🖤Ice Climbing Fatality

Good morning, Bow Valley!

One of our favorite times of year is kicking off in the Bow Valley: SnowDays.  We got a preview of the events below.

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• An experienced ice climber has a fatal fall 

• An earthquake hits Ghost Lake this week–weird! 

• Banff goes hard trying to convince you to FireSmart your home

• Plus, cheap ski days, poker nights, jiu-jitsu, & more!

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

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SNOWDAYS FESTIVAL KICKS OFF THIS MONTH

What’s Happening? SnowDays is back! From Jan. 17 to Feb. 2, Banff and Lake Louise transform into a winter wonderland with events like skijoring, snow sculptures, and a brand-new “Weekend of Wonder.” Whether you're into adrenaline, artistry, or après-ski vibes, there's something for everyone.

Skijoring Spectacle. Mark your calendars for Jan. 18-19 as Banff Avenue becomes a thrilling 160m racecourse. Expect horse-powered stunts, skiers catching air, and a crowd-pleasing mix of speed and style. Free to watch, but arrive early—spots fill fast!

Snow Sculptures & Play Zone. Catch snow carvers in action Jan. 17-23, then admire their finished masterpieces along a downtown trail. Central Park’s Play Zone invites all ages to try curling, fat biking, and more classic Canadian games.

SnowNights. Wrap up your day with SnowNights’ après-ski parties, exclusive dining, or night hikes.

Plan Ahead. We’ve got you covered! Stay tuned to our upcoming newsletters for all the key SnowDays events

THE DIGEST

• 🖤Tragedy struck in Kootenay National Park as Calgary army reserve officer Maj. Dave Peabody, 48, fell 150 metres to his death while ice climbing on Boxing Day. Parks Canada conducted a daylight rescue for his stranded climbing partner. A decorated veteran, Peabody was remembered for his military service and leadership.

• 🫎Antler season is here, but don’t get too antlers-over-heels. In Alberta, you can keep or sell naturally shed antlers unless found in parks. Dead animal parts? You’ll need a $10 permit from Fish and Wildlife—no resale allowed. Always check shipping rules before sending your finds elsewhere!

• 🛬Alberta Parks wrapped up 2024 with millions of visitors from over 60 countries and a whopping 87% satisfaction rate. New parks, expanded campsites, and engaging interpretive programs kept things fresh, while concession sales proved firewood and frozen treats are always in style. 

• 🚧The Ribbon Creek area in Kananaskis Country is closed indefinitely for fireguard construction. This 8,000-hectare project aims to protect nearby communities by creating a wildfire fuel break. Popular trails, including Ribbon Creek and Centennial Ridge, are off-limits for now—plan your winter adventures elsewhere!

• ⚠️A magnitude 2.6 earthquake struck near Ghost Lake early Monday morning. At a depth of 10 km, the quake was shallow but too weak to be felt or reported. If you slept through it—don’t worry, so did everyone else.

• ⛷️A father-daughter duo is skiing all 38 lift-serviced ski areas in Alberta in just 38 days. Greg Scott and Hali Scott-Smith hope to inspire youth to take on passion projects with parents or mentors. Their adventures support the Tidbits of Change Foundation, offering bursaries for inspiring youth stories.

BANFF EXPANDS FIRESMART PROGRAM

What’s Happening? Banff is shaking up its FireSmart rebate programs to increase participation and help residents better prepare for wildfire risks. Expanded eligibility, simplified processes, and heightened awareness aim to drive greater buy-in from locals.

Fire-Prone Roofs, Be Gone. Banff’s roof rebate now covers all residential buildings, offering $1,200 for replacing combustible materials with fire-resistant Class A roofs. With 228 combustible roofs still in town, this change aligns with a push to designate the entire area as a high-risk fire zone.

Simplified Tree Removal. The tree replacement program has been revamped into a streamlined tree removal rebate. Homeowners with a permit can now get $200 for removing flammable conifers, staying within a $10,000 budget.

Successful Sprinklers. The rooftop sprinkler rebate has been a hit, with 240 sold over two years. Residents can still grab these at half the cost, while businesses are encouraged to request free FireSmart assessments.

Stay Prepared. Banff Fire Department has completed over 300 home assessments in the past two years, helping residents stay FireSmart and ready for wildfire season.

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

• Skiing with Elvis. Dress up like Elvis to ski or ride for only $88+GST!  You must be in full costume (head to boots) to qualify for a discounted full-day lift ticket. All Day. Sunshine Village. 

• Movie Night. When 93-year-old Thelma Post gets duped by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson, she sets out on a treacherous quest across the city to reclaim what was taken from her. 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Canmore Library. Free.

• 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. 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM. In-Person Canmore Brewing Company or Online. Free to attend.

