Alberta premier says decision on all-season resort in Kananaskis is on its way

A proposed master plan for a new resort community at Fortress Mountain Resort could see Albertans enjoying all-season access to the mountain area.

A decision on an all-season resort in Kananaskis that could see a new townsite and properties established in the region could be coming later this month.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, speaking at a Calgary event, said she’s been reviewing the proposal from Fortress Mountain Resort and is enthusiastic about the idea.

“It’s glorious. There is no more beautiful place on the planet,” she told attendees at the Calgary Rotary Club on Thursday.

“You go there and all of the oak buildings are filled with snow up to the roof. They’re only doing cat skiing right now, and they are so excited about being able to develop a town site there and properties that are going to be on a 99-year lease.”

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Fortress Mountain Resort concluded its public consultation on its proposal in mid-March, a process that was required by the Alberta government’s All-Season Resorts Act.

The engagement took place between Jan. 28 and Feb. 27 and consisted of in-person meetings and online surveys.

“We are grateful to everyone who took the time to attend a listening session, complete the survey, or reach out directly,” said Danielle Vlemmiks, project director for Fortress Mountain Resort in a news release.

“People care deeply about this landscape, and Albertans are enthusiastic about the expanded recreational opportunities. The feedback we’ve received reflects those points.”

Smith said while the resort is going through the regulatory process, her government has set up a separate process for the proposal. She’s also excited about the idea of other resorts setting up more plans.

“I think it’s going to be decided on in April. Nakiska, I think, is close behind,” she said.

“We’re waiting to see what Castle is going to do and we’re also waiting for others to propose other areas where we might do this, as well.

“It’s not, by all means, the end of the process, but I think it is just the beginning.”

Fortress Mountain Resort is a 14.7-square-kilometre provincial Crown lease located south of Kananaskis Village along Highway 40.

The resort’s master plan includes a vision for an all-season mountain resort featuring tourist lodgings, real estate opportunities and employee housing.

All the facilities are aimed at emphasizing the region’s recreational opportunities in the mountains, including hiking, mountain biking, adventure activities, glamping, zip-lining, sightseeing as well as all the regular winter activities.

“The All-Season Resort Act provides a unique opportunity to begin a new chapter in responsible mountain tourism within Kananaskis Country. Fortress Mountain Resort is poised to be revitalized as a thriving destination, offering authentic, nature-based experiences that reflect the spirit of Alberta,” the resort’s proposal reads.

Rail master plan coming soon

While a new resort community in the mountains sounds tantalizing to many Albertans, easy access to the area could still be a challenge.

That’s why the provincial government is working on connections to “tie it all together.”

“I know that part of we started this process of looking at the past a passenger rail master plan,” Smith said.

“Part of it is because we had all of these unsolicited proposals coming in from the private sector, from Liricon (Capital) about going up to Banff (Calgary Airport Banff Rail), from EllisDon about connecting Calgary and Edmonton (Prairie Link).”

Smith said her government is “very close” to releasing its own master plan for an Alberta rail network.

“There’s a few things that we know we’ll have to build. We’ll have to build out, very likely, the lines to the airports here and as well as in Edmonton. We hope a private sector comes proponent comes forward to build between Calgary and Edmonton,” she said, adding that she hopes that the private sector proponent can lobby the federal government to support the idea.

“We want it to be to be integrated, because that, again, will not only help all of us to be able to enjoy our beautiful landscapes and parks, but also be able to help our international visitors and increase the amount of use in the park without putting the extra pressure on our road system.”