🧗‍♂️Freak Ice Climbing Fall

Good morning, Bow Valley!

If you’re looking for a side gig in 2025 and enjoy writing, well, you’re in luck.  Bow Valley Insider is hiring a writer. Not for the newsletter (we’re already covered here), but for our website.  To learn more, scroll down below the sports section and check the details.  The link to apply is there, too.

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• Should the NHL host a Flames vs Oilers showdown at Lake Louise?

• A lifelong Banffite needs a new kidney

• Canmore & MD Bighorn ink 5-year fire services agreement

• Plus, cocktail tastings, ABBA musicals, outdoor skating, & more!

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

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A LIFELONG BANFFITE’S SEARCH FOR A KIDNEY

What’s happening? Dave Millard, a longtime Banff local, is searching for a living kidney donor to avoid the grueling routine of dialysis. He has polycystic kidney disease, the same illness that took his father’s life.

Banff’s Bike Aficionado. Look for Dave riding one of his six beloved bikes—cherry red in summer, fat tires in winter—and you’ll see why this retired Parks Canada employee is a local legend. He still volunteers year-round, clearing trails and helping neighbors.

Kidney Reality Check. Despite a healthy lifestyle and decades of monitoring, doctors say it’s time for a transplant. He’s B-positive, and so is his outlook—though he admits the search for a match has been daunting.

The Local Angle. Banff doesn’t have its own dialysis machines, forcing many to travel for treatment. Early talks are underway to bring this crucial service to town.

WOAH…A RETRACTABLE BACKYARD GAZEBO

👆 Click to check property tour video

Alex & Lori’s Property of The Week is a good one today. 

211 River’s Bend Close is the epitome of the perfect family home! With 4 Bedrooms + den, AND a lofted office space, there’s no shortage for you, your guests, and all your mountain toys! 

Check out the property tour and see everything it has to offer – like our personal favorites, the retractable backyard gazebo, and custom wet bar.

Additional Perks:

✔ Community Driven, Family Friendly Neighborhood
✔ Loads of Local Amenities (outdoor skating rink, coffee shops, & walking trails)
✔ Oversized Garage & 4 Car Driveway
✔ Fully Developed Basement

For more information contact Lori & Alex or visit CanmoreAgent.com to look at what’s new in the market!

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THE DIGEST

• 😖An ice climber at Lake Louise took a Christmas Eve tumble, saved by his rope in a heart-stopping moment. Amazingly, he brushed off the fall. Captured on video by an Australian family on a sleigh tour, it’s a bold reminder of the sport’s icy risks. Check the video out here. 

• 🔄Banff is swapping century-old water mains to avoid Calgary’s water disaster repeat. The $6.8M project also updates Caribou Street for a pedestrian-friendly vibe. Construction starts fall 2025, aiming for “proactive, not reactive” solutions to keep taps running smoothly. Lessons learned from Calgary: don’t wait for a crisis to fix cracks.

• ⭐Spring Creek’s new staff housing, The Manor, opens January 6, offering eco-friendly perks like geo-exchange heating, solar panels, and mountain views. With space for 154 employees, it features shared lounges, BBQ areas, and a deck to unwind. Canmore’s first common-amenity housing sets a fresh standard for staff living.

• 🐾A cougar near Canmore’s horse paddocks has stashed a coyote, prompting warnings from the Bow Valley Riding Association. Tracks reveal a big cat actively hunting in the area. Locals are urged to leash dogs, make noise, and carry bear spray to avoid encounters with this stealthy predator.

• ⛔Roam Transit’s new 'request a stop' program lets riders ask to be dropped off between regular stops after dark. Designed to boost safety, it reduces walking distance and enhances security for solo travelers. Available year-round in Banff and Canmore, it’s a big win for nighttime riders.

• 🚴‍♀️Banff’s e-bike rebate program just got a serious upgrade, with funding jumping from $30K to $120K in 2025. Rebates now cover up to 50% of costs, and used e-bikes from local rentals qualify. It’s a big push for greener, more affordable commuting in the Rockies.

FIVE MORE YEARS OF FIRE PROTECTION…FOR NOW

What’s happening? The MD of Bighorn and the Town of Canmore have inked a five-year fire services agreement, ensuring coverage through 2029. While the deal offers stability, a clause allows either party to terminate it with six months' notice, keeping the future uncertain.

The Details. Under this cost-recovery agreement, Canmore Fire-Rescue responds to about 60 calls annually in the MD, with Bighorn paying proportional fees. Services range from $212 to $975 per hour depending on equipment, plus personnel costs up to $172 an hour.

Bridging the Gap. A 2023 fire risk assessment recommended hiring full-time firefighters and constructing a Bow River bridge to cut response times. Currently, a trip from Exshaw Fire Hall to Lac Des Arcs takes 19 minutes, excluding muster time.

What’s Next? Bighorn may eventually expand its own fire services, but for now, Canmore remains the backbone of the MD’s emergency response, continuing a partnership that dates back to 2017.

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Wild Life Distillery Tasting. Swing by the Day Lodge at Sunshine Village to enjoy samples from Wild Life Distillery, featuring cocktails made with their spirits and bright hand-crafted syrups. 11:30 - 2:30 PM. Sunshine Village Ski Resort. Free. 

• B-I-N-G-O! Friday is Bingo Night at the Canmore Legion. Bring extra cash for those pull tabs and tips for the hardworking staff. 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM. Canmore Legion, Canmore.

• Wine Workshop. You will learn more about what wines pair well with certain foods and how to ask the right questions to find the right wine in the future. In addition to taking home a bottle, you will join the UnWined Insiders. 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM. UnWined, Canmore. $43.93. 

