Nestled in the municipality of Crowsnest Pass is a quiet urban community known as Blairmore, Alberta. If you’ve never been, keep reading, and by the end of this blog, guaranteed, you’ll be looking up Blairmore Hotels to check into. Many visitors describe Blairmore as a laid back and non-touristy town, but don’t let this description fool you into thinking there’s nothing to do; the community is teeming with activities.
From museums to mountain biking, it’s easy to pack in a full day of adventure during your stay in Blairmore, Alberta.
Activities near Blairmore Hotels
Blairmore hotels are surrounded by beautiful scenery and the Rocky Mountains, which, for outdoor enthusiasts, is a dream come true. Below is a list of activities that this natural playground facilitates.
Mountain Biking
Blairmore’s mountain pass location means it offers some exciting and varied mountain biking trails.
While beginners can cruise along the paved 23-kilometer Crowsnest Community Trail, more experienced riders can tackle the trails at the Pass Powderkeg hill. Or, riders can switch it up, by taking their bike for a spin at the Skills Park in Blairmore. Check out The United Riders of Crowsnest for more trails and other bike riding areas.
History and Hiking
The Heritage Trails system combines Blairmore’s history with outdoor and non-urban hiking trails.
You can walk The North York Creek Plane Crash Trail, a 12-kilometre loop to an actual plane crash site, or The Frank Slide Trail, a 1.5-kilometre wander that begins and ends at the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre.
For a challenge, take the Turtle Mountain route. This option is a steep (yet scenic) 6.9-kilometer trail, rated as difficult. This trail is also known to have lots of opportunities for some epic photos and impressive spots for bird watching. In total, there are 25 historic trails to choose from.
Sight-Seeing at Lundbreck Falls
At Lundbreck Falls, you will see incredibly powerful 15 ft tall waterfalls. Often, these waterfalls are compared to the famous Niagara Falls in Toronto, Ontario. If you’re feeling adventurous, there are steps you can walk down towards the base of the waterfalls. At the base, you have the opportunity to walk close enough to the waterfalls that you may even feel a nice refreshing spray!
For the full waterfall experience, there are camping spots directly on the riverbank allowing you to see and hear the powerful force of the falls day and night. And, if you’re not feeling adventurous at all, there is a small picnic area that you and your family can eat a packed lunch at and witness these forces of nature from afar.
Regardless of how you choose to enjoy the waterfalls, this sight-seeing option should be at the top of your Blairmore to-do list.
Golfing
If you’re feeling sore from all the outdoor activities (but still want to spend time outdoors), perhaps a day of golf is in order.
Crowsnest Pass Golf course is a world-renowned spot to practice your swing, breathe in fresh Rocky Mountain air, and take in the euphoric scenery. This full-service golf course is also known for its superb amenities (i.e: on-site restaurant), and outstanding service. The golf course recently opened nine brand-new holes with stunning views of Crowsnest Mountain, Mount Tecumseh, and the Crowsnest Range.
Affordable and surrounded by breathtaking mountain views, this 18-hole golf course is a destination golf course and hidden gem of Alberta.
Attractions near Blairmore Hotels
Many Blairmore hotels are situated around some jaw-dropping historical sites. Due to Blairmore’s long history of coal mining, and the natural and man-made disasters its community has experienced, there are many pieces of history that speckle the Crowsnest Pass.
Below are some historical sites you don’t want to miss during your stay in Blairmore, Alberta.
Bellevue Underground Mine
Between 1902 and 1917, more than 400 miners lost their lives in underground explosions in the Crowsnest Pass, including the explosion in the Bellevue Mine in 1910. Take a wander through the underground tunnels and learn more about how these miners worked and survived. It’s cold in the mines, between 0°C and 2°C, so bring a jacket for the tour.
Crowsnest Museum
Located in the old Coleman High School, the Crowsnest Museum offers a glimpse into the lives of pioneers who settled the area and the miners who both made and lost their fortunes.
Frank Slide Interpretive Centre
Learn about Canada’s deadliest rockslide, the Frank Slide of 1903. The centre’s programming includes two award-winning docudramas about the natural disaster: On the Edge of Destruction and In the Mountain’s Shadow. Take a seat in the cool auditorium and learn about the night the mountain fell.
Leitch Collieries Provincial Historic Site
Built in 1907, Leitch Collieries was the only Canadian owned and operated coal mine in the Crowsnest Pass. It was dogged by bad luck until it was forced to close in 1919. The historic site includes buildings, interpretive signs and listening posts. Visitors have the option to take a guided tour through the site to learn more about the coal-mining practices and events that took place here.
Dining near Blairmore Hotels
Most Blairmore hotels have kitchen amenities or an on-site restaurant, but after a day of hiking, biking, fishing, golfing or historical site visiting, you’ll be exhausted and ready to eat something ASAP.
Or, if you’re waking up early and need to move quickly to summit Turtle Mountain before noon, eating a hearty breakfast at a local café is a convenient option.
Below are some highly recommended Blairmore café’s and restaurants to choose from.
The Rum Runner
The Rum Runner Restaurant has tasty pub-style fare, including half-pound burgers. The poutine burger comes smothered in fries, gravy, cheese curds and onion rings. The restaurant is named after Crowsnest Pass resident Emilio Picariello. Picariello made a name for himself exporting and bootlegging booze during the prohibition era – he was the area’s rumrunner.
Stone’s Throw Café
Stop for the all-day breakfast at this family-owned café before you hit up the mountain biking trails. Try the huevos rancheros – it comes with potato pancakes and bacon – or the Belgian waffle. The Stone’s Throw Café has a green policy and encourages diners to bring their own mugs for to-go coffee. This café also sells travel mugs that include a free drink.
Crowsnest Coffee Company
All of the coffee poured at the Crowsnest Coffee Company is roasted on-site. Order a latte and buy a bag of beans to take home. The company roasts single-origin beans and signature blends.
Which Blairmore Hotels Should I Look Into?
Out of all the Blairmore hotels, the Kanata Blairmore Hotel should be your number one choice. During your stay with us, we ensure you have optimal comfort and quality hotel service…they don’t call us the ‘The Eh! Team” for nothing! Our brand is proudly 100% Canadian owned and believes in giving all our guests an experience nothing short of the best Canadian hospitality we’re known for.