MAGICAL MOUNTAIN GEM
Winter beauty in Crowsnest Pass
The sun was peeking through the clouds as my husband and I followed our guide, Heather Davis of Uplift Adventures, along a trail leading to Star Creek Falls near Coleman. I thought I had experienced all of the best winter ice walks in Alberta, but I was wrong. As we made our way deeper into the canyon, we were impressed with the geology and fascinating ice formations we passed along the way. Star Creek Falls is a beautiful winter hike.
You could call the Crowsnest Pass one of Alberta's hidden gems. It is home to beautiful mountain scenery, myriad outdoor activities, fascinating history and fewer crowds than other Alberta Rockies destinations.
This region of Alberta has been in the news lately due to the Alberta government's interest in coal mining along the eastern slopes of the Rockies.
That's part of the reason we decided it was time to get to know The Pass a little better. There's a lot to learn from the history of coal mining here and even more to discover about the remarkable landscapes in this area. Here are just a few of the things you can see and do in winter.
STAR CREEK FALLS ICE WALK
The Star Creek Falls guided ice walk with Uplift Adventures has a unique twist — it's a science ice walk. Heather Davis is an environmental scientist and we learned all about the science of water and ice as we walked through the canyon to the base of the frozen waterfall. It's a lovely walk and learning the science behind what we were seeing was fascinating. Davis provided ice cleats and directed us along the safest pathway on the frozen river to get to the base of the frozen falls.
LUNDBRECK FALLS
This beautiful 12-metre-high waterfall lies just off the Crowsnest Highway. You can view the falls from the observation platforms or hike below the falls. In winter, it's safest to view from the platforms. Alberta Parks maintains a day use area and a summer campground.
THE BURMIS TREE
One of the most photographed trees in Canada, the Burmis Tree has come to symbolize the spirit and people of the Crowsnest Pass. The dead Lindberg pine stands on a ridge at the eastern entrance to the Crowsnest Pass, near the site of the former town of Burmis, about 10 kilometres east of Frank Slide.
HISTORICAL SITES
Crowsnest Pass has a fascinating history and it is home to amazing museums and historical sites. Some sites are closed in winter and others are closed due to COVID -19, but there are outdoor sites that can be visited year-round. For one of the best views in The Pass, check out the viewing platforms outside Frank Slide Interpretive Centre.
The platforms are open even when the interpretive centre is not. Disaster Park and the Hillcrest Cemetery are two other sites that can be accessed year-round. An interpretive walk helps you learn about Hillcrest Mine, the site of the worst coal mining disaster in Canadian history.
FAT BIKING & CROSS COUNTRY SKIING
Fat biking is fun and there are great trails in Crowsnest Pass. Before my recent visit, I had only ridden a fat bike once on a wellplowed road. I was a little nervous to tackle a more rugged trail on my own. Fortunately, I didn't have to. My husband and I went on a tour with Karey Watanabe, a professional mountain bike instructor and owner of Sweet Riders. After a little instruction, I was confidently pedalling through winding wooded trails and having a wonderful time. We cycled through the Allison-chinook cross-country ski area which has more than 30 kilometres of groomed and trackset ski trails in a beautiful forested area near the continental divide.
DOWNHILL SKIING IN CROWSNEST PASS
Downhill skiing is a popular winter activity in Crowsnest Pass. Pass Powderkeg Ski Area is located in the town of Blairmore. The municipally-run, not-for-profit ski hill has been operating since 1938 and has a free beginner area, night skiing, a great ski school and retro-style T-bars. Less than an hour outside Crowsnest Pass lies Castle Mountain Resort, Alberta's second-largest ski area. Castle has over 3,592 acres of terrain on two mountains and is a popular destination for cat-skiing.