Things to do in the Crowsnest Pass

  Crowsnest Pass is a buzzing hub of excitement in the summer, where the options for outdoor fun, mountain magic, and epic exploration are truly endless. Just two hours south of Calgary, Crowsnest Pass is a vibrant mountain town with stunning natural scenery, fascinating historic landmarks, and a diverse range of experiences that offer something for families, outdoor enthusiasts, zen-seekers, and everyone in between. With so much to see and do, it’s no wonder that visitors return year after year to enjoy the endless adventures that await in Crowsnest Pass. Discover the magic of Crowsnest Pass: Top must-do activities for your next adventure Join us as we share our favourite activities and spots to check out, and get ready to experience the best this stunning destination has to offer. Take a guided historical tour of the Miner’s Path or the Lille ghost town with Uplift Adventures. Visit the Crowsnest Museum and the APP Barracks, where the past comes alive through engaging exhibits, photographs, and artifacts that chronicle the region’s fascinating rum-running history and coal mining era. (It’s also a great place to buy gifts and souvenirs!) Go on the Bellevue Underground Mine tour or to Frank Slide Interpretive Centre—these are great indoor activities for hot summer days. Don’t miss the Crowsnest Community Market on Thursdays at the Gazebo Park (runs June to September). Whether you’re a die-hard golfer or not, you’ll love the views over at the Crowsnest Golf Course. Take them in over a few swings, followed by dinner at the on-site restaurant. Take a private mountain biking skills course with Sweet Riders. Embrace the art community and visit the Crowsnest Pass Public Art Gallery, also a great place to buy gifts and crafty souvenirs! Book a private guided hike with Uplift Adventures and learn about what makes Crowsnest Pass unique from a professional and local guide. Learn how to outdoor rock climb with Uplift Adventures. Our course is designed to teach you the basics of climbing outdoors and build your skills and confidence to embark on your own thrilling climbing adventure. Rent a kayak or paddle board from JoJo Adventure Rentals and head out to Crowsnest Lake or Chinook Lake for some time on the water. Take a guided fly-fishing trip with local fly-fishing guides: Crowsnest Café & Fly Shop, Crowsnest Angler, or Oldman River Outfitters. Find a patio and test out the local watering holes. Some great patios are found at Encounters Wine Bar, Pass Beer, Tin Dogs Pub & Brewery, Limber Pine Smokehouse & Taberna, Pure Country Bar & Grill, The Cosmopolitan Hotel, and Rum Runner. Stroll along the 23-kilometre-long Crowsnest Community Trail that connects the five Crowsnest Pass communities. Go shopping and pick up some local trinkets or snacks: Crowsnest Candy Company, Berta General Store, Kind Rat, Crockets Trading Company, Emilio’s Mercato Italiano, Crowsnest Pantry, Emerald & Ash Clothing, The Gilded Haus. Pick up a new pair of sunglasses or a hydration pack from spry and hit the Pass Powderkeg for trail running. Cheer on the participants in one of the renowned running or biking races that take place in the Pass: Sinister 7, Sole Survivor, Crowsnest Pass 100, Minotaur SkyRace, Run the Rocks. Hire a local photographer and get some family portraits that will last a lifetime: Anna Milne Photography does a wonderful job of capturing special moments. Drop in at the Crowsnest Community Library to find a good book to read by the Crowsnest River or Chinook Lake. Rent a mountain bike from Alpenland and hit the trails at Pass Powderkeg or York Creek. Support our local mountain bike club that builds and maintains trails: United Riders of Crowsnest. Connect with the Quad Squad and find a meetup group to check out some off-roading. Visit the South Canadian Rockies, GoCrowsnest or Crowsnest Connects websites for more ideas. Is there something exciting we forgot to mention about summer in Crowsnest Pass? Share your thoughts with us in the comments or let us know on social media. Where is Crowsnest Pass, Alberta? Crowsnest Pass is tucked away in the scenic southwest corner of Alberta, where the majestic Rocky Mountains meet the rolling foothills. It spans an area that encompasses several small communities, including Blairmore, Coleman, Bellevue, Hillcrest, and Frank. Located near the borders of British Columbia and the United States, Crowsnest Pass is known for its stunning natural beauty, characterized by towering mountains, rolling hills, and pristine alpine lakes. The region is easily accessible, with major highways such as Highway 3 and Highway 22 passing through, connecting it to nearby towns and cities. Whether you’re seeking outdoor adventures, exploring historical sites, or simply immersing yourself in the tranquility of nature, Crowsnest Pass is a captivating destination for visitors to discover and enjoy.

