Recreation - Summer Activities

SUMMER ACTIVITIES

Golfing

The next time you'll be out near Blairmore, take your golf clubs and stop in for a round at the scenic Crowsnest Pass Golf Club. Established in 1920, the course is a green gem set in the rugged, rocky terrain just off Highway #3 as it passes Blairmore. At the Crowsnest Pass Golf Club, there's no shortage of contouring: curves, dips, dives and forest all combine to make each of the 18 holes a unique and enjoyable challenge. With only three par threes, the course offers something for every player, regardless of age or skill level. For more information or to book a tee time, phone the Crowsnest Pass Golf & Country Club at 562-2776 or visit www.crowsnestpassgolf.com.

Hunting

The Crowsnest Pass is a prime big-game hunting area. Each type of game has its own season. Licenses are needed for any hunting or fishing and are available from private businesses in Bellevue, Blairmore, and Coleman. Information can be obtained from the Alberta Sustainable Resources office, which is located in the Provincial Building in Blairmore, for inquiries on hunting and fishing regulations as well as safety questions or concerns. Officers can usually be reached during normal business hours at (403) 562-3289.

Hiking Tours

Treadsoftly
Daily, Weekend and Weekly Tours available. Prices include accommodation, daily backcountry activities, on trail meals, complimentary t-shirt, evening meals, planned attractions, transportation to and from Calgary at start and end of tour, and bike rental.
Box 206,
Lundbreck, Alberta
T0K 1H0
Contact: (403) 564-4295 summer
(403) 253-5662 winter

Crowsnest Adventure Guides (formerly Eliass Canada Ltd.) - Southern Alberta's most highly trained, technically qualified outdoor adventure guides. Safety conscious, knowledgeable and professionally certified guides (Association of Canadian Mountain Guides/Wilderness Emergency Response). Offering the most affordable outdoor adventure activities in Hiking, Backpacking, Mtn Climbing, Gold Panning, Rock Climbing, Canoeing, Kayaking, Ice-Climbing, Snow shoeing, and Winter Camping. All Equipment, Transportation, Food/Beverages provided. www.CNPoutdoors.com - info@CNPoutdoors.com - 1-877-YA-CLIMB

Mountain Climbing

Crowsnest Mountain - 2,769 metres (9,138 ft) - No hiker can leave this mountain unchallenged.
Duration - day; Distance - 12 km return to trail head
Level of Difficulty - difficult scramble; scree slopes and loose rock
Access - From Highway #3 drive north on the Allison Creek Road for 10.5 kms. The trail head is well marked by a hiking sign erected by Alberta Forestry on the east side of the road. Continue another 100 metres along the road to a turnoff which leads to an improvised parking area located on a north-south cut line.

Turtle Mountain - 2,093 metres (6,906 ft) - One of the most popular hikes in the Crowsnest Pass with local residents.
Duration - full day; Distance - 7.8 kms
Level of Difficulty - steep climb on a well-used trail up exposed slopes. Some scree and easy scrambling on descent.
Access - The transverse of Turtle Mountain requires two vehicles. From the west Hillcrest access on Hwy. #3, drive your first vehicle into Hillcrest along 9th Avenue. A few hundred metres past the railway tracks, there is a fork. Take the left-hand fork and continue on 9th avenue to 230 Street. Turn right and park near the corner of 230 Street and 7th Avenue. Park your second vehicle at the Turtle Mountain Motor Inn Motel on the north side of Highway #3 between Frank and Blairmore. This is your trail head.

Window Mountain Lake - 2,604 metres (8,593 ft) - Picnic sites and easy trails around the lake make this a favorite with many hikers in the Crowsnest Pass.
Duration - half-day; Distance - 3.8 kms return
Level of Difficulty - moderate hike on trail
Access - From Hwy #3 drive north on the Allison Creek Road. Nearly 3 kms later at a fork in the road keep right and climb over a low pass into South Racehorse Creek drainage. Approximately 16.8 kms from Hwy #3 there is a logged area at the bottom of a long hill. At the north end of this open area turn left onto a rough dirt road called "Window Mountain Valley road", and continue for another 2.6 km to a small parking area. Your road is obvious until you reach the 2.3 kms mark where you fork to the right. The last 100 metres is rough and may wish to park lower down.

Rock climbing

There is growing interest in rock climbing in the Crowsnest Pass with more areas being developed each year along with a climbing community that is eager to help others explore the area. For beginners there is Frank Rock, one of the larges pieces of rubble within the Frank Slide, that provides a challenging introduction to climbing in a limited vertical setting. There are bolts and anchors in place at Frank Rock and it is well used so the climb is usually kept clear of loose rocks and other unwanted debris.

For more advanced climbers there are numerous routes already established on Wedge Mountain, McGillivray Creek Canyon and an area known as the Crowsnest Slabs, located near the lakes at the west end of the Pass. There are also routes being developed in Bellevue. Many of the routes have bolts and anchors already in place while others are still being cleaned and bolted.

An excellent way to practice for larger climbs is bouldering and the Frank Slide has plenty of areas to practice on with an unlimited supply of large rocks to traverse across.
For more information on climbing in the Crowsnest Pass drop in to:

Crowsnest Adventure Guides, located on Highway #3 in Frank.
Box 1257, Blairmore, AB
T0K 0E0
Contact: (403) 562-2051
Email: info@CNPoutdoors.com
Website: www.CNPoutdoors.com

Horseback riding

Western Adventures
Western hospitality, hearty breakfasts and dinners, horseback riding - custom designed for people of all ages and riding abilities, fishing, hiking, old-fashioned buggy rides, campfires, sing-alongs, horseshoes and lazy afternoons. Our highly-skilled and friendly guides provide you with day rides, weekend rides or full week vacations. You need only bring a sleeping bag, pillow, toiletries, lots of film, a big appetite, and a willingness to unwind and have some fun.
Western Adventures, Box 1501,
Blairmore, Alberta
T0K 0E0
Contact: (403) 563-0253.

RIDING ATVs

The scenic Crowsnest Pass offers a vast network of trails in which to explore and enjoy. Many old logging and coal haul roads have been cleared and numerous bridges built for easy access. The 1,200 kms of trails which have been identified, signed and mapped for snowmobiling, provide an excellent playground for ATVs in the summer months. Be sure to stay on the trails.

The Crowsnest Pass Quad Squad serves ATV enthusiasts throughout the Crowsnest Pass. Membership in the CNP Quad Squad is open to anyone who recreates in the Eastern Slopes of the Southern Rocky Mountains including Castle Crown, Westcastle and the C5. Their mission is to promote conservation and responsible riding. Check out their website to learn about current activities and events they are involved with.

CNP Quad Squad
Box 412
Bellevue, Alberta Canada
T0K 0C0
Email: info@cnpquadsquad.com
Website: www.cnpquadsquad.com

Interested in Quad Tours? .

Mountain Memories Guiding & rentals Ltd.
Box 415, Bellevue
Alberta, Canada
T0K 0C0
Contact: (403)564-4814

Rodeo

Kananaskis Rodeo Association - (403) 562-3886 - hosts an annual professional indoor rodeo event at the Coleman Sports Complex each April.

tennis

The Courts are located in Hillcrest, Blairmore, and Bellevue. There is no charge for use.