📈Banff Tourism Explosion

Good morning, Bow Valley!

We hope everyone is enjoying a wonderful long weekend!  If you’re still looking for a turkey feast tonight, we have a list of last-minute spots serving up the good stuff in Canmore.

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• Horse riding fatality

• Video of Lake Louise goes viral on TikTok

• Canmore hockey player NHL update 

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan, Shireen Ahmed, Lauren H., & Ben S.

Want to advertise to Bow Valley locals? Fill out this quick form

BANFF EXPECTING 2025 TOURIST BOOM

What’s Happening: Despite dealing with the aftermath of devastating wildfires in Jasper, Banff National Park is gearing up for an impressive visitor season next year. According to Parks Canada, around 2.374 million people visited Banff between April and August, with a potential record-breaking year on the horizon.

Visitor Surge: While Banff saw a slight dip in peak season visitors from last year (1.78 million this year vs. 1.81 million in 2023), overall numbers are still on the rise, continuing the trend of increased tourism.

Wildfire Impact: The fires in Jasper, which forced the evacuation of 25,000 people, prompted many visitors to shift their plans to Banff, causing an initial surge in visitors followed by some cancellations.

Traffic Troubles: With an influx of day-trippers and tourists, Banff experienced record traffic in September. Local leaders are considering better transit options to alleviate congestion.

Future Plans: Parks Canada is actively seeking public input on future management plans for increasingly popular areas like Lake Minnewanka and continues to promote public transit options to manage visitor numbers effectively.

THE DIGEST

• 🎬The short documentary Wild Aerial, featuring Jasper aerial artist Sasha Galitzki, premieres at the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival on October 27. Directed by Trixie Pacis, it showcases Galitzki’s performances in Jasper and Banff’s landscapes, while addressing climate change and honoring those impacted by the recent Jasper fire. Galitzki calls it a unique blend of performance art and mountain culture.

• ❄️A TikTok of snowfall at Lake Louise has gone viral, with nearly half a million views and 50,000 likes. An Alberta user captioned the video, "Not the view I was hoping for but still beautiful." Viewers were stunned by the sudden weather shift, calling it “so beautiful” and marveling at nature's surprises.

• 🏘️Canmore Community Housing's September 2024 update is out! In August, two Vital Homes were sold, with more news on Stewart Creek townhouses coming soon. The Vital Homes Ownership waitlist has 283 households, and the Rental program has 218. Maintenance at McArthur Place starts this month.

• 🌌If you're in Alberta and want to see the northern lights without the cold, check out the Rocky Mountain aurora cam from Banff Sunshine Village. This live stream offers a clear view of the lights, with great chances to catch them as the solar cycle peaks in 2024 and 2025.

• 🏆Biologist Karsten Heuer and filmmaker Leanne Allison, known for their 3,400-kilometer trek following the porcupine caribou, have received the Banff Centre’s Summit of Excellence award and the Royal Canadian Geographical Society’s Sir Christopher Ondaatje Medal. Facing a terminal diagnosis, Heuer has chosen assisted death this fall.
  

• Reports started to circulate in a horse riding Facebook Group last night about a riding fatality that occurred in Yaha Tinda over the weekend. A rider’s horse got spooked, and the rider fell over the edge of Bighorn Falls.

BIGHORN DEBATES GROUNDWATER MONITORING METHOD

What’s Happening? The MD of Bighorn is weighing the benefits of an automated groundwater monitoring program versus the costs of manual monitoring in Exshaw and Dead Man’s Flats. Coun. Steve Fitzmorris has requested a deeper cost analysis before any decisions are made.

Current Monitoring: Staff currently check groundwater levels weekly from April to winter, with extra monitoring during flood season, which can be time-consuming.

Automated System: The proposed system would collect hourly data but cannot predict future water levels, raising questions about its overall value.

Cost Analysis: The first-year cost for the automated system is $18,000, including a $6,000 setup fee, with ongoing annual costs of $12,000. A cost comparison with current manual monitoring hasn’t been done yet.

Historical Context: Exshaw has faced significant flooding, making groundwater data crucial for community safety.

Next Steps: A cost analysis and well map will be reviewed during budget discussions in early 2025. Some council members, like Reeve Lisa Rosvold, feel the current system is sufficient.

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Continue celebrating with restaurants offering Monday feasts. Thanksgiving dinner available in multiple places on October 14. Find a list here!

• Aid your turkey dinner digestion with some movement. The Climbing Gym, Fitness Centre, and Aquatic Centre are all open 10 AM- 5 PM. Elevation Place, Canmore.

