Welcome to Pocaterra Hut Wifi

This Wifi service in Pocaterra Hut is provided by Nordiq Alberta from surplus funds related to the Kananaskis Parking Pass program in the winter of 2020-21 to sustain winter ski trail grooming in the Kananaskis.

This wifi service is based on satellite connectivity and therefore subject to weather and other atmospheric conditions.

Internet connectivity is restricted to specific web sites and services, and limited to a maximum of 30 minutes per use.

Please enjoy, and use this site respectfully.

Groomed trails make a big difference in the lives of young skiers, aspiring athletes, and families looking for a safe and affordable way to get outside in the winter. They are also a major tourism draw in the Kananaskis Region.

Learn about trail locations and conditions.

Kananaskis Country boasts an extensive trail system perfect for skiers of all ages and abilities. To learn about where to ski and more, visit the Alberta Parks website and SkierRoger.

Kananaskis Parking Pass Program – Winter 2020/21

The parking pass program that was run in the winter of 2020-21 by Nordiq Alberta was completed on April 5, 2021. It supported winter ski trail grooming in Kananaskis for the 2020-21 winter season, and will not be continued in the future.

Going forward, Alberta Environment and Parks has announced a “Conservation pass” that will support a wide range of services throughout the Kananaskis, including winter ski trail grooming in 2021-22 and beyond. Information on the Conservation Pass can be found at https://www.alberta.ca/kananaskis-conservation-pass.aspx

Here’s a quick look at the latest numbers (March 31, 2021):

  • 5,417 season passes sold
  • 3,007 day passes sold (online)
  • 771 day passes sold at retailers and self-pay stations
  • approximately $290,000 in net sales after expenses

PLUS $25,600 in donations!

This new pilot program raised funds last winter to bring back ski trail grooming in Ribbon Creek/Kananaskis Valley, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Sandy McNabb and Mount Shark.

Huge thanks to everyone who has volunteered, bought a parking pass, or helped to spread the word. Over 150 volunteers worked 288 shifts on 60 different days and 10 locations from Dec 1 to March 28. So here’s to all of you who helped make the Kananaskis grooming project a success. You put the wind at our backs, and we look forward to sharing the trails with you next year.

FAQs

Why did we need a Parking Pass Program in Kananaskis?

In February 2020, the Government of Alberta announced it would no longer fund winter trail grooming in the Kananaskis Region, including Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Mount Shark, Sandy McNabb, and Ribbon Creek/Kananaskis Valley. 

On October 30, 2020, Alberta Parks and Nordiq Alberta announced a Cooperating Agreement that will bring back winter trail grooming to all four ski areas in Kananaskis through a paid parking pilot program in Winter 2020-21.

Could I buy multiple parking passes for family and friends?

Yes! Parking passes make great and affordable gifts for friends and family who love to get out on the Kananaskis trails. You could purchase multiple passes online, or at local retail ski shops in Calgary, Canmore and Kananaskis Village, and at Visitor’s Centre in PLPP.  

What happens if I didn’t have a parking pass when I got to a trailhead?

You could purchase a pass retroactively when you got home, buy a day pass at a local retailer on the way back, or use the self-pay drop box (in Pocaterra and Elk Pass only). 

Participation in the parking pass program was voluntary. Without this program, the ski community would not have groomed trails to enjoy in Kananaskis this winter. Cross-country skiers who do not display a parking pass were informed about the program and encouraged to purchase a parking pass on-site or online when they return home. 

Together we kept groomed trails open in Kananaskis this winter!

How did the program work?

Trail users were asked to buy and display a day-use or full-season parking pass when parking in any of the lots that serve as trailheads to the over 190 km of groomed trails in Kananaskis. Important: get your pass before you go! Much of Kananaskis is out of cell phone range.

Volunteer parking lot monitors verified passes and shared information about the program and how to purchase parking passes with winter trail users. Volunteers were asked to commit one day this winter to help make this pilot program a success.

Is Nordiq Alberta grooming the trails?

No. The trails continued to be groomed by Alberta Environment and Parks staff. Revenue from the parking pass program provided the funding required to make grooming possible in Kananaskis this past winter.

What about snowshoers, alpine skiers, fat bikers and hikers?

Non-skier trail users (snowshoers, fat bikers, hikers) were all invited to contribute to the program since they all benefitted, to greater or lesser extent, from the work of trail groomers. But the program is voluntary, and each user could make their own decision in this regard.

What happened when pass sales exceeded expectations resulting in surplus funds?

Nordiq Alberta agreement with Alberta Parks provides that excess funds will be held in trust to be used for future expenditures on winter ski trail grooming in Kananaskis.

Where could I get a parking pass?

ONLINE: Day passes ($10) or season passes ($50) can be purchased online* and then downloaded and printed to be placed on the vehicle dash. If you forgot to buy a pass before you go, please consider paying for your parking pass online when you get home (there is no cell phone reception/Internet connectivity in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Sandy McNabb or Mount Shark). 

IN-STORE: Day passes were also be available for purchase at local retail ski shops in Calgary, Canmore and Kananaskis Village; and at the Visitor’s Centre in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park (cash or cheque only)

SELF-PAY (day passes at select locations only): Trail users in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park could fill out the self-pay parking pass form, display the pass on their dashboard, and deposit their parking fee in drop-boxes located in Pocaterra and Elk Pass parking lots. Users at Mt. Shark could use the drop-box located at the entrance sign to Mt. Engadine Lodge.

* Online purchases required payment of supplementary credit card processing charges – approximately $2-$3 per transaction.  Processing charges do not apply for cash payments at retailers.

Where can I find information about trail grooming?

Please see Alberta Environment and Parks’ website for trail maps and information about grooming conditions in Kananaskis and other areas.

Nordiqalberta.ca has information about races, cross-country ski news and updates, and trail conditions.

SkierBob.ca is another popular community forum to discuss ski trail conditions.