Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (RCR) made the major announcement on Monday, May 11 that they will be installing new chairlifts at Fernie Alpine Resort (FAR), Kicking Horse Mountain Resort and Kimberley Alpine Resort (KAR).
These new lifts, made by manufacturer Leitner Poma, are scheduled to be built in 2026 and 2027.
“This is a major investment in our BC Resorts and shows our company’s commitment to providing excellent experiences for our guests and our resort communities,” said John Shea, President & Chief Resort Officer at RCR.
KAR will be the first to get a new lift, with the installation of the Tamarack Quad Chair set to begin spring 2026. This new lift will be built on the same alignment as the existing Tamarack chair, which is currently a two-seater and will be retired.
The new lift is expected to be completed and opened for December, 2026.
FAR will be getting two new lifts installed, starting in 2027.
The first is the Elk Express, a high-speed detachable four-passenger lift that will replace the existing Elk Quad Chair, which is to be retired.
RCR says the ELK Express will shorten the ride up to mid-mountain by almost 50 per cent. As the Elk Chair is also a big part of their summer operations, this fast new detachable lift will make summer riding “faster and smoother.” It is set to open in the winter of 2026/27.
Fernie will also see the installation of the Cedar Bowl Express in 2027; another high-speed detachable four-passenger lift that will transport skiers and snowboarders from the bottom of the Cedar Bowl up to the Bear Chair area.
This installation will mean guests can ride just one lift back up to the top of Cedar Bowl, rather than three as it currently is.
The new lift is set to open in the winter of 2027/28.
Finally, at Kicking Horse, RCR will install Pioneer Express; a new high-speed quad chair in 2027 that will take skiers and snowboarders from the resort’s base area up to Crystal Bowl, to the base of Stairway Chair. Pioneer Express will replace Pioneer Lift, which will be retired. Its opening is scheduled for the winter of 2027/28.
This new lift will provide a second way for guests to reach the alpine in addition to the Golden Eagle Express Gondola.
RCR says the installation will “more than double” the base area lift capacity, allowing guests to get to the snow quicker and easier.
“Undertaking these new projects is a significant investment into our resorts and allows us to modernize our infrastructure and to significantly improve the experience of our guests, focusing on performance, comfort and innovation,” said Matt Mosteller, Senior Vice President of Resort Experience.
RCR has also announced they will be working on the release of new-on mountain residential lots at FAR’s Timberlanding 3, which will be on market later this year, while the final phase of the Cedar Mountain Homes project at Kicking Horse nears completion.