Crowsnest Pass

Crowsnest Pass

Crowsnest Pass is in Southern Alberta, Canada. Gateway to the southern Alberta and some of the last untouched beauty of the Canadian Rockies. It is on the Crowsnest Highway (Highway 3).

The municipality of 5,500 people (2016) resulted from a legal amalgamation of five towns (from east to west): 1 Bellevue , 2 Hillcrest , 3 Frank , 4 Blairmore , and 5 Coleman , in 1979. Blairmore and Coleman are the largest towns; Frank is the smallest. Within its boundaries are also the former communities (abandoned, or much reduced) of 1 Lille , 2 Passburg, 3 Sentinel (Sentry), and 4 Crowsnest.

Understand

The Crowsnest Pass area on both sides of the provincial boundary is rich in coal deposits, which were quickly developed after completion of the rail line. All the mines on the Alberta side were closed by the end of the 20th century as cheaper and safer open-pit mines opened on the British Columbia side of the pass. Some logging and oil and gas exploitation also occur in the area and a sulphur plant has been in operation there for several years.

Tourism based on the natural and historical resources of the area remains underdeveloped but is slowly growing.

History

Before the arrival of Europeans, Aboriginal people used this major breach through the Front Ranges for seasonal migrations, and also for trade between mountain and plains cultures.

Crowsnest Lake, near the summit of the Crowsnest Pass, looking east toward Crowsnest Mountain.

• The Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) built the Crowsnest Route line from Lethbridge, Alberta, to Kootenay Landing, British Columbia, through the Crowsnest Pass between 1897 and 1898. This line was built primarily to access mineral-rich southeastern BC via an all-Canadian rail route, and to assert Canadian (and CPR) sovereignty in an area into which U.S. railroads were beginning to build. It also opened up coal deposits in the Crowsnest and Elk River valleys which were important to mineral smelting operations and assisted the CPR in its conversion of locomotives from wood to coal. The CPR sought and received construction funding from the federal government, partially in exchange for a freight subsidy on prairie farm exports and equipment imports which came to be called the "Crow's Nest Pass Agreement".

The first motor vehicle to cross the Canadian Rockies did so via Phillipps Pass, about 1 km north of Crowsnest Pass, and in 1917 a road was blasted around the shores of Crowsnest Lake and across Crowsnest Pass, renamed Interprovincial Highway Three in 1932. It is also known as the Crowsnest Highway.

Get in

By car

The easiest way to get there is by car, from either the east or west on Highway 3 or from the north on the undeveloped Highway 940 (this route is quite hard on the suspension and is only advised in a 4x4 or SUV).

The Crowsnest Pass is 269 km (about 2½ hours by car) southwest of Calgary, 70 km east of Fernie or 140 km west of Lethbridge. If travelling from Calgary it is well worth taking the picturesque Highway 22 via Black Diamond and Longview, which follows part of the Cowboy Trail.

By bus

• There is scheduled bus service along the Highway 3 corridor. This bus service does not stop in Crowsnest Pass, though it does stop in Sparwood (about 40 km from Blairmore) and Pincher Creek (about 46 km from Blairmore).

• CNP Shuttle (+1 403-564-4911) offers a private hire mini-bus service between Calgary/Lethbridge and the Crowsnest Pass.

• During ski session it is possible to get a chartered ski bus from Calgary airport and arranged to be dropped off en route, you will probably have to travel to Fernie to catch the return journey.

Get around

• Crowsnest Taxi, ☏ +1 403-583-4000. (updated Jun 2023)

If staying in or near Blairmore most amenities are within walking distance.

See

• 1 Leitch Colleries, Hwy 3, ☏ +1 403-562-7388. An interpretive display at Leitch Collieries Provincial Historic Site, the ruins of a historic coal mine. (updated Apr 2018)

Leich Colleries Provincial Historic Site

• 2 Frank Slide Interpretive Centre, Hwy 3 Crowsnest Pass, Blairmore (from Hwy 3, turn on to 153 St), ☏ +1 403-562-7388. The small coal-mining town of Frank in the Crowsnest Pass region had 82 million metric tons of rock come crashing down on it in 1903. Turtle Mountain, above the town, had unstable geology to begin with and had been made more unstable by extensive mining. This was Canada's deadliest rockslide ever, killing 90, but fortunately it missed much of the town. (updated Apr 2018)
• 3 Bellevue Mine Provincial Historic Site, 2531 213 St, ☏ +1 403-564-4700. Underground tours of the former coal mine. (updated Apr 2018)
• 4 Crowsnest Museum, 7701 18 Ave (in downtown Coleman), ☏ +1 403-563-5434. Pamphlets for self-guided historical driving tours of the municipality are also available. (updated Apr 2018)

Do

The main attraction of the Crowsnest Pass is its pristine wildness, which is highly accessible from any of the towns.

