🚤Jet Skier Hits Paddle Boarder

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Cougars and grizzlies and elk, oh my! Fall means more wildlife sightings as our local critters get ready for winter. We have the latest wildlife closures to report.

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• Trees are being cut around Tunnel Mountain

• Canmore restaurant earns top spot

• Banff gets a new Fire Chief

P.S. A big shoutout to Solai Ponram for referring so many new subscribers to Bow Valley Insider! Solai loves hiking and visiting the Thursday Mountain Market. Favorite restaurant? Rose and Crown. Thanks for your support, Solai! 🏞️🌟

Let’s get to it!

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

CUTTING TREES FOR FIRE PREVENTION

What’s happening? Parks Canada is gearing up for important wildfire prevention work in Banff National Park this fall. 

Tunnel Mountain Project: This initiative will start by thinning out trees around Tunnel Mountain. The goal? To cut down on the fuel load and create a more open forest. This should help lower wildfire risks for nearby towns like Banff, Harvie Heights, and Canmore.

Lake Louise Fire Guard: Beginning around November 15, crews will clear 165.4 hectares of trees on the south slope of Mount St. Piran. This effort is a proactive move to protect Lake Louise and its surrounding communities.

Why It Matters: Wildfires are becoming more intense and longer-lasting due to climate change and past fire suppression practices. These projects are designed to make wildfires easier to manage and safer for everyone involved.

Landscape Changes: Once the work is done, you’ll notice more sunlight hitting the ground, which will help new grass and shrubs grow. It might look different initially, but vegetation will bounce back quickly.

THINK YOU KNOW WHISKEY? MEET TOM…

So, it’s November 30, and your buddy Tom—big talker, claims to “know his whiskey”—waltzes into the Banff Whiskey Experience like he’s about to school everyone. Five minutes in, he’s swirling his glass, dropping terms like “complex” and “full-bodied.” Fast forward an hour, and Tom’s standing there with 12 empty sample glasses, trying to convince the event staff he’s found “the one.”

Of course, by whiskey #73, Tom can’t remember the difference between bourbon and scotch, and now he’s asking if he can mix them for “science.” Thankfully, there’s no need to panic. The snacks are endless, the cocktails are handcrafted, and the pros will keep you on the right track (even if Tom’s lost).

Local Deal: Andrew, the brains behind this event, is giving Bow Valley Insiders 5% off with code BVINSIDER. Don’t wait—Tom’s already thinking about round two. Here’s the link!

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THE DIGEST

• 🥂Local Canmore restaurant änkôr, opened by Chef Danny Beaulieu in 2020, lands a spot on Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants list for 2024–ranking 76th. Known for its imaginative Canadian-inspired dishes like foie gras and dry-aged duck.

• 🤕Last weekend, a jet skier collided with a stand-up paddleboard at Ghost Lake Reservoir. This has locals worried and calling for more law enforcement patrols to keep things safe.

• 🐆Alberta Parks has issued a cougar warning for Boulton Creek Campground in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, effective September 13th and ongoing, after a recent sighting. If you see a cougar, report it immediately at 403-591-7755.

• 🌨️La Niña is expected to return to the Bow Valley this season, which means good news for powder enthusiasts. It’s likely to bring more snow and cooler temperatures than last year’s dry El Niño.

• 🧑‍🚒Banff has a new Fire Chief. Keri Martens brings over 30 years of experience, including 18 as Lake Louise Fire Chief and recent roles in Canmore and Banff. Passionate about diversity in firefighting and wildfire mitigation, she succeeds Russ Geyer, who retired after 30 years of service.

• 🙌Michelin Guide Inspectors ranked 33 Canadian hotels, with three top spots in the Bow Valley! Fairmont Banff Springs, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, and Post Hotel & Spa each earned a Michelin key for their unique charm and exceptional service. 

FIRST RESPONDERS TO GET ELITE CRISIS TRAINING

What’s Happening: First responders in the Bow Valley are set to get specialized training to handle mass casualty and fatality events like shootings, stabbings, and vehicle attacks.

Training Details: The training runs September 16-20 at Fenlands Recreation Centre, led by four instructors from Texas State University's FBI-approved ALERRT Center. This "train-the-trainer" program focuses on medical skills and coordinated emergency responses during active attack scenarios.

Participants: The course will involve RCMP tactical instructors, local fire departments, Parks Canada wardens, Alberta Forestry, and EMS teams from the Calgary Fire Department and Police Service.

Program Goals: The training is designed to enhance survival rates by teaching tactical emergency casualty care and integrating police, fire, and EMS responses.

Future Plans: After the course, further planning for mass casualty events will occur. An exercise to test these new protocols is planned for early 2025.

Banff Mayor Weighs-In: Corrie DiManno highlighted the importance of this training for community safety and preparation for major events, like next year’s G7 summit in neighboring Kananaskis Country.

