Industry News
Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (RCR) has announced major lift infrastructure investments across its British Columbia ski resorts, with four new ski lifts scheduled to be installed at Fernie Alpine Resort, Kimberley Alpine Resort, and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort over the next two years.
The projects, all being built by lift manufacturer Leitner-Poma, are scheduled for installation during 2026 and 2027 and represent one of the largest recent lift infrastructure upgrades undertaken by the company in British Columbia.
“This is a major investment in our BC Resorts and shows our company’s commitment to providing excellent experiences for our guests and our resort communities.”
— John Shea, President and Chief Resort Officer, RCR
The first project will begin at Kimberley Alpine Resort in spring 2026 with the replacement of the aging Tamarack Double Chair. The new Tamarack Quad Chair will follow the same alignment as the existing lift and is expected to open in December 2026 ahead of the 2026-27 ski season. The double chair currently has a capacity of only 1,052 people per hour and the upgrade should double the capacity.
Fernie Alpine Resort will receive two major lift upgrades in 2027. The first, Elk Express, will replace the current Elk Quad Chair with a new high-speed detachable quad designed to cut ride times to mid-mountain by nearly 50%. The Elk Quad was built in 1987 and had a capacity of 2,000 people per hour. The lift is also expected to improve Fernie’s summer sightseeing and biking operations by providing faster access from the base area.
Fernie’s second project, Cedar Bowl Express, will significantly streamline access to one of the resort’s most popular advanced terrain pods. The new detachable quad will transport skiers and snowboarders directly from the bottom of Cedar Bowl to the top of the Bear Chair area, eliminating the current three-lift sequence required to return to the summit terrain.
Both Fernie lifts are expected to open for the 2027-28 winter season.
Meanwhile, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort will install the Pioneer Express in 2027, replacing the current Pioneer Lift with a new high-speed quad. The old Pinoeer is a 40-year-old Riblet double chair with a capacity of around 1,050 people per hour. The new Leitner-Poma quad should more than double that hourly capaciy. Furthermore, the lift will provide direct access from the base area into Crystal Bowl and the Stairway Chair zone while also serving as an alternative route to the alpine instead of relying solely on the Golden Eagle Express Gondola.
“Undertaking these new projects is a significant investment into our resorts and allows us to modernize our infrastructure and to significantly improve the experience of our guests, focusing on performance, comfort and innovation.”
— Matt Mosteller, Senior Vice President, RCR
The lift announcements come as North American ski resorts continue investing heavily in modernization projects aimed at improving uphill capacity, reducing lift lines, and enhancing four-season operations.
In addition to the lift developments, RCR also announced new real estate projects at Fernie and Kicking Horse. Fernie Alpine Resort plans to release a new phase of on-mountain residential lots at Timberlanding 3 later this year, while Kicking Horse is continuing development of the final phase of its Cedars Mountain Homes project.
Based in Calgary, Alberta, Resorts of the Canadian Rockies is Canada’s largest private ski resort operator, with properties spanning British Columbia, Alberta, and Quebec.
