The latest plan for a year-round Alberta resort is out.

Nakiska Ski Area is proposing 30 kilometres of lift-serviced mountain biking trails, three kilometres of lift-serviced hiking trails, a sightseeing trail and mountain coaster.

Matt Mosteller, senior vice-president of Resorts of the Canadian Rockies, wrote in an email to CBC News that as Nakiska approaches its 40th anniversary this year, it was “excited to unveil a bold new vision.” In summer 2027, he wrote, Nakiska will become Alberta’s “first and only lift-serviced mountain bike resort” that will add trails and hiking routes.

Neil Jackson, another senior vice president of Resorts of the Canadian Rockies, said in a statement the plan comes from the “incredible growth of Alberta’s cycling and hiking community.”

Jackson didn’t respond to an attempt to contact him by CBC News, and Mosteller declined an interview request.

Plan under review

While Nakiska has said its summer areas will open in 2027, Vanessa Gomez, press secretary for the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, said in a statement the project is still under review. She said the government is making sure proposed plans align with the All-Season Resorts Act, Nakiska’s lease and the provincial tourism strategy.

“All proposals will require an environmental assessment, human-wildlife co-existence plan and Indigenous consultation before any decision is made on the proposed activities,” she wrote.

According to Nakiska’s website, no changes to the lease area are being requested. However, Nakiska previously had 929 hectares added from Evan-Thomas Provincial Recreation Area late last year.

Nakiska’s website states an environmental review was completed in 2022, while a second with a focus on grizzly bears and bighorn sheep is in progress. Wildlife monitoring and a reporting process will also be in place to support “strong emphasis on a wildlife awareness education programming.”

First Nations consultation is also taking place after “courtesy letters” were sent to Treaty 7 members last December and an application was made to the Aboriginal Consultation Office in March. A letter of understanding has also been signed between Nakiska and Îyârhe (Stoney) Nakoda First Nation, according to Nakiska’s website.

Opposition raises concerns

The previous move to change park and protected area boundaries for all-season resorts has drawn criticism and backlash from conservation and other groups due to lack of public consultation.

“To make these decisions without public consultation is really poor form,” said Sarah Elmeligi, NDP MLA for Banff-Kananaskis and shadow minister for environment and protected areas. “We know Albertans love their parks. … For this government to run around and change boundaries without asking people is gross.”

Kananaskis Country covers roughly 4,000 square kilometres and has seen soaring visitation since the COVID-19 pandemic. It has five provincial parks, four wildland provincial parks, several provincial recreation areas, an ecological reserve and Crown land known as public land use zones.

Elmeligi said parks and protected areas are a “promise and a commitment” made by the government to residents.

“I don’t think we should change parks and protected area boundaries for all-season resorts designated areas. Period,” she said.

Growing tourism economic goal for Alberta government

The Alberta government has prioritized growth in the tourism economy to generate an annual $25 billion by 2035. The All-Season Resorts Act is the lynchpin for hitting that mark.

Fortress Mountain’s plan is under review by the government after it did public consultation earlier this year. Nakiska and Castle Mountain were also named to pursue year-round operations.

The Silvertip gondola is in the first phase of public consultation.

At an April 9 appearance at Rotary Club of Downtown Calgary, Premier Danielle Smith said “demand for outdoor recreation opportunities continue to increase” in Alberta.

She said the resort strategy will build on Peter Lougheed’s vision for Kananaskis, and “it’s just the beginning” of the process for year-round resorts.

“Let’s protect our beautiful mountain parks, but we also need to have people able to use them. … Banff is overrun. Lake Louise is overrun,” Smith said. “Kananaskis and the trails have been overrun. We just need more places for people to play because they’re going to keep on coming here.”