🚨Motorhome Collides With Elk

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Welcome to 2025.  We’re excited to bring you everything the Bow Valley has to offer this year, from news to events and every community happening in between. Feel free to hit reply to any of our emails with questions, feedback, or anything you think is worth sharing.

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• A motorhome with seven kids on board hits elk 

• On-It Transit Service ridership between Calgary & Bow Valley declines 

• Canmore proposes more flood mitigation policy 

• Plus, half-price pizza, comedy nights, brunch specials, & more!

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

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

RIDERSHIP DECLINES: ON-IT FACES A 27% DROP

What’s happening? Ridership on the Calgary-to-Bow Valley On-It transit service dropped 27% in 2024 compared to its record-breaking 2023. 

Why the decline? Weather woes and wildfire smoke dampened travel plans, while new private bus options like FlixBus and Red Arrow grabbed market share. Even rental cars and long-established operators like Brewster added pressure. Meanwhile, a direct route to Lake Louise launched to address overcrowding, moving over 5,000 passengers.

Fare changes & new routes. The On-It service bumped its ticket price from $10 to $12.50—the first increase since 2017—while experimenting with routes like Calgary to Moraine Lake and holiday services. However, with private options booming, some offerings won’t return.

Looking ahead. The Bow Valley Regional Transit Services Commission will decide On-It’s fate in 2025. With ridership faltering but competition thriving, can this public option find its lane?

BANFF MUSICIANS IN RESIDENCE CONCERT SERIES

Experience the artistry of world-class musicians in the Bow Valley this winter with the Banff Musicians in Residence concert series.

KRONOS QUARTET

• January 11 & 18 | Jenny Belzberg Theatre | 7:30 PM | $25+
  Don’t miss two remarkable performances by the legendary Kronos Quartet. On January 11, they will perform works by Banff Centre alumni Nicole Lizée. On January 18, experience the world premiere of The Hardanger Project, a collaboration with Norwegian musicians Benedicte Maurseth and Kristine Tjøgersen, before its debut at Carnegie Hall.

FREE MUSICIANS IN RESIDENCE CONCERTS

• January 10, 17 & 24 | Rolston Recital Hall | 7:30 PM | Free Tickets
  Join us for performances by musicians in our prestigious residency program.

FREE MUSICIANS IN RESIDENCE OPEN STUDIOS

• January 9, 16 & 26 | Music Huts | 7–9:30 PM | Free
  Step into the world of Banff’s Musicians in Residence. Enjoy a unique musical journey as you move from one artist's cozy studio to the next for intimate 15–20-minute mini-concerts.

Learn more and secure your tickets today.

_{*sponsored content}

THE DIGEST

• 🚨A motorhome collided with two elk near Canmore’s Palliser exit Monday morning, leaving the elk dead but sparing the seven children and two adults onboard. Firefighters responded swiftly, and RCMP cleared the scene. A sad reminder: wildlife and highways don’t mix. Stay alert, especially in the winter.

• 🧊Warm weather is melting more than spirits this holiday season. Sylvan Lake saw three vehicles break through the ice, and Lake Louise’s iconic ice castle is sinking. RCMP and safety experts urge caution, recommending ice safety gear and sticking to monitored rinks. Check conditions before venturing out—thin ice is no joke.

• 🤖A reminder: the G7 Summit returns to Kananaskis in June. The big focus? AI. With Canada leading in AI research, the summit could position the country as a pioneer in creating global frameworks for innovation, regulation, and managing AI risks—a chance to flex some tech-savvy muscle on the world stage.

• 🏕️Alberta Parks wrapped up a record camping season with 228,000 reservations for over 587,000 nights under the stars. That’s a whole lot of campfires, marshmallows, and unforgettable adventures.

• ⛷Lake Louise just leveled up, adding 480 acres of wild backcountry terrain in West Bowl. Now Canada’s second-largest ski resort, it’s all about unmarked glades, steep chutes, and conservation wins—1,000 acres returned to grizzlies in Banff National Park. Locals are loving the untouched vibes. Out-of-towners? Start saving those travel points.

PLANNING FOR THE NEXT THOUSAND-YEAR FLOOD

What’s happening? Canmore is rethinking land use policies in the Cougar Creek area to manage flood risks, despite completing the $77M Cougar Creek dam. Changes could limit development density in hazard zones to address residual risks from rare but catastrophic events.

From flood to future-proofing. The Cougar Creek dam, designed to handle 1,000- to 3,000-year floods, is a major achievement—but it’s not foolproof. Town officials are taking a “better safe than sorry” approach, proposing residual hazard zones to discourage overdevelopment in areas where mitigation might fail.

Risk vs. reward. With 2013’s devastating flood still fresh, the town aims to balance safety with growth. Updates to the Municipal Development Plan will focus on avoiding the mistakes of the past—like unchecked development in high-risk zones—while preparing for future challenges.

Budget ripple effects. The dam's $30M in cost overruns delayed other projects, but Canmore isn’t slowing down. Future amendments will revisit risk criteria, tying safety to cost and informing smarter investments for steep creek mitigation.

What’s next? Council will vote on the proposed changes in February, shaping how Canmore grows while staying resilient against nature’s surprises.

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday (New Year’s Day)

• New Year, Same You. The pool, weight room and climbing gym in Canmore are all open today with reduced hours. 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Elevation Place, Canmore. Drop-In Fees Apply. 

