Snow Management Plan
All Town of Banff roads are plowed based on a priority system outlined in the Town's Snow Management Map (PDF). Road maintenance is done seven days a week throughout the winter season. Response during and after a snowfall involves snow plowing a driving lane and sanding. Priority 1 is plowed within 24 hours of a snowfall; Priority 2 is plowed within 24 hours of a snowfall, or after Priority 1 is completed to satisfactory condition.
Whats New?
There are overnight winter parking regulations in the downtown core. Please do not park in the restricted zone between 2 to 7 a.m. This allows safe and efficient snow removal before business hours.
Priority 1 (Red Zone): All major arterial streets, the roads in the downtown core, bus routes and access to emergency services
Priority 2 (Blue Zone): Intersections, corners, hills, school zones, and known problem areas, after the Red Zone routes are considered in satisfactory condition
Priority 3 and 4: Assigned based on gradient and volume
Parking Lots: Generally maintained after Priority 2 is satisfactory, during hours where use of the parking lots is at a minimum
Sidewalks: Adjacent to municipal property, paved and unpaved trails, municipal stairways (e.g Tatanga stairs), the gazebo and areas around public washrooms are maintained by the town according to the priority system. Property owners are responsible for clearing public sidewalks along their property lines. Failure to clear sidewalks could result in a $100 fine. Find out more about the responsibility of property owners to clear sidewalks.
Parking During a Snow Event
The Town will post temporary 'no parking' signs on streets to work on snow removal. Town bylaws allow for the removal of cars in temporary no parking zones after 24 hours. If cars were parked there prior to the no parking signs going up, it would be at the expense of the Town. But cars parked in those zones after signs go could be subject to a fine or towing.
Real Time Locations of Snow Maintenance Equipment
Most Town of Banff snow management vehicles are equipped with GPS sensors which report their current location and speed. This information is updated every 10 minutes on the Town of Banff Snow Management Map so you can see where vehicles are currently located, as well as where they've been over the past 6 hours. Staff also post live field updates to the map letting the public know when and where snow removal work will be done.