With a vision to create a mountain bike tourism destination, the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass worked with IMBA to create a 5-year master plan to create economic diversification, more recreation opportunities for local youth and increased tourism. Alongside, the local United Riders of Crowsnest (UROC) bike club has been developing trails with volunteer labour to promote mountain biking, facilitate group rides and put a ton of sweat (and maybe sometimes tears) into their trails.

In 2011, Hoots Ltd. was hired to design and build a Bike Skills Park in Blairmore as well as 5 km of XC trail in Crowsnest Pass. Over 2 months, Hoots completed the Bike Park with something for everyone to ride including beginner and intermediate jumps and big jump line for more advanced riders, as well as drop zone, pump track and a variety of skills features boasting a 170 ft log and rock ride. Big thanks to Graham at Bike Bros for helping test out the dirt jumps!

During this time, Hoots also built trails adjacent to the Pass Powerkeg Ski Hill to provide opportunity for all types of riders, both young and old, near and far. Trail development included 2 km of singletrack to connect from the existing Pass Powderkeg trails to the top of the chairlift, and housing small - medium berms to help keep up hill momentum and control downhill speed.

The 1 km Berma Grin dirt and wood flow trail was also built catering to beginner / intermediate riding on the lower half and intermediate / advanced riding on the top half. Large berms, table jumps and carefully spaced grade reversals all combine to create a ‘roller coaster’ feel while riding a bicycle.

Hoots worked in collaboration with UROC, the Municipality and Community Futures to support the vision of the Crowsnest Pass Trails Master plan; and, worked closely with volunteers and students from a summer work program to leverage as much help as possible to ensure top quality trail projects, as well as Bike Park.

Be sure to stop by Crowsnest Pass on Hwy 3 in southern Alberta and check out the trails or better yet make it your destination for all things mountain biking! The 4 cozy towns of Coleman, Blairmore, Frank and Bellevue that make up the Crowsnest Pass have lots to offer, including old school trails that the locals are willing to show off. Stop in for a coffee at Stone’s Throw Café in Blairmore and an ice cream at The Old Dairy Ice Cream Shoppe on Mainstreet in Bellevue! Yum!

(photos courtesy of rockiesfamilyadventures.com, UROC & Hoots Ltd.)

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