkyTram: Six Ranges, One Ride - The tram climbs to 2,263 metres in seven and a half minutes, onto ground where marmots and bighorn sheep outnumber the crowds. From the top, walk on to the true summit for a 360-degree view across six mountain ranges.

🛶 Three Lakes, No Shuttle Scramble - This one takes in Emerald, Louise and Moraine in a single day, with the Moraine Lake shuttle headache handled for you. Fancy a paddle at Louise? Skip the boathouse queue - the canoe is booked and paid on the day.

🏰 Is the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel worth the high price tag? For history, scenery, spa, and dining all under one roof, most visitors say yes.

🍂 Are the easy trails in Canmore open year-round? Most of Canmore's easy trails are accessible in all seasons, though conditions vary - some paths can be icy in winter, and certain trails are at their best in the warmer months.

🍺 Does Banff have craft beer and local drinks worth trying? Yes - Banff has a solid craft brewery and distillery scene producing locally made beers and spirits, often using ingredients and water sourced from the Rockies.

This open-top double-decker runs hourly between Moraine Lake and Lake Louise, with Lake Louise Parking included.

Book here and explore on your own schedule

From our last issue: Which of these is a legal requirement when using any Banff National Park campgrounds?

✅Answer: 1) You must store all food and scented items in a hard-sided vehicle or designated locker - 74% Correct

Food storage is just one of the rules that catch campers out, so check our guide to Banff National Park rules before you pitch your tent.

Featured events are listed below. View the FULL EVENT CALENDAR for a complete list and full details of the events below.

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
17:30 | Drag Bingo | Grizzly BBQ Beer Garden | Canmore
19:00 | Poker Night | Canmore Legion | Canmore
19:30 | Balkan Greek Dinner Show | Balkan Restaurant | Banff
19:30 | Ain’t We Got Fun | Carter-Ryan Theatre | Canmore
20:00 | Trivia Night | The Drake | Canmore
21:00 | DJ Styler Nazo: Requests Night | High Rollers | Banff
22:00 | Michael Charles | Rose and Crown Banff | Banff
22:00 | Thirsty Thursday Party | Melissa’s Missteak | 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
18:00 | Thomas Trio | Rose and Crown Canmore | Canmore
18:00 | Night at The Whyte | The Whyte Museum | Banff
18:30 | Live Music Night | The Dusty Boot | Banff
19:00 | Bingo Night | Canmore Legion | Canmore
19:00 | Live Music Fridays | Moxy Banff | Banff
19:30 | The Commonwealth Comedy Tour | artsPlace Canmore | Canmore
19:30 | Balkan Greek Dinner Show | Balkan Restaurant | Banff
19:30 | Ain’t We Got Fun | Carter-Ryan Theatre | Canmore
21:00 | Music Bingo | Beaver Bar | Banff
21:00 | Jam Night | The Stand Easy | Jasper
21:00 | Rambling Hey Ho Ha’s | Tavern 1883 | Canmore
22:00 | DJ Wolfie Beatz | The Drake | Canmore
22:00 | Friday Night Vibes: Local DJ | High Rollers | Banff
22:00 | Jamie Allanach | Rose and Crown Canmore | Canmore
22:00 | Flatline Phoenix | The Drake | Canmore
22:00 | Michael Charles | Rose and Crown Banff | Banff

10:00 | Fall Fest | Jasper Pop-Up Village | Jasper
10:00 | Canadian Rockies Quilt Show | Canmore Rec Centre | Canmore
10:00 | Canmore Pride Festival Block Party | Canmore Civic Centre | Canmore
11:00 | Melissa’s Road Race Day | Rose and Crown Banff | Banff
11:00 | Local Art Show and Sale | Elevation Place | Canmore
13:15 | Saturday Distillery Tour | Wild Life Distillery | Canmore
13:30 | Park Distillery Tour | Park Distillery | Banff
15:00 | Ain’t We Got Fun (Matinee) | Carter-Ryan Theatre | Canmore
15:00 | Live Music Afternoon | Three Bears | Banff
16:00 | Exposure Photography Festival | artsPlace Canmore | Canmore
16:30 | Oktoberfest Band | Rose and Crown Canmore | Canmore
17:30 | Taurus Ranch Band | Rose and Crown Canmore | Canmore
18:30 | Live Music Night | The Dusty Boot | Banff
18:30 | 90s Trivia Night & Pottery Painting | Canmore Brewing Co | Canmore
19:30 | Zachary Lucky Trio | artsPlace Canmore | Canmore
19:30 | Ain’t We Got Fun | Carter-Ryan Theatre | Canmore
21:00 | Rambling Hey Ho Ha’s | Tavern 1883 | Canmore
22:00 | Club Night: DJ Raven | High Rollers | Banff
22:00 | DJ Tenax | Rose and Crown Canmore | Canmore
22:00 | DJ Dougasaurus | Rose and Crown Back Bar | Banff
22:00 | Michael Charles | Rose and Crown | Banff
22:00 | DJ Styler Nazo | The Drake | Canmore
22:00 | Flatline Phoenix | The Drake | Canmore

10:00 | Canadian Rockies Quilt Show | Canmore Rec Centre | Canmore
11:00 | Red Zone Sundays | Rose and Crown Banff | Banff
11:00 | Local Art Show and Sale | Elevation Place | Canmore
13:00 | Stoney Drum Making Workshop | Listen Studios | Canmore
13:30 | Park Distillery Tour | Park Distillery | Banff
15:00 | Ain’t We Got Fun (Matinee) | Carter-Ryan Theatre | Canmore
15:00 | Live Music Afternoon | Three Bears | Banff
16:00 | Oktoberfest Band | Rose and Crown Canmore | Canmore
17:00 | The Ducks | Rose and Crown Canmore | Canmore
18:00 | CONTRA | Rose and Crown Banff | Banff
18:30 | The Big Gay Burlesque Show | Canmore Brewing Co | Canmore
19:30 | Virginia MacDonald | artsPlace Canmore | Canmore
19:30 | Balkan Greek Dinner Show | Balkan Restaurant | Banff
20:00 | Drag Bingo! | Tavern 1883 | Canmore
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 | Brent Lee | Rose and Crown Banff | Banff
22:00 | DJ Tenax | Rose and Crown Canmore | Canmore
22:00 | Sunday Night Karaoke | Banff Sizzlers | Banff

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