Discover Crowsnest Pass

Nature trails and mining history are at the heart of many attractions in Crowsnest Pass. If you’re looking for a hotel for your stay, you can plan around the topics that interest you most: walks, historic sites or seasonal mine experiences. Attractions are spread across several communities and regional visitor sites.

Nature and Trails in Crowsnest Pass

The Crowsnest Community Trail is 23 km long, non-motorized and connects the communities of the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass. The route can also be used to travel between communities and visit local businesses and historic sites such as the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre and the Bellevue Underground Mine. Along the trail, interpretive kiosks share information about the natural and cultural history of Crowsnest Pass.

Along the Crowsnest Community Trail, you can look for wildlife in natural areas. The Crowsnest River offers opportunities for wildlife viewing, and from one viewpoint you can see Frank Slide and Turtle Mountain. Trail conditions may change seasonally. If you’d like to combine trails with historic themes, the same route offers both connections to nature and information about the region’s history.

Frank Slide and Mining History

In the regional Crowsnest Pass area, the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre uses interactive exhibits, accounts and an award-winning show to tell the story of what happened on the night Turtle Mountain collapsed. The Frank Slide Trail begins and ends at the Centre parking lot. This easy, 1.5 km gravel trail runs along the edge of Frank Slide. The Frank Slide Trail shares its starting point with the Frank Slide North Rim Trail; both are part of the Crowsnest Pass Community Trail system.

Coleman also offers a look at the area’s mining and community history. The mine site, business district and streets lined with former miners’ homes have been designated a National Historic Site by Parks Canada. As you walk along Coleman’s historic streets, you can read interpretive signs and building plaques and see the ruins of the coal mine and coke ovens. The Crowsnest Museum in Coleman features indoor and outdoor exhibits on the social, architectural and coal-mining history of Crowsnest Pass. Tours and educational programs are also offered; availability may vary.

The historic Miners’ Path begins at Flumerfelt Park in Coleman and follows Nez Perce Creek for one kilometre to Rainbow Falls. Another way to explore mining history is the 0.8 km, wheelchair-accessible, self-guided interpretive trail at Leitch Collieries. It leads around and through the old buildings of the coal-mining and processing facility, which operated from 1906 to 1915. At 6.3 km, the Lille Mines and Townsite heritage trail is longer and moderately difficult; it mostly follows the original wagon road and crosses the old Frank and Grassy Mountain Railroad rail bed in places. The different trail lengths and difficulty ratings can help you choose routes based on your interests.

Self-guided walking tours of historically significant sites are available in five communities and are also suitable for people with limited mobility. Hillcrest Cemetery has a short, informative interpretive trail that is also suitable for visitors with limited mobility. An adjacent picnic area adds to the visit.

Seasonal Tours and Outdoor Activities

On Bellevue Mine Tours, visitors descend a short distance into a historic coal mine. Tours run from May to September; helmets, lamps and knowledgeable guides are provided. Before your trip, check whether the seasonal tours are currently running. Historic machinery used in underground mining is also on display at the Bellevue Underground Mine site.

For winter sports, Pass Powderkeg Ski Hill offers a ski and snowboard school, equipment rentals, a terrain park, night skiing and snowmaking. Check seasonal operations and offerings before your trip. In Blairmore, the Bike Skills Park features a pump track and dirt jumps with four lines of varying difficulty. Each of these offerings has its own focus, whether you’re planning to visit historic sites or enjoy outdoor activities.

Discover more destinations: Blairmore, Coleman, Canmore, Saskatchewan River Crossing, Sunwapta, Banff, Kananaskis, Lake Louise.

For the broader travel overview: Division No. 15.