RCR Announces Four New Lifts for Fernie, Kimberley and Kicking Horse

RCR announces four new lifts for Fernie, Kimberley and Kicking Horse, marking one of the largest lift infrastructure investments in recent years for Resorts of the Canadian Rockies’ B.C. ski areas.

Resorts of the Canadian Rockies announced Monday that it has purchased four new lifts from Leitner-Poma for Fernie Alpine Resort, Kimberley Alpine Resort and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.

The new lift projects are scheduled for installation in 2026 and 2027. Construction is set to begin this spring at Kimberley Alpine Resort, with work at Fernie Alpine Resort and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort scheduled to begin in spring 2027. RCR says the upgrades are part of a broader effort to modernize resort infrastructure and improve guest flow, comfort and access across its B.C. properties.

“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 and Chief Resort Officer at RCR.

For Powder Canada readers, the Fernie and Kicking Horse upgrades are the headline. Fernie will receive two new lifts: the Elk Express and the Cedar Bowl Express. Both are scheduled to open for the winter of 2027/28.

The Elk Express will replace the existing Elk Quad Chair with a high-speed detachable four-passenger lift. RCR says the new lift will cut the ride time to mid-mountain by nearly 50 per cent. The lift is also expected to improve Fernie’s summer operations by making access faster and smoother for sightseeing, hiking and biking guests.

The Cedar Bowl Express is the bigger terrain-access change for skiers and riders. The new high-speed detachable quad will move guests from the bottom of Cedar Bowl to the top of the Bear Chair area. That means skiers and riders will be able to return to the top of Cedar Bowl with one lift instead of the current three-lift route.

At Kicking Horse, the new Pioneer Express will replace the existing Pioneer Lift. The high-speed quad will move guests from the base area into Crystal Bowl, reaching the base of Stairway Chair. RCR says the lift will provide a second option for alpine access, reducing reliance on the Golden Eagle Express Gondola and more than doubling base-area lift capacity.

That is significant on storm days. Kicking Horse is famous for big vertical, steep alpine terrain and deep powder mornings, but base-area access has long centred around the gondola. A second high-speed route into the upper mountain should help move skiers and riders onto the snow faster, especially on busy powder days.

Kimberley Alpine Resort will receive the first of the four new lifts. The Tamarack Quad Chair is scheduled for construction in 2026, with opening planned for December 2026. The new quad will follow the same alignment as the current Tamarack Double Chair, which will be retired.

“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 also noted real estate activity tied to its mountain communities. At Fernie Alpine Resort, new on-mountain residential lots at Timberlanding 3 are expected to go to market later this year. At Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, the final phase of the Cedars Mountain Homes is underway.

RCR, based in Calgary, is Canada’s largest private owner and operator of ski resorts, with properties in Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec. Its B.C. resort group includes Fernie Alpine Resort, Kimberley Alpine Resort and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.