🐎Wild Horses: Cull Needed?

Good morning, Bow Valley!

It’s that time of year. We’re putting together the Bow Valley Insider’s Best Restaurant guide of 2024, and we need your help!  This list is 100% voted on by you.  At the end of today’s newsletter, we’ll explain how the list works and give you the link to vote. We really need your participation to make this “legit,” so please take 30 seconds! 

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• Wild horses are in the news (again) 

• Banff is looking into geothermal

• Viral skater guy is back in the Bow Valley

• Remembrance Day Ceremony road closures

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

P.S. Big thanks to Terri for sharing Bow Valley Insider with so many friends! Terri is a member of the Canmore Ladies Hospital Auxiliary and a true lover of Bow Valley’s scenery. You’ll find her enjoying a meal at Stirling, Malcolm Hotel’s restaurant.

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WILD HORSE TUG-OF-WAR

What’s Happening: Alberta’s wild horses are once again at the center of a long-standing tug-of-war between conservationists and the province. As horse populations near the 1,000-animal threshold, Alberta is weighing non-lethal options like birth control and adoption but hasn’t ruled out euthanasia if these methods fall short.

Why It Matters: The horses, roaming the Rockies for generations, hold cultural ties to Indigenous and farming communities. Unlike the protected wild herds of Sable Island, these Alberta horses have no legal safeguard. Advocacy groups, including Help Alberta Wildies Society (HAWS), argue the province’s concerns are misplaced, claiming that grazing cattle, logging, and recreation do more damage to the land.

The Debate: Alberta maintains that wild horses disrupt fragile ecosystems and that sustainable management is necessary. 

What’s Next: The government’s Feral Horse Management Framework promises that lethal measures are a “last resort.” However, some advocates worry that winter may bring tough decisions, with the horses’ future hanging in the balance.

HOW SMALL CHANGES CAN MAKE YOUR RENTAL STAND OUT TO REMOTE WORKERS

If you own a vacation rental in the Bow Valley, there’s a fast-growing guest segment you don’t want to miss: remote workers.

With over 40% of Canadians working from home, many are now choosing scenic destinations like the Bow Valley to balance productivity with outdoor adventure. These travelers aren’t just looking for relaxation—they need a spot to work and unwind.

Consider adding a workspace with high-speed WiFi, a cozy nook to take calls, or even mid-stay cleaning to make longer stays seamless. Our favorite property manager, Adriana, at Valley & Peak, specializes in attracting remote work guests, ensuring your property stands out in this high-demand market.

Ready to create a remote-work environment that keeps guests coming back?  Reach out to Adriana, and let her turn your rental into a go-to for work and play.

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THE DIGEST

• 🏡A massive luxurious cabin in Canmore can be rented on Airbnb, and the Daily Hive calls it the “Ultimate Winter Escape.”   It has eight bedrooms, eight bathrooms, two chef’s kitchens, and a cozy games room by the fireplace.  Cue the “I could totally live here” comments.  

• 🔌If you were on Facebook this weekend, you probably saw posts like, “What the heck is going on at Railway Ave!?” Well, blame a Subaru’s wild left turn for knocking out power at Canmore’s main intersection. No injuries, but police and staff kept things moving with temporary stop signs until Saturday’s repairs.

• 🛼In 2021, figure skater Elladj Baldé teamed up with Banff photographer Paul Zizka to capture a stunning backflip on Lake Minnewanka's pristine ice. Well, the skater is back in the Bow Valley, filming his experience touring some of the top restaurants, starting with Lupo.  

• 🪶Kathleen McCracken, a Canadian poet living in Belfast, has landed on the 2024 CBC Poetry Prize longlist for her piece Kananaskis. The winner, to be announced Nov. 21, will receive $6,000, a Banff writing residency, and publication on CBC Books. The shortlist drops Nov. 14.

• 🚧The Loki trail is now closed for Phase 1 of Three Sisters Village construction, with detours and signs in place. The town promises a revamped Loki trail post-construction. Meanwhile, locals can vote for the Powerline Connector Trail, which will replace part of Loki and add 3.5km of fresh single-track adventure.

• 🖤Karsten Heuer, an influential biologist and conservationist, passed away on November 5. Known for his work across the Yellowstone to Yukon corridor, he championed wildlife connectivity and preservation. Heuer’s legacy continues, with proceeds from his award supporting conservation efforts.

GOING GREEN: BANFF’S NEW GEOTHERMAL HOUSING PROJECT

What’s Happening: Banff is exploring geothermal energy to heat its latest affordable housing project, aligning with its ambitious emission-cutting goals – 30% reduction by 2030 and 80% by 2050. Council approved $100K to test if geothermal could heat the planned $40 million development at 50 Wolf St., Banff’s answer to its housing crunch.

The Vision: This test could set a precedent for renewable energy in Banff, much like the town’s 2013 solar initiative that spurred over 70 rooftop installations. Environment manager Michael Hay sees geothermal as the next green frontier, pointing to a future where buildings take the lead in reducing emissions.

The Catch: While Mayor Corrie DiManno supports the initiative, she warns it shouldn’t impact affordability or timelines. The town aims to break ground in fall 2025, with completion by winter 2027 – all while meeting federal targets for affordable housing units by 2027.

