🦦Otters in Banff?

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Did you know Banff has river otters? Imagine our surprise when we spotted them splashing around. See the adorable video below.

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• Parks Canada is kicking it up a notch when it comes to fireproofing

• Canmore is expected to be the 2nd priciest real estate market in Canada

• Banff Council debate gets weird over a new ice rink 

• Plus, concerts, cheap eats, olive oil tastings, paint classes, & more!

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

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FIREPROOFING THE ROCKIES

What's Happening? Parks Canada is ramping up wildfire prevention efforts across the mountain parks, spurred by the devastation in Jasper last summer, which destroyed 30% of the town's structures. Crews are tackling risk year-round to protect communities, businesses, and critical infrastructure.

Fuel Reduction in Progress. Ongoing projects include mechanical logging, prescribed burns, and creating fire guards. In Banff, crews are thinning trees near Tunnel Mountain and the Lake Louise area, with plans to treat over 1,600 hectares within 15 kilometers of Banff. Winter work includes tree removal and debris burning to get ahead of the 2025 wildfire season.

A Bigger Picture. Officials highlight that wildfire knows no boundaries, requiring collaboration with municipalities, provincial agencies, and even BC’s Wildfire Service. New hazards—like unstable soil and potential landslides—emerge after fires, but teams remain ready with a "whole-of-society" approach to prevention and mitigation.

The Takeaway. Longer fire seasons call for earlier prep, and Parks Canada is digging in with year-round efforts to reduce risks.

THE DIGEST

• 🦦River otters in Banff? Yep, and they’re stealing hearts. Catch the cuteness here. Reminder: give them space—they’re shy and not fans of loud noises or close encounters. Spotting them might be rare, but it’s worth keeping your distance!

• 📈Canmore real estate continues to climb, with single-family homes forecast to hit $1.73M in 2025, making it Canada’s second-priciest market after Whistler. Falling interest rates are expected to boost demand, with condo prices also set to rise by 10%. Tight supply keeps Canmore’s recreational property market hot.

• 🎸Chad Brownlee, former Canucks draft pick turned country star, is set to kick off Canmore’s Hockey Day in Canada on Jan. 15. Expect a mix of his biggest hits, new tracks, and some heartfelt hockey nostalgia. Tickets are still available. 

• 👏The Bow Valley Ultra debuts Sept. 27, bringing a 100-mile trail race to Kananaskis for the first time. Starting and ending in Canmore, the race promises 4,000-6,000m of elevation gain, stunning fall scenery, and serious endurance. Entry requires prior ultra experience and eight hours of trail work. (If you plan to compete, we’d love to feature you, let us know!) 

• 🚗Test drive an EV this winter without leaving home! The Winter EV Driving VIP Experience brings the latest electric vehicles straight to your driveway. Guided by local experts, you’ll explore winter-ready EVs and charging options in the Bow Valley. Free and pressure-free. Sadly, a cyber truck isn’t one of the vehicle options.  

• 🌉The Nancy Pauw Bridge just got some international love—it’s been featured in Designboom. Already a local favorite for its stunning timber arch and seamless connection between Central Park and the Recreation Grounds, it’s now earning praise for its innovative design on a global stage.

BANFF COUNCIL CLASH OVER ROTARY RINK

What's Happening? Things got icy at Banff council’s recent debate over adding an ice rink at Rotary Park. Coun. Hugh Pettigrew’s push to allocate $16,000 for the rink—after calling for deeper budget cuts earlier that day—sparked heated exchanges among councillors.

Budget Freeze. The proposed rink would have bumped the town’s 2025 tax increase slightly, but Pettigrew’s last-minute request didn’t gain traction. Council had already trimmed the increase to 5.6% after extensive deliberations and decided to hold off on rink construction until winter 2025-26.

Rink Drama. Pettigrew’s live call to the Rotary Club president during the debate drew a rebuke from Mayor Corrie DiManno, who deemed it unprofessional. Meanwhile, the Rotary Club has yet to finalize a servicing agreement for the rink’s construction.

Existing Options. For now, Banff residents can lace up at outdoor rinks at the recreation grounds and Fenlands, leaving the Rotary Park rink on ice until future winters.

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Fish Fry. Head over to Fergus & Bix for their beer-battered Haddock and Yukon Gold Fries, for only $12. 4:00 PM to Close. Fergus & Bix, Canmore. $12.

• Food and Friends. Tonight’s menu includes Moroccan Chicken Tagine or a Veggie Tagine, both diary-free and gluten-free, carrots and greens, and cookies for dessert. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM. St. Michael’s Church, Canmore. Pay what way you can. 

