Calgary 
Visitors to the Crowsnest Pass region of southern Alberta have options for year-round adventure.
The landscape of foothills and mountains means room for sports like hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and photography.
During the winter, the region is a snow-covered winter paradise, with just as many ways as in the summer to explore the beautiful scenery. These winter adventures in Crowsnest Pass are for all ages, and all levels of thrill-seekers!
Downhill Sports at Pass Powderkeg
The Pass Powderkeg Ski Area is a perfect place for all levels of skiers and snowboarders to enjoy. They offer everything from a bunny hill to double black diamond runs as well as lower and upper parking areas. Plus, you can embark on a night skiing adventure with Pass Powderkeg. The hill also hosts special events throughout the season, ending with their Slush Cup and BBQ in March.
Where: 202 Powderkeg Drive, Blairmore
How much: lift tickets $9.99-$54.99
Visit the Frozen Waterfalls
Each of the Crowsnest Pass area waterfalls will require a quick winter hike. Gear up with warm clothing, big boots, and a hot drink, and take to the winter trails. Each trail offers beautiful scenery even before you reach the falls, as well as places for picnics.
- The Star Creek Falls near Coleman takes about 20 minutes to reach on foot. The looping trail is 2.1km and brings your hike out to the waterfall and back.
- Lundbreck Falls are among the easiest waterfalls to access from the Crowsnest Highway. They are only about 5-minutes walking distance from the Provincial Recreation Area’s parking lot.
- Access the Allison Creek Falls on a 2.5km hike from Chinook Lake and the parking lot. Oftentimes, during winter, this waterfall does not fully freeze over.
Snowshoeing Adventures (Guided or Self-Guided)
No matter your skill or experience level on snowshoes, or whether you own any, there are ways to take an incredibly scenic snowshoe trek through the Crowsnest Pass. Take a self-guided tour around the Powderkeg Ski Area or rely on the expertise of Uplift Adventures.
- The Pass Powderkeg Ski Area is one of the few places in the Crowsnest Pass region to offer snowshoe rentals. Take snowshoes and embark on a self-guided adventure that is a little less intense than downhill skiing and snowboarding.
- Uplift Adventures is a second place to find outdoor gear rentals in the area. Choose between snowshoes, shoe spikes, or hiking poles. Plus, Uplift Adventures offers guided snowshoeing tours through the Crowsnest area.
Cross-country Skiing near Chinook Lake and Allison Creek
The Crowsnest Nordic Ski Club maintains a large number of cross-country ski trails across the Crowsnest Pass Region. A good starting point for reaching a number of these trails is the Chinook Provincial Recreation Area. From here, follow trails around the entire lake, up and down Allison Creek, or to several viewpoints looking out over the foothills. Some of the trails in the area are exclusively for cross-country skiing, while others are multi-use.
Where: Chinook Provincial Recreation Area
How much: free
Book a Cabin or Cottage Vacation
The Crowsnest Pass area is home to some of Alberta’s best, most adorable, and coziest cabins and cabin resorts.
- Take advantage of the winter availability at Blairmore’s Charmed Resorts. These unbelievable hand-made cottages were designed by the owners, who also have a line of outdoor playhouses! These are fairy-tale-themed cabins, with some offering private outdoor hot tubs.
- Enjoy a beautiful winter escape with the seven available cabins at the Goat Mountain Get-A-Way. These cabins include full kitchens and washrooms and offer secure parking for snowmobiles and OHVs.
- Besides the resorts, Airbnb and VRBO both have dozens of hosts in the area between each vacation rental site.
Cafe Hop the Crowsnest Pass
No matter where your winter adventures take you along Highway 3, there is likely a cozy café nearby with hot drinks and a welcoming atmosphere.
- In Blairmore, get your warmth in a cup from Stone’s Throw Café, the Citadella Restaurant, or The Cherry on Top Bakery & Koffie Shop.
- For those adventures closer to Coleman, stop by the Holy Ghost Café, the Cinnamon Bear Café, or Chris’ Restaurant.
- And for those adventures closer to Frank and Bellevue, there are options like Pure Country, and Sweets with a Tweak.
Fat Biking Tours With Sweet Riders
Sweet Riders is a local bike club that offers clinics and workshops for kids’ cycling, adult cycling, mountain biking, e-biking, and fat tire biking. For the winters, they offer fat bike tours around Coleman and Blairmore, the Pass Powderkeg Ski Area, an intro course, and a special ride on Valentine’s Day 2024. These tours also come with accommodation package options to help you save on the tour and a place to stay.
When: all winter
Where: depart from Blairmore
How much: various packages and prices
Winter Hiking on the Best of the Crowsnest Trails
All you need sometimes for a solid winter adventure is a warm jacket and a reliable pair of boots. If a winter hike is enough adrenaline for your adventuring, then you’ll have many great trails from which to choose in the Crowsnest region.
- There are multi-use trails that depart from the Tecumseh Trailhead and are intended for those with dogs to use.
- A multi-use hiking trail loops around Chinook Lake with a trailhead and warming shelter located in the parking lot.
- The Frank Slide Interpretive Trail will add a bit of historical education to your winter hike. The site is eerie enough, let alone when it is covered in snow! It is only 1.4km as a loop but is located beside the Interpretive Centre, which is open over the winter.
Ice Skating on Crowsnest Lake
If you do choose to partake in ice skating on any Alberta lake, always be sure to check ice conditions first or be aware of any possible Chinooks blowing through the area. But when the area gets enough days below zero, the wide-open mountain/foothill lake is a beautiful place for skating. When that wind is cold, it perfectly polishes and smooths the surface. Parking is available at the boat launch.
Where: boat launch in Sentinel north of Highway AB-3
How much: free
Snowmobiling around Livingstone or Castle
A major sport in the Crowsnest Area is snowmobiling, thanks to the expansive foothill wilderness open to the north and south of Highway 3.
- The Livingstone Public Land Use Area includes, for the most part, the snowmobile trails north of the Crowsnest Highway (AB-3). Parking is available at the McGilvary Staging Area.
- The Crowsnest Wildland Provincial Park and Castle PP are south of the Crowsnest Highway with extensive snowmobile trails as well. Parking is available in the staging areas south of Coleman or south of Blairmore.
