Amanda F.
Yelp
This review is for the Atlas Coal Mine #3
It had been years since my last trip to Drumheller - I had been to this coal mine before when I was young, but was able to really appreciate the whole experience visiting as an adult all growed up and stuff (well, most days)!
There are several tour options (guided or not) ranging in price ($7 for general admission to the museum grounds up to close to $30 I believe for a much more expansive guided tour). We opted for the middle option - at $15/person we received a guided tour up through the conveyer belt to the entrance to the abandoned coal mine and back down.
Our tour guide was great - she was informative, friendly, funny, helpful - the works! First she gave us some background info on the mine in the wash house, and then we were equipped with hard hats and head lamps for our assent up into the mine (we learned that this mine, in particular, was of the drift mine variety). We travelled some 550 feet upwards alongside the conveyer belt to the entrance of the mine, with a stop at the goldsmiths shack at the top. To give you an idea of how short I am: while travelling up the conveyer shaft, EVERYONE had to duck down in a few places (BF was lucky he was wearing the hard hat or he may have come out slightly concussed) EXCEPT for me...
We made it up to the entrance of the mine - turns out that back in the day when it was first shut down, rule was that they had to block the entrance for 100 feet. Excavators have made it 40 feet through the blockage, and are slowly working through the next 60 feet. I will definitely be back (in 10 years or so) when they get through the rest!!
Truly an interesting experience. I would love to explore more of the mine and would certainly consider coming back for one of the other tour options. This particular tour is not great for small children as the hike up and down is notably strenuous at times (strollers would not work here), but would be perfect for any young explorers (about 7 years +).