RE: Visitor experience and safety improvements Temporary delays and closures in Banff and Kootenay national parks in 2018

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1 Lake Louise, Yoho & Kootenay Field Unit P.O. Box 213 Lake Louise, AB T0L 1E0 February 22, 2018 RE: Visitor experience and safety improvements Temporary delays and closures in and Kootenay national parks in 2018 Dear Transportation and Tour Operators, This year improvements and maintenance will continue in, Kootenay and Yoho national parks. Investments in visitor infrastructure will ensure the quality and reliability of facilities for the future. Following are projects with the greatest potential to cause disruptions for your business; please note, a chronological table with additional detail is also provided for your convenience. More information will be provided in the coming months. As always, we encourage you to plan ahead and leave some extra time in your itineraries. Kootenay National Park Marble Canyon Parking lot closure for 2018 Town of Area Johnson Lake closures in 2018 Upper Bankhead Parking Lot Closed in June 2018 Sulphur Mountain Parking Lot Expect delays in September 2018 Johnston Canyon Campground Closed after September 4, 2018 Tunnel Mountain Village I Campground Closed after September 4, 2018

2 Lake Louise Area Lake Louise Village Road Water/sewer line replacement after September 3 (Labour Day) Expect some delays North end of the Bow Valley Parkway Closed until July 2018; Baker Creek Mountain Resort remains accessible via Castle Junction. Icefields Parkway Area Mistaya Canyon Closed until late summer 2018 What else do you need to know? Looking for alternative experiences? We recommend: o Alternatives to Marble Canyon: Stop at Paint Pots, Numa Falls (from July), or hike the Juniper Trail in Kootenay National Park. In National Park, visit Silverton Falls via the Rockbound Lake trailhead or hike to Bow Glacier Falls. o Alternatives to Mistaya Canyon: Visit Sundance Canyon, Bow Lake or Peyto Lake in National Park. If you are carrying on to Jasper, visit Sunwapta Falls or Athabasca Falls on the Icefields Parkway. o Alternatives to Johnson Lake: Walk to Sundance Canyon or canoe on Two Jack Lake or Vermilion Lakes near the town of. o Alternatives to Morant s Curve: Take photos at Storm Mountain viewpoint or the spectacular Castle Mountain viewpoint instead. For safety, please do not stop on the Trans-Canada Highway to view wildlife. On slower, secondary pull over onto the road shoulder only if it is safe to do so. Never stop in the middle of the road, close to a hill, curve, or in heavy traffic. Do not drive off the hardened road surface. Remain in your vehicle, safe from both wildlife and traffic. Move on after a few moments. Please help us by reminding your guests that littering and feeding wildlife of any kind is both illegal and harmful to wildlife.

3 For more information We are committed to providing visitors with exceptional and meaningful experiences and appreciate your patience as we protect and make lasting improvements to the mountain national parks. Should you have further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to be in touch. For current conditions, consult: Alberta alberta.ca Drive BC drivebc.ca Now pc.gc.ca/banffnow For project information and updates, consult: pc.gc.ca/-construction pc.gc.ca/kootenay-construction pc.gc.ca/yoho-construction Amy Krause Public relations and communications officer, Lake Louise Yoho Kootenay Field Unit / amy.krause@pc.gc.ca Christie Thomson Public relations and communications officer, Field Unit / christie.thomson@pc.gc.ca

4 2018 Schedule of Key Projects Full year Closed Marble The parking lot and restrooms Kootenay Canyon will be closed to support replacement of aging highway Winter 2018 infrastructure nearby for safety. The campground will remain open and trails will remain accessible via a 6.8 km (roundtrip) trail from nearby Paint Pots. Spring Closed Bow Valley Currently closed while a Parkway / retaining wall and structural Highway 1A culvert are replaced at Morant s July Curve. Baker Creek Mountain Resort remains accessible via Castle Junction on the Trans- Canada Highway. Partial closure Upper Pedestrian access to trailheads Bankhead will be maintained while the Parking Lot parking lot is repaved and July on rehabilitated. Parking is Closed for Minnewanka available at Lower Bankhead June only. Road ~1.2 km away. Johnson closures for whirling Dates TBD closures Lake disease management and parking lot reconstruction.

5 Spring and summer Closed Mistaya The parking lot and trail will be Canyon closed while parking and highway access are improved for late summer safety Fall Early closure Johnston Closing early for maintenance Closed after Canyon and significant utility September 4 Campground improvements until Spring Exact dates TBD. Early closure Tunnel Mtn. Closing early for maintenance Closed after Village I and significant utility September 4 Campground improvements until Spring Exact dates TBD. Sulphur Sulphur Mountain gondola and delays Mountain the upper hot pools will delays after Parking Lot remain open while the parking September 3 lot is under construction to improve traffic flow and increase capacity. Minor delays should be expected. Village Road In the village of Lake Louise, delays in Lake aging water and sewer pipes are delays after Louise being replaced on Village Road. September 3 Traffic flow improvements, including traffic lights, may also be installed. No significant impact to shuttle services expected. Traffic flow

6 will be maintained at all times and any temporary lane reductions will be coordinated to ensure minimal disruption. Expect delays during peak larch season. Plan ahead and leave some extra time in your travels.