Nakiska Ski Area in Alberta’s Kananaskis Country announced plans to add lift‑served mountain‑bike and hiking trails, targeting year‑round operation by 2027. [1]
The development is intended to diversify the resort’s offerings and keep visitors on the mountain throughout the summer, a move officials say could boost tourism revenue and create seasonal jobs in a region that traditionally relies on winter sport traffic. [1]
The proposal includes 30 kilometres of lift‑served mountain‑bike trails [1] and three kilometres of lift‑served hiking trails [1]—beyond biking, hiking, a scenic sightseeing loop, and a mountain coaster are also slated for construction. Management said that the new attractions would make Nakiska the province’s only lift‑served mountain‑bike destination, a unique selling point for Alberta’s outdoor‑recreation market. [2]
Summer‑season activities are slated to launch in 2027, pending final approvals under the province’s All‑Season Resorts Act. The resort filed its application earlier this year and expects the regulatory review to be completed by late 2025, allowing construction to begin in 2026. [3]
Local business groups anticipate that the year‑round operation could generate several hundred thousand dollars in additional tourism spending each summer, while creating up to 50 new seasonal positions in hospitality, trail maintenance, and lift operations. The resort’s management said the expanded footprint is designed to complement existing winter‑time services rather than replace them. [2]
If the plan proceeds as outlined, Nakiska will join a small but growing list of Canadian ski areas offering lift‑served summer activities, positioning the Kananaskis region as a more versatile destination for both domestic and international visitors. [1]
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**What this means**: By adding lift‑served bike and hiking infrastructure, Nakiska aims to smooth out the seasonal fluctuations that have long limited mountain‑tourism economies. A successful rollout could set a precedent for other Canadian resorts seeking to diversify revenue streams, while also giving outdoor enthusiasts a new, high‑capacity summer playground in the Canadian Rockies.
“30 kilometres of lift‑served mountain‑bike trails are slated for the resort.”
By adding lift‑served bike and hiking infrastructure, Nakiska aims to smooth out the seasonal fluctuations that have long limited mountain‑tourism economies. A successful rollout could set a precedent for other Canadian resorts seeking to diversify revenue streams, while also giving outdoor enthusiasts a new, high‑capacity summer playground in the Canadian Rockies.
