EricDavidson.ca - The car-free guide to the Crowsnest Pass

The car-free guide to the Crowsnest Pass

The Crowsnest Pass is one of the most staggeringly beautiful and expansive front-range regions of Alberta's Rocky Mountains, though options for reaching it from Calgary are limited. While it’s not as easy as it should be, you can explore the Pass without needing to own a vehicle.

Getting there

Transit

There is a bus operator that runs a route from Calgary to Kalso, BC via the Crowsnest Pass - Mountain Man Mike's Bus Service ➚. The service is infrequent; the line runs just weekly, departing from Calgary on Tuesdays at 7:00 am. You will arrive in Pincher Creek at 9:30 am, or Sparwood at 11:00 am. A one-way fare costs around $30 as of November 2024, and there's an additional fee of $20 for bringing your bicycle, which you'll want to do for getting around the pass once you arrive. This means you'll spend around $100 round-trip if you're returning on the same bus route. The return trip departs weekly on Mondays, leaving Pincher Creek at 3:30 pm, arriving in Calgary around 6:00 pm. Because the bus service is limited, if you're looking for more flexibility, taking a car-share to the Crowsnest Pass may be the better option for you. However, the bus line is useful and is a solid option for longer trips.

// Mountain Man Mike's Bus Service

Buy a bus fare ahead of time online. The bus departs Calgary from Douglas Glen. You can take the MAX Teal ➚ or route 302 BRT ➚ to reach this location. You can bring your bike on the bus; watch this video ➚ if it's your first time bringing your bike along. Biking to the departure location is convenient as well, you can refer to my Calgary Bike Map to plan a route.

Bus stop locations:

📍 Calgary: 400-11488 24 Street SE, Calgary

📍 Pincher Creek: 1123 Freebairn Avenue, Pincher Creek

📍 Sparwood: 101 C Aspen Drive, Sparwood

📍 Fernie: 1701 9 Avenue, Fernie

Book a bus fare ➚

More information ➚

Car-share

Calgary's car-share services, such as Communauto, are the flexible option for getting to the Crowsnest Pass without needing to own a car yourself. You can expect to spend about $50 per day using Communauto. Please check out my guide to using these car share services for accessing the rockies below. Once you've picked up a vehicle, I would suggest taking the Queen Elizabeth II Highway south to Provincial Highway 540, then south on Cowboy Trail until you reach the Crowsnest Highway. This route is around 250 kilometres and takes around 2 hours 30 minutes to reach Coleman. You are required to carry chains or use winter tires on some sections of the Crowsnest Highway from October 1st to April 30th, annually.

Car share guide

Getting around

If you've arrived by bus

If you took Mountain Man Mike's bus, you will be dropped off in Pincher Creek, Sparwood, or Fernie. If your destination is reached from Coleman to Hillcrest, you can call a taxi to transport you and your bike to the closest village with a connection to the Crowsnest Trail, such as Hillcrest if you arrive in Pincher Creek or Coleman if you arrive in Sparwood. You can make the connection directly on your bike if you're comfortable with and are willing to accept the risks involved with cycling on rural roads.

The Crowsnest Trail

Also known as the Crowsnest Community Trail, the Crowsnest Trail is a 23 kilometre cycle track spanning the pass, connecting between Coleman and Hillcrest. It's the foremost way to get between most of the villages of the region without a car. It's a maintained trail with varying surface conditions, and is relatively safe to use. There is a strong cycling community; The Pass Beer Company ➚ is a popular spot for people getting around by bike as it's directly on the Crowsnest Trail in Blairmore. The first-hand experience of others getting around the Crowsnest Pass by bike is likely to be valuable. People living in the Pass are friendly, so don't hesitate to talk to others and ask around if you have questions about your ride.

Cycling on rural roads

Getting to the surrounding natural areas may involve cycling on rural roads. Check satellite maps and street imagery to ensure you’re comfortable with the route. Many rural roads in the Pass have relatively low speeds and traffic volumes, making them suitable for cyclists with a range of experience and abilities. If you choose to cycle on roadways, I advise staying on shoulders whenever safe and possible, and avoid impeding commercial traffic, as some roads see significant mining activity. Locals will appreciate your mindfulness because they're just trying to go about their workday.

Taxis

There are several taxi companies that operate in the Crowsnest Pass. Here are some of your options:

Crowsnest Taxi Crowsnest Pass Taxi Lethbridge Cabs

📞 (403) 563-0251 📞 (403) 583-4000 📞 (403) 381-4444

// Always check for up-to-date information.

More resources

Trail information

There are a wealth of resources available to find trails online. Scrambles in the Canadian Rockies ➚ details a number of great scrambles across the Crowsnest Pass as well. View popular trails ➚

My trail reports

I have trail reports and other information available for hikes, scrambles, and other activities around the Crowsnest Pass:

Hikes and scrambles

Avalanche conditions

Avalanche season in the Crowsnest Pass generally spans November through April. For avalanche conditions and forecasts, check Avalanche Canada's daily reports ➚. Avalanche Canada provides detailed reports on snowpack stability, weather influences, and potential hazards.

Camping

The Crowsnest Pass offers both frontcountry and backcountry camping to suit different preferences, seasons, and skill levels. Frontcountry campgrounds like the Crowsnest Pass Campground and the Lundbreck Falls provincial recreation area provide easy access and more amenities, ideal for when you prefer more comfort. Backcountry camping in areas like Castle Provincial Park and Window Mountain Lake offer more remote but sublime options with varying amenities.

Backcountry camping ➚

Frontcountry camping ➚

Other lodging

There are many hotels around the Crowsnest Pass. Vacancy is limited year-round, so book ahead if you'll need a hotel room. View lodging options ➚

Road conditions

Live road condition reports and traffic cameras are available across the Crowsnest Pass, as well as along Cowboy Trail and the Queen Elizabeth II Highway. These tools are valuable resources for traversing the Pass, as well as getting there during the fall, winter, and spring. Check Alberta's 511 service ➚ or DriveBC ➚ if traveling westward into British Columbia.

Connectivity

Cell-phone service is limited around the Crowsnest Pass. Check cell phone service coverage maps, download offline maps, and ensure you have a plan to stay connected. The Pass is well covered by satellite service providers such as Apple, Garmin, and more.

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