| Kananaskis | |
|---|---|
| — Improvement district — | |
 |
|
  |
|
| Coordinates: 51°04′32″N 115°07′51″W / 51.07556°N 115.13083°W | |
| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  Alberta |
| Region | Alberta's Rockies Calgary Region |
| Census division | No. 15 |
| Established | 1983 |
| Government [1] | |
| - Governing body | AB Municipal Affairs |
| - | Kananaskis Council |
| - Chair | Linda McNeely |
| - District seat | Kananaskis |
| Area | |
| - Total | 4,211 km2 (1,625.9 sq mi) |
| Population (2006)[2] | |
| - Total | 429 |
| - Density | 0.1/km2 (0.3/sq mi) |
| - Dwellings | 183 |
| Time zone | MST (UTC-7) |
| Website | Kananaskis |
Kananaskis is an improvement district (a type of rural municipal administrative unit) situated to the west of Calgary, Alberta, Canada in the foothills and front ranges of the Canadian Rockies.
Located within the improvement district is Kananaskis Country, a 4,211 square kilometers (1,625.9 sq mi) tract of land with spectacular mountain and foothills scenery. 66-km long section of Highway 40 (this segment also called Kananaskis Trail) runs through the area. An ecological and environmental research station of the University of Calgary is located nearby, at Barrier Lake. A "Tim Horton Children's Foundation" summer camp is also located in the area. Easter Seals Camp Horizon is also located within Kananaskis.
The region is named for the Kananaskis River, which was named by John Palliser in 1858 after a Cree.[3]
Contents |
Kananaskis Country is noted for recreation and tourism. Recreation facilities in Kananaskis include several campgrounds, a golf course, a hotel, a holiday ranch, two alpine ski areas (Nakiska, which hosted alpine skiing and freestyle moguls skiing during the 1988 Winter Olympics and Fortress Mountain) and a competitive cross-country ski area (the Canmore Nordic Centre) that the public can use. The Canmore Nordic Centre was the venue for cross-country skiing events during the 1988 Winter Olympics. Most of the development is within Peter Lougheed Provincial Park and along the highway 40 corridor that parallels the Kananaskis River. Kananaskis has many kilometres of hiking, cross-country ski, and horse trails. Other activities popular in Kananaskis include mountain biking, scrambling, climbing, backpacking, hunting, and fishing.
The William Watson Lodge is open to people with disabilities and seniors. It is located near the cross-country ski trails.
Several parks and one ecological reserve are located within Kananaskis. These include:
Special areas within Kananaskis Country that are not formally designated as parks or ecological reserves include the Bow Corridor Area, the Elbow River Valley Area, Evan-Thomas Provincial Recreation Area, the Highwood/Cataract Areas, Sentinel Provincial Recreation Area, Stoney Creek Provincial Recreation Area, Strawberry Provincial Recreation Area and the Sibbald Area (Sibbald Lake Provincial Recreation Area, Sibbald Meadows Pond Provincial Recreation Area).
On a provincial level, Kananaskis Country has been administered since 1945 as Improvement District No. 5 (Kananaskis)[4]. It was established by the Municipal Affairs branch of the Alberta Government for multiple uses including timber harvesting, gas and oil extraction, cattle grazing, recreation and tourism. All activities are planned and facilities are developed with watershed protection as a priority.
Not all areas of Kananaskis Country are covered by the same measure of protection. Areas within Kananaskis Country include Provincial Parks, Provincial Recreation Areas, Wildland Provincial Parks, and Ecological Reserves. All of the aforementioned categories are governed by differing laws.
A management plan approved in March 2003 by the Kananaskis Country restricts further development in the Spray Valley Provincial Park area, in order to preserve the ecological integrity. Restrictions were imposed on off-road vehicles, snowmobiles, horseback riding and biking, however a site in the Spray Valley is considered for the construction of a small lodge[5][6].
No incorporated communities are located in Kananaskis. In 2001 the Kananaskis improvement district had a population of 462 in 210 dwellings spread over an area of 4,210.72 km2 (1,625.8 sq mi), a density of 0.1 inhabitants/km².[7] In 2006, Kananaskis had a population of 429 living in 183 dwellings, a 7.1% decrease from 2001.[2]
In June 26 and June 27, 2002, the area hosted the 28th G8 Summit. This annual "Group of 8" Summit was held at Kananaskis Resort (also called the "Delta Lodge at Kananaskis").[8] This was the second time Canada used a lodge venue for the G8 Summit, after its inaugural 7th G7 Summit at Montebello, Quebec in 1981, according to page 84 of this paper called "A Summit of Substantial Success: The Performance of the 2008 G8 [1]."
So far, it is the only G8 Summit to be held in Western Canada. The next Canadian and 36th G8 Summit will be held in 2010 at Huntsville, Ontario. The 2002 conference pumped some $300-million into the Kananaskis and Alberta economy; however, security cost taxpayers in excess of $200-million. [9]
 View from Kananaskis Village |
 Kananaskis Country |
 Barrier Lake |
 Upper Kananaskis Lake in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park |
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kananaskis Country [1] is part of the Alberta Rockies region on the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains. It is located about half an hour's drive west of Calgary, Canada, south of Trans-Canada Highway 1. The area includes Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, a small townsite, two ski resorts and an outstanding golf course.
