Plan your
visit
Pass Powderkeg sits in Blairmore, right on Highway 3 in southwest Alberta. Here’s when we’re open, how to get here and what to expect.
When
we’re open
The upper mountain usually opens after the Christmas holiday week; until then early-season prices apply. During holiday weeks we open extra days.
Season 2026/27
- MondayClosed
- TuesdayClosed
- Wednesday4–8 pm
- Thursday4–8 pm
- Friday1–8 pm
- Saturday10 am–4 pm
- Sunday10 am–4 pm
Holidays & events: 10 am–8 pm. Season 2026/27: from Saturday, December 5. Every day is weather permitting: closures go up on Facebook and Instagram.
Getting
here
A beautiful, scenic drive from any direction: the Rockies from Calgary, the prairies from Lethbridge, the Elk Valley from BC.
- Sparwood, BCfrom the west · 33 km25 min
- Pincher Creekfrom the east · 53 km35 min
- Fernie, BCfrom the west · 64 km45 min
- Elkford, BCfrom the west · 68 km50 min
- Fort Macleodfrom the east · 97 km1 h
- Lethbridgefrom the east · 145 km1 h 30
- High Riverfrom the north · 165 km1 h 45
- Okotoksfrom the north · 178 km2 h
- Calgaryfrom the north · 220 km2 h 30
The last 2 km
- In Blairmore, turn south off Highway 3 onto 129 Street, the centre access into town.
- Cross the tracks to the T intersection and turn right.
- One short block on, Powderkeg Drive climbs 1.5 km to the lodge and parking.
The access road is cleared regularly but steep with many turns. Take it slowly up, and again on the way home.
Directions in Google MapsAt the
lodge
One centralised lift system and one mid-mountain lodge: easy to meet up, easy to warm up.
Day lodge
Guest Services, tickets, rentals and a warm table, with views of the hill. Pre-load your pass with money for snacks.
Rentals & tech shop
Ski and snowboard packages with helmet, fitted by our technicians. Seasonal rentals wait for you at the lodge.
Lion’s Den yurt
A warm, supervised playroom for our Little Cubs, with toys, books and crafts between runs.
Events
The Pass Powderkeg Ski Society runs the fun stuff. 2027 dates are announced through the season.
Nov 6–72026
Ski & Snowboard Swap
Gear in, gear out. Friday entry needs a booked time slot to handle the crowd.
MDM Building, Bellevue
Dec 5–62026
Opening weekend
Lifts turn for the 2026/27 season. Early-season prices until the upper mountain opens.
SaturdaysJan–Mar
Saturday Night Skiing
Local sponsors make the evening free, by donation. Every dollar goes to a Crowsnest Pass cause.
ThursdaysNight
Uphill Series
Thursday nights on the skin track: skinners and snowshoers climb the Keg together.
3 race daysWinter
Pressure-free race series
Ever wanted to try ski racing? Fun, non-competitive, family-friendly races.
SpringSeason end
Slush Cup
Costumes, a pond and very cold splashdowns to close the winter.
Questions
- We decide every day, based on the weather and the wind chill on the hill. Any closure goes up on our Facebook and Instagram and at the top of this site. In extreme cold we may close for the day.
- Full day: open to close. Half day: after 12:30 pm when we close at 4, or after 4 pm when we close at 8. Twilight: the last two hours, 2–4 pm or 6–8 pm.
- Yes. The beginner lift and the Discover area are free for everyone, every day. You still need a (free) pass, so stop by the ticket office first.
- Groups of 12 or more get 10% off lift tickets, rental equipment and lessons (school groups excluded). Call us and we’ll help plan the day.
- The Chinook Arch Library Pass is free for all ages. Pick it up at your library.
- Little Cubs (3–4) and Kinder Cubs (5–6) are built for it, and the Lion’s Den yurt keeps little ones warm between runs. Before that, the free bunny hill is the place to walk around in boots and slide on small skis.
- Not during operating hours. Uphill users may bring a leashed dog outside them; please clean up after it.
- Powderkeg Drive climbs 1.5 km from Blairmore to the lodge. It’s cleared regularly but steep with many turns, so drive slowly both ways and carry winter tires.