Coleman Alberta hotels are far and few between, but BCMInns Coleman is undoubtedly the best hotel in Coleman, AB, especially for families.
BCMInns Coleman is known to be a family-friendly hotel where guests feel right at home. Imagine a place where you can have all the comforts of home, and then just one step outside your door, you’re surrounded by the majestic Rocky Mountains.
The Rocky Mountains aren’t just pretty to look at; all year round, these mountains facilitate an array of different outdoor activities including activities for the whole family.
Fall is particularly a great time for family fun in the mountains! Keep reading to find out how to spend a family weekend in Coleman, AB.
Crowsnest Pass
As you’re perusing different Coleman Alberta hotels to book accommodations at, it’s likely you’ll stumble upon information that not only showcases the Rocky Mountains but also Crowsnest Pass.
The historic Crowsnest Pass Area is made up of five small towns – Hillcrest, Bellevue, Frank, Blairmore and Coleman. The area is easily accessible via Highway 3 from Calgary and Lethbridge.
If you stay on Highway 3 and never venture into the small towns or onto the backroads, you’ll miss the best of what the area offers – outstanding natural terrain, the Crowsnest River, recreational diversions galore and a whole lot of history.
Crowsnest History
Spend the first half of the day checking out all the historical sites Crowsnest Pass has to offer. This way, you can beat the crowds and enjoy outdoor activities in the afternoon once the weather has warmed up.
Crowsnest Museum
Most visitors agree that the best way to get an overview of the history of the Crowsnest Pass area is to head to the Crowsnest Museum in Coleman, AB.
With its ten themed galleries filled with 25,000 historical artifacts, it’s a great first stop. Inside you can learn about pioneers, coal mining, the police, the military and life as it was in the early 20th century. The museum, located in the 1936 era Coleman High School, is open every day from 9 AM until 5 PM and there’s free parking on the street.
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.
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.
Family-Friendly Outdoor Activities near Coleman Alberta Hotels
Fall is the perfect time of year to research Coleman Alberta hotels. The moderate Fall temperature in Crowsnest Pass allows for you and your family to do outdoors activities and sightseeing in comfort. So go spend a weekend in Coleman, get away from the city, and breathe in some fresh alpine air.
Below are a few of our top picks for outdoor activities for the entire family.
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 falls. 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 Coleman to-do list.
Hiking in Crowsnest Pass
The Crowsnest Pass has plenty of hiking trails many of which are suitable for all ages and levels of hiking.
The Heritage Trails system combines Coleman’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.
If your family is up for a challenge, take the Turtle Mountain route. This option is a steep (yet scenic) 6.9-kilometre 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.
Other popular hiking trails include:
- Window Mountain Lake Trail
- Star Creek Falls Loop
- Crowsnest Mountain Trail
The Rum Runner
After all the hiking and history, your family will be ready for some filling and delicious food! The Rum Runner Restaurant is the perfect place to chat and debrief about your adventurous day while filling up on a satisfying meal before returning to your cozy BCMInns accommodation.
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.
Here, they offer tasty pub-style fare including half-pound burgers and poutine. A popular entrée is the poutine burger, which comes smothered in fries, gravy, cheese curds and onion rings.
If you’re trying to save money, you can use always use the kitchen amenities your BCMInns accommodation has to offer.
Coleman Alberta Hotels: BCMInns Hotel
Why is BCMInns Coleman the best hotel in Coleman, AB? The answer is simple. BCMI Coleman offers amenities and hospitality so you always feel at home away from home. Although Coleman, AB is a top destination for extreme outdoor adventures, there are plenty of family-friendly activities to do in the area.