Stories

Here’s to a New Year – and to you!

by Nordiq Alberta

Have you hit the trails in Kananaskis yet this year?

 

As we head into a new year together, our team here at Nordiq Alberta wanted to share a progress update on the Kananaskis trail grooming pilot program, and express our gratitude and appreciation for you, the amazing ski community we are honoured to represent. Because of your dedication and generosity, many fellow skiers—from beginners to future athletes—will have the chance to discover the magic of skiing in Kananaskis this winter.

Thanks to a big snowfall in Kananaskis last month, trail grooming is booming and the parking pass program is off to a successful start.

Since the pilot program launched at the end of October to raise funds for track setting in Kananaskis, the ski community has shown huge support: over 130 volunteers have registered to help with the parking pass program, trail users have purchased more than 3,700 season passes and 500 day-use parking passes, and we’ve raised approximately $16,000 in donations (in addition to pass sales) to support the trail grooming program.

There is still some ways to go to reach the fundraising goal of $210,000, but we are optimistic that ongoing parking pass sales will generate the necessary funds by the end of the ski season. Huge thanks to everyone who has volunteered, bought a parking pass, or helped to spread the word—none of this would be possible without you!

To learn more about how the program is going, listen to this recent interview on the Calgary Eyeopener with program organizer Ken Hewitt, or check out this CBC story.

As we say goodbye (and good riddance) to 2020, we think there’s no better way to welcome the new year than by hitting the trails on skinny skis, and we’re grateful for all the incredible places throughout the province to enjoy. We wish you happy trails and hope to see you out there this winter (at a safe distance from others, of course)!

With heartfelt thanks and warm wishes for the new year,

Nordiq Alberta