Snow is on the horizon, and Nakiska is calling! It’s the perfect time to get the whole crew mountain-ready. From family laps to multi-week lessons, Nakiska makes it easy for kids and adults alike to dive into mountain culture.
Here’s your checklist to be ready when the lifts start spinning.
1. Lock in a Season Pass + Early-Bird Perks
- The sale for 2025-26 Winter Season Passes ends October 17, 2025. After that, regular pricing kicks in. For example, the Adult pass is $669 during the Fall/Early Bird Sale — that’s $450 in savings.
- Right now, Nakiska’s family pass is undeniably the most affordable family pass option in the Rockies coming in at $1,349, saving a whopping $1,260 off regular season pricing.
Perks for pass holders include:
- RCR Rockies Card Access: As a pass holder, you get discounts on full-day, full-mountain lift tickets at other RCR resorts — awesome if you plan ski trips to Fernie, Kimberley or Kicking Horse.
- Friends & Family tickets: Treat your crew with discounted lift tickets, no blackout dates.
- Gear & Tune-Up Deals: Buy 2 Get 1 Free full tune-ups (edges/base, grind, wax), plus 10% off tune-ups all season.
- Other savings: Retail, food & beverage, lockers, and even priority parking.
👉 Buy your Nakiska Pass here!
2. Plan Your Stay Close to the Slopes
Nakiska doesn’t have on-hill hotels, but Kananaskis and Canmore are short drives away, giving you cozy lodges, hot tubs, and family-friendly stays. Your closest winter stay options are Kananaskis Mountain Lodge and Stoney Nakoda Resort and Casino.
For the best packages and pass-holder perks, book with RCR Central Reservations:
📞 1-800-258-SNOW (7669).
3. Travel & Access
Just under an hour from Calgary’s west side, Nakiska is the closest ski resort to the city — and one of Alberta’s best. The drive alone is stunning, and the mountain delivers plenty of terrain to get your heart racing.
- Drive safe: winter tires are mandatory. 4×4 vehicles are a great asset in these parts of Alberta, and highly recommended.
- Check Alberta road reports before you go.
- If you’re staying in Kananaskis or Canmore, ask about ski shuttles going direct to the hill.
4. Lessons & Multi-Week Programs
If there’s one investment I’d recommend above all, it’s lessons. Even experienced riders benefit from local pros, and for mini shredders, consistency makes magic happen.
Nakiska’s winter sports school programs are designed to help riders of all ages build skills, confidence, and friendships on the slopes. Whether it’s a multi-week series or a weekend lesson, these sessions go beyond just learning turns — they foster a real connection to the sport and the culture that comes with it. Parents can even join their own lessons or clinics.
Nakiska’s layout makes it a perfect family mountain with progression built right in:
| Ability Level | What You’ll Want | Why It’s Great Here |
| Beginner / family | Magic Carpets + beginner area (~13% of runs) | Wide, gentle slopes where kids find their first turns |
| Intermediate | Blue cruisers (~59% of runs) | Long groomers and rolling terrain that build confidence |
| Advanced / Expert | Steeper upper runs & glades (~28%) | Enough challenge to keep parents stoked while kids progress |
See Nakiska’s official resort map for details.
5. Gear, Tune-Ups & Safety Prep
- Book your tune-ups early (passholders save with Buy-2-Get-1-Free).
- Check bindings, boots, and helmets before the first snowfall.
- Reserve rentals ahead of time — weekends sell out fast.
Pre-Season Checklist for Nakiska
✅ Buy Your Season Pass by October 17 — save big + unlock passholder perks.
✅ Book Lodging in Kananaskis or Canmore with Central Reservations (1-800-258-SNOW).
✅ Prep Travel — winter tires, road reports, and plan shuttles if needed.
✅ Register for Lessons — especially multi-week programs like Mini Ninjas.
✅ Tune Your Gear — wax, edge, and reserve rentals early.
Make Memories This Season
Winter is coming fast, and Nakiska is ready to welcome you back! Whether it’s your first season or your kids’ first turns, secure your pass, book lodging, and lock in lessons today.
See you on the carpets, cruisers, and groomers — and maybe you’ll spot Sylas and I racing each other down the mountain!
👉 Call RCR Central Reservations at 1-800-258-SNOW (7669), email [email protected], or book online here to plan your 2025-26 winter.
