Ryan Creary

Fortress has closed indefinitely, but its website calls on its loyal skiers and snowboarders to rally for a public appeal

With winter on the radar, now's the time to line up your ski and snowboard schedule for the upcoming season. Last year, it was all about the snow, and plenty of it all over Western Canada. But there is a range of great options within a short drive from Calgary. Here’s an update on the local spots for this winter.

CANADA OLYMPIC PARK

Now open

Only minutes from downtown, on the fringes of Calgary’s west side and right off the Trans Canada Highway, Canada Olympic Park is ideal for sneaking in lunchtime laps or planning evening sessions right from the office.

Open from 9 a.m. till 9 p.m. for night riding over city lights, COP, with its fleet of Burton rental equipment, is the perfect spot to learn to ski or snowboard. Though it lacks dramatic vertical inclines, this is not a rookies-only hill. COP’s terrain park is about as progressive as it gets with over 20 jib (non-snow) features and several jump lines, including alternate takeoffs for varying ability levels. The highlight of the park is the 6.5-metre Olympic-calibre halfpipe — cut fresh nightly — that acts as a test model for the 2010 Games in Vancouver.

On the event front, the news that has Canada’s snowboard scene stoked is Burton’s announcement that it will add a Canadian date to its Global Open Series. COP will be the host venue from December 3 to 9 as local amateurs compete against top pros and the chance to win $100,000.

With the second largest snow academy in Canada, there are a multitude of different lessons, coaching programs, and ski and snowboard clubs operating from this urban hill. Check out the innovative Learn to Ride women-only camp happening March 8 and 9.

Adult day pass: $38

Student day pass: $35

Adult season pass: $469

Student season pass: $409

canadaolympicpark.ca

NAKISKA

Opening December 8

The closest mountain to Calgary, within 45 minutes of the city, Nakiska has long been regarded as a good place to go to burn long runs on precision corduroy. Nakiska’s history is one of a ski-race mountain with super-long groomer runs, and the resort added a new snowcat to its fleet this season to maintain the world-class grooming it’s known for. Nakiska has a reputation as Alpine Canada’s favourite training site, and is welcoming teams from all over the world throughout November for early season ski training.

Unbeknownst to most are the stellar lines in the glades off the Gold Chair lift, and the best part is that most people go to Nakiska for the groomers, so if there is powder in the glades, it will usually hang around for days after a storm. Nakiska has also maintained a high-standard terrain park program for years. The main park features small to large table jumps and jibs aimed at rider progression.

New to the sport of skiing or snowboarding? Get a taste of what it’s like — offered periodically throughout the season, first-timers can get a lift ticket, ski or snowboard rental and take part in a group lesson for just $20. Once you’re dialed, jump on the new 105-metre long magic carpet installed in the beginner’s area.

Adult day pass: $55

Adult season pass: $559

Student season pass: $449

skinakiska.com

FORTRESS

Closed indefinitely

After years of ups and downs including a closure, a vacant season and a trouble-plagued attempt at reviving the beleaguered and beloved Fortress Mountain, the Kananaskis resort will not be opening this season.

The provincial government cancelled its lease agreements with Fortress’s operator, Banff Rail Co., a few weeks ago, effectively eliminating it as an option for skiers and snowboarders this season.

Located about 100 kilometres southwest of Calgary, the well-known simple ski hill was abandoned in 2004 by Resorts of the Canadian Rockies. The Banff Rail Co. took ownership in 2005 and since then has spent about $1 million trying to make it viable. However, Banff Rail Co. has failed to complete renovations on an unsafe bridge and has missed several lease payments, a spokesperson for the province said after cancelling the company's five leases.

Fortress is attempting to rally the problem into a political issue, asking Albertans on its website to launch a public appeal to the premier to let Fortress open for business.

skifortress.ca

CASTLE MOUNTAIN

Opening December 15

Castle Mountain is a little off the beaten path for Calgary skiers and snowboarders. Located just east of the continental divide near Pincher Creek, from here you can see into B.C., Alberta and Montana on a clear day.

Castle is a freeride gem loved for its long, uninterrupted fall lines and lack of liftlines — unless it dumps, that is, and then all of Calgary comes down to poach fresh tracks. Well over half of the terrain is steep and lightly treed, and Southern Alberta winds regularly load powder over the mountain faces, even when it’s not snowing.

For intermediates, Castle recently expanded onto the adjacent Mount Haig, installing a triple chair that services 27 hectares of intermediate and novice terrain. The resort has been busy building itself over the last few years into a venerable destination. Castle is distinguishing itself as Alberta’s only resort with privately owned ski-in ski-out accommodations.

However, Castle is considered by many Calgarians to be a gem amongst the mega resorts and a throwback to a simpler era in skiing. Combine that with the mountain’s 850 metres of vertical and you’ll see why a Warren Miller film crew visited Castle a few years back to see what all the fuss was about.

Adult day pass: $59

Student day pass: $42

Adult season pass: $750

Student season pass: $485

skicastle.ca