Buffalo Head Ski Area, Alberta, Canada

Overview

The Buffalo Head Ski Area is a community-oriented ski area in McKenzie County, Alberta, just south of the Town of La Crête. The site for the ski area was originally identified through the Northern Alberta Ski Area Feasibility Study conducted by BHA in 2008. The Buffalo Head Ski Area was one of the sites evaluated through that process and ultimately chosen by the McKenzie Ski Hill Society for development.

To advance the preliminary concept developed through the 2008 Study to a detailed final concept, in 2018 BHA revisited the physical and environmental characteristics of the proposed site. We then refined the alpine skiing facilities and incorporated a tube park and Nordic ski area to round out the winter season attractions. The intent was to create a winter recreation experience that reflected the marketplace in McKenzie County region, with ski trail network targeted to beginner and intermediate skiers, and snowplay activities that would appeal to a wide range of guests. Complementing the on-mountain facilities, a base area concept, including day lodge, parking lots, maintenance area, and snowmaking reservoirs completed the ski area concept.