🤑Banff’s $30M Makeover

A Generous Gift, Parking Increases, Whiskey Festival

Good morning, Bow Valley!

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In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

  • Banff gets a $30M donation to support tourism 

  • Parking fees in Banff are increasing

  • Harvie Heights is being re-imagined 

  • Whiskey tastings, wine nights, & Christmas markets

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

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TURNING $30M INTO CLASSROOMS

What's Happening? A $30M donation from the Wim and Nancy Pauw Foundation is reshaping Banff’s tourism and housing future. The funding will support a new teaching facility, student housing at YWCA Banff, and long-term tourism programming by SAIT.

Big Bucks for Big Changes. The foundation, known for reinvesting in the community, split the gift: $20M to SAIT for hospitality education and $10M to YWCA Banff for renovations. The aim? Build a secure talent pipeline for tourism and boost affordable housing, all while safeguarding existing YWCA services.

Classroom in the Rockies. Construction starts next year, pending government approvals, with SAIT’s programs launching by fall 2026. Banff’s mayor called the project a "Technicolor reality," blending hospitality training with economic resilience in Canada’s iconic national park.

Legacy in Action. Founded by local hotelier Wim Pauw, the foundation continues to honor his late wife Nancy’s vision by fostering social services and tourism excellence. The project promises lasting community benefits, from workforce development to housing solutions.

600 WHISKIES, 1 CUP

What’s happening? Brace yourselves because Banff is about to be hit with more whiskey than a pirate ship after a successful plunder.

This Saturday, the Banff Whiskey Experience is going down, and it’s basically the Super Bowl of whisky. We’re talking over 70 distilleries pouring out liquid gold like they’ve got something to prove.

The main event? The Grand Tasting, where you’ll sample 600 whiskies. That’s right—600 opportunities to discover what makes you feel fancy without needing to sell a kidney. Handcrafted cocktails? Check. Snacks to prevent total collapse? Double check.

You walk in, they hand you a glass, and the rest is a glorious adventure of whisky-fueled self-discovery. Think of it as fast-forwarding through years of trial and error with your taste buds.

Local Deal: Andrew, the event genius, is giving Bow Valley Insiders 5% off with code BVINSIDER. There’s literally only a few tickets left. Here’s the link.

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THE DIGEST

  • 😍Travel.com says that people should skip the 63 National parks in the US and instead go to Banff.  They ranked it as the most underrated spot to visit. Locals might argue it’s less “underrated” and more “overrun”—because nothing says hidden gem like fighting for a parking spot.

  • 👍Speaking of parking, Banff’s Town Council approved a $1 hike in summer Visitor Pay Parking, bringing rates to $7/hour starting May 2025. The Bear Street Parkade will also switch to seasonal parking, paid on the lower two floors during peak season, with free parking above. The goal? Boost turnover and ease congestion downtown.

  • 🤔Here’s a funny one: someone wanting to move to Canmore, blissfully unaware of the cost of living. They’re convinced “small Alberta towns” mean small price tags. Sure, the views are free here in Canmore, but someone should mention that the homes come with a mountain-sized mortgage.

  • 👁If you’re into Banff history, you’ll love this story. Silver City was an 1880s mining camp near Castle Mountain, once hyped as a booming town rivaling Calgary. At its peak, it had about 500 residents but quickly faded after mining prospects dried up. Later, exaggerated tales turned it into a Wild West legend, obscuring the more modest—and messy—truth of its history.  Read it here

RE-THINKING THAT TINY SPOT YOU DRIVE PAST BEFORE HITTING BANFF

What's Happening? Harvie Heights is reimagining its future, and the public gets a say. The MD of Bighorn Council approved a first reading for the area redevelopment plan (ARP), with a public hearing scheduled for Dec. 17 at 6 p.m.

$100K and Counting. With $100K in funding from the province and municipality, the plan aims to modernize highway commercial areas while addressing concerns like illegal parking, water quality, and human-wildlife conflicts.

Voices Heard. Surveys and open houses earlier this year gathered feedback from residents and stakeholders. Key themes include parking woes, urban servicing debates, and blending development with Harvie’s natural charm.

What’s Next? After the hearing, the council will decide whether to pass the ARP and update the bylaws. For now, mark Dec. 17 on your calendar.

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

  • Snowpack Discussion. Kevin Hjertaas is back and stoked to talk about snow. We have the usual great lineup with Guide Book Author Marcus Baranow (Confessions of a Ski Bum), Avalanche Forecaster Zoe Ryan, and other mountain professionals. 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Co. and Online. Free. Happy Hour Prices.

Thursday

  • Winter Kickoff Ski Movie Night. Get ready for an unforgettable night of stoke and adrenaline-pumping action with the latest ski and snowboard film, “Beyond the Fantasy.” 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM. Canmore Brewing. $20 Adults / $16 (under 16yrs). 

  • Toastmasters Canmore. Improve your public speaking and leadership skills weekly with the Mountain Mumblers. 7:00 PM - 8:15 PM. Iron Goat, Canmore. Session is free, food and beverages are extra.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

  • 🍅Banff Christmas Market. With over 150 artisanal vendors, 13 days of magic, live music, an outdoor fire lounge, Santa’s House & Workshop, Christmas treats & warm drinks! Runs until December 8th. 

  • 🧸Gingerbread Houses. Reserve your table at Lovely for an evening of decorating delicious gingerbread houses, cozy beverages, and lots of fun! Each reservation includes a table for up to 4 people, a gingerbread house kit, 4 gingerbread men, 4 hot beverages, all icing and decorations.

  • 🛍️Show and Sale. The Canmore Art Guild Christmas Show and Market runs from November 28, 2024, to January 5, 2025. The gallery is open every day during the show except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. 

  • 🎄Festival of Trees. Wander through the magical forest of trees and wreaths inside the Malcolm Hotel. Many locals have made it a tradition to bring their families and visitors to view the spectacularly decorated trees adorning the hotel's main floor hallways. 

  • ⛷️Best in Biathlon. This weekend, hundreds of athletes will participate in the beginning of the 2024-25 Calforex Cup season in Canmore, the top-level provincial biathlon competition. 

CIVIC NEWS

  • Banffs Council is nearing final approval of changes to bed and breakfast regulations. The amendments, reviewed by the municipality's legal counsel and Parks Canada, include increasing floor space for barrier-free B&Bs and clarifying rules for live-in owners. The third reading is expected in early 2025.

LIVE MUSIC

  • Wednesday, November 27, 10:00 PM: Battle of the Bands. Location: Tommy’s Neighborhood Pub, Banff. Free to Attend.

  • Thursday, November 28, 7:30 PM: Ramblers Choir. Location: Ted and Irene's, Canmore. Suggested Donation $20-30.  

SPORTS

  • World Juniors. Canmore’s Finn McLaughlin, an 18-year-old dual citizen, will represent Team USA at the 2024 World Junior A Challenge in Camrose, Alberta, Dec. 9-15. A two-way defenceman with a high hockey IQ, McLaughlin is eager to impress close to home, especially against Canada West, featuring many of his former AJHL teammates.

  • Curling qualifiers in Banff next week. Rachel Homan and Brendan Bottcher punched their ticket to the 2025 Mixed Doubles Curling Trials in Liverpool, N.S., with a flawless 6-0 performance at the Guelph qualifier. The Alberta duo dominated the final 8-1, earning a $6,500 prize and solidifying their powerhouse reputation. The final qualifier hits Banff in December.

That’s all, folks!

  • Have a cool story or event to share? Hit reply. 

We’ll see you back here on Friday, same time, same place! 

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