Chilling Out: Our Approach to Efficient Snowmaking
If you’ve ever skied at Nakiska, you know that we strive for great, dependable snow conditions all season long. But have you ever wondered how we manage to keep our slopes so smooth?
Snowmaking is an important component of our operations, ensuring consistent and high-quality skiing conditions throughout the season, in addition to all the snow Mother Nature provides.
We recognize that providing great skiing and riding conditions goes hand in hand with responsible water use. We have invested in technology and adopted practices that allow us to produce consistent, quality snow while being mindful of our water usage and energy consumption.
Making Every Drop Count
Water is a vital resource in snowmaking, and efficient use lets you produce more with less. By investing in current snow-making technology, we’re consuming water responsibly while still delivering exceptional ski surfaces on our slopes.
Nakiska has made significant upgrades to its snowmaking system, adding machines that dramatically improve efficiency and allowing us to produce more snow per gallon of water, making the process more sustainable. Our system is designed to cool compressed air effectively without using water, before we pipe it up the mountain for use in snowmaking, ensuring optimal snow coverage for our slopes while minimizing both water and energy use.
In addition to water conservation, maintaining Nakiska’s exceptional skiing conditions is equally important. By using technology that adjusts to temperature fluctuations, we can ensure that the right amount of snow is produced without excess water or energy usage.”
Work Smarter, Not Harder
Nakiska’s fleet of Tier 4 and Tier 5 snow grooming machines plays a vital role in providing a great skiing and riding surface. These eco-friendly machines groom the slopes efficiently, using less fuel and requiring fewer passes on the mountain, which makes our corduroy even smoother. By focusing on precision in both snow production and slope grooming, we provide excellent skiing terrain all while using a newer, energy-efficient fleet.
By starting to introduce Tier 5 grooming machines to our fleet, our new machines now meet the highest emission standards as the cleanest snow groomers in their class, playing a key role in our sustainability efforts.
Our Commitment to Sustainability
Nakiska’s approach to snowmaking is part of our broader commitment to sustainability and land stewardship. We are proud of the progress we’ve made and remain dedicated to continuously improving our practices. As we look to the future, we will continue investing in technologies that conserve water and energy. As snowmaking remains vital to our operations, we remain focused on executing it efficiently and sustainability.
- Published in News
Sustainability on the Slopes
At Nakiska, we’re committed to providing an exceptional recreational experience while also taking steps to best manage our stunning environment. As a longtime local operator with deep roots in the area, we understand the importance of balancing recreation with responsible and sustainable practices. We are always seeking new ways to minimize our footprint so that future generations can continue to enjoy Nakiska’s slopes.
While skiing is at the heart of what we do, we are mindful of environmental responsibility in our operations. Nakiska has implemented a range of initiatives that help minimize erosion, manage water use and decrease overall consumption of materials and fuels.
Reducing Our Footprint
Energy efficiency is a key area of focus across the ski area. Over the past several years we have made changes to reduce electricity use, particularly in heating systems (HVAC), lighting, and appliances. When it comes to our vehicles and equipment, we prioritize fuel reduction and extending the life of our machines through good maintenance practices. We also recycle oils, rubber, and metals from our fleet, ensuring that every aspect of our operations is aligned with our sustainability goals.
One of our recent efforts is waste reduction through a comprehensive recycling program. Plastics, cardboard, paper, aluminum and even cooking oils are all recycled at Nakiska. In our food operations, we are working to reduce the use of single-use items across Nakiska and aim to completely transition to fully recyclable and compostable products.
Our dedication to sustainability includes thoughtful management of our slopes, with responsible tree felling playing a key role in ensuring our on-slope work doesn’t impact wildlife. We carefully time this process to avoid disrupting migratory bird nesting patterns. By selectively removing only necessary trees, we create glades that maintain skiable terrain while leaving behind a natural layer of mulch. This mulch helps prevent soil erosion, supports healthy regrowth, and reduces the risk of invasive species. It enriches the soil with organic material, promoting ecosystem vitality while striking a balance between improving safety and protecting the natural environment.