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Are you interested in learning to mountain bike on trails? Settlement Services is offering an Introduction to Mountain Biking. Nordic Centre, Canmore. Free. Registration required.

• Partake in some restorative relaxation with outdoor yoga. Summer Yoga hosted by CYAN is September 16, 7-8 PM. Riverside Park, Canmore. Free. Registration required.

• Channel some creativity with ceramics and paint. Pottery painting is September 16, 7-8 PM. Fenlands, Banff. $25.

• Enjoy a presentation of “Wise Practices for Living with Wildlife at the Scale Nature Needs.” Check out this Earth Talk with Josh Welsh, Senior Manager of Communities & Conservation at Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative on September 16, 7-8 PM. Canmore Public Library, Canmore.
  

Tuesday

• Move your body and enjoy the changing colors of the local larches. Join CYAN for a guided Larch hike at Helen Lake on September 17, 8:45 AM- 5 PM. $30. Registration required.

• Are you a foreign worker interested in a free support session? Check out this in-person event September 17, 1:30- 3:30 PM. Banff Public Library, Banff. Free.

• Play nine holes and fundraise for cancer research. Check out the 2024 Best Ball Classic to Conquer Cancer September 17, 4 PM. Banff Springs Golf Course, Banff. $75 plus fundraising.

• Enjoy a cozy talk with published authors. This Fireside Chat with local authors Jane Marshall, Meghan Ward and Christine Nykoluk and moderated by Nikke Tate is September 17, 6:30- 8 PM. Canmore Public Library, Canmore.

• Clear your energy with sound. This Full Moon Sound Bath is September 17, 7 PM and 8:30 PM. Rimrock Hotel, Banff. $25.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🧩Grab your FREE Groovy Record Bowls Adult Activity Kit from the Canmore Public Library! Recycle old vinyl into funky bowls—perfect for music lovers!

• 🌌As nights grow longer, dive into autumn stargazing with an Indigenous-led experience and connect with the night sky.

• 🚵The new 185-meter asphalt bike pump track at Banff Recreation Grounds is now open, featuring berms, rollers, and jumps!

• 🏠July rental stats for Canmore show more 1-bedroom units available and a slight drop in rental prices. Check the chart for details!

• 🎞️Join the 107th Night of Lies for tall tales, films, a cash bar, and a silent auction! Proceeds support Jasper Wildfire Relief.

• 🌈Last Call For 2slgbtqia+ Artists! Sign up now for Banff Pride's Market to showcase your creations and connect with others!

• ✍️Don’t miss the Bow Valley housing and support services survey! Deadline is September 30, 2024—share it widely!

• 🧺Just a few weeks left for the Banff and Canmore summer markets! Canmore wraps up October 3rd and Banff on October 9th.

• 🤗Want to help with National Day for Truth and Reconciliation? Join us for the Round Dance on September 28—volunteers needed!

• 🚧Grassi Lakes Trails & Day Use Area and Heart Creek Interpretive Trail are closed for construction.

CIVIC NEWS

• The Muskrat Street Pedestrian Bridge in Banff will be closed for painting on Monday, September 16, and Tuesday, September 17. Use the alternative pedestrian bridge or the Bow River Bridge to cross during these dates.

• The MD of Bighorn's new 9,800-square-foot operations building is progressing smoothly and set for completion by next year. The foundation is finished, and underground utilities are being installed. Next up is the foundation for the parks department storage building. The project remains on track and on budget, with no supply chain issues, and will replace the old Quonset to better support growing MD operations.

• The Town of Canmore's Committee of the Whole meeting is set for Tuesday from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Civic Centre and online. The agenda includes updates on several topics:
  

  • Bow Valley Victim Services will cease operations on October 1, 2024, transitioning to a new regional model.
    

  • An update on the 2024 Home Upgrades Program Pilot.
    

  • Details on the 2024 E-Bike Discount Program.
    

  • Progress on Wellhead Protection Planning.
    

  • Discussion on key performance indicators and criteria for the Livability Tax Program.

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, September 16, 8- 10 PM: Live music Monday. Location: Three Bears, Banff.

• Monday, September 16, 6:30- 8:30 PM and Tuesday, September 17, 6:30- 8:30 PM: Singer songwriter Steph O’dette. Location: Chateau, Lake Louise.

• Tuesday, September 17, 10 PM:Karaoke with Andrew Staygold.Location: Melissa’s Missteak, Banff.

SPORTS

• The Canmore Eagles kicked off their season with a thrilling home opener, winning 4-3 against the Calgary Canucks in overtime. They kept the momentum going with a 3-2 shootout victory over the Canucks the next night.

• The Bow Valley Sports Hall of Fame 2024 Induction Celebration is happening Tuesday at the Banff Park Lodge. It’s going to be a great night honoring local sports legends!

That’s all, folks!

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