The day Turtle Mountain moved
Frank Slide Interpretive Centre uses state-of-the-art exhibits to tell the story of North America’s deadliest rockslide.
KAREN UNG
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Standing on top of a mountain, you feel like the world is at your command. But what if you lived at the bottom of that same mountain and it came rushing down in a tremendous heap? We’re not talking about an avalanche of snow, this time it’s all about the entire rock face crumbling. It happened in the Crowsnest Pass in 1903 when an estimated 82 million tons of rock slide in and across the valley wiping out the main part of the mining town of Frank. Today, you can explore the event at the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre as part of your #BucketlistAB adventures.
Karen Ung spent a day at Frank Slide Interpretive Centre and came away with a new understanding of how the geology, the mining activities and the annual freeze/thaw cycles of the water seeping through the cracks could all be the cause of the collapse. Check out the full story on ZenSeekers.
Buy an annual pass to the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre...
Photo:
Pam Drover
You can’t miss seeing the Frank Slide, it’s on the south side of the highway on your way to Pass Powderkeg and Fernie Alpine Resort on highway 3. On the north side of the valley, perched on top of the 14-metres of rubble that covers the main part of the town of Frank is the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre.
A quick stop will turn into a lingering visit due to the information provided via the multi-media displays. Learn why the nomadic First Nations Peoples never camped under the mountain. Discover what it was like to be one of the miners trapped in the mountain who miraculously dug themselves out on their own only to find out the town was destroyed. See if you can make the mountain rumble by jumping on a seismic sensor.
Photo:
Karen Ung
Don’t forget to take the driving tour through the rubble under the slide. Signs along the gravel road show you just how much the mountain moved.
Amenities
Visitor Centre: Get information on things to do, where to eat, or where to stay from knowledgeable staff who live in the area. Joey Ambrosi literally wrote the local hiking book, Southern Rockies Trail Guide.
Gift shop: The gift shop carries unique souvenirs, hiking books, historical graphic novels (featuring stories about Frank Slide, Bellevue Mine, and Rum Running), and the interpretive guide for the Frank Slide Trail.
Stay in Pincher Creek and make it a weekend - Waterton Lakes National Park is less than an hour away!
Learn More
For more information - including hours, admission rates, and special events - please visit Alberta Culture & Tourism - Frank Slide Interpretive Centre.
Discover more historic sites along the Crowsnest Heritage Route, a 20 km self-guided driving tour.
Pick up an Experience Alberta’s History Annual Pass for free admission to all of Alberta’s heritage facilities including Frank Slide Interpretive Centre, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, Remington Carriage Museum, The Royal Tyrrell Museum, and more.
Getting Here
Frank Slide Interpretive Centre is located in Blairmore, 200 km southwest of Calgary.
Where to Stay
Ramada Pincher Creek is conveniently located off Highways 3 and 6, and has a swimming pool, fitness centre, business centre, free wifi and free breakfast.
SnowSeekers and Travel Alberta have partnered to bring you the #BucketlistAB expedition - explore now.
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