Activities

There are a lot of trails and backcountry roads, which are well signed and popular with walkers, cyclists and ATV/quad riders. During the winter cross country skiing, snow-shoeing and snow-mobiling take over as the wildness 'escapes'.

• 1 Crowsnest Swimming Pool, 11973 20 Avenue, Blairmore, ☏ +1 403-562-8255, info@passpool.ca. An outdoor swimming pool open in the summer. (updated May 2023)
• Sinister 7 Ultra Marathon, racehq@sinistersports.ca. The area hosts this world-class event, a 161-kilometre foot race that winds through the mountains around the community. (updated May 2023)

Skiing

• 2 Pass Powderkeg, ☏ +1 403-562-8334, info@passpowderkeg.com. Thus is a small ski-hill located in Blairmore, which is more of a beginner's slope. (updated May 2023)
• Major ski hills are in Fernie and near Pincher Creek.

Buy

• 1 Crockets Trading Company, 2701 226 Street, Bellevue, ☏ +1 403 564-4389. Rocky Mountain souvenirs and keepsakes: maple syrup, candles, wildlife animal tracks, clothing, RCMP memorabilia, books, stationary, and active wear. (updated Apr 2018)

Eat

• 1 Cinnamon Bear Bakery and Cafe, 8342 20 Avenue, Coleman, ☏ +1 403-562-2443. M Th-Sa 7:30AM-5PM, Su 10AM-5PM. Soups, sandwiches, bakery. (updated Apr 2018)
• 2 Chris' Restaurant, 7802 17 Avenue, Coleman, ☏ +1 403-563-3093. Tu-Su 8AM–8:45PM. Classic diner food. (updated Apr 2018)
• 3 Stone's Throw Cafe, 13019 20th Ave, Blairmore, ☏ +1 403-562-2230. M-Sa 8AM–4PM, Su 10AM–4PM. Breakfast, soups, sandwiches, wraps. (updated Apr 2018)

Drink

• 1 The Rumrunner, 7902 20 Ave, Hwy 3, Coleman, ☏ +1 403-562-7552. M-W 11:30AM-10PM, Th 1PM–10PM, F-Su 6:30AM-11PM. Pub and restaurant. (updated Apr 2018)

Sleep

• 1 Country Encounters, 7701 17th Ave, Coleman, ☏ +1 403-563-5299. On-site restaurant, free breakfast and wireless Internet access. Barbecue grills and some free parking. A smoke-free property. Choice of self-catering in a quaint guest house, or B&B in a historic main street building. 3-course dinner in the restaurant: $25. Will prepare picnic lunches. From $105 B&B. (updated Apr 2018)
• 2 SpringBreak Flower Farm bed and breakfast, 1606 East Hillcrest Drive, Bellevue, toll-free: +1 844-378-4769 (ext. 700), info@springbreakflowerfarm.com. Free WiFi, private parking. Gourmet breakfasts are prepared from scratch and they're happy to accommodate any special dietary needs. From $145. (updated Apr 2018)
• 3 Travelodge by Wyndham Blairmore, 11373 20 Ave, Blairmore, ☏ +1 403-770-9080. Rooms with King beds or 2 Queen beds. Microwave, fridge and hair dryers are standards in all rooms. Free breakfast. From $100. (updated Apr 2018)
• 4 The Kanata by BCMInns Blairmore, 11217 21st Avenue, Blairmore, ☏ +1 403-562-8851, toll-free: +1-866-500-4938. A variety of suites including fully equipped kitchenettes, one bedroom suites, a 2-storey family suite, and a Jacuzzi room. Dedicated Wi-fi and HD TV. Hot continental breakfast is included. From $150. (updated Apr 2018)

Go next

Routes through Crowsnest Pass

Cranbrook ← Fernie ←

W  E

→ Jct N → Pincher Creek → Lethbridge

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