September Surprises in Banff: Golden Larches, Wolf Attacks, and the Town’s Top Hotel

Hey Banff! Here’s what’s happening this week.

October is coming fast, and it’s one of the most rewarding times to be in Banff. Elk rut season, golden larches, and crisp mountain air make it a favourite for locals and visitors alike. Our October guide lays out exactly what to expect and how to plan your trip.

On the lodging front, Peaks Hotel and Suites is shining as Banff’s best-rated stay, topping TripAdvisor’s rankings with a 4.7-star score.

If you’re looking for a scenic adventure, now is the perfect moment to book an Icefields Parkway tour. With larch season approaching fast and limited spots available, tours give you a stress-free way to take in glacier views, waterfalls, and wildlife without worrying about driving or parking.

But headlines turned serious this week after a wolf raided food left at a popular campground, leading to charges against campers. Parks Canada has reminded everyone to follow wolf safety practices - for your protection and for the animals.

There’s plenty more to explore, from film festivals to gondola rides. Scroll down for the full guide to Banff this week.

• Banff In September: What You Need To Know

• Banff In October: Your Trip Starts Here

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🌤️ Weather Watch – Weekly Outlook ( Mon 6 pm)

• Banff Weather by Month

🏔️ Banff in Brief - Headlines this Week

🦌 Plan your October trip to Banff
October brings elk rut season, golden larches, and the first snow on the peaks. Our full guide covers what to see, where to go, and how to prepare. See guide

🌟 Top stay in Banff right now
Looking for Banff’s best-reviewed hotel? At 4.7 stars, Peaks Hotel and Suites tops TripAdvisor rankings. Central, stylish, and praised for exceptional service, it’s become a favourite for visitors. View details

🐺 Campers charged after wolf fed in Banff.
A wolf raided garbage left at Two Jack Lakeside campground, leading to charges against campers. Parks Canada states that a wolf warning remains in effect. Read more. Unsure how to behave in such a situation? Read our guide.

🌲 Banff home with business built in
This heritage cabin property isn’t just real estate - it’s a lifestyle. With a rare B&B Inn license, owners can both host visitors and live in Banff, where residency rules are strict. See the Full listing.

🌲 Don’t miss larch season on the Icefields Parkway.
The Icefields Parkway is at its best in September when the larches glow gold and wildlife is active. With spots limited for late September and early October, booking ahead is the only way to avoid disappointment. Book here

🔥 Moose Meadows wildfire under control
A two-hectare fire near Johnston Canyon is now being held after crews and helicopters contained the blaze. Closures remain in place while investigations continue. More here

🚠 Golden Eagle Express gondola reopens.
Kicking Horse’s Golden Eagle Express gondola is back in service on Sept 7 after major maintenance and inspections. Hiking and biking trails reopen, too, though the Via Ferrata remains closed until 2026. Details here. With the Golden Eagle gondola back online, you could combine it with Banff National Park’s four gondolas for the ultimate Rockies lift adventure. Banff plus Golden equals five amazing views. More info
PS - Don't forget to visit Boo the Grizzly while you are there.

👀 Surprise Corner platform closed for repairs.
The upper viewing platform at Surprise Corner is closed Sept 8 - Oct 20 for rail, stair, and board repairs. Parking remains open, but the viewing area is limited. More

🌉 Bow River Bridge repairs start Sept 8
Work to repair the historic Bow River Bridge will close the east sidewalk and lane weekdays until Sept 19, then move to the west side. One lane each way stays open. More. If you want to avoid the chaos this will cause, check our guide to parking in Banff.

🎥 Banff Mountain Film Festival turns 50
From Nov 1-9, the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival celebrates five decades of adventure storytelling with world-class speakers, films, and events. Festival details

🪧 Banff paddlers mourn stolen landmark sign.
The sentimental “Rainy Bay” sign on the Bow River has been stolen, sparking outrage from local paddlers. Residents hope it’s returned - or at least replaced - soon. Full story

📋 Banff Community Plan hearing Sept 8
Banff Council holds another public hearing on Sept 8 at 2 p.m. on the updated 10-year Community Plan. Residents can give feedback before final adoption later this year. More

Readers' Choice: Most Visited Links from the Last Issue

1. 🌅 Moraine Lake Sunrise Tour Now 30% Off for a Limited Time

2. 🐻 Visit Boo at the Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge

3. 🐻 Reminder: Last chance to see Boo

🎟️Events, Activities & Live Music 🎸

📅 Our events calendar is now fully live.
It's your go-to source for local music, festivals, and everything happening around town. CHECK IT OUT HERE

Wed, 10th September

10:00 🧺 Banff Farmers Market - Central Park
12:00 ⛸️ Public Skating - Fenlands Recreation Centre
15:00 🎶 Live Music Afternoon - Three Bears
17:45 👩‍💼 Women in Business Workshop - Fenlands Recreation Centre
22:00 🎤 Tommy's Open Mic - Tommy's Neighbourhood Pub
22:00 🎧 Music with DJ Hops - High Rollers
22:00 🎶 DJ Dougesauras/Tangerine Dance - Rose & Crown

Thu, 11th September

12:00 ⛸️ Public Skating - Fenlands Recreation Centre
19:00 🍽️ Balkan Greek Night: Dinner Show - The Balkan
19:00 📖 Literary Cabaret - The Banff Centre
20:00 🎻 Irish Night: Live Music - St. James Gate
21:00 🎶 Arn & DJ Palf - High Rollers
22:00 🎉 Thirsty Thursday Party - Melissa's Missteak
22:00 🎶 Zoo Lion/Sunsets Sesh - Rose & Crown

FUTURE EVENTS HERE

🍺 Happy Hours & Food Specials 🍽️

Our Happy Hours listings have moved. To view a complete list of this week's happy hours in Banff, visit our Happy Hour Page.

This week’s featured Happy Hour.

🍸 The Terrace Lounge Happy Hour
Daily from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and again from 9 p.m. to close, The Terrace Lounge at Banff Park Lodge rolls out a Happy Hour that's hard to beat. Enjoy 50% off a mouthwatering lineup of appetizers, including crowd-pleasers like chicken fingers, calamari fritti, arancini, halloumi fries, and their signature focaccia.

Drink deals are just as tempting - grab a beer for $5, a glass of wine for $6, or wind down with a handcrafted cocktail for $8. Whether you're kicking back after a mountain adventure or meeting up with friends, The Terrace Lounge is a cozy, welcoming spot to relax and refuel.

You will find it off Lynx Street, just a short stroll from Banff Avenue. Parking can still be tricky in town, so plan ahead and check your options.

👋 That’s All For Now 🎬

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