Aspen Woods vs Springbank Hill: A West Calgary Comparison

Last reviewed October 2026 · By Tod Hall and Tausha Hall, REALTORS®, TNT Real Estate Pros | Real Broker

For many families looking on Calgary's west side, the decision starts with schools and budget, then moves to commute and shopping. Aspen Woods, where building began in 2001, sits north of 17 Avenue SW and east of Stoney Trail, beside Strathcona Park and Christie Park. Springbank Hill, annexed from the rural Springbank district in 1994 and established in 1999, sits south of 17 Avenue between 69 Street SW and Stoney Trail. Each had a little over 9,000 residents in 2021. Here's how they compare, as of October 2026.

Public and Catholic schools in each community

Aspen Woods has two elementary schools: Dr. Roberta Bondar School (CBE, K-6, opened 2017 and named for Canada's first female astronaut) and Guardian Angel School (Calgary Catholic, K-6) on Aspen Hills Drive. Students in Grades 7 and up are designated to schools outside the community.

Springbank Hill has Griffith Woods School (CBE, K-9, opened 2018) and Ernest Manning High School (CBE, Grades 10-12). Ernest Manning first opened in 1963 and moved into its Springbank Hill building in 2011. That means a CBE student in parts of Springbank Hill could, depending on designation, stay in the community from kindergarten to graduation. Ambrose University is also in the community.

School designations depend on the exact address and can change, so check the CBE and Calgary Catholic school finders before you write an offer, not after.

The private schools nearby

This corner of the city has an unusual concentration of independent schools, and it's a big reason families shop here:

• Webber Academy (JK-12) is at 1515 93 Street SW on a 47-acre campus, just north of 17 Avenue SW.
• Calgary Academy (K-12) is a short distance away at 1677 93 Street SW.
• Rundle College has a campus on 17 Avenue SW in Springbank Hill. Rundle runs separate campuses for Rundle College (K-12) and Rundle Academy, so check which program is at which location.
• Calgary French & International School (PreK-12) is nearby in Cougar Ridge.

Admission, waitlists and tuition are set by each school, and living nearby doesn't guarantee a spot. If a private school is part of your plan, contact the school about timelines before you commit to a home.

Price levels and the kinds of homes you'll find

For a price benchmark, CREB reported a September 2026 benchmark of $993,700 for a detached home in Calgary's West district, which includes both communities. Estate homes in either can sell well above that, while Springbank Hill's townhomes and condos open the area to buyers with smaller budgets. Ask for recent sales of the same home type, on similar lots, rather than a community-wide average.

Springbank Hill's newer projects and rezoning applications also mean the streetscape is still changing. If you're buying next to open land, check the City of Calgary's development map for what's planned.

Getting downtown and getting out of town

Both communities use 69 Street station, the western end of the CTrain Blue Line, which has about 840 park-and-ride stalls. By car, Stoney Trail runs along the west side, and Sarcee Trail, Bow Trail and 17 Avenue SW lead downtown. Highway 1 west toward Canmore and Banff is close by, which is a draw if you head to the mountains most weekends. Rush-hour times vary by route and season, so drive your own commute at the time you'd make it before you decide.

Shopping: Aspen Landing, West 85th and Signal Hill

• Aspen Landing Shopping Centre sits in Aspen Woods, just north of Springbank Hill across 17 Avenue SW. It has a grocery store, restaurants, cafes and services around a central pond, including a Belmont Diner.
• West 85th is nearby for restaurants and services.
• Westhills Towne Centre and Signal Hill Centre are a few minutes east for larger stores and errands.
• Westmarket Square and Signature Park Plaza in neighbouring Signal Hill add more everyday shops.

For recreation, Westside Recreation Centre on 69 Street SW, on Springbank Hill's east edge, has a pool, waterslide, climbing wall and ice rinks, and sees about 1.1 million visits a year. A major expansion was proposed in 2026. Edworthy Park and WinSport's Canada Olympic Park are a short drive north. If you're also looking a little further east, our Signal Hill guide covers the community next door.

Parks, rinks and green space

In Aspen Woods, ponds, pathways and playgrounds run through the community, including the pond at Aspen Landing. The Strathcona Christie Aspen Community Association centre has tennis courts, an outdoor hockey rink, a skating pond and playfields shared with the two neighbouring communities.

In Springbank Hill, the community association runs outdoor rinks at Springbank Hill and Montreux, plus community gardens and soccer. Griffith Woods Park and the Elbow River are a short drive south, which suits families who like to hike or walk the dog along the river.

Neither community is built around a lake or a residents' club like some of Calgary's newer suburbs. Some streets or complexes may still carry an association encumbrance or condo fees, so confirm what's registered on the title of any home you're considering.

Questions to ask before you choose

1. Which public and Catholic schools is this exact address designated to, for every grade my children will be in over the next five to ten years?
2. If we're planning on a private school, have we confirmed admission timelines and waitlists?
3. What residents' or community association fees, if any, are registered on title, and are they mandatory or voluntary?
4. Is there open land, a rezoning application or a development permit nearby that could change the view, traffic or density?
5. How long is the drive or CTrain trip to work at rush hour from this street, and is there park-and-ride space when I'd arrive?
6. For a sloped or walkout lot, how does the drainage work, and how old are the retaining walls?
7. How do recent sales of the same home type on similar lots compare with the asking price?
8. If I'm buying a townhome or condo, what do the condo documents, reserve fund study and estoppel certificate show?

Our team has helped with 9 Aspen Woods sales since 2017 and 5 in Springbank Hill since 2016. For more on each, see our Aspen Woods community guide and Springbank Hill community guide.

Deal counts come from TNT Real Estate Pros' own sales records (buyer and seller sides), 2016 to October 2026.

If you'd like a second opinion on schools, prices or a specific home on either side of 17 Avenue, we're happy to help without any pressure. Contact us or call 587-875-6640.

Sources: City of Calgary community profiles; Calgary Board of Education; Calgary Catholic School District; Webber Academy; Calgary Transit; CREB housing statistics.