Cochrane Hill & Hwy 1A Winter Towing Guide

Cochrane is one of the prettiest drives near Calgary: down the long hill into the Bow Valley, mountains straight ahead. In winter it's also one of the trickier ones. Grades, river-valley fog and fast-changing chinook weather all catch drivers out. Dave's Towing has been answering calls west of Calgary since 1992. This guide covers the routes Cochrane drivers use and what to do when things go wrong.

The main routes between Cochrane and Calgary

Highway 1A

Highway 1A is the main commuter route. It runs east from Cochrane past Glenbow Ranch and Bearspaw, then becomes Crowchild Trail at Calgary's northwest edge. It's a two-lane-each-way highway in most places, with rural accesses and wildlife crossings along the way.

Cochrane Hill

Coming into town from the north on Highway 22, or down the 1A, drivers face a long grade. In freezing rain or after a quick-melt chinook that refreezes overnight, the hill can glaze fast. Most hill calls we get are:

• Vehicles that slid onto the shoulder or into the median
• Drivers with summer or worn all-season tires who can't make the climb
• Fender-benders at the bottom of the hill

Highway 22 and Highway 1

Highway 22 runs south from Cochrane to the Trans-Canada (Highway 1). Some drivers take this route to reach Calgary's west side via Highway 1 and 16 Avenue NW, or to head west toward the mountains. The section near the Highway 1 interchange is open and windy, and blowing snow is common.

If you slide off on the hill or the 1A

1. Stay in the vehicle with your seatbelt on if it's safe. Other cars may slide in the same spot.
2. Turn on your hazards, and your headlights if it's foggy or snowing.
3. Clear your exhaust pipe before running the engine for heat.
4. Call 403-272-3944 with your direction of travel and the nearest landmark, such as the Highway 22 junction, Glenbow Ranch, or the Bearspaw area.

Don't try to rock a vehicle out of a steep ditch. Spinning tires on ice can dig you in deeper or swing the vehicle back into traffic. Our winching and ditch recovery service pulls vehicles out in a controlled way.

Common in-town calls in Cochrane

Not every Cochrane call involves the highway. In town we often handle:

• Dead batteries in hillside driveways and at trailheads after a cold snap
• Lockouts downtown or at the grocery store
• Flat tires from potholes during spring thaw

Many of these are fixed with roadside assistance with no tow needed.

Getting your vehicle to the right shop

Cochrane has its own mechanics, but plenty of residents want a vehicle at a dealership or specialist in Calgary. A tow from Cochrane down the 1A takes roughly half an hour once loaded, longer in snow. Call ahead to confirm the shop will accept the vehicle, especially after hours. For AWD and 4x4 vehicles, which are very common out here, we'll use a flatbed so the drivetrain isn't turned while it's being towed.

Acreages, ranch roads and trailers

West of Calgary, many calls come from acreages and gravel range roads off the 1A and Highway 22. If you're on a rural property:

• Give us your rural address and the closest numbered road.
• Tell us whether the driveway is steep, narrow or unplowed.
• Mention any gate codes or locked gates.

We also move utility trailers, horse trailers and compact equipment on flatbeds. See equipment and trailer transport for what we can move. We handle light and medium duty vehicles and loads only, such as pickups, work trucks and trailers.

Winter driving tips for Cochrane commuters

• Use winter tires. They make the biggest difference on the hill.
• Keep at least half a tank of fuel in cold snaps.
• Carry a blanket, gloves, a phone charger and a small shovel.
• Watch for deer and elk along the 1A at dawn and dusk.
• Slow down early before the grade, not halfway down it.

Need help in Cochrane? We're up 24/7

Dave's Towing has served Calgary and its neighbours since 1992. Day or night, call 403-272-3944. For more on the area we cover, visit our Cochrane towing page.