Alberta designates three resorts for all-season tourism

Three southern Alberta ski resorts are now allowed to welcome guests year-round due to a new designation. It’s unclear if any actually will.

Three Southern Alberta ski resorts are now allowed to welcome guests year-round, due to a new designation from the provincial government.

The province has named Castle, Fortress and Nakiska Alberta’s first all-season resort areas, which means they can now pitch proposals to expand tourism into the summer months.

“These three all-season resorts areas have the potential to create 24,000 new jobs, $3.6 billion in GDP and $4 billion in visitor spending. This means more dollars in Alberta’s pockets all season,” said Andrew Boitchenko, Alberta Minister of Tourism and Sport.

“More year-round activity means more stable jobs, stronger small businesses and more support for the visitor economy that upholds so many families in and around Canmore and Kananaskis,” said Rachel Ludwig, CEO, Tourism Canmore Kananaskis.

Ski season

Previously, Alberta’s resorts have only been allowed to operate during the ski season and in the off-season can only maintain facilities.

Now, resorts designated all-season can explore tourism opportunities during the warmer months as well.

“We are looking forward to working with the community, Indigenous partners, and the government to reimagine the space sustainably,” said Danielle Vlemmiks, project director for Fortress Mountain Resort, which currently offers CAT skiing and has also provided a backdrop for many film productions.

Fortress closed as a lift-access ski resort in 2005, but has spent more than a decade looking for investors to redevelop it as a four-season resort.

Castle Mountain Resort management is excited the site has been identified as a potential all-season resort, adding the designation does not require nor does it guarantee that Castle Mountain Resort become an all-season resort.

Dean Parkinson, general manager at Castle Mountain Resort, said whether they decide to put forward a proposal or not, “We appreciate the Government of Alberta recognizing the incredible potential of all-season resorts in Alberta, and look forward to continuing the conversation.”

Resorts of the Canadian Rockies, which runs Nakiska, also welcomed the new designation, saying, “We look forward to collaborating with the Department of Tourism and Sport to learn how this announcement may affect Nakiska Ski Resort.”

Nakiska hosted the Olympic alpine skiing events during the 1988 Winter Games.

“This policy is an important step toward enabling new experiences, supporting investment and strengthening the tourism sector for the future,” said Derek Look, who owns Rabbit Hill Ski Resort, which was not included in the first round of designations.

B.C. all-season model

British Columbia already uses the all-season model at several of its parks, including Whistler Blackcomb, which offers several summer attractions including mini-golf, kayaking and bear tours.

Boitchenko said B.C. has 13 all-season resorts on its public land but Alberta had none, so the new designation aims to change that.

“We’re expecting to also see hiking, mountain biking, zip lining, authentic Indigenous opportunities as well,” said Boitchenko.

James Jackson, a board member with the Tourism Industry Association of Alberta says bringing the all-season model here could attract local and overseas tourists.

“$1.2 billion of Albertans’ money is travelling across the border to spend throughout the visitor economy in B.C.,” said Jackson.

“I think the objective here is to develop product within Alberta that Albertans can use all year round, not to mention international visitors.”

The Alberta government says the new designation simplifies the regulatory process but will maintain environmental standards.

However, the Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) worries it may “continue the trend of privatizing the benefits and access of nature away from the public.”

The AWA wants a strong, legally binding framework to protect the environment.

“The policy announced today has some promising commitments but still requires improvements to ensure there is no negative impact to Alberta’s wild species and spaces, or loss of existing protected areas,” said AWA in a statement.

“Albertans need to do their best to ensure their government is accountable to them. Public lands are for the public, for the people.

“They shouldn’t see them privatized at their expense.”

The province has established an all-season resort branch of the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, which will review proposals to make sure they meet requirements.

Those include a minimum of 30 days of public consultation, adherence to the water act and other environmental standards and Indigenous consultation.

The head of Indigenous Tourism Alberta thinks there could be opportunities for new cultural experiences.

“One in three international travellers come to Alberta seeking an Indigenous tourism experience. These all-season resorts are prime locations to meet that demand,” said Chelsey Quirk, Indigenous Tourism Alberta CEO.

The provincial government says other Alberta resorts may also get all-season resort area designation, and will be evaluated based on factors including environmental risk and economic opportunity.