To get there, drive west from Calgary on Highway 1 until you see the Kananaskis sign (Highway 40). Turn south at the sign and follow the highway into Kananaskis country. You may also enter Peter Lougheed Provincial Park by taking the Spray Lakes Road/Smith-Dorrien Highway from Canmore.
Many activities are available in Kananaskis country, both summer and winter. It includes an ATV area for ATV users, cross country and downhill skiing, ice fishing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, mountain biking, horseback riding, backpacking, backcountry camping, day hiking, canoeing, fishing, and golf.
There are two ski resorts in the Kananaskis area: Fortress mountain (www.skifortress.com){currently closed} and Nakiska (site of the ski events at the 1988 olympic winter games in Calgary - Http://www.skinakiska.com).
Excellent cross country skiing is also available within the region. It is also close to the Canmore Nordic Centre, home of the cross-country events in the 1988 Winter Olympics. Refer to the Alberta Government website - Kananaskis information for more details. Cross country and snow shoe trails are maintained by the parks staff. Both classic and skate skiing trails are set at Mount Shark Trails area.
Kananaskis is home to one of the best (and busiest) golf courses in North America. 36 holes designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr, surrounded by mountains. A good value price wise also considering the quality of the course. Reserving in advance is highly recommended. Green fees are $75 CAD ($55 for Alberta Residents) with a $25 CAD deposit required for reservations. The deposit is non-refundable if the reservation is cancelled less than 3 days from the booking. Weather can be tricky in the early season, be prepared. The course has received many great reviews. Due to the fact the course is so busy, the operators are quite strict about slow play, and will use their authority to speed things up a bit if it gets out of hand (when I played, the group ahead of us foolishly spent 20 minutes or so looking for a lost ball - they were rewarded by the course marshalls - they were forced to skip a hole to allow play to catch up). You are expected to play your round in 4 1/2 hours. If you remember to timestamp your scorecard and keep the pace, they give you a free gift at the pro shop after the round. http://www.kananaskisgolf.com
Kananaskis is is also renown for its top-notch biking, hiking and equestrian trails. Some of Canada's best mountain bikers train at the Canmore Nordic Centre. With over 70km of trails, there's something for everyone. Kananaskis is chock full of mountain biking trails, if you're considering coming here to ride, then a copy of Backcountry Biking in the Canadian Rockies by Doug Eastcott, (ISBN: 0-921102-69-0) is essential. There are trails for every skill level just waiting to be ridden. Being that this is a sub-alpine region, trails usually don't dry out from the Winter until mid to late May. Consult with the locals before attempting any trails around or before this date.
Kananaskis also contains many streams, rivers, and several lakes, for the fishing enthusiast. Wildlife is abundant, with lots of mountain sheep, elk, moose, deer, bear, etc. If you come in late June or early July you will be amazed at the variety of wildflowers and songbirds making their home in the area.
At http://www.albertaskananaskis.com you will find all kinds of summer ( and winter ) activities to do in the park including horse back riding, rafting, hiking, biking, birding and wildlife watching. The golf course is on Highway 40 which is the busiest area for visitors to the parks in Kananaskis. There is a very good information center on Highway 40 near the entrance to the Park. On the Smith Dorrien side of Kananaskis, closer to the Banff National Park, wildlife, especially moose, can often be viewed especially around the corner of Shark Road near Mount Engadine Lodge. It is the remote, less travelled area in Kananaskis and on a well maintained gravel road.
Places to eat in the park are concentrated in the Village area of the Park. There are dining rooms, cafeterias, bistros and bars. Other places to eat include at Boundary Ranch and the Golf course on Highway 40. Mount Engadine Lodge offers evening dining and weekend afternoon teas when they are open ( usually between June 15 and Oct 15 and Dec 15 to Easter). The gas station on Highway 40 has quick microwave meals and there is a cafeteria at Bolton Creek in the summer months.
There are many camp sites in Kananaskis country. Only one is fully serviced, and reservations are required. Hotels can be found in the Kananaskis town site as well as at the Dead Man Flats area. Kananaskis is a reasonable (and frequent) day trip from Calgary, depending on activity. If staying in Calgary but travelling to Kananaskis, choose a hotel in the west side of the city, preferably near 16th Avenue North (such as the ones in "Motel Village") or near Glenmore Trail or Highway 22x in the south, rather than one near the airport or downtown. If you want a backcountry lodge experience, Mount Engadine Lodge http://www.mountengadine.com is situated on the Smith Dorrien - Spray Valley Road about 35 km south of Canmore. You can drive to it on a well maintained gravel road. It is small, 9 rooms that have been recently renovated, and overnight accommodation includes all meals.
Canmore is the nearest community of size, at least a half hour drive from the turnoff to Kananaskis on the Trans Canada Highway. Travelling from the Village area it is a about an hour to Banff, 45 minutes to Canmore or Calgary using the Trans Canada Highway. Many visitors to the Park do the Kananaskis loop which includes driving on the Smith Dorrien-Spray Road (gravel). A round trip from Canmore through the park and out of the park on highway 40 would take 2-3 hours with stops. Banff is another further 20 minutes to a half hour from the Canmore area, but a must see.
| This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow! |
Category: Outline articles
|
|
Wikis
Search
Kananaskis
Improvement District 
