Cam McLellan and two of his friends set off into the backcountry skiing on Mount Patterson, north of Bow Summit on the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93 North) on October 29. McLellan and the other skiers were hit by a size two avalanche in a steep gully. The three skiers all survived after being carried 100 metres down the gully.

Since local running clubs Canmore Trail Culture and The Bow Valley Dirtbag Runners sprung up four years ago, the two groups have formed a community of like-minded and supportive humans who enjoy making the most of the local trails in our back yard. You may have even spotted the groups thundering by or noticed a moving line of headlights crossing the mountain in winter.

Parks Canada confirmed three cougars died in Banff National Park over the past two weeks. An adult female cat died after not recovering from the anesthesia, also her young kitten was found dead on Tunnel Mountain with unknown causes on Jan. 22, and a sick female cougar was euthanized by Parks Canada earlier this month on Jan. 13 after showing aggressive behavior.

A party of three world-class professional alpine mountaineers David Lama, Hansjorg Auer, and Jess Roskelley were reported missing, when they were overdue to return on April 17. The three top climbers were attempting to climb the east face on Howse Peak on the Icefields Parkway when an avalanche took place.

Emergency crews responded Saturday to a tour vehicle rollover that has left three people dead and multiple others injured in Jasper National Park. Jasper RCMP worked with other emergency responders at a rocky, steep scene near the Columbia Icefield and Highway 93, a police news release said on July 18.

The Bill Warren Centre was packed to capacity on January 18 to celebrate the life of Laura Kosakoski, 34, a family physician from Canmore, who passed away on January 11 following injuries sustained in an avalanche accident on Mount Hector in Banff National Park. Her husband, Adam Campbell, along with family and loved ones shared memories, uplifting stories, slideshows, and stickers with the words ‘JustbeKos” for Kos as she was affectionately called.

After months of uncertainty and frustration the Canadian Rockies Public Schools district ended on a positive note in an agreement with the federal government to keep Exshaw School open for the next three years. Stoney Education Authority (SEA), Canadian Rockies Public Schools (CRPS) and Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) announced they have reached a three-year funding commitment that will benefit students following negotiations at a meeting held in Canmore on January 29.

Canmore doctors spoke out against the recent cuts announced by Health Minister Shandro, saying they seriously jeopardize the healthcare system and threaten the safety of their patients. Cathryn Zapf, a family GP at the Paleo Medical Clinic in Canmore, said she has no other choice but to close her clinic following the announcement of the recent cuts.

“It is a very painful and emotional time for our team overall Erin Brandt-Filliter,” said Acting Director of Communications at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, on the loss of 284 staff last week. The staff were on temporary layoff since the end of March to permanent layoff because of the economic impact of COVID-19 on Banff Centre’s business.

Since Pursuit opened their new restaurant Farm and Fire this month, it has been gaining attention from residents and visitors with their farm to the table fresh approach. The new dining experience is located in the heart of downtown Banff, set within the Elk and Avenue Hotel in Canada’s oldest national park, the warm and inviting eatery features slow-roasted, wood-fired fare centred around sustainable and locally sourced ingredients.

Parks Canada said they had no choice but to euthanize two wolves last week. Bill Hunt, a Resource Conservation Manager in Banff National Park, confirmed the wolves were “lone wolves.”. The first instance occurred when Sunshine Village staff reported several wolf sightings three weeks ago, wildlife officials became aware of a young, abnormally thin, male wolf and conducted regular patrols of the area.

Alberta Parks closed the Yamnuska day use area, trails and climbing areas to help prevent overwhelming rescue services after multiple separate calls to Mount Yamnuska due to increased visitors on July 11. A 30-year-old male from Calgary fell 20 feet while hiking in the scree section on the front side of Mount Yamnuska’s popular hiking trail on Saturday at approximately 2:10 p.m.

The two bodies of missing couple, Matthew Kozak and Zabrina Paige Ferrier, were recovered off the Verdant Pass area in Jasper National Park, on the south side of Mt. Edith Cavell’s west ridge. The couple, who had a passion for hiking and exploring the mountains, tragically succumbed to their injuries after falling from a steep bank.

Banff Photographer Paul Zizka stayed up late at Raven Crag on Sulpher Mountain to capture Comet NEOWISE streaking across Banff National Park’s mountain skyline last week. He said the comet was, and still is, visible from the Bow Valley between 11:30 p.m. and 4:30 a.m. and that it’s absolutely worth staying up late for.

This year marks the 100th year anniversary of the end of Canada’s First National Internment operations of 1914 to 1920, which saw more than 8,000 immigrants – the majority of whom were of Ukrainian origin – imprisoned as “enemy aliens” in 24 internment camps across the country. The 25th anniversary of Canada’s first statue and trilingual bronze plaque, placed near Castle Mountain, Banff National Park, in memory of those held at that internment camp from July 1915 to July 1917 took place on August 12.

David Xiao was climbing with a partner on Mt. Sir Donald in Glacier National Park when he fell to his death on Aug. 16, at approximately 8 a.m., two days before his 26th birthday. Parks Canada said they received a report of an injured climber on the mountain’s northwest ridge, and the helicopter search located Xiao’s body, which likely fell 250 metres.