RCR plans four new lifts across three B.C. resorts

By AI, Created 5:27 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – Resorts of the Canadian Rockies will install four new Leitner Poma lifts at Fernie Alpine Resort, Kimberley Alpine Resort and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in 2026 and 2027. The upgrades are aimed at speeding up access, boosting capacity and modernizing guest experience across the company’s B.C. portfolio.

Why it matters: - The lift projects will change how skiers and riders move around three of RCR’s B.C. resorts. - Faster lifts and higher capacity should reduce lineups and improve access to mid-mountain and alpine terrain. - The investment also extends to summer use at Fernie Alpine Resort, where lift access is part of the warm-weather experience.

What happened: - Resorts of the Canadian Rockies announced four new lifts for Fernie Alpine Resort, Kimberley Alpine Resort and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. - Leitner Poma will supply the lifts. - Construction starts in spring 2026 at Kimberley Alpine Resort. - Construction starts in spring 2027 at Fernie Alpine Resort and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. - RCR said the lifts are scheduled for installation in 2026 and 2027.

The details: - Kimberley Alpine Resort will get the Tamarack Quad Chair in 2026. - The Tamarack Quad Chair will replace the current Tamarack Double Chair on the same alignment. - Work at Kimberley begins in spring 2026, with completion and opening scheduled for December 2026. - Fernie Alpine Resort will get the Elk Express in 2027. - The Elk Express is a high-speed detachable four-passenger lift. - The Elk Express will replace the current Elk Quad Chair. - The new lift is expected to cut ride time to mid-mountain by nearly 50%. - The Elk Express is also part of Fernie’s summer operation and is expected to make summer access faster and smoother. - Opening for the Elk Express is scheduled for winter 2027/28. - Fernie will also get the Cedar Bowl Express in 2027. - The Cedar Bowl Express is a high-speed detachable four-passenger lift. - The new lift will move skiers and riders from the bottom of Cedar Bowl to the top of the Bear Chair area. - Guests will use one lift instead of the three-lift route currently required to return to Cedar Bowl. - Opening for the Cedar Bowl Express is scheduled for winter 2027/28. - Kicking Horse Mountain Resort will get the Pioneer Express in 2027. - The Pioneer Express is a high-speed four-passenger lift. - The new lift will move guests from the base of the resort into Crystal Bowl to the base of Stairway Chair. - The Pioneer Express will give skiers and riders a second route to the alpine, alongside the Golden Eagle Express Gondola. - RCR said the Pioneer Express will more than double base area lift capacity. - The Pioneer Express will replace the current Pioneer Lift. - Opening for the Pioneer Express is scheduled for winter 2027/28. - John Shea, RCR’s president and chief resort officer, called the project a major investment in the company’s B.C. resorts and guest experience. - Matt Mosteller, senior vice president of resort experience, said the projects will modernize infrastructure and improve performance, comfort and innovation.

Between the lines: - RCR is signaling a broad refresh of core mountain infrastructure, not just isolated lift replacements. - The mix of replacement lifts and capacity upgrades suggests a push to move more guests faster while also improving the summer product at Fernie. - The company is also using the announcement to reinforce its long-term commitment to resort communities.

What’s next: - Timberlanding 3 at Fernie Alpine Resort will go to market later this year with new on-mountain residential lots. - The final phase of the Cedars Mountain Homes at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is underway. - RCR said more information on additional on-mountain real estate opportunities will be released soon. - The company’s B.C. lift construction timeline will unfold through 2026 and 2027, with first openings expected at Kimberley in December 2026 and at Fernie and Kicking Horse in winter 2027/28.

The bottom line: - RCR is making a multi-resort capital push that should improve access, capacity and guest flow across three of its key B.C. mountains.