Nakiska

Nakiska Ski Resort
Ski slopes at Nakiska
Location	Mount Allan, Kananaskis, Alberta,  Canada
Nearest city	Calgary 83 km - (52 mi.)
Coordinates	50°56′35″N 115°09′03″W / 50.94306°N 115.15083°W / 50.94306; -115.15083 (Nakiska Ski Resort)
Vertical	779 m - (2556 ft)
Top elevation	2258 m - (7408 ft)[1]
Base elevation	1479 m - (4852 ft)
Skiable area	3 km2 (1.2 sq mi)
Runs	64 16% - Easiest 70% - More Difficult 10% - Most Difficult 4% - Expert
Longest run	3.3 km (2.1 mi)
Lift system	4 Chairlifts - 3 High Speed Quads - 1 Double - 1 Magic Carpet capacity = 8,830 / hr
Snowfall	250 cm - (98 in.)
Snowmaking	Extensive, 95%
Night skiing	No
Web site	Ski Nakiska.com

Nakiska is a ski resort in the Kananaskis Country region of the Canadian province of Alberta. It is located 83 km (52 mi) from Calgary, west on Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) and south on Highway 40 (Kananaskis Trail).

Set on the face of Mount Allan, Nakiska has 64 trails with four chairlifts (3 High speed Quads and 1 Double), 1 Reg Magic Carpet and 1 Monster Carpet) set up over an area of 3 km² (1.2 sq mi).^[1] The longest run has 3.3 km (2.1 mi), from a top lift-served elevation of 2,258 m (7,408 ft) to the base elevation of 1,479 m (4,852 ft).

Nakiska is now owned by Resorts of the Canadian Rockies, also owner of the Fernie, Kimberley, Mont Sainte Anne and Stoneham ski resorts.^[2]

History

Construction of the resort begun in 1986, in preparation for the 1988 Winter Olympics. Nakiska hosted the ten alpine skiing events, as well as freestyle moguls skiing, then a demonstration event.^[3] A temporary surface lift to the gusty top of the mountain was used for the men's downhill event. This poma still remains to be seen when disembarking from the top of the "Gold Chair" and is sometimes turned on for avalanche control. The start of the men's downhill was at 2412 m (7913 ft).

In 2008 Nakiska Ski Area was named the official Training Centre of Alpine Canada (ACA). Each year Nakiska, welcomes Alpine Teams from around the world for early season ski training. During the summer of 2008 the ski area embarked on a series of renovations. Snowmaking enhancements increased capacity by 33%. The 100 metre Monster Magic Carpet was added and the creation of a dedicated Training Run was completed on Mapmaker.

In 2009, in preparation for the 2010 Olympics, more enhancements occurred. A new High Speed Quad lift was installed (Gold Chair Express) replacing the original fixed grip (Gold) chairlift. The ride time is 4.7 min compared to the old time of 9.7 min.

In 2009 new ski trails were also created with the addition of the new Monster Glades (trails in the trees).^[4]

See also

• List of ski areas and resorts in Canada
• 1988 Winter Olympics

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Ski Nakiska. "Statistics". http://www.skinakiska.com/the-mountain/stats-and-maps.aspx. Retrieved 2007-07-01. 
2. ^ Resort of the Canadian Rockies
3. ^ 1988 Winter Olympics official report. Part 1. pp. 128-43.
4. ^ Ski Nakiska News and Info - Monster Glades addition

External links

• Ski Nakiska.com - official site