🚿Will Banff Get a Town-Wide Sprinkler?

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Well, Christmas events are multiplying faster than ugly sweaters at a holiday party. It looks like a fun weekend ahead for anyone wanting to sip cocoa, shop local, or belt out Mariah Carey classics in public.

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• Banff’s big fire safety plan unveiled  

• A popular hiking trail closes, but another one opens 

• How climate change is impacting the ski industry 

• All the Christmas events that you could ever imagine

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

BANFF CONSIDERING TOWN-WIDE SPRINKLER SYSTEM

What's Happening? Banff is assembling a new wildfire advisory committee to enhance fire prevention measures. Among the ideas under discussion: a town-wide sprinkler system, new evacuation routes, and accelerated FireSmart initiatives.

Sprinklers. The idea of a massive sprinkler system sounds promising but faces logistical hurdles. Banff’s emergency director, Katherine Severson, emphasized the need for a feasibility study to assess water availability and system scale.

Evacuation Plans in the Works. Preliminary talks with Parks Canada explore alternative evacuation routes, aiming to boost preparedness. Options like reopening old roads are under consideration to avoid chaos during emergencies.

Budget Boosts. Council is eyeing a $90K plan to fast-track vegetation management and $75K for upgraded firefighting equipment. A $128K ask for a dedicated FireSmart coordinator is also on the table.

FireSmart Your Home. Residents are urged to follow FireSmart practices after increased interest in home assessments post-Jasper fire. Ember-proofing homes could be the key to survival.

CALLING ALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND ENTREPRENEURS!

If you’ve ever thought about opening your own coffee shop or restaurant in Canmore, we have a new opportunity coming soon!! 

Located just outside of the Peaks of Grassi, halfway between Downtown Canmore and the new Three Sisters Village. This location places you at the center of constant foot traffic. Close to hiking and biking trails and not far from the Quarry.

We are calling this new space Peaks Point. With prime positioning, you’ll enjoy steady visits from locals and tourists year-round. There are no other commercial services in the area, which creates a captive audience for any business owner!

For more information, give Lori Mitchell & Alex Kocian a call at 403-678-1042 or email them at [email protected] or [email protected].

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THE DIGEST

• 🏆Canmore artist Chrissy Nickerson’s Women’s Rights Matter took top prize at Creative Combat 10.0, raising $100K for artsPlace. Her bold self-portrait, featuring audience interaction and a powerful message, sold for $2,500 at the live auction.

• 🚧The Grassi Lakes Interpretive Trail is closed for winter due to hazardous ice conditions. Visitors can still reach the lakes via the easier Grassi Lakes Upper Trail. Meanwhile, Ha Ling Peak has reopened.

• 🛠️The Mountain Pine Beetle control program is underway in the Bow Valley, running until January 31, 2025. Expect to see crews using chainsaws, quads, and snowmobiles to cut and burn infested trees. Smoke may be visible during safe burn conditions as part of efforts to curb beetle spread.

• 💽Banff’s Irene Poole debuts The Mountains and the Sea, a 10-song album blending mountain vibes and east coast flair. Now streaming on all platforms, Poole celebrates with a live performance at Limber Hollow, Calgary, on Nov. 17.

MOUNTAINS IN MOTION: CLIMATE, CONSERVATION, AND CHANGE

What's Happening? The Alpine Club of Canada’s 2024 State of the Mountains Report highlights how climate change, conservation efforts, and Indigenous knowledge are reshaping life in the mountains. From shorter ski seasons to caribou conservation and renewable energy at alpine huts, the challenges are as steep as the terrain.

Winter Worries. Climate change is leaving its mark on ski seasons. BC ski areas face a projected 21% season decline by 2050 under high-emission scenarios, even with advanced snowmaking. Alberta fares slightly better, but nationwide, snowmaking sustainability remains a challenge, demanding more water, energy, and decarbonized grids to keep slopes skiable.

Indigenous Wisdom. In Jasper, Indigenous-led cultural burning is revitalizing ecosystems and addressing wildfire risks. These traditional practices, once suppressed, are proving critical in balancing fire's ecological role while preserving food sovereignty and cultural heritage.

Huts Go Green. The ACC’s backcountry huts are swapping fossil fuels for renewables like solar and micro-hydro systems. While these changes reduce carbon footprints, increasing visitor demand continues to pose challenges. New innovations aim to balance comfort with conservation in Canada's wild spaces.

FEATURED EVENT: SIP, SHOP, & SUPPORT LOCAL ARTISANS

Discover the magic of creative artisans & crafters at the Bow Valley Artisan Market on November 23rd (tomorrow) at the Bow Valley Garden Centre.

What awaits you is upcycled jewelry from household items, unique handmade journals, prints & nature photography to brighten any room or office space, along with stylish handbags & clothing to hand tools and sculptures like you have never seen before.

Hungry? Enjoy gourmet bites from Bow Valley Empanadas and Craving Gelato while you shop. Food vendors will serve gourmet treats for you to take home and enjoy from 1-5 pm. As the sun drops behind the mountains, you can enjoy a drink and hot food from 5-8 pm while you wander the isles and shop.

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THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Games, food, and drinks. Come on in and meet new friends, socialize and have some fun with us. Happy hour runs from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM. Banff Legion, Banff. Games are free.

• Play some chess and meet fellow enthusiasts. Local chess enthusiast Eric Boerger hosts Chess Night. 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Canmore Public Library, Canmore. Free.

• Yoga at the Library. Join resident instructor, Chie Fujimaru at the Library for a fun and relaxing yoga class! 6:15 PM - 7:15 PM, Banff Library, Banff. Free.

• Friday Night Comedy. Ken does not yell at kids to get off his lawn, he goes on stage to tell you all the things you want to hear. 7:00 PM. ArtsPlace. $25 / $21.25 members.

