It’s almost a year since a landslide caused significant damage to the ski hill at the Nitehawk Year-Round Adventure Park. The Board and management team continue to work on recovery efforts. 

“We’re collecting information towards making a decision on the best path forward,” says General Manager Johnathan Clarkson. 

“The goal is to return to some form of normal operations by next winter. It’s not clear what that looks like yet. We’re focused on the best long-term solution for Nitehawk and the community.” 

Evaluating remedial options involves considering the results of engineering assessments and working with community stakeholders and partners. 

A Landslide Recovery Fund is in place to help Nitehawk raise money for renewed facilities once a direction has been set. This includes proceeds from the annual comedy night, a June 5 family golf day at Bear Paw, and other events as well as a partnership with the Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta allowing donors to receive tax deductible receipts, available online.

The landside struck on the west side of the hill May 19, 2020 impacting the Temptation run near Tower 4 of the lift. It then spread across the luge track and onto the Showoff run. It was powerful enough to move the chairlift towers, which had large concrete foundations under them, down the hill. 

With the chairlift out of operation this past winter, use of the Platter Lift, the 100-foot Conveyor Lift and the 600-foot Conveyor Lift permitted skiing and snowboarding on the top of Showoff run, the Halfpipe, Willoway, and Bob's Bump runs, and the Terrain Park. The Aquatera Tube Zone, the Adventure Zone Toddler Play Area and the Aquatera Toddler Tube Lane were also open. 

“Being able to provide service and recreation opportunities this past winter was so important for people’s mental and physical health,” Clarkson says.  

With the ski season ending on April 10, the focus for Nitehawk is year-round activities. 

Bear Paw – the par 3 golf course and RV Park at Muskoseepi Park – operated by Nitehawk, opened this past weekend. There’s also a 110-site full-service campground on site at Nitehawk. 

Planning with COVID restrictions is underway for summer programming including mountain biking and multi-sport camps. Trail Race programs continue to operate virtually. 

“We continue to do things to ensure people stay active and to fulfill our mission of being a champion of outdoor recreation in the region,” Clarkson says. 

Information provided by Nitehawk.