Crowsnest Pass, Alberta facts for kids

The Municipality of Crowsnest Pass is a special kind of town in southwest Alberta, Canada. It's located in the beautiful Rocky Mountains, right next to the famous Crowsnest Pass mountain pass. This municipality was formed in 1979 when five smaller communities decided to join together. These communities were the villages of Bellevue and Frank, the towns of Blairmore and Coleman, and an area called Improvement District No. 5, which included the small community of Hillcrest.

Quick facts for kids Crowsnest Pass
Specialized municipality
Municipality of Crowsnest Pass
Scenery in Crownest Pass
Logo
Motto(s):  Naturally Rewarding
Location within Alberta
Country	Canada
Province	Alberta
Region	Southern Alberta
Census division	15
- Town	January 1, 1979
- Specialized municipality	January 16, 2008
Area  (2021)
• Land	370.15 km2 (142.92 sq mi)
Elevation	1,310 m (4,300 ft)
Population  (2021)
• Total	5,695
• Density	15.4/km2 (40/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC−7 (MST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−6 (MDT)
Postal code span	T0K 0E0, 0M0, 0C0, 1C0
Area code(s)	403 / 587
Highways	Hwy 3 (Crowsnest Highway)

Former communities that joined to form Crowsnest Pass

History of Crowsnest Pass

The communities in Crowsnest Pass started because of coal mining. The first coal mine opened in the area in 1900. Many people from different countries came here to work in the mines.

Challenges and Changes in Mining

Over the years, coal mining faced many challenges. Coal prices went up and down, and there were difficult worker strikes. Sadly, there were also underground accidents. Eventually, all the mines on the Alberta side of the pass closed. This happened because new, safer open-pit mines opened on the British Columbia side. Today, a coal mine in Sparwood, just across the border, still provides jobs for people living in Crowsnest Pass.

Important Events and Tragedies

Crowsnest Pass has seen some sad events in its history. In 1903, a huge part of Turtle Mountain broke off. This event, known as the Frank Slide, covered part of the Village of Frank. In 1914, the Hillcrest mine disaster happened near Hillcrest, and 189 people lost their lives. The area also experienced big floods in 1923 and 1942. Forest fires have also swept through the valley, like one in 2003 that threatened the whole municipality.

Law and Order in the Past

From 1916 to 1923, during a time called "prohibition," it was illegal to sell alcohol. Crowsnest Pass became a center for "rum-running," where alcohol was illegally brought across the border from British Columbia. You can learn more about this history at the restored Alberta Provincial Police Barracks, which is now a museum.

How the Municipality Was Formed

On November 3, 1978, the Government of Alberta decided to combine Bellevue, Blairmore, Coleman, Frank, and Improvement District No. 5. This official joining happened on January 1, 1979. The new combined area was given the status of a town and named the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass. A review in 1983 showed that joining these communities helped improve services and housing. Later, on January 16, 2008, Crowsnest Pass became a "specialized municipality." This change helped it work better with its rural neighbors.

Geography and Nature

The Municipality of Crowsnest Pass is in the southwest part of Alberta. It shares a border with British Columbia to the west. To the north, it borders the Municipal District of Ranchland No. 66, and to the east and south, it borders the Municipal District of Pincher Creek No. 9.

Rivers and Mountains

The Crowsnest River starts at Crowsnest Lake and flows eastward through the municipality. Parts of the beautiful Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve are also found in the northwest and southern areas of the municipality.

Communities Within Crowsnest Pass

The Municipality of Crowsnest Pass is made up of several communities that used to be separate towns or villages.

• Former Towns:
  • Blairmore
  • Coleman
• Former Villages:
  • Bellevue
  • Frank
• Other Localities:
  • Crowsnest
  • East Kootenay
  • Hazell
  • Hillcrest (also known as Hillcrest Mines)
  • Savanna
  • Sentinel (also known as Sentry Siding)

Population and Demographics

In 2021, Statistics Canada counted the population of Crowsnest Pass. There were 5,695 people living in the municipality. This was a small increase from its population of 5,589 in 2016. The municipality covers an area of about 370.15 square kilometers. This means there were about 15.4 people living per square kilometer in 2021.

Here's a look at how the population of the different parts of Crowsnest Pass has changed over time:

Fun Things to Do and See

Crowsnest Pass is a great place for outdoor adventures and learning about history!

Parks and Nature

You can find parts of the Castle Provincial Park and the Castle Wildland Provincial Park in the Crowsnest Pass area. These parks offer beautiful natural spaces to explore.

Historical Sites and Museums

There are many interesting historical places to visit:

• The Frank Slide Interpretive Centre is a provincial historic site. It teaches you about the huge landslide that happened in 1903.
• You can see interpretive displays at Leitch Collieries, another provincial historic site.
• Take an underground tour of the Bellevue Mine, a provincial historic resource.
• Learn about the past at the Hillcrest Cemetery, which is also a provincial historic resource.
• Visit the Crowsnest Museum and the Alberta Provincial Police Barracks interpretive center in Coleman. These are part of a National Historic Site.

You can find maps and guides for walking and driving tours to explore these historical spots on your own.

Outdoor Activities

Crowsnest Pass is perfect for outdoor fun all year round:

• In the summer, you can go hiking, fishing, and mountain-biking.
• In the winter, you can enjoy snowmobiling.
• There's a downhill ski hill called Pass PowderKeg.
• You can also find groomed trails for cross-country skiing.
• Major ski hills like Fernie Alpine Resort and Castle Mountain Resort are only about 70 kilometers away.