• Trivia Night. Awale hosts five rounds of trivia. Cash prizes and $8 fried pickles. 8:30 PM - 10:30 PM. Tavern 1883, Canmore. $2 per person to play.

Thursday

• Thirsty Thursdays. It’s game night, which means unlimited beer pong, pool, cornhole and Jenga. All night. Melissa’s MisSteak, Banff. Free to play.

• Poker Night. Come play Thursday night poker at the Canmore Legion with a fun group of regulars. Enjoy great eats from Avi's Kitchen and refreshing beverages. New players are welcome. 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM. Canmore Legion.

• Jiu Jitsu Fundamentals. This class has no specific structure, but rather, students are encouraged to go over the curriculum in pairs, learning and repping at their own pace. We recommend having a regular partner for this class! 7:30 PM. Dark Horse Martial Arts, Canmore. $20+ GST to drop-in.

• Drop-In Badminton. Drop-in sports are a great way to have an active lifestyle and meet new people. 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM. Lawrence Grassi Middle School. $5, Ages 16+

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🏌🥌Join in the fun. The Canmore Golf & Curling Club is a proud sponsor and host venue for Hockey Day in Canada 2025 from January 15-18! For the event to succeed, they need numerous volunteers to participate! 

• 📝Soap Run Registration. For she who dares, registration for 2025’s Rocky Mountain Soap Co, Women’s Soap Run is now open. 

• 🤝50/50 Tickets. Support local hockey in the Bow Valley by purchasing a 50/50 ticket! All proceeds go directly to helping grow the game, supporting players, and strengthening our community.

• 📝CYAN Survey. Don’t miss your chance to complete the survey and be entered to win 1 of 8 $10 vouchers to @eclipsecoffeeroasters. The survey closes on January 15th. 

• 🧀Fondue for 2. To kick off the new year, Bridgette Bar is offering their beloved cheese fondue for two for just $25! All. Month. Long.

• 🛠️Renovations. Both the Iron Goat and The Market Bistro are closed for renovations and will be back in February. Stay tuned.

• 🙋‍♀️More Volunteers Needed! From handing out food and drink, directing participants, shoveling snow, and clearing flags from the course, we need awesome folks like yourself to make the Lake Louise to Banff Loppet and Relay happen.

• ✅Host Your Own Community Event. The Town of Canmore is now accepting community event permit applications for events between May 1 and October 31, 2025. The deadline to apply is Jan. 17, 2025. 

• 🛍️GST Exempt. Not really locally related, but here’s a list of things on Amazon that are GST-exempt right now.  

CHARITY SPOTLIGHT: BIOSPHERE INSTITUTE OF THE BOW VALLEY

The Biosphere Institute is a registered non-profit charitable society leading multi-partner, award-winning education and community engagement programs. The Biosphere Institute’s specific mission is to empower community leadership to address environmental challenges. To this end, their efforts include three core programs: the WildSmart Community Program, the Bow Valley Shift Climate Transitions Program, and the Future Leaders youth education program. 

CIVIC NEWS

• The Town of Banff has approved the 2025-27 operating budget with a 5.6% municipal tax increase, primarily due to inflation (2.65%) and replenishing capital reserves (1.93%) used during the COVID-19 pandemic. The budget includes significant wildfire prevention and mitigation efforts, funded through the climate change resiliency reserve and a Parks Canada grant, rather than increasing taxes. 

• The 2025 Municipal of Bighorn Election is set for Monday, October 20, and as of January 1, nominations are officially open! This is your chance to step up, shape local policies, and make a lasting impact by running for Council. 

LIVE MUSIC

• Wednesday, January 8th, 2025,  10:00 PM: DJ Tenax. Location: Rose and Crown Banff. No Cover. 

• Thursday, January 9th, 2025,  10:00 PM: Static. Location: Rose and Crown Banff. No Cover. 

• Thursday, January 9th, 2025,  7:00 PM: Open Mic Night. Play your original tunes or fav cover songs and take your turn at the mic. Bring your own instruments but be welcome to play the beautiful artsPlace grand piano! Location: artsPlace, Canmore. By Donation. 

SPORTS

• Hockey. The Canmore Eagles faced a tough break as three players, including top scorer Zach Coutu, exited midseason. Despite leading their division, the departures, driven by NCAA eligibility shifts and BCHL recruitment, left the team regrouping. After a heated overtime loss, Coach Milne emphasized consistency as the Eagles aim for playoffs.

• More Hockey.  Banff’s own Jacob Bernard-Docker suffered a tough break during Ottawa Senators practice, exiting with a left leg injury after a hard fall into the boards. The 24-year-old defenseman’s setback compounds a rough day for the team, already missing key players, as they fight for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

That’s all, folks!

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