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5 Renovations That Won't Increase the Value of Your Home

While you’ve probably considered the various ways you can upgrade your home to increase its value, there are some renovations that won’t make a big dent on the overall value of your home when you’re ready to sell it. Here’s a few options that won’t give you the big return on investment you might be expecting. New Furnace and GuttersWhile a buyer will appreciate a home with a new furnace, it’s not going to make them willing to pay more for the home than they would if it still had the previous furnace, since the life expectancy is around 30 years. Replacing these items when necessary are routine maintenance issues required to make your home perform its basic functions, not something particularly special or enticing. Swimming Pool or SpaWhile these seem like items that would get buyers excited, they’re not additions that are likely to make you more money in the long run. Add these items to your home because you enjoy them, not because you think they will increase the home’s value. In fact, since pools and spas can be hard to maintain and take up valuable space, some potential buyers are likely to avoid such homes. Solar PanelsWhile this is a great option for contributing more positively to the environment, it’s not going to make a big impact on your home’s value. This is a renovation that you would want to make early on so you can reap the benefits on your hydro bill, not on your home’s resale price. You should also be aware that if you financed the panels, it is very likely that you can’t sell your home until the balance is paid off. Professional LandscapingWhile it’s always a good idea to make sure your home has some curb appeal and looks as tidy and well maintained as possible, going all out on an expensive professional landscaper won’t pay off during resale. This is because fancy items like waterfalls are all about personal taste, and while you might love it, your buyer might find it dated or tacky. Upgrading Electrical and PlumbingAgain, this is considered a maintenance issue—something required to keep your home up and running the way it should. While it will cost you to replace and upgrade these features, it’s not so much a renovation as a requirement. It won’t boost the value of your home because it’s just another necessity for the home.  

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6 Things Not to Do Before Purchasing a Home

Buying a home is one of the most exciting life experiences there is. To make the process as smooth as it possibly can be, there are some things you shouldn’t do before signing on the dotted line and closing on a property. Nothing is written in stone until you have those keys in your hand, so these six tips may be useful to you to ensure that happens: Don’t buy something major. That driveway might look stellar with a new car sitting in it, but if you’re planning on mortgage shopping, waiting until after you’ve secured the funds might be wise. You don’t want to chance not being able to get financing because your shiny, new car reduces your debt-to-income ratio, which banks use to calculate how much they’ll lend you. In addition, Canadians must now pass a mortgage stress test. That means a lender will simulate your financial circumstances by qualifying you at the higher of either the benchmark rate—the qualifying rate set by the Bank of Canada composed of an average of the posted five-year fixed rates used by Canada’s major banks—or 2 per cent higher than the rate being offered by the banks. Don’t quit your job. Mortgage lenders want to see consistency, and they will look at your job history, to be sure. Unless you’re offered the job of your dreams, it’s better to stay put until you’re sure of a lending institution’s firm lending offer. Don’t become best buddies with the seller. Being friendly is one thing, but if you make what you think is an insignificant comment like “I’m going to change the horrible paint colour in the living room,” it could possibly rub the seller the wrong way. Keep it casual. Don’t get too emotional. Keep a level head by not sweating the small stuff and by not falling too much in love with the place, either. A sense of logic is important in the home-buying realm. Thinking with a clear head is best. Don’t give any money directly to the seller. Any deposits should go into a trust account. You don’t want your money spent before the deal is closed. And you don’t want to have to fight to get that money back should something happen and the deal doesn’t solidify. Don’t try to navigate the waters alone. Your agent will help you through the process. He or she will schedule a final walk-through of the home before closing and will have your best interests at heart. Your agent will be able to answer your questions and figuratively hold your hand every step of the way.  

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