Saturday

• Elevation Place. Both the climbing gym and pool at EP are open. Detach from the couch for a minute or two. 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM. Elevation Place, Canmore. Drop-in fees apply. 

• Last Few Performances! Do not miss this timeless, heartwarming tale of a man named Scrooge who is visited by three ghosts and learns what the true meaning of Christmas is all about! 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM. Fairmont Banff Springs. $29.02.

• Second Offering. Join Sarah Harvie and Lydia Zamorano for a special second offering of their Cranio Restorative Workshop. 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM. The Yoga Lounge, Canmore. $65.  

• The Abba-Solutely Fabulous Holiday Show. Gimme gimme gimme....a night to remember!! Nothing says HOLIDAY PARTY like a fabulous ABBA tribute show that is back by popular demand! 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM. Fairmont Banff Springs. $41.80.

Sunday

• Free Yoga. A 45-minute yoga session led by resident instructor, Chie Fujimaru. All levels of yoga practitioners and readers are welcome to join. 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM. Banff Library. Free. 

• Outdoor Skating. In Canmore, all the outdoor rinks are now open and ready for skating—including the pond! Lights are on until 10:00 PM. Various locations, Canmore. Free.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🙋Rink Monitors Needed. If you have your own skates and know how to use them, volunteer to help keep folks safe on the ice while having fun! This event will take place at the Canmore Recreation Centre on December 31st from 5 PM  - 8 PM and include fun activities.

• ♻️Tree Recycling. Over the Holiday season, recycling bins will be placed the week of December 16th and picked up the week of January 13th. Locations can be viewed here. 

• ⛷️Learn or Level Up. Trail Sports offers cross-country ski lessons in classic, skate, downhill, and telemark techniques for all ability levels, from novice to advanced. 

• 🚎Canmore to Sunshine. Ten Peaks is offering a paid shuttle service from Canmore to Sunshine. They offer a special $25 round-trip ticket to season pass holders with the promo code SSV25.

• 🗓️Holiday Schedule. The Town of Banff is running modified services until the new year. Check out the full schedule here.

• 💵Livability Tax Program Declaration. Agree or disagree, make sure you declare whether your residence was occupied full-time during the past year.

• 🔺Avalanche Reporting. Avalanches are being reported daily. Make sure to check reports before you head out. 

• 📢Grant Application Deadline. The MD of Bighorn offers a number of community grants. Check out the categories to see if your organization or project qualifies. The deadline is January 15.

• 👉Friendly Reminder! Free walk-in counseling service is available to everyone (including Canadians and non-Canadians alike), 2:00 PM - 9:00 PM daily at both the Mineral Springs Hospital in Banff, and the Canmore General Hospital.

CIVIC NEWS

• Banff council voted to delay the construction of a new skating rink at Rotary Park until the winter of 2025-26 to keep the budget tight and reduce taxes. The rink is part of a larger $1.7 million park redevelopment project, which includes new courts and a playground, supported by various grants and fundraising efforts.

• This year, Banff had difficulty rehoming three or four dogs, with one dog waiting for about two weeks before a solution was found. The town is working with the SPCA to find better solutions and improve the adoption and fostering process.

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, December 27th, 4:00 PM: Andy Perrin. Location: Canmore Brewing Company. No Cover.

• Friday, December 27th, 9:00 PM: Ramblin Hey Ho Ha's Location: Tavern 1883, Canmore. No Cover. 

• Friday, December 27th, 10:00 PM: Ten02 (Indie Rock) Location: Rose and Crown Banff. $5

• Saturday, December 28th, 9:00 PM: NYE Warm Up with Tyler Wood. Location: Tavern 1883, Canmore. No Cover. 

• Saturday, December 28th, 10:00 PM: Ten02 (Indie Rock) Location: Rose and Crown Banff. $5

• Saturday, December 28th, 5:00 PM:  Isaac Brothers Location: Canmore Brewing Company. No Cover.

• Sunday, December 29th, 5:00 PM: Gord March. Location: Canmore Brewing Company. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Skiing. Canmore’s Kris Mahler made a strong return to the Swiss venue where he broke his neck last year. Now ranked 15th in the world, the ski cross athlete is focusing on consistency and patience as he rebuilds confidence. A medal feels within reach for this determined racer.

• Hockey: The NHL’s next big idea? A Lake Louise showdown between the Oilers and Flames. Picture Alberta’s most iconic rivalry in one of its most stunning landscapes. Logistics and red tape make it tricky, but a game in Canada’s national treasure could redefine outdoor hockey.

WANT TO WRITE ABOUT CANMORE & BANFF?

Bow Valley Insider is on the hunt for a writer to create 1-2 articles per month in 2025.

What will you write about? Here’s a taste:

• The Best Restaurants in the Bow Valley (As Voted by Locals)

• Best Hikes in Canmore That You Can Do Without a Car

• Where To Find The Best Coffee in Canmore for Early Morning Adventures

• How To Spend A Weekend in Banff & Canmore on a Budget (Without Missing Out)

• Ultimate Banff Winter Activities: Beyond Skiing & Snowboarding

Sound like your jam?

We want someone local to Canmore or Banff. If you’re not local but spend an absurd amount of time in the mountains (to the point where the mountains feel more like home than your couch), we might still be interested.

You don’t need to be a professional writer, but you do need to be a good one—and, most importantly, you need to know the Bow Valley like you’ve memorized every turn on Spray Lakes Road.

Pay: $75 per article (800-1,500 words). Let’s be honest—it’s not buying you a house in Canmore, but it’s a sweet side gig if you love writing about this incredible place.

Ready to share your love for the Bow Valley in words?

Apply here

That’s all, folks!

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