Banff Skijoring Event Pushes Town Past Capacity, Forces Vehicle Turnaways
Parks Canada was compelled to turn away vehicle traffic from Banff National Park for part of Saturday after a skijoring event attracted thousands of visitors, overwhelming the small mountain community's infrastructure. The incident has prompted local officials to vow that such a scenario must not be repeated.
Unprecedented Crowds Overwhelm Infrastructure
Banff Mayor Corrie DiManno stated that while larger crowds were anticipated for this year's skijoring exhibition, the actual volume of people and vehicles far exceeded expectations. The town, which covers just four square kilometres with a downtown core of approximately four blocks, found itself unprepared for the surge.
"We just don't have the infrastructure or personnel, and we can't just staff up and mobilize on a dime," DiManno explained. "We were caught off guard by the sheer volume of vehicles and people on Saturday."
The mayor noted that while traffic restrictions occasionally occur at popular destinations like Lake Louise or Lake Minnewanka during peak summer weekends, she could not recall a previous instance where the entire town site had to be closed to vehicles, particularly during winter months.
Safety Protocols Triggered
Parks Canada implemented its established protocol for restricting access when emergency services might face difficulties navigating the road network. DiManno emphasized that this decision was made to ensure public safety, but acknowledged the unprecedented nature of the situation.
"I cannot, in my recent memory—and I've been on council for 12 years—think of a time that we had to turn away vehicles from the town site," she said. "It truly was something like we have never seen before."
Post-Event Review Planned
The town council will conduct a comprehensive review of the situation in collaboration with Banff and Lake Louise Tourism, along with input from partner agencies including the RCMP, Parks Canada, and Roam Public Transit. The review will focus on transportation solutions and addressing behavioral issues observed during the event.
DiManno reported instances of public drinking and littering, with empty beer cans and liquor bottles left on the ground after the festivities. "The real key here will be to try to find some of those solutions that will ensure that it's as safe and enjoyable for residents and visitors in the future," she stated.
Rising Popularity of Skijoring
Skijoring, a winter sport where skiers or snowboarders are pulled along a track by horses, has been growing in popularity across North America. Skijor Canada has labeled it "the fastest growing winter sport in North America." This marked the fourth year that skijoring has been featured as part of Banff and Lake Louise's annual SnowDays festival, with attendance increasing each year.
"The first time people were like, 'What the heck is skijoring?' And slowly the word gets out, and it starts to rise in popularity," DiManno observed. "It's a big weekend for folks wanting to come and experience the vibe and the novelty... I've never seen so many people in fur coats in Banff all at once."
The mayor concluded with a firm commitment: "At the end of the day, what happened on Saturday cannot happen again." The review aims to develop strategies to manage future events while preserving the unique character and safety of the Banff community.