• Hair of the Dog Brunch Buffet. Cure your hangover with Endless Brunch. $10 double Caesars, $8 Mimosas, $10 Baileys coffee 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Elk and Oarsman, Banff. $25 per person. 

• New Year Flow and Recovery. Join Jeff for a special class at The Yoga Lounge or if it’s just another Wednesday for you, Canmore Hot Yoga is running a regular but reduced schedule. 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM. The Yoga Lounge, Canmore. Drop-In Fees Apply. 

• Wine & Paint Night. Bring your partner for a fun and creative date night, or bring the whole family for some quality time before everyone goes back to school. No previous experience required, and all materials will be provided for you. 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM. Listen Studios, Canmore. $55 per person. 

• Trivia Night. Join in for a fun trivia night hosted by the one and only Awale! Test your knowledge and compete with friends for some awesome prizes. 8:30 PM - 10:30 PM. Tavern 1883, Canmore. $2 per person.

Thursday

• Nordic Centre Activities. Facilities are open and available for use. Head out for an XC ski, skate on the rink, biking, tobogganing, or disc golf. All day. Canmore Nordic Centre. Must have a Kananskis Conservation Pass to park.

• Free Games. It’s Thirsty Thursday in Banff. Check out beer pong, pool, corn hole, and Jenga. $4.50 Highballs and $6 Pilsner Tall Boys. Melissa’s MisSteak, Banff. 

• Comedy Night. Join for a hilarious comedy show featuring some of the best local comedians. Sit back, relax, and enjoy great food and drinks while you laugh the night away. 8:30 PM - 10:00 PM. Tavern 1883, Canmore. $11.98. 18+.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🍕Half-Price Pizza. Every day from 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM at Stoney’s Grill in Silvertip. Pair your pizza with beer, wine or highballs for $7.

• 🛣️Check The Roads. If you’re driving between mountain towns, make sure to check the roads before leaving. Bookmark these road cameras and join the Bow Valley Road Conditions Facebook group.  

• 🍺Heads up for Beers for Queers! This month the event will be pushed to a week later to give everyone some time to rest after New Year! Come down, Wednesday, January 8th, at the Taproom (clocktower mall) from 8 PM till late!

• 🎬Upcoming Film Night. This Saturday is the first evening of a thrilling adventure film series! (happening the 1st Saturday of every month this winter. Our guest speaker is Jill Wheatley, an accomplished mountaineer, explorer, writer & presenter. 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company. $10.

• 📚Little Library. The Banff and Canmore Libraries are closed today, but did you know there are many little free libraries? Including the red phone booth in front of the Georgetown Inn. 

• ⛑️Winter Safety Day. Alberta Parks and the Friends of Kananaskis Country are excited to invite the public to Winter Safety Day on Sunday, January 19, 2025. This year, the event will take place in a new location at Canoe Meadows in Kananaskis. Want to volunteer? Sign up here. 

• 🏒5-on-5 Ball Hockey. Submit an entry for the Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada (SHDIC) Ball Hockey Tournament taking place on January 18, 2025 in the SHDIC outdoor Fan Fest Area from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM Entry deadline 11:59 PM MST on January 5, 2025. 

• 🏊New Lap Pool. The Kananskis Lodge has a brand-new heated lap pool! This exciting addition gives you even more ways to unwind while soaking in the fresh mountain air. 

• 📨Chat with MD Councillor and Deputy Reeve Rick Tuza. January 15th, drop by the Ghost River Firehall to say hello, ask MD of Bighorn related questions, and share your concerns and/or praises. The hall will be open from 5-7 PM.

• 🏃Missed the Early Bird! If you haven’t signed up for Melissa’s Road Race yet, regular registration fees are now in effect! 

• ☕Breakfast Special. Stop by the Uprising Bakery and choose any 12oz coffee of your choice with a freshly baked pastry. Offer applies Monday - Friday between 7 AM - 12 PM.

CIVIC NEWS

• Banff Town Council is back in session at 9:00 AM on Monday January 6th to approve operating budgets through to 2027, as well as review and approve policy changes to the visitor parking reserves. The approved increase to $7 an hour will yield more funds, and town administration is recommending allocation changes. The meeting is open to the public in person or online. 

• Two weeks ago, the Town of Canmore administration presented key recommendations from the committee focused on Councillor base pay, Councillor per diems, Mayor's compensation, and Council benefits. If approved, remuneration would begin after the 2025 election and be financed by a 0.46% municipal tax increase. See the details here. 

LIVE MUSIC

• Wednesday, January 1st, 2025 10:00 PM: Dj Bunny Hops. Location: High Rollers, Banff. No Cover. 

• Thursday, January 1nd, 2025 9:00 PM: Acoustic tunes from Arn. Location: High Rollers, Banff. No Cover. 

SPORTS

• Cross-Country Skiing. Canmore’s cross-country skiers are off to a promising World Cup season. Sonjaa Schmidt and Liliane Gagnon landed a close fifth in Davos’ team sprint, with Schmidt eyeing future podiums. Canmore locals like Xavier McKeever and Olympian Katherine Stewart-Jones are showing steady progress, keeping hopes high for upcoming championships.

• Hockey. The 1st place Canmore Eagles are back in action Friday. Tickets are still available for $16 Adults / $9 Children. 

That’s all, folks!

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