Industry News
The owner of Nakiska Ski Area, Resorts of the Canadian Rockies, has announced plans to open for summer operations in 2027, which will include lift-served mountain biking, hiking, and a mountain coaster.
The new mountain bike terrain will feature 19 miles of trails serviced by the Silver Chair, which has a vertical drop of 1,404 feet. The trails will be designed by former pro mountain biker and now master trail designer Matt Hadley. Matt and his team will be using top industry practices from the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) and the Whistler Trail Standards.
- Related: Mont-Sainte-Anne, QC, Set to Start the Resort’s Biggest Infrastructure Investment in Nearly 40 Years
Nakiska is currently the only RCR resort other than Stoneham, Quebec, that does not offer lift-served mountain biking. Mont Sainte Anne, Quebec, also owned by RCR, boasts a rich history of mountain biking, including hosting UCI World Cup events regularly since the early 1990s.
The mountain coaster, designed by Sunkid’s top European ride designer, will stretch 3,182 feet and operate during both the winter and summer months. The mountain coaster will operate out of the winter tubing area, near the Nakiska day lodge.
New summer operations will also include 2 miles of lift-served hiking trails. These trails will also be accessible from the top of the Silver Chair and are being designed by Brady Starr from Golden, BC.
This summer operations plan has been made possible thanks to the All-Season Resort Act, the government of Alberta enacted in December 2025 to help boost tourism in the province. Nakiska, along with Alberta resorts Castle Mountain and Fortress Mountain, has been designated an all-season resort, allowing each of these mountains to operate year-round. Unlike Alberta, the neighbouring province of British Columbia boasts numerous all-season resorts that offer summer attractions like biking and hiking. The Alberta government believes that creating these all-season resorts will help the province compete against the popular resorts in British Columbia.
Nakiska first opened in 1986 and was specifically built to host the alpine ski events at the 1988 Winter Olympic Games. It has since operated as a public ski resort and sits only an hour west of Calgary, Alberta. The resort offers 71 trails serviced by 4 chairlifts and receives 98 inches of annual snowfall. Nakiska is also designated as a National Training Centre by Alpine Canada and offers numerous race training programs for youth.
