✈️New Flights to Banff Coming

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Brace yourselves—Today at 1:55 p.m., Alberta Emergency Alert will interrupt TVs, radios, and phones across the province. It’s your chance to make sure your devices are alert-ready. Bonus points if you’re also signed up for the Banff or Canmore Voyent Alert system for local emergencies, like wildfires and floods.

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• Tourism dollars, tourism challenges, and new nonstop flights to the Rockies

• Sunshine Village has the “World’s hardest rail”

• Local gets Hall of Fame sports induction

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

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BANFF, CANMORE, & JASPER HIT PAUSE ON “RESORT STATUS” PUSH

What’s happening? Alberta’s major tourism towns—Banff, Canmore, and Jasper—are pressing pause on efforts to gain resort municipality status. Tourism Minister Joseph Schow confirmed no new designations are planned, but the province will continue supporting these communities through existing grants.

Tourism dollars, local challenges. Despite hosting millions annually—Banff welcomed 4.28 million visitors last year—these towns lack fiscal tools to handle visitor-driven costs. Banff, Canmore, and Jasper spend well above Alberta’s per capita average on public services like transit and waste management, with limited ability to raise revenue.

Why no special status? While neighboring B.C. offers resort designations with infrastructure funding, Alberta’s strategy focuses on rural tourism growth and Crown land developments. Schow introduced a bill for long-term Crown land leases but left municipalities off the table.

What’s next? Local leaders, including Canmore Mayor Sean Krausert, plan to reassess strategies after recent setbacks like Jasper’s wildfire recovery. For now, they’ll navigate rising tourism demands with existing provincial frameworks.

HOST AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT & SHARE A UNIQUE CULTURAL EXPERIENCE!

Canadian Rockies Public Schools (CRPS) is seeking two host families for their international student program, with a 5-month semester starting in February. 

As a host, you’ll welcome a high school student from abroad into your home, providing them with a true Canadian experience while sharing your culture and family life.

Students from countries like Austria, Mexico, and Japan have expressed how meaningful it is to connect with local families—whether it’s enjoying activities like skiing, hiking, or simply sharing meals together. 

Hosting is flexible, with $1300 per month to help with expenses, and full support from CRPS throughout the program.

This is a great opportunity to enrich your home and make a lasting impact. Apply now or contact Laura at [email protected] to learn more.

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THE DIGEST

• 🤩Banff and Lake Louise made Conde Nast Traveler’s 2025 list of must-visit North American spots. They're the only Canadian destinations on the list—take that, rest of Canada!

• 🛫Speaking of traveling, getting to Banff is about to get easier. WestJet will add nonstop flights to Calgary from Anchorage, Raleigh-Durham, and Minneapolis starting summer of 2025. These new routes will offer more options for U.S. travelers visiting Alberta’s Rockies.

• 🏕️Jasper is preparing for the 2025 camping season after July’s wildfires. Parks Canada is working to restore campgrounds like Wapiti and Wabasso, remove dead trees, and repair infrastructure to welcome visitors back next summer.

• ⛷️Max Moffatt and crew tackled a 210-foot ski rail—an elevated metal bar for sliding tricks—at Sunshine Village, calling it the world’s hardest. With kinks, elbows, and a Z-shape, it pushed their limits over 202 attempts. Jesper Tjäder finally nailed it. Watch the insanity unfold—it’s worth it.

• ⛰️Banff’s LGBTQIA+ community is highlighted for its unique mountain experience, including Mountaintop Pride and Pride Ski Day. Local venues like Banff Ave Brewing, Moxy Banff, and Melissa’s MisSteak host regular queer-focused events, making Banff a premier LGBTQIA+ destination.

BANFF’S PLAN TO REGULATE B&BS: PRESERVING HERITAGE OR PUSHING BOUNDARIES?

What’s Happening? Banff Council is updating bed and breakfast (B&B) regulations to address Parks Canada’s concerns about commercial activity encroaching on residential areas and to protect heritage homes.

Balancing Heritage and Hospitality. The proposed changes aim to preserve historic properties while limiting commercialization. Council plans to retain a town-wide quota of 65 B&B licences, with 15 reserved for heritage properties, but Parks Canada raised concerns over allowing on-site managers instead of live-in owners for these homes.

A Historic Debate. Heritage advocates, including the Whyte Museum, argue that B&Bs run by nonprofits generate vital revenue for preservation efforts. However, Parks Canada remains cautious about further commercial activity, emphasizing compliance with the Banff National Park Management Plan.

What’s Next? Council unanimously supported exemptions for longstanding heritage B&Bs, like Abegweit, but Parks Canada holds the final decision. A second reading of the bylaw is scheduled for Nov. 22, with further feedback pending before the final vote.

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

• Half-Price Bowling. 1/2 OFF Bowling + $5 Pints from 48 taps + $4 Hiballs + $4 Shafts! All day. High Rollers, Banff. 

• Death Cafe. Join Valerie, Jackie, and Judy to discuss everything and anything that you know, don’t know, have experienced, or are scared to talk about pertaining to death. 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM. Canmore Library, Canmore. Free.

• In the Spirit of Christmas. Follow an enchanted trail with illuminated sculptures, an engaging story, and captivating sound effects. 4:30 PM - 9:30 PM. Cascades of Time Garden Cave Avenue, Banff. Free. Tickets required.

