❄️Snowfall Warning

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Snowy weather is coming, and it’s time to dig out those coats and boots. We’ve got your info below!

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• X country ski season starts

• Small Business Week in the Bow Valley

• New Canmore fire team

Let’s get to it!

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

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SKI SEASON IS HERE

What’s Happening: Ski season kicked off on October 19 at the Canmore Nordic Centre, with the iconic Frozen Thunder trail now expanded to over four kilometers—almost double the length from last year! More skiers can hit the snow earlier than ever due to a 50% increase in snow storage capacity.

Athlete Benefits: Local athletes like Xavier McKeever are thrilled about the longer track, providing more loop options and fewer laps during training sessions. Adding flatter terrain also makes it easier for skiers of all levels to enjoy.

Snow Preservation: The snow for Frozen Thunder was preserved from last season, stored under 50 centimeters of sawdust to survive the summer heat. An impressive 20,000 cubic meters of snow made it through, promising great conditions for early-season skiing.

Upcoming Events: The Canmore Nordic Centre is gearing up for big competitions, with Biathlon Canada’s national team trials happening from November 5-9 and the Nordiq Thunder Races on November 13-14. Daily use of the trail will be reserved for high-performance training in the mornings and open to the public starting at noon.

AVOID COSTLY MISTAKES AND HAVE MORE TIME TO DO WHAT YOU LOVE!

If you own a rental property, you might be making costly mistakes without realizing it.

Is your property priced too high, leaving you with empty nights? Are you slow to respond to guest inquiries, missing out on bookings, or bumping yourself down in the algorithm? Maybe your listing photos aren’t doing your property justice, causing potential guests to scroll right past.

These small missteps can add up, hurting your revenue and reputation. But it’s never too late to fix them.

Adriana at Valley & Peak has 7+ years of experience helping property owners avoid such pitfalls. From adjusting pricing and improving communication to revamping listings, she knows how to boost your bookings and keep guests happy.

Reach out to Adriana today and set your rental business up for success—not stress.

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THE DIGEST

• 🚗In more ski news, Banff Sunshine Village has finished its parking lot reconfiguration project, adding 100 new spaces. This means you can spend less time searching for a spot and more time hitting the slopes.

• ❄️Banff National Park has a snowfall warning for today.  Heavy snow is expected to occur, totaling 10-15cm.  The heaviest snow will fall over higher terrain, with snow tapering off Monday night.  Environment Canada warns that visibility may be suddenly reduced and could make travel difficult.

• 🐕This summer, Cochrane's Jackie Stefaniuk made headlines for rescuing a drowning dog from the Kananaskis River after her race at KanFest. Thanks to her quick thinking and training, she safely brought the frantic pup to shore, receiving a flood of gratitude since. Hear her thoughts here.

• 👏Banff and Canmore are stealing the spotlight, landing on must-visit lists from Sports Illustrated to Canadian Geographic to the Washington Post! They’re being recognized for everything from the 'best ice climbing destination' to the 'best shoulder season destination.’

• ✂️The ribbon was officially cut on the Goodstoney Meadows station and convenience store on Highway 40 by the Trans Canada Highway.  This project was two years in the making, with future plans for fast-food restaurants and a grocery store.  

FIREFIGHTERS ASSEMBLE: CANMORE’S NEW TEAM

What’s Happening? Canmore Fire-Rescue welcomes a new leadership team with 75 years of combined experience. Fire Chief Ted Ruiter, who joined on August 12, leads the team, supported by Deputy Chiefs Dean Robson (joined May 13) and Mike Bourgon (joined October 7).

Experience Galore: Chief Ruiter brings over 35 years of firefighting experience across Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta, most recently leading wildfire preparedness in Sooke, B.C. Robson hails from Coquitlam, B.C., and Bourgon’s background includes firefighter-paramedic work in Manitoba, making them one of the most experienced teams in the region.

FireSmart Initiatives: Focused on wildfire awareness, the team encourages the community to use the FireSmart program to protect properties better and choose fire-safe materials.

Community Commitment: Chief Ruiter is drawn to Canmore’s unique lifestyle and outdoor opportunities, which aligns with the team's passion for connecting with the community.

