Jodi on 
Erin on 
Eric on 
Bill Evans on 
Yes, this blog is mostly about eating but sometimes it’s about the sights. And Bass Pro Shops in the CrossIron Mills megamall in Balzac, north of Calgary, is a sight.
Opened in August, the mall is one million square feet. Bass Pro Shops, a gigantic outdoors equipment store, is a major tenant.
This is a fascinating place to roam. I’ve never seen so many stuffed animals (moose, bears, deer, beavers…) in one place.
You can get everything and anything — from power boats and shotguns to meat grinders and fish batter — for the hunter, fisher or camper in your life.
There’s actually a small food counter in a corner of the store that serves ice cream and sandwiches.
There’s an air rifle shooting range that I could spend all afternoon at. For 50 cents a turn, you can shoot at targets that make stuffed animals move, doors swing open, and kettles steam.
And if that’s not enough fun for the kids, why not bring home this handy kid’s crossbow in pink camouflage? (If you look closely at the box, its tag line is “Bring ‘em up right!”)
If you head here, try to avoid the crowded lone exit from Highway 2/Deerfoot Trail and take some of the suggested alternative routes. Also, don’t take the first turnoff into the first parking lot. Go as far as you can and then try to find a spot. Even post-Christmas, parking was madness.
Bass Pro Shops, 112-261055 Cross Iron Blvd., Rocky View, Alberta, (403) 592-3900.
Sadly, my nephew has the boy version of that cross-bow. Yup, my brother-in-law is a redneck! At least they share the spoils and I usually get some deer and moose in the freezer.
You’re lucky! Deer and moose in freezer are awesome.
Wow, this is so great! Never having been in a Bass Pro Shop, I didn’t know what to expect. This is even better than I imagined… I can’t believe they have a real shooting range. I could spend all day in a place like this (and probably buy a lot of stuff too!)