• Join in a game of women’s basketball. This casual session is on October 14, 8:30- 10 PM. Banff Elementary School, Banff. 

Tuesday

• Meet new people and try your hand at acting. Free theatre drop-in is October 15, 7- 8:30 PM. 101 Bear Street (above Banff Public Library.)

• Do some fruity food prep and enjoy a complimentary high tea. Check out a Christmas fruit mixing on October 15 at 4:30 PM. Limited spots are available. E-mail [email protected] to reserve your spot. Bankhead Restaurant, Canmore.

• Learn where Banff’s waste ends up and how the Town manages it. Take a tour of Banff's Waste Transfer Site for Circular Economy Month on October 15. To register, email [email protected]. Banff.

• Play a few rounds of bingo. The Bow Valley’s favorite pastime happens October 15 at 6:30 PM. Legion, Exshaw.

• Enjoy a cheap Tuesday movie special. Every Tuesday is Cheap Tuesday at the Lux Theatre, Banff. $7.99

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🎉Don’t miss the Bow Valley SPCA’s Tunes for Tails on October 18! Enjoy live music, food, and drinks!

• 🛠️From October 16 to November 30, expect construction along Highway 742 for gate and sign installations.

• 🎴Join the Heartburn Gallery exhibition in Canmore and embrace the Burning Man principle of radical self-expression.

• 🤝Cochrane Search and Rescue is always there for the Bow Valley. Support their 50/50 draw.

• 😎After working in real estate, Sky McLean created Basecamp Resorts, merging hotel and vacation rental vibes with her values.

• 📝Register for Rundle FC Juniors’ Winter 2025 Soccer Camps! Limited to 16 players, so sign up fast.

• 🗑Last two days for large item drop-off in the MD of Bighorn. See bin locations here.

• 👋Join Canmore Mayor Krausert on November 20 at 6:30 PM for a Housing Action update.

• 🎿Early bird prices for skiing at Lake Louise end this Tuesday—grab yours now.

• ☕Eclipse Roaster’s new spot in Dead Man’s Flats is opening this week—check it out!

CIVIC NEWS

• The Banff Town Council meets on October 15, 2024, at 2:00 PM. One key topic on the agenda is the decision for the 50 Wolf Street project. You can join in person at the Council Chamber or catch the live stream on Zoom. The meeting will be recorded and available later on the Town of Banff website.

• There's a Canmore Special Meeting of Council this Tuesday at 3:00 PM. One of the key topics is the first reading of the Business Registry Licence Bylaw Amendment 2024-27. Plus, they’ll be setting a public hearing for November 5, 2024.

• On October 10th, the Development Appeal Board in Banff denied an appeal related to an air conditioning unit. 

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, October 14, 10 PM: Double DJ night with DJ 86EGO & DJ Corn. Location: High Rollers, Banff.

• Tuesday, October 15, 10 PM: Karaoke night with Andrew Staygold. Location: Melissa’s Missteak, Banff.

• Tuesday, October 15, 10 PM: Beats with DJ Styler Nazo. Location: High Rollers, Banff.

SPORTS

• Noah Philp, a Canmore native, is starting the season with the Bakersfield Condors but is expected to get a call-up to the Edmonton Oilers soon. After a year and a half away from the game, he made a strong impression during preseason. Philp is excited to showcase his skills and is motivated to earn his spot on the NHL roster. The Condors' season opener is on October 11!

• Huge shoutout to all the participants in the 13th Annual Grizzly Paw Ultra Marathon this weekend at the Canmore Nordic Centre! What an incredible event to showcase the beauty of Canmore and the spirit of the runners. Congratulations to everyone who took part.

• Dark Horse Martial Arts had an incredible showing at the Submission Ace Championship in Blackfalds! Congratulations to all the medalists:

  
  

  • Eliot Martel: Gold in Nogi, Silver in Gi
    

  • Tom Blagdon: Gold in Nogi
    

  • Jonah Ellis: Gold in Intermediate Nogi
    

  • Aven McKay: Gold in both Gi and Nogi, Absolute Champion in Nogi
    

  • Danielle Liwanag: Gold in both Gi and Nogi
    

  • Nicolas Pilon: Bronze
    

  • Bryn Williams: Silver in Nogi
    

  • Eric Kania: Silver in Nogi
    

  • Liam Fleger: Amazing first tournament!
    

  • Travis Erlam: Gold in Nogi, Silver in Gi

That’s all, folks!

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