• Eat Like an Italian. Caitlynn Bailey-Cummings from DOP Italian Travel will teach what (and how) Italians really eat, so you can get ready for your next trip to Italy. 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM. Banff Library, Banff. Free.

Saturday

• Holiday Market. The Canmore Legion will be hosting a holiday craft market. 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Canmore Legion, Canmore. Free to attend. Table rentals for vendors available for $25.

• MET Opera Live in HD Live Extraordinary soprano Lise Davidsen stars as the volatile diva Floria Tosca for her first time at the Met. Tosca by Puccini. 10:55 AM. ArtsPlace. $25 / $21.25 members / $12.50 youth 

• Stoney Art Workshops. Create your own drum and/or beaded tipi.  Studio 209, Canmore. Drum making runs 1:00 PM -  3:00 PM, $100 per person. Tipi-making runs 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM, $50 per person.

• Canmore Eagles. The Eagles welcome the Kodiaks paying their first visit of the season to the Rockies. 7:00 PM. Canmore Recreation Centre, Canmore. $16. 

• Salsa Social. Join the dance class at 8pm for some fun tips and to meet new partners. No experience or partner required. 8:00 PM - 11:30 PM. ArtsPlace, Canmore. $18 / members $15.30

Sunday

• Artist Talk. Holly Ann Friesen is the Artist in Residence until November 30 at the Concourse by Elevation Gallery in Canmore! Join her artist talk from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM. Unit 106-75 Dyrgas Gate, Canmore. Free. 

• Mini Christmas Market. Join 15 vendors at this intimate mini market in Banff. 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Rose and Crown, Banff. Free to attend.

• Christmas Porch Pot Workshop. Fill a 9”x12” container with seasonal greens, native dogwood, sugar pine cones, and red berry picks. 2:00 PM. Bow Valley Garden Centre, Canmore. $110 includes supplies.

• Meet the Directors. The directors of the One Act Play Festival and spring production of Drinking Habits by Tom Smith are holding a Q&A. 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM. Canmore Miners Hall, Canmore. Free to attend.

• Yin Yoga & Massage! Sunday Sessions are the perfect way to end your week, with the ultimate combination of relaxation and rejuvenation. 5:30 PM - 6:45 PM. Studio b. $50.  

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🔎Karma Crew! Rock Cycle & Studio is looking for karma team members. In exchange for your time cleaning and helping at the front desk, you'll receive free classes. Email [email protected]!

• 🛒Bow Valley SPCA Wish List. If you’re doing your shopping online this year, maybe tuck some treats into a dog or cat’s stocking this year. 

• 🚠Buy one lift pass, get one free. Use your RBC Avion Visa to buy one pass and get the second one for free for a friend at Lake Louise or Nakiska. 

• ⛷️More Ski Deals! Go Ski Alberta has all your ski deals in one place. Right Here. 

• 🎄Holiday Hampers. Applications are open for Defending Awesome’s Holiday Hampers! If you need a little extra help this holiday season, visit their website to apply. 

• 🍕NEW Banff Ave Brewpub Specials! If you're in Banff, stop by for a pizza and beer or two (or three or four...) for your après hike, climb, ski, or whatever adventure.

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

• 🔖15% off Breakfast. Chez Francois is offering 15% off to ski hill pass holders between 7 AM - 9 AM. Now until January 31st 2025!

• 🎿Entry-Level Camp. The ACC is offering an Intro to Back Country Skiing Workshop for Beginners in the Bow Valley Area.

• 🌊Wet N Wild. Get ready to slip and slide: the waterslide at Elevation Place has reopened!

CIVIC NEWS

• Canmore Council has given first reading to a bylaw amendment allowing Tourist Homes to convert to residential use without requiring a development permit. A public hearing for this proposed change is scheduled for December 3, 2024, inviting community feedback before further readings.

• Banff’s district quota system blocked a new B&B application for 131 Wolverine St., despite compliance with other bylaws. The Municipal Planning Commission denied the proposal, citing the neighbourhood's full quota. Council is considering dissolving the quota system, with new rules potentially replacing it by late November.

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, November 22th, 5:00 PM: Mister Bird. Location: Canmore Brew Co., Canmore. No Cover.

• Friday, November 22th, 6:00 PM: David James and Tyler Allen - Almost Johnny Cash Location: Exshaw Legion, Exshaw. $25.

• Friday, November 22th, 10:00 PM: Halo (Rock Covers). Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. $5 Cover. 

• Saturday November 22th, 9:00 PM:  Andy Loops. Location: Tavern 1883, Canmore. No Cover.

• Saturday, November 23th, 10:00 PM: Halo (Rock Covers). LocationL Rose and Crown, Banff. $5 Cover. 

• Sunday, November 24h, 7:30 PM: Melodies for a Resilient Future: Jasper Benefit Concert. Digital Hobo and Friends will provide fun and evocative live music about community, hope and adaptation. 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM. Location: ArtsPlace, Canmore. GA $30 / Pay What You Can Min. $10.  

SPORTS

• US Junior Hockey Team Selection.  Canmore defenseman Finn McLaughlin has been named to the U.S. Junior Select Team for the 2024 World Junior A Challenge, occurring Dec. 9-15 in Camrose, Alberta. McLaughlin, a Fargo Force standout, will join top USHL players aiming for Team USA's 10th tournament title.

• 8-Year Ski Streak. Cochrane skier Noah Jacobs celebrated 96 consecutive months of skiing, a streak spanning eight years. From tiny snow patches in Montreal to slopes in Japan and South America, Jacobs has kept his passion alive year-round. With no plans to stop, he’s eyeing 100 months in March and counting.

That’s all, folks!

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