A Cr:LiCaAlF6 laser has been pumped for the first time using visible laser diodes. Two commercial 10 mW laser diodes were polarization combined to demonstrate lasing in a low loss resonator. In addition, a higher power 665 nm laser diode was used to pump the laser, producing 15.9 mW CW and 51.8 mW pulsed at 10 Hz. Optical characterization of the gain medium was performed using a dye laser. Gain, loss, slope efficiency, and the dependence of the threshold on pump wavelength are reported.