Calgary | Mohkinstsis, Treaty 7
February 5, 2026

Fortress Mountain Holdings Ltd. has officially released its proposal for a new All-Seasons Resort in Kananaskis Country, triggering a 30-day window for public feedback.   

With a sweeping Crown Land lease, on a new ‘All-Seasons Resort’ land-use designation, of more than 3,600 hectares, the Fortress Mountain Resort Master Plan — which aims to attract year-round tourism — includes a new base lodge, hotel, brewery, spa, commercial shopping street, condominium development and much more.   

With 8 aerial lifts, 6 surface lifts, and supporting infrastructure for activities ranging from zip lining to glamping to mini golf, the plan hopes to attract up to 9,650 visitors per day.  

“This is everything Kananaskis shouldn’t be, and everything Albertans told the Government they don’t want in our parks or wild public lands,” says Katie Morrison, Executive Director of CPAWS Southern Alberta.  

The Master Plan, and its proposed activities and infrastructure, raise serious questions about how Kananaskis Country – which saw more than 5 million visitors last year – will sustain such an enormous increase in commercial activity and infrastructure, while also maintaining ecological values and the character of quiet, accessible nature recreation that so many Albertans value this region for.   

“At the very least, we’d like to see an in-depth analysis of cumulative effects in this region, and appropriate land-use planning happening before All-Seasons Resort Areas are designated, and proponents are allowed to submit proposals,” says Chloe Hahn, Conservation Coordinator for CPAWS Southern Alberta.   

The proposed Fortress Mountain Resort is also surrounded by Spray Valley and Peter Lougheed Provincial Parks, important wildlife corridors that support species like grizzly bears and their ability to mate, forage, and move across the landscape of our province.   

A resort of the scale put forward would result in numerous significant barriers and disturbances, including noise, and habitat degradation and fragmentation for numerous species, with impacts extending well beyond the site boundaries. 

“We can’t forget that this proposal was also facilitated by the removal of protected areas from our parks system without Albertans being given advance warning, or the opportunity to oppose that decision. That’s an extremely dangerous precedent to set,” adds Morrison.  

Recent polling has demonstrated Albertans’ strong support for increased parks and protected areas — and, equally, their fierce opposition to expanded commercialization of these areas.  

“An All-Seasons Resort Area, based on the development proposal by Fortress Mountain Holdings Ltd., which would result in the loss of lands to Spray Lakes Provincial Park and an important wildlife corridor, would be a betrayal of Albertans’ desire to not permit any further major developments or private real estate holdings in Kananaskis Country. This was clearly expressed during extensive public consultations for the Kananaskis Recreation Policy,” concludes Steve Donelon, former Director of Kananaskis Country.  

For more information:

• Government of Alberta Fortress Mountain Public Notice
• Fortress Mountain All-Season Resort Master Plan

To offer feedback on the proposal:

• Submit feedback through the Government of Alberta’s Public Notice submission process
• Consider submitting feedback through the proponent-led survey, but note that the questions are worded largely in favour of the proposal
• Attend an in-person information session:
  • Canmore – Canmore Miner’s Union Hall, 728 7 St
  • February 17, 2:00 – 7:00PM | Union Hall
  • Calgary – Mount Royal University, 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW
  • February 20, 2:00 – 7:00PM | Room EC2010
  • Edmonton – Stanley A. Milner Library, 7 Sir Winston Churchill Sq NW
  • February 23, 2:00 – 7:00PM | Civic Employee Fund Room 1