• Anxiety to Calm. Become less overwhelmed and more at peace. Learn to challenge your thoughts, behaviours, and feelings by practicing effective skills to manage anxiety. Mental Health Clinicians. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Online. Free. 

• Winter Yoga. Join CYAN every Monday for drop-in yoga classes to stretch, breathe, and connect. All are welcome! 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM. The Yoga Lounge, Canmore. By Donation. 

Tuesday

• Learn to Paint. Starting Tuesday, Mindy Johnstone is offering a four-week Beginner Acrylics course through the Town of Banff. Learn to mix colours, refine brush strokes and create a painting from start to finish. 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM. Fenlands. $130+GST. 

• Trail Running. Meet up with the folks at Canmore Trail Culture for a trail run. All abilities are welcome. 6:00 PM. Check here for Tuesday’s meeting place. Free to Run.

• Oil and Vinegar. Join for a night of learning about and tasting different fresh extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars. This event will be led by experts from Evoolution and will focus on the production, effects, and tastes. 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Canmore Library. Free. 

• Crib Society. Come out and play a few games of cribbage. For more information, contact [email protected]. 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM. Cangolf, Canmore. Free to play. 

• Movie Night. Perfect Days is showing in Japanese with English subtitles. It’s a deeply moving and poetic reflection on finding beauty in the everyday world around us. 7:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $12 / youth $6.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🗳️Fall Election! Get ready for the 2025 Banff Municipal Election nomination period! The election will be held on Monday, October 20, 2025. Election hopefuls are encouraged to review information provided by Alberta Municipal Affairs on the Government of Alberta Website. 

• ⛷️More Ski Runs. West Bowl at Lake Louise is officially open! 

• 🔒Restaurant Closures in Canmore. La Fournil will be closed today until Friday for a deep cleaning, Sauvage is taking today off for planned maintenance, and Cafe Books will be closed Wednesday for their annual inventory.

• 🎨Call for Wearable Art! The heARTburn planning committee is looking for amazing artists who would like to showcase their wearable art in the red carpet fashion runway show at the Art Exhibition Closing Party event on Saturday, the 22nd of February. 

• 👋Neighborhood Shinny. Lace-up for bi-monthly shinny at the Cougar Creek outdoor rink. All ages and skill levels are welcome. 

• 👗Kids Consignment Store. Learn more about consigning your children’s gently used clothing at Valley Kids in Canmore.

• 🍸Ice Bar. We told you about the Ice Palace on Friday. But here is a cool video that may entice you to visit sooner rather than later.

• 🥌Curling Pop-Up Shop. Goldline Curling Supplies will be at the Canmore Golf & Curling Club on Thursday, January 30, 2025 from 3:30 PM - 8:00 PM with all kinds of gear and supplies for purchase. If you want anything specific brought with Goldline, please email Emily at [email protected]. 

• ♻Event Waste Management Strategy. Are you hosting an event in the Bow Valley and would like to work with the Biosphere Institute to create and implement a waste management plan? Get in touch!

CIVIC NEWS

• Today, Canmore’s Subdivision and Development Appeal Board will hear an appeal against an approval and condition by the Canmore Development Authority of the future Nordic spa at 1 Silvertip Trail. 

• The Town of Banff is projecting an $843,000 surplus for 2024, part of a larger $5.8 million forecasted year-end surplus. Revenues from paid parking, business licenses, and services like Roam transit have contributed to the excess surplus which is earmarked for marketing through Banff and Lake Louise Tourism and visitor pay parking reserves. Final numbers will be confirmed after a financial audit in March 2025.

• Harvie Heights is moving forward with a redevelopment plan after strong community support. The plan preserves open spaces, addresses wildlife and parking concerns, and updates infrastructure. The entry sign will stay put, thanks to resident input. Council will review the plan’s second reading in February, paving the way for future growth.

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, January 13th, 2025,  10:00 PM: Brent Lee. Location: Rose and Crown Banff. No Cover. 

• Monday, January 13th, 2025,  10:00 PM: Karaoke Mondays. Location: The Drake Pub, Canmore. No Cover.  

• Tuesday, January 14th, 2025,  10:00 PM: Brent Lee.  Location: Rose and Crown Banff. No Cover. 

SPORTS

• Cross Country Skiing. Katherine Stewart-Jones, Canada’s top-ranked cross-country skier, just delivered career-best performances at the Tour de Ski, finishing fourth in the 20km freestyle. The Canmore-based Olympian credits smart training and perseverance for her breakthrough, proving peak performance in the sport often comes around age 30. Next stop: Les Rousses, France.

• Hockey. Every point counts in the AJHL South as the Canmore Eagles and Calgary Canucks continue to trade first and second place.

That’s all, folks!

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