Powering Our Slopes Sustainably
Water is critical for snowmaking, and we’re committed to using it wisely and sustainably. Nakiska has invested in highly efficient snowmaking systems to conserve water and reduce energy consumption. By regularly upgrading, maintaining, and fine-tuning our equipment and snowmaking process, we can provide top-quality skiing conditions while ensuring we are doing so in an environmentally responsible way.
For example, our fleet of Tier 4 snow grooming machines plays a big role in our sustainability efforts. They’re designed to burn less fuel and groom the slopes more efficiently, which not only saves energy but also reduces our impact on the mountain ecosystem itself. We also maintain our equipment to the highest standards, ensuring that it runs efficiently and produces fewer emissions.
An Eco-Friendly Future
We believe that the joy of skiing comes with the responsibility of sustainability. Our ongoing use of environmentally conscious practices reflects our desire to protect our slopes. By continually investing in new technologies, water conservation, and reducing waste, we are constantly evolving our approach. Our commitment to minimizing our environmental impact ensures that we can continue to provide outdoor adventures in a way that respects our natural surroundings.
- Published in News
Farmer’s Almanac Agrees, it’s a La Niña Winter
Environment Canada and the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) have already declared the upcoming 2024.2025 winter season a La Niña phenonmenon and now Farmer’s Almanac agrees.
According to the Almanac; ‘La Niña, which refers to the periodic cooling of ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, is expected to develop and hang on through the season. Taking into account the effect La Niña has on the weather, along with our long-standing formula, we anticipate the winter of 2024-25 will be wet and cold for most locations.’ Which is music to winter sports enthusiasts ears. Read more on the Farmer’s Almanac website.
Get ready for winter, it could be really snowy on the Powder Highway of British Columbia! It’s time to get your ski gear ready & plan your winter ski vacation. Winter Early Booking offers are on now.
Book Fernie Alpine Resort
Book Kimberley Alpine Resort
Book Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
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For more information, please contact:
Matt Mosteller
Senior VP Marketing & Resort Experience, Resorts of the Canadian Rockies
[email protected]
Instagram, Facebook & Twitter – @PowderMatt
- Published in Press Releases
Will it be another La Niña Winter? What is Environment Canada predicting?
Canada – We interrupt your summer with a snowy update. La Niña winter is in the forecast!
You’ve probably heard a lot of talk about La Niña or sometimes El Niño, so what do they really mean? During El Niño, trade winds weaken, warm water is pushed back east, toward the west coast of the Americas resulting in areas in the northern U.S. and Canada are dryer and warmer than usual. Now La Niña is what we really get excited about. La Niña has the opposite effect of El Niño. During La Niña events, trade winds are stronger than usual, pushing more warm water toward Asia. The cold waters in the Pacific push the jet stream northward. This tends to lead to drought in the southern U.S. and colder events with more percipitation (snow!) in the Pacific Northwest and Canada.
Check out the Environment Canada map at the bottom of this email to see the percipitation predictions for the upcoming winter.
Now we know these are just predictions so don’t stop doing your snow dance. We sure hope the snowier than normal ski season returns this winter! Cheers to La Niña!
We have been busy doing summer grooming at Fernie Alpine Resort, Kimberley Alpine Resort and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. We have a custom built mowers that attach to a grooming cat and can give the slopes a sweet hair-cut so they are ready for those first flakes.
Don’t forget to plan ahead if you’re thinking about booking a ski holiday or weekend getaway as space books up quickly. Book your vacation on our website or email our vacation specialists to inquire about early booking offers at [email protected].
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For more information, please contact:
Matt Mosteller
Senior VP Marketing & Resort Experience, Resorts of the Canadian Rockies
[email protected]
Twitter • Facebook • Instagram – @PowderMatt
Powder Matt’s Blog
- Published in Press Releases
Nakiska Ski Area – 2023.24 First Preview Weekend Announcement
October 31st, 2023 – Kananaskis, AB – ‘Snow Season’ begins, Nakiska Ski Area, usually Canada’s first ski area to open, will kick-off the 2023/24 Ski Season, this weekend, operating Saturday (Nov 4) and Sunday (Nov 5).
