Alberta — After years of being under the radar among skiers, the province of Alberta is reducing the redtape to help grow their ski industry.
The Calgary Herald reports that the Province of Alberta has designated three ski resorts as all-season resorts. These three ski resorts are Castle Mountain, Fortress Mountain, and Nakiska. The province also plans to put 10 additional areas under this designation to help them grow.
What this designation does is limit the review process needed to begin construction, although there will still be an environmental review and consultations with First Nations communities.
Here’s how the process could go: Over the next month or so, they’re expected to recieved the applications. A 150-day review window would then be conducted to assess the proposals. The plan is reportedly to start work on these projects in 2026. There is opposition to this from the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, so we’ll see if that impacts this.
Here’s a rundown on the three ski resorts and what they could build.
Castle Mountain Resort
Castle is making headlines this ski season for the opening of the new Stagecoach Express. The new terrain pod, serviced by a refurbished high-speed quad from Banff Sunshine Village, will feature intermediate and advanced terrain. According to the Crowsnest Press Herald, it could increase revenue to a point that allows for more lift replacements. In the years ahead, it could continue to grow.
A 2017 master plan showed various terrain pod expansions. In addition, other places of growth could include their village and expanding their summer activities.
Fortress Mountain: The Revival
Fortress Mountain last operated as a ski resort in 2006. As we discussed last week, the ownership group that currently runs cat-skiing at Fortress intends to use this designation to revive it.
This will include lift replacements, terrain expansions, new base-area facilities, and additional summer activities.
Nakiska
Frankly, I’m not too sure about the plans for this one. I wasn’t able to find any information on a master plan, so take this with a grain of salt.
Hailed as “Canada’s weirdest ski resort” by PeakRankings, Nakiska exists due to the 1988 Olympics. Its skiable footprint has actually contracted over time, including an upper-mountain surface lift that’s only open to ski patrollers. Its proximity to Calgary makes it possible to develop the ski resort into a year-round destination, including overnight lodging.
Image/Video Credits: Danielle Smith (Province of Alberta), Castle Mountain Resort, Fortress Mountain Resort, Nakiska
