Kananaskis, Alberta — No abandoned ski resort in Canada (perhaps even the world) is as legendary as Fortress Mountain. In its heyday, Fortress was known for its architecturally brilliant base lodge, stunning backdrop, and varied terrain. However, the failure to invest for the last couple of decades of its operational existence likely led to its demise. Since its closure, it’s been the filming location for motion pictures like Inception and The Revenant.
If you’re looking for a great video discussing the history of Fortress, you’ve come to the right place. The video below dives into the creation of the ski resort, its operational lifespan, why it closed, and the attempts to reopen Fortress.
Some of my favorite historical tidbits about Fortress include Fortress once having a lifetime season pass, its unique blend of owners (like the Aspen Skiing Company and Resorts of the Canadian Rockies), having a curved t-bar, and being one of the first ski resorts in Western Canada to welcome snowboarders. Ultimately, its uniqueness wasn’t enough to make it a sustainable business, and serves as a reminder that ski resorts need to continuously invest to survive.
Currently, the slopes are being used for a cat-skiing operation. While the current owners plan to rebuild and reopen the ski resort, a definitive timeline is uncertain due to their current inability to bring in a wealthy investor.
Last November did bring some hope to Fortress, as a proposed bill in Alberta’s legislature was introduced that would extend the lease timeframes and help convert Crown land into four-season destination resorts. The President and CEO of Fortress told the Calgary Herald that this bill could be the missing piece to getting the ski resort back open. However, there haven’t been many updates on this legislation since November 2024.
Image/Video Credits: Fortress Mountain, Skier72, Skimap.org
