Alpine Taxidermy & Wildlife Museum

Taxidermied Polar bear from Hudson Bay area - a former "problem bear" Erin Everywhere (Atlas Obscura User)

Owner Marty Thomas has dedicated a lifetime to hunting animals and preserving their bodies. His many years spent working as a hunting guide have produced a surprising collection of creatures.

Most of the animals were hunted from the local area and across Western Canada. Others were hunted from across North America, Africa, and Eurasia. Special features include a bighorn sheep from Kyrgyzstan, a zebra from Africa, and a polar bear from Hudson Bay in Northern Canada.

The museum features six rooms filled with hundreds of taxidermied animals. One of the museum’s rooms also functions as the shop where the taxidermy is done. Here you can see taxidermy projects in progress and the foam molds and plastic teeth that the taxidermist uses to make his creations.

There are also some smaller items such as weasel skulls available for sale for the interested customer.

Marty, his wife Marlene, and their grandchildren are usually around to give you a walk-through and share stories about the animals contained within.

Know Before You Go

The museum is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week.

Admittance is by donation, with a suggested donation of $20 CAD. There is a donation box to the left of the museum's front door.

The museum is located south of Grand Forks, approximately four kilometers off the Crowsnest Highway. It is best accessed by bike or vehicle, with onsite parking available.