Nakiska Ski Resort, Alberta
Specifically designed to host the alpine events of the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympic Games, the Nakiska Ski Resort continues to attract skiers from around the world to experience the state of the art facilities of Alberta's newest Rocky Mountain ski resort.
Nakiska, a 45-minute drive west of Calgary in Kananaskis Provincial Park, was created using the latest computer technology and produced by Ecosign of Whistler, the same company that produced the long, wide, fall-line runs of Blackcomb.
The end result was the creation of a ski area thoughtfully formulated to match the need of today's skier market. In fact, 70 percent of Nakiska's terrain is rated intermediate with 16 percent classified as novice and the remaining 14 percent as expert. The overall design of the mountain is simple and very user friendly. The expert terrain is located primarily at the top, with intermediate runs in the middle and beginner areas at the bottom.
To fully ensure a successful Olympic Games and reliable snow conditions for years to come, Nakiska was equipped with one of the most expensive and sophisticated snowmaking systems in the world. The end result is that skiers can depend on quality snow coverage from mountain top to valley bottom, from early December through mid-April.
Need a lift? Nakiska provides skiers with everything they need for a terrific day on the slopes. The mountain offers 30 different runs, a vertical drop of more than 2,400 feet, and lift lineups are virtually nonexistent as the mountain features five lifts, including two quad chairs, one triple chair, one double chair and a surface lift.
Need a rest? Nakiska's clean, bright lodges provide a level of comfort unmatched in the entire area. Take a break halfway down the mountain at the mid-mountain lodge, or relax and enjoy the food and company in our spacious, fully serviced base lodge.
| Mountain Statistics for Nakiska Ski Resort | ||
|---|---|---|
| Base Elevation: | 4,851 ft | (1,479 m) |
| Summit Elevation: | 7,406 ft | (2,257 m) |
| Vertical Drop: | 2,555 ft | (779 m) |
| Skiable Area: | 285 acres | (115 hectares) |
| Annual Snowfall: | 98 in | (249 cm) |
| Longest Run: | 10,560 ft | (3,219 m) |
| Snowmaking: | 95 % | |
| Number of Lifts: | 6 | |
| Uphill Lift Capacity: | 8,830 per hour | |
| Types of Lifts: | 2 Magic Carpet 1 Double Chair 3 Hi-Speed Quads |
|
| Number of Trails: | 28 | |
| Trail Ratings for Nakiska Ski Resort | ||
|---|---|---|
| Easiest: |  |
16% |
| More Difficult: |  |
70% |
| Most Difficult: |  |
14% |
| Experts Only: |  |
0% | Trail ratings indicate the relative difficulty of the runs within a given ski area and are not meant to be used for comparison between ski areas. |
| Area Details for Nakiska Ski Resort | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine Skiing: | Yes | ||||||
| Snowboarding: | Yes | ||||||
| Required: | Yes | ||||||
| Terrain Park: | Yes | ||||||
| Cross Country: | 40 km | ||||||
| Half Pipe: | Yes | ||||||
