An iconic Kananaskis ski hill that's been sitting empty for years could get a new lease on life as Alberta's first purpose-built all-season mountain resort.

Fortress Mountain Resort is kicking off public consultations on plans to transform the historic brownfield site into a year-round destination with gondola rides, trail networks, adventure activities, and a resort village. At full build-out, the project would accommodate roughly 11,000 guests and more than 600 employees. Danielle Vlemmiks, project director, said the goal is bringing Fortress back in a way that reflects who Albertans are today while creating a place families will return to year after year.

The proposal includes environmental features like water conservation systems, wildfire resilience measures, and wildlife management, along with a community fund that would reinvest revenue into local initiatives in Kananaskis, Canmore, and surrounding areas. The developers are also working on partnerships with Treaty 7 Nations and Métis communities to incorporate Indigenous knowledge and stewardship into the resort experience.

The province's formal consultation period runs from January 28 to February 27. An open-house listening session will be held in Calgary on February 20 from 2 to 7 PM at Mount Royal University, with additional sessions planned for Canmore and Edmonton. People can also share feedback through an online survey on the resort's website throughout the consultation window.