On April 29, 1903, at 4:10 a.m., 90 million tonnes of limestone crashed from the east face of Turtle Mountain and covered approximately three square kilometres of the valley floor. The slide dammed the Crowsnest River and formed a small lake, covered 2 km of the Canadian Pacific Railway, destroyed most of the coal mine's surface infrastructure, and buried seven houses on the outskirts of the sleeping town of Frank, as well as several rural buildings. Frank was home to approximately 600 people in 1903; approximately 100 people were in the direct path of the slide, and 23 of those - mostly children - escaped death.

Frank Slide continues to attract attention from scientists and the countless motorists who travel Highway 3 through the Crowsnest Pass - the lowest trans-Rocky Mountain pass between New Mexico and Jasper National Park.

There is a full Interpretive Centre, as well as guided walks through what was once the town of Frank - weather permitting.