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Remembrance Day Service. Canmore's Public Service begins at Lawrence Grassi Middle School. 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM. Canmore Legion, Canmore. Free. 

• Remembrance Day Parade. The Banff Remembrance Day Parade, memorial service, and wreath laying ceremony will start at 10:30 AM and will involve road closures on Banff Avenue and Elk Street. 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM. Banff Legion, Banff. Free. 

• Exshaw Remembrance Day Service and Luncheon. Ham & Scalloped Potato Luncheon to follow the Service (FREE with a monetary donation to the Veterans Food Bank). 2:00 PM. Exshaw Legion, Exshaw.

• Food and Friends. On the menu tonight: jambalaya, mac 'n cheese and pumpkin stew. Stay for dinner or take away. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM. St. Michael’s Church, Canmore. Donations welcome. 

Tuesday

• Taco Tuesday. Enjoy $12 tacos all day long and $6 tequila and Corona from 4:00 PM. ALL DAY. The Drake Pub, Canmore. 

• Crochet Your Own Headband. CYAN Presents crafter extraordinaire, Eva Adamkova, to teach you crochet basics. 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM. Tavern 1883, Canmore. $22.63.

• Canmore Cribbage Night. Come out for an open cribbage night with the Canmore Cribbage Society. 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM. CanGolf/Finchy’s Bar & Grill, Canmore.

• Experience Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan's 13 TONGUES. 13 Tongues is hailed as "one of the finest dance companies in the world” by The Globe and Mail. 7:30 PM. Jenny Belzberg Theatre, Banff. Tickets from $65.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 📝Feedback Needed. Bowstrings Heritage Foundation is looking for feedback from Indigenous residents of Banff to ensure the accuracy of their first Indigenous map. 

• 🧁CRAVE-ing Cupcakes? Crave will be at the Canmore Christmas Artisans Market on November 16 & 17, 10 AM - 4PM. Pre-orders are only available for pickup on November 16th.

• 🎤Need a Gig? The Uprising Craft Bakery is looking for musicians to play in their beautiful lounge. Please send an email to Rebecca at [email protected].

• 🎟️Free Lift Tickets for Military Personnel. Lake Louise will be offering free lift tickets to Canadian military personnel, past and present, from November 8th-15th, 2024. Conditions apply.

• 🥤Follow the Hot Chocolate. Banff has a delicious treasure map called a Hot Chocolate Trail that comes around each winter. This year it will run from November 15th to December 31st. Details to follow.

• 🥞Brunch with a View. Introducing brunch at Rustica every Sunday from 11 am to 2 pm. Enjoy a delicious array of food in an inviting atmosphere. $39 per person.

• 💪Support Sport. Head down to the Mineshaft in Canmore every Wednesday, and 15% of your bill will be donated to the Rocky Mountain Volleyball Club U17 Team. A win-win for everyone!l

• 🖐️Volunteers Needed. The Future of Bison panel is looking for volunteers to assist with set up and tear down of the event on November 14.

• 🎭The Pinetree Players are Back. Seminar, a sharp comedy by Pulitzer-nominee Theresa Rebeck, where four young writers take on a private class with a famed literary figure. It opens this week! 

CIVIC NEWS

• Residential property owners in Canmore must declare if their property was occupied full-time in the past year. Failure to declare will result in a higher tax rate, and only one declaration per tax roll is accepted. Declarations are due by December 31, 2024.

• Proposed Bylaw 403 aims to amend the Land Use Bylaw to better regulate visitor accommodations, specifically Bed and Breakfasts, in residential districts. A public hearing for this bylaw will be held on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at Banff Town Hall. For more details on these changes, visit banff.ca/bedandbreakfast.

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, November 11th, 9:00 PM: Joey Cape. Location: Melissa’s MisSteak, Banff. $19.56.

• Tuesday, November 12th, 7:30 PM: Good Lovelies. Location: ArtsPlace, Canmore. $35 / members $29.75 / youth $17.50.

• Tuesday, November 12th, 10:00 PM: Karaoke. Location: Melissa’s MisSteak, Banff. No Cover.  

SPORTS

• The streak lives on! The Canmore Eagles soared past the Whitecourt Wolverines with a 5-3 victory.

• Canmore’s Rising Ski Star.  After a standout season as the 2024 Junior World Champion, Britt Richardson is aiming even higher in the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup. The 21-year-old Canmore native placed 17th at the Soelden opener, now setting her sights on consistent top-15 and potential top-10 finishes as the season progresses.

VOTE NOW: BOW VALLEY INSIDER’S BEST RESTAURANT GUIDE

Every year, we ask our new subscribers: “What’s your favorite restaurant in the Bow Valley?” This year, the results are in—72 unique recommendations, and now it’s your turn to vote on the finalists!

Choose up to three favorites by Friday, Nov 15, at midnight. Then, we’ll reveal “The Best Bow Valley Restaurants as Voted by Locals”—an article sure to make a splash in the community, so every vote counts!

Got an extra 30 seconds? There’s a comment box at the end of the poll, and we’d love a hot take on why you love your picks. We might feature your quote in the article!

Here’s the link. GO GO GO

That’s all, folks!

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