Calgary, Alberta’s closest mountain ski area, Nakiska, was recently hit with a major snowstorm turning the peaks of K-Country into a winter paradise. Combined with cooler than average temperatures, which allowed Western Canada’s largest snowmaking system to kick into high-gear, creating a snow surface for skiing and riding on the upper mountain.
“Canadians love skiing”, says Powder Matt Mosteller, “it is so good for you, getting outside and in the mountains”, added Mosteller. “One of the few sports that people of all abilities can do at the same time and entire families can enjoy this sport together, getting everyone active and engaged in lifetime tradition”, noted Mosteller.
Nakiska has added snow grooming cats to the fleet that are graded tier 4 class, meaning they achieve the highest environmental standards, burning less fuel and grooming the slopes much more efficiently.
Nakiska is also recognized as Alpine Canada’s official training centre, providing some of the best alpine and ski cross training in North America assisting Alberta based athletes in providing training nearby and as well hosting high level competitions like this year’s Ski Cross World Cup so athletes can compete close to home.
Please note that with the upper mountain opening this weekend that skiing and riding on intermediate and expert terrain will only be available. Please follow the Alpine Responsibility Code and the tip this week is, ‘Always Stay in Control’, as you must be able to stop, avoid people or objects. For more information on what will be open and ticket prices see our Snow Report.
Visit www.skinakiska.com for more info and always check the snow report for most up to date information as information is always subject to change as weather conditions do change in the Canadian Rockies.
Nakiska Ski Area • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • TikTok
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For more information, please contact:
Matt Mosteller
Senior VP Marketing & Resort Experience, Resorts of the Canadian Rockies
[email protected]
Facebook, Twitter & Instagram – @PowderMatt
Powder Matt’s Blog
- Published in Press Releases
RESORTS OF THE CANADIAN ROCKIES JOIN THE EPIC AUSTRALIA PASS
STARTING WITH THE 2023/24 SEASON, EPIC AUSTRALIA PASS HOLDERS WILL RECEIVE FIVE COMBINED DAYS AT THE RESORTS OF THE CANADIAN ROCKIES
- Epic Australia Pass Holders will receive five combined days at the Resorts of the Canadian Rockies – including Fernie Alpine Resort, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort and Kimberley Alpine Resort in British Columbia, Nakiska in Alberta, and Mont-Sainte-Anne and Stoneham in Quebec – starting with the 2023/24 Northern Hemisphere winter season.
- 19 April is the last chance to purchase the 2023 Epic Australia Pass for AU$1,049 before prices increase.
5 April 2023 – Epic Australia Pass Holders will now have more access to world-class resorts in Canada, starting with the 2023/24 Northern Hemisphere winter season. Vail Resorts announced today that the expansion of its long-term alliance with the Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (RCR) will include five combined days of skiing and riding for 2023 Epic Australia Pass Holders. Pass Holders can use the five combined days across any of RCR’s six resorts — Fernie Alpine Resort, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort and Kimberley Alpine Resort in British Columbia, Nakiska in Alberta, and Mont-Sainte-Anne and Stoneham in Quebec.
“Get ready to experience the ultimate snow adventure as we welcome Epic Australia Pass Holders to the majestic Resorts of the Canadian Rockies,” said Rob Lloyd, Director of Sales & Marketing – Australia, Vail Resorts. “With the addition of Kicking Horse and Fernie, your bucket list just got bigger and more exciting. The Epic Australia Pass gives you unlimited access to Perisher, Falls Creek, Hotham, and a chance to carve your way through the breathtaking slopes of Whistler Blackcomb and beyond.” Lloyd continued, “Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make unforgettable memories in some of the world’s most awe-inspiring destinations!”
Discover the Resorts of the Canadian Rockies
The 2023 Epic Australia Pass access begins with the 2023 Australian snow season and concludes following the 2023/24 snow season in the Northern Hemisphere. It provides:
- Kicking Horse and Fernie: Located in the southeast corner of British Columbia on the legendary “Powder Highway”, Kicking Horse and Fernie are consistently ranked among the top 10 Canadian resorts with abundant annual snowfall and big mountain skiing and riding.