Call Volume Growth: The department faces rising call volumes, especially medical emergencies, underscoring the importance of ongoing training and flexibility to meet the area's growing needs.

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Brush up on your CPR skills. Advanced Wilderness First Aid is October 21, 8:30 AM- 5 PM. Fenlands, Banff.

• Go for a walk and find grief support. Living with Loss Walking Group is October 21, 10:30- 11:30 AM. Call 403-707-7111 for more info.

• Play a game of strategy and intrigue. Clocktower Club is October 21, 7:30- 10:30 PM. Banff Public Library, Banff.

• Play volleyball. Adult drop-in volleyball is October 21, 8- 9:30 PM. Lawrence Grassi Middle School, Canmore.

• Stay warm while you stretch. CYAN hosts Winter Yoga on October 21, 9- 10 PM. The Yoga Lounge, Canmore.

Tuesday

• Listen to some words from a poet. Author Talk with Shawayne Dunstan is October 22, 4- 5 PM. Banff Public Library, Banff.

• Eat pizza and decorate a pumpkin. Canmore Pride hosts Youth Pumpkin Decorating on October 22, 4:30- 6:30 PM. Family Connection Centre, Canmore.

• Interested in learning the sport of curling? Learn to curl with the Banff Curling Club on October 22, 5:30- 7 PM. Fenlands, Banff.

• Want to learn how to live a happier life? Learn new skills and create habits in this four-week course starting October 22, 6- 8 PM. Fenlands, Banff.

• Chat with local author Stephen Legault. This Author Talk is October 22, 7- 8 PM. Banff Public Library, Banff.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🎙️Canmore's own Simmi Latuilppe, a women's health educator, appeared on a UK podcast this month!

• 🎉Don't miss Mountain Hour at Tavern1883! Enjoy 40% off from 2- 5 PM daily!

• 💼It’s Small Business Week in the Bow Valley! Tune in to 106.5 Mountain FM this week for tips from their awesome members.

• 🔊Submissions for Community Week 2024 (November 18-24) are open! This year, enjoy themes for easier event searching!

• 💛Join the Canmore Legion for a cenotaph re-dedication ceremony honoring our heroes from the Gulf War, Afghanistan, and NATO missions.

• 🧗‍♀️Level up your climbing skills this winter! Join the CCG Adult Training Program for a supportive and inspiring environment with fellow climbers!

• 🌦️Curious about mountain weather? Join an all-day Zoom course on October 26 to learn about forecasts and weather patterns! E-mail Rod Plasman [email protected].

• 🏎️Did you know that Kananaskis hosts an annual rally car race? Join the Calgary Sports Car Club’s final rally of the year—only 35 entries are available!

• 🧊Last chance to give input! The MD of Bighorn Snow-Clearing Survey, Lake Minnewanka Survey, and Banff Car Share Study all close this week.

• 🧐Discover a dark secret in the Bow Valley's nuclear bunker! A secret project launched during the Cold War is hidden here.

CIVIC NEWS

• There’s some road work happening on the Bow River Bridge in Canmore as ATCO installs a new gas main from Rummel Place to Prospect Heights. Traffic will be limited to one lane from October 23 to 25 and again from October 28 to 30, between 9 AM and 3 PM. Expect delays.

• The Canmore Town Council has its annual organizational meeting this Tuesday at 9:00 AM. They’ll be sorting out the meeting dates for the year ahead and making decisions on deputy mayor and committee appointments. 

LIVE MUSIC

• Tuesday, October 22, 5:30- 7:30 PM: Gather for Good: Fall Fundraiser with Mari Rosehill. Location: Cornerstone Weddings, Canmore.

• Tuesday, October 22, 7:30 PM: Modern Indie Folk with The Once. Location: artsPlace, Canmore. $35

• Tuesday, October 22, 10 PM: Karaoke with Andrew Staygold. Location: Melissa’s Missteak, Banff.

SPORTS

• The Calgary Flames hit the ice in Canmore for practice on October 17! It was a great chance for fans to catch their favorite players in action while enjoying the beautiful mountain scenery. Check out the video highlights here. Go Flames!

• Speedskater Connor Howe from Canmore was on fire at the Canadian Long Track Championships in Quebec! He snagged titles in the men’s 1,000m and 1,500m races. Way to go, Connor!

That’s all, folks!

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