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2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games Official Site of Tourism British Columbia, Canada
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Sparwood Transportation & Maps

Driving in Sparwood, Don Weixl photo
Car in Sparwood, Don Weixl photo
As one of only two eastern gateways to the Kootenay Rockies, Sparwood is a border town of sorts - Alberta and the Canadian Prairies are just over the pass. While most visitors arrive in Sparwood in their own car or recreational vehicle, there are other options for transportation and getting around town.

Car Travel

The Crowsnest Pass is an historic route pioneered by engineers of the Canadian Pacific Railway in the 1890s. Today, freight trains still rumble through the pass, sharing this important transportation corridor with the cars and trucks that speed along Highway 3.

Over the pass to Fort MacLeod and north on Alberta Hwy 2, Calgary is a 31/2-hour drive. In the other direction, Vancouver is almost 1000km/600mi to the west - an approximately 11-hour drive.

The only other road leading out of Sparwood is Highway 43, which dead-ends in the community of Elkford, 34km/21mi to the north. From there, a gravel road continues to Elk Lakes Provincial Park.

The closest car rental agency is in Fernie, 20 minutes south west of Sparwood. Winter tires are essential equipment for a large part of the year.

Air Travel

The closest airport is the Canadian Rockies International Airport, just west of Cranbrook, offering service to Vancouver, Calgary and Salt Lake City. Car rentals are available at the airport, which is located 125km/78mi west of Sparwood.

Other airports within practical reach of Sparwood are Calgary International (308km/191mi) and Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell, Montana (218km/135mi). Both offer car rentals.

Sparwood's 4000ft airstrip, 8km/5mi north of the village, is used primarily by private aircraft.

Public Transportation

Greyhound Canada operates two buses per day to destinations east and west only.

BC Transit operates the Elkford, Fernie, Sparwood Loop from Monday through Friday, with additional service to Elkford on Thursdays. The nearest taxi service is based in Fernie.

Free maps of Sparwood and the Kootenay Rockies region are available at the Visitor Centre, just off Hwy 3.