- Kimberley Alpine Resort: Boasting the most sunshine of any resort in Canada, Kimberley Alpine is in the Purcell Range of Southeast British Columbia, with two thirds of its 80 runs and glades rated beginner or intermediate in addition to expert terrain on the back side.
- Nakiska: A family-friendly resort offering a variety of terrain including perfectly groomed runs and a very popular learning area, Nakiska is positioned in Kananaskis Country in the front range of the breathtaking Canadian Rockies.
- Mont-Sainte-Anne: An ideal year-round destination, Mont-Sainte-Anne is situated near beautiful Quebec City within the Laurentian Mountain chain.
- Stoneham Ski Resort: Offering an incomparable free-style area, Stoneham has Canada’s largest illuminated ski centre for night skiing.
Purchase Now Before Prices Rise
Skiers and riders have until 19 April to get their Epic Australia Pass before prices rise. The Epic Australia Pass offers unlimited days at Perisher, Falls Creek, Hotham and more, and benefits including six Bring-A-Mate tickets, 20% off lessons and rentals, 15% off retail and more.
Currently priced at AU$1,049 for adults, AU$599 for students (five to 17 years) and AU$799 for seniors (65 years and over), 2023 Epic Australia Pass lift access starts with the 2023 Australian snow season and concludes with the 2023/24 snow season in the Northern Hemisphere. Find out more here.
The Epic Australia Pass is non-refundable except through Epic Coverage, which provides refunds for certain qualifying events and is provided at no additional cost. Refunds are subject to eligibility and based on Epic Coverage elections. Pass Holders should review the Epic Coverage Terms and Conditions.
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ABOUT VAIL RESORTS, INC. (NYSE: MTN)
Vail Resorts is a network of the best destination and close-to-home ski resorts in the world including Vail Mountain, Breckenridge, Park City Mountain, Whistler Blackcomb, Stowe, and 32 additional resorts across North America; Andermatt-Sedrun in Switzerland; and Perisher, Hotham, and Falls Creek in Australia. We are passionate about providing an Experience of a Lifetime to our team members and guests, and our EpicPromise is to reach a zero net operating footprint by 2030, support our employees and communities, and broaden engagement in our sport. Our company owns and/or manages a collection of elegant hotels under the RockResorts brand, a portfolio of vacation rentals, condominiums and branded hotels located in close proximity to our mountain destinations, as well as the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyo. Vail Resorts Retail operates more than 250 retail and rental locations across North America. Learn more about our company at www.VailResorts.com, or discover our resorts and pass options at www.EpicPass.com.
ABOUT RCR
Proudly Canadian, Resorts of the Canadian Rockies Inc. (RCR) is the largest private ski resort owner/operator in North America, owning six ski resorts across Canada including: Nakiska Ski Area in Alberta; Fernie Alpine Resort, Kimberley Alpine Resort and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in British Columbia and Mont-Sainte Anne and Stoneham in Quebec. In addition to the company’s ski resorts, RCR also owns and operates a number of accommodation properties, golf courses and a central reservation agency. The consumer website is www.skircr.com.
- Published in Press Releases
Introducing New Canadians to Winter Sports
We’re very proud to continue working with Snowseekers in the #NewSkiAB initiative, supporting new comers to Canada to learn winter sports and enjoy the mountains. This season we hosted Cong, from Vietnam and Peter, from Hong Kong. Follow their journey to falling in love with skiing on the Snowseekers website.
Watch Peter & Cong learn to ski and fall in love with the sport at Nakiska – https://www.snowseekers.ca/story/spring-skiing-nakiska.
- Published in News
New season, new systems
New season, new systems!
How to smooth out your first day on the slopes.
Well, here we are!
We’ve made it to another ski season during a pandemic, and while some regulations will stay the same as last season, we are also dealing with a few new ones. Here are some guidelines to help make your first day out in the mountains as smooth as possible for you and your family.