• Paint and Sip. Enjoy delish food and a drink or two at BLAKE, as you paint pottery.  6:30 PM - 8:30 PM. The Blake, Canmore. $35. Preregistration Required.

• Mayor's Virtual Town Hall. Join Mayor Krausert for a Housing Action update, speak to the Livability Tax Program, changes to Tourist Homes and a q+a period. 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM. Online. Free. 

Thursday

• $18 Mussels. Thursday night is always mussel night. 5:00 PM - Close. Sage Bistro & Wine Lounge, Canmore. $18/bowl.

• Financial Independence for Mountain People. Join Allan Buckingham from Outdoor Life Planning to learn how mountain people can reach Financial Independence to ski, hike, and climb more. 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM. Banff Library, Banff. Free. 

• Games Night. Head out to Exshaw for a night of games, including darts, pool, and crib. 6:00 PM. Exshaw Legion, Exshaw. Free.

• Winter Run Club. Join the Helly Hansen Run Club on Thursday nights for a 5-10k run. 6:30 PM. Meet at Helly Hansen, Banff. Free.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🎰50/50 Raffle. The Bow Valley Equine Adaptive is running its first ever 50/50 raffle to support its volunteer horses, humans, and participants. The raffle is open to all Alberta Residents.

• 🏷️15% off Breakfast. Chez Francois is offering 15% off to ski hill pass holders between 7am-9am. Enjoy a great breakfast and get energized on your way to the hill! Now until January 31st 2025!

• 🎨Art Grants. HeARTburn is now accepting applications for the 2025 Group Exhibition and Art Grant Program! Original artworks to be displayed at artsPlace in the heARTburn Exhibition from February 14th - 23rd, 2025. 

• 🏅Congratulations! Captain Randy Van Dorsten of Banff is presented with the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

• 🎉Fondue Happy Hour. This winter, the après party is at Bluebird. Keep the mountain high going with 50% off fondue, cocktails from $7, and ski chalet vibes. Sat - Thurs 4 PM - 5 PM and Friday 3 PM - 5 PM. 

• 🏆History Award. Canmore author Stephen R. Bown has been named the recipient of the 2024 Governor General’s History Award for Popular Media.

• 🏷️unch Pass Sale. From Nov. 15 - Dec. 24, visit any of our recreation facilities (Elevation Place or the Rec Centre) and buy a 12-punch pass for the price of 10 admissions or buy a 24-punch pass for the price of 18 admissions.

• 🎄Discover the wonder of Christmas in Banff National Park. Bundle up for a walk through the Cascade of Time Garden, where you’ll witness a live Christmas story told by the animals of Banff National Park. It runs until December 31.

• ⛸️Outdoor Skating. Canmore local Brittany Burr shares Her Guide To Wild Ice Skating In The Rockies.

• 🍵Secret Garden Tea. Wagashi Tea House, nestled in Canmore’s Bow Valley Garden Centre, serves authentic Japanese tea and traditional meals. 

CIVIC NEWS

• Work is getting started on the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan (SSRP), which is one of the statutory documents that govern the MD of Bighorn. The Province is encouraging residents of our community to provide feedback on the ongoing relevancy and effectiveness of the SSRP in the online survey available to the public. 

• Any move to tax Canmore's residential vacant serviced land at a higher rate is postponed until 2025, pending discussion by the property tax task force. The Town is considering creating a new subclass for vacant land to align tax rates with primary residential properties and address housing affordability issues. The Bow Valley Builders and Developers Association supports the alignment but warns that higher taxes on vacant land could increase housing costs.

LIVE MUSIC

• Wednesday, November 20, 7:00 PM. Open Mic Night (Hosted by Colin MacDonald). Location: The Local, Canmore.

• Wednesday, November 20, 10:00 PM: Hit The Decks with our girl @alexhopss. Location: High Rollers, Banff. No Cover.

• Thursday, November 21, 7:00 PM: Open Mic Night (Hosted by Julie Chang). Location: ArtsPlace, Canmore. Free. 

• Thursday, November 21, 7:30 PM: An East Coast Christmas with the Barra MacNeils! Location: Jenny Belzberg Theatre, Banff. $40.

• Thursday, November 21, 9:00 PM: Acoustic tunes from Arn @ 9pm! Live DJ from 11pm! Location: High Rollers, Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Canmore Eagles Home Games.  The Canmore Eagles face the Kodiaks in back-to-back home games this Friday and Saturday at the Canmore Recreation Centre. Grab your tickets online and cheer them on as they defend the Rockies!

• Hall of Fame Induction.  Canmore’s Warren Jobbitt, a mentor to countless ski instructors, will be inducted into the 2024 Canadian Ski Instructors’ Alliance Hall of Fame. Recognized for his technical skill and inspirational leadership, Jobbitt has shaped skiers from beginners to world champions. He’ll be honored on Nov. 27 at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

• Bow Valley Athletes Had Mixed Results This Week: 

  • Speed skater Connor Howe claimed bronze in Japan’s team pursuit but narrowly missed podium finishes in individual races. 
    
    

  • Alpine skier Erik Read and Kiki Alexander struggled in Finland’s slalom, with both failing to finish. 
    
    

  • Meanwhile, Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt shone at the Canmore Nordic Centre, winning the 10km skate race, and Tabby Williams placed fifth in Alaska's FIS 5km interval.

That’s all, folks!

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