Nakiska Ski Resort - Kananaskis, Alberta

Nakiska Ski Resort
P.O.Box 1988
Kananaskis, AB, Canada
T0L 2H0
Ski Area Office:  (403)591-7777
Ski Area Fax:  (403)591-7780
Email: info@skinakiska.com
Web: www.skinakiska.com

Home to the 1988 Winter Olympics, Nakiska features some of the best cruising and carving trails in the Rockies. The runs are wide-open, Olympic length and groomed to perfection. Located only an hour from Calgary, Nakiska is considered a favorite by local families.

The Olympic legacy of excellence is evident at every turn. Nakiska’s state-of-the-art snowmaking and grooming system makes Nakiska western Canada’s premier race centre.

The 1988 Winter Olympic Games XV marked Canada’s debut as the host of this prestigious international event. Heralded at the time as the most successful games ever, Canadians and more specifically Albertans, were eager to show-off their winter paradise to the world.

Mount Allan’s first claim to fame was in the late 1940’s when coal was discovered at the eastern base of the mountain. Close to 40 years later Mount Allan was chosen as the official site for the Olympic Alpine events and in 1986 construction began on what is now known as Nakiska.

THE NAMING OF NAKISKA

Little evidence remains of the first people who may have lived or made camp at the foot of Mount Allan. During an archaeological survey conducted in the summer of 1984, a single flake of shale, ground or worn on one side, was discovered. This finding – a small fragment of pre-history – is the only fragile link with those who may have stood beneath the shadow of the mountain, many centuries ago.

More is known of later history. The mountain, located in Kananaskis Country stands in an area rich in legends and tradition.

The region itself was named by explorer and mapmaker, John Palliser in 1858. In his journal, Palliser says he named Kananaskis pass after a Cree native, “of whom there is a legend, giving an account of his most wonderful recovery from the blow of an axe, which had stunned but failed to kill him” (from Palliser’s journal).

The Cree word “Nakiska” was chosen to designate the entire recreational ski area and the base lodge. Nakiska, which means “to meet”, was an appropriate title, as the world did meet here in February 1988 for the XV Olympic Winter Games. For years to come, people of all ages will continue to meet at Nakiska to ski, cross country ski, to hike, or to simply experience the magic of this mountain.

A SALUTE TO ALBERTA’S HERITAGE

In recognition of the fact that the province was inhabited for 10,000 years before the arrival of the early explorers, names for expert runs were chose as a salute to Alberta’s first nation people. Nakiska’s most challenging runs were named for significant native leaders of the late 19th Century.

Skiers will soar down runs such as, Walking Buffalo, Alberta’s most famous Stoney Chief and leader of the Bearspaw band; cruise down the Eagle Tail, a Peigan chief of the last century - Chief Sitting-On-An-Eagle-Tail; and glide down Powderface, an run named for a prominent Stoney family.

Albertans and visitors from around the world will leave Nakiska with a better understanding of the Kananaskis region and the history of the province.