A Canadian ski hill that relies on artificial snow for nearly its entire winter season is facing an unusual problem this November. The weather isn’t the only thing preventing snowmaking. The city needs the water, and until some major infrastructure repairs are completed, the ski area’s opening date is up in the air.
WinSport, which operates the ski and snowboard hill at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Alberta, has been unable to carry out normal snowmaking operations because of mandatory water restrictions imposed by the city. The restrictions began November 4 and are expected to last approximately four weeks, taking away a critical window for snowmaking as the ski area prepares for winter. According to WinSport, approximately 97% of the snow covering its slopes each season is machine-made, making the situation particularly challenging.
Why Calgary Won’t Let the Ski Hill Make Snow
The restrictions stem from ongoing repairs to Calgary’s Bearspaw South Feeder Main, a major pipeline that normally supplies approximately 60% of the city’s treated drinking water. The pipeline suffered a significant rupture in June 2024 and another failure in December 2025, prompting an extensive replacement project and repeated restrictions on water consumption.
Crews are now connecting a new feeder main to the existing distribution system, requiring the original pipeline to be temporarily shut down. That significantly reduces the city’s available water supply, forcing officials to prioritize drinking water, emergency services and other essential uses over recreational activities.
Calgary implemented mandatory Stage 4 outdoor water restrictions on November 4, which include a prohibition on things like watering lawns, filling recreational water features and producing artificial snow or ice. Residents have also been asked to conserve water indoors to help keep consumption within the city’s reduced supply capacity.
WinSport requested an exemption that would allow snowmaking to continue during the restrictions but city officials did not grant the exemption. The ski area says it remains in communication with city officials about potential opportunities to make snow while the restrictions are in place.
A Ski Hill That Relies on 97% Artificial Snow
The timing is particularly unfortunate for WinSport, which operates one of Calgary’s most accessible places to learn skiing and snowboarding. Located within city limits, the facility is part of Canada Olympic Park, which hosted events during the 1988 Winter Olympics and has since developed into a popular destination for lessons, terrain parks, snow tubing and recreational skiing.
Unlike mountain resorts that can rely on substantial natural snowfall, WinSport depends almost entirely on snowmaking to establish and maintain its winter terrain. Approximately 97% of the snow on its slopes is artificially produced, requiring a consistent supply of water and sufficiently cold temperatures. Under normal circumstances, the snowmaking team takes advantage of cold November nights to build a base before opening to the public.
This year, even favorable temperatures may not be enough to get operations underway. With access to water restricted, the mountain cannot proceed with its usual preparations, potentially delaying the opening of the ski and snowboard hill as well as the Servus Tube Park, which also requires manufactured snow.
The situation could also affect seasonal employees, instructors and other programs that depend on the hill’s winter operations. WinSport is a nonprofit organization, and its ski and snowboard facilities provide an important local option for families and beginners who might otherwise have to travel outside Calgary to get on snow.
When Will Skiing Return to Canada Olympic Park?
For now, WinSport has not announced an opening date for the 2026-27 season. The ski hill opened December 5 last winter, but the current restrictions are expected to continue into early December, potentially leaving little time to establish a snow base before the traditional start of operations.
There has been some encouraging news on Calgary’s water situation. On November 12, city officials reported that residents had kept daily water consumption below the city’s target for eight consecutive days, helping maintain adequate supplies while construction continues. However, the restrictions remain in effect, and the timing of their removal will depend on the completion of the pipeline work.
According to WinSport’s official hill opening updates, the organization will take advantage of snowmaking opportunities as they become available and provide further information when it can establish a reliable opening date.
The uncertainty comes as Canada Olympic Park prepares for another major winter. The venue is scheduled to host Canada’s first X Games competition in February 2027, bringing some of the world’s best action sports athletes to Calgary. There is currently no indication that the water restrictions will affect that event, although the immediate priority remains getting the local ski and snowboard hill ready for the season.