Request your Season Pass or Direct to Lift Card in advance
If you have purchased a season pass, you should have received an email requesting your upload your QR code/proof of immunization online. Please upload your information and request your pass be sent to you as soon as possible. Ensuring your pass gets into our printing queue as soon as possible allows you the best chance of receiving your pass ahead of your first visit. If you have not received your email requesting proof of immunization, please feel free to reach out to our guest services team to request one by emailing [email protected]. If you have requested your pass but have not received it before your first day, you will need to visit the resort Guest Services building to receive a day ticket and show proof of immunization. If you are having problems with our system accepting your Proof of Immunization please refer to our FAQ’s to find out why.
Mind our Know Before you Go updates
While many of our guidelines have stayed the same, a key update this season is the requirement to be fully vaccinated to access our resort lifts and facilities. Please refer to the information above on how to provide this ahead of your visit.
Bring your QR Code on your first few visits
To ensure we have record of your information, we encourage you to have your QR Code and government-issued photo id with you on your first few trips. If you purchase day tickets, you will need to show proof of immunization when picking up your lift tickets each time you visit.
Limit your baggage and prepare for a few lineups
We will not be allowing bags to be stored unattended in our daylodge or common areas. Please ensure you’re leaving any unnecessary baggage in your car or purchase a locker. While requiring proof of immunization should help alleviate some lineups at our lifts and facilities, please note that some people may still choose to stay distanced from others; we ask you to respect the wishes of those around you.
Be kind
As always, we ask you to be kind to our fellow guests and also our staff. Please realize our front-line staff are working hard to ensure you enjoy your experience and share your passion for the mountains. Let’s all work together to make our mountain experience an enjoyable one.
- Published in News
Our Earliest Preview Weekend in our 31 Year History!
Trick? Or Treat? It’s not a trick…..but it certainly is a treat! Here at Nakiska Ski Area we have been lucky to have Mother Nature give us some of the biggest and earliest significant snow storms we’ve ever seen, allowing us to start snowmaking at a roaring pace and to open the resort for skiing/riding the earliest we have ever been able to in our 31 year history!
Be sure to wear your costume! We’ll be open for our first preview weekend of the season on October 26th & 27th, our retail team will be out giving away candy to costume wearers.
To see what’s projected to be open and for more information visit our Snow Report page.
Follow us on Social Media for the latest images;
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Photo from October 16th, 2019
- Published in News
Nakiska Ski Area – Earliest Preview Weekend on Record
October 16, 2019 – Kananaskis, AB – Trick? Or Treat? It’s not a trick…..but it certainly is a treat! Here at Nakiska Ski Area we have been lucky to have Mother Nature give us some of the biggest and earliest significant snow storms we’ve ever seen, allowing us to start snowmaking at a roaring pace and to open the resort for skiing/riding the earliest we have ever been able to in our 31 year history!
Nakiska Ski Area is excited to be the first in Canada to announce it will open for a preview weekend on October 26th & 27th. Skiing before Halloween? Yes, please!
‘Nakiska is excited to welcome skiers and snowboarders,’ says Matt Mosteller, Senior VP, Marketing & Resort Experience. ‘We are very thankful to be able to open up this early to provide skiing and riding to our valued season passholders and day ticket guests’ he added. ‘Shout out to our team who have been working around the clock to get runs open so our very passionate skiers and riders can share the tradition of celebrating ski season starts with first turns at Nakiska.’
Keep up to date on the opening schedule and what will be open on preview weekend on Nakiska’s Snow Report page as well as the RCR App.
Don’t forget our Season Pass sale is on until October 19th along with our Winter Sports School programs, which still have space available!
Order Season Passes online
Order Winter Sports School Programs online
Try out our wings gear lease program! The BEST thing to happen to parents of growing kids and people not ready to commit to buying gear. Purchase by October 19th to get in on the sale price, buy online.
Nakiska Ski Area • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram
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For more information, please contact:
Matt Mosteller
Senior VP Marketing & Resort Experience, Resorts of the Canadian Rockies
[email protected]
Facebook, Twitter & Instagram – @PowderMatt
Powder Matt’s Blog
- Published in Press Releases
