KPOW Kananaskis

1. High Elevation = Reliable Snow

Fortress Mountain boasts the highest base elevation of any ski area in Canada (1,800 m), giving it a cold, consistent snowpack and some of the earliest quality skiing of the season.

2. Massive Snowfall

With 7–9 meters of annual snowfall, KPOW offers deep, dry powder — and by early December, there’s often an impressive snow base already in place.

3. Exclusive Cat-Ski Access

The mountain’s chairlifts are decommissioned, so the terrain is accessed only by snowcat. This creates a private-resort feel with no crowds, lift lines, or tracked-out runs.

4. Legendary Terrain & Scenery

From alpine bowls to glades and steep faces, the terrain is varied and expansive. Fortress Mountain is so visually dramatic it’s been featured in films like Inception and The Revenant.

5. Fresh Tracks, Run After Run

With a max group size of 12–14 skiers and expert local guides choosing the best lines, many runs feel like getting first tracks over and over again.

6. Hollywood Powder + Real-World Adventure

KPOW delivers the wow factor — not just from snow quality and terrain, but from the unique experience of skiing in a former Olympic venue turned private powder zone.

7. Zero Crowds, All Stoke

Skiing here is about quality over quantity — but you’ll get plenty of both. Expect around 10–12 runs per day in terrain most people only dream of.

Q: What do you recommend packing?

A: Please see the detailed packing list below.

Q: Will I be required to sign a waiver? 

A: Yes, all participants must sign a waiver as a condition of registration. Click here to review the waiver.

Q: Do I need to share a room?

A: No, if you'd feel more comfortable please inquire about our single supplement.

Q: What happens if ability levels are different in the group? 

A:We keep ratios reasonable to manage this and we do our best to create a compatible mix in the presale of the trip.  

Morning — Your day kicks off bright and early. After breakfast at the lodge, we’ll depart for Fortress Mountain’s base (approximately a 30–40 minute drive). By 8:30 a.m. you’ll meet the KPOW crew at the bottom of the Fortress access road. We convoy up the snowy mountain road in 4x4 vehicles (ride with the guides if you prefer not to drive). Upon reaching the KPOW staging area (~9:15 a.m.), you’ll stow any extra gear and get a warm welcome from the guides over coffee and hot cocoa. Each morning includes a thorough safety briefing: you’ll participate in an avalanche transceiver demo and practice session, get a weather and snow update, and review the plans for the day. This ensures everyone is prepared and confident before heading out.

On Mountain — Around mid-morning it’s time to load into the snowcat and hit the slopes! We typically aim to start skiing by 10 a.m. The first run or two are a warm-up and a chance for the guides to gauge everyone’s ability and pacing. After that, it’s full throttle for the rest of the day. A *typical day” at KPOW includes about 10–12 powder runs in total – yes, you read that right! The snowcat will shuttle the group back up after each descent, giving you a chance to rest your legs, hydrate, and grab a quick snack as needed. The terrain will vary from wide-open bowls to treed runs and secret glades the guides know well. Before each drop-in, your lead guide will brief everyone on the line, conditions, and where to regroup at the bottom. Then it’s all about shredding powder, hooting and hollering with your new ski buddies as you enjoy run after run, of untracked, blower KPOW.

Mid-day — We’ll take a longer break for a mountaintop lunch around 1:00 p.m. KPOW provides a delicious picnic-style lunch (often served right out in the snow at a scenic spot) featuring hot soup, wraps or sandwiches, and hot drinks. Eating lunch in the heart of the mountains, surrounded by spectacular peaks, is an experience you won’t forget. After refueling, it’s back to the laps – the afternoon brings more fresh lines and maybe a chance to explore a new zone or revisit a favorite area from the morning. Don’t forget to snap some photos; the guides are happy to pause for the occasional powder shot or group picture!

Evening — By about 3:45–4:00 p.m., the final run is done, and the cat will bring everyone back down to base. Tired and elated, we’ll descend to the lodge by late afternoon. Once back, you have time to aprés and relax –head o the hot tub or spa, or gather by the fire for a celebratory beverage. In the evenings, our group often convenes for dinner and reliving the day’s highlights. With new friends made and countless faceshots of powder to recount, the camaraderie is as rewarding as the skiing. After dinner, enjoy a well-earned rest in your comfy room. The next day, wake up and do it all again! (On the final day, we typically ski until mid-afternoon before packing up and shuttling back to Calgary or your onward travel plans.)

Equipment:

• Skis and snowboards (touring setup if required)

• Boots

• Bindings

• Poles

• Helmet & goggles

• Gloves/mitts

• Waterproof outerwear

• Variety of warm layers

• Backpack (25L)

• Avalanche safety Gear (shovel, probe, beacon)

Other items:

• Slippers

• Sunscreen

• Buff/balaclava

• Lip protection

• Sunglasses

• Headlamp

• Water bottle

• Camera/phone

Don't Forget:

• Passport

• R/X / over the counter medications

• Power converter

• Travel & Personal Insurance

• Baggage

• Flight check in time

• Credit Card / Cash