06/02/2026
Good afternoon,
There have been a lot of questions and comments about snowmaking at Wapiti, so I thought I’d share some information about what it would actually take to make it happen.
We would all love to see snowmaking at Wapiti. Reliable early-season snow would be a huge benefit to our hill and our community. However, the reality is that it’s a massive undertaking.
An estimate obtained in August 2025 put the cost of a snowmaking system at approximately $1.5 million, and that does not include the significant on-site work required. Installation would involve roughly 10,000 feet of trenching and piping, welding, backfilling, electrical infrastructure, and a substantial water supply system.
There are also operational challenges. Snowmaking is not something that can realistically be run by a volunteer workforce. Specialized training and certifications are required, and snowmaking is most effective when temperatures are lowest—typically overnight. That means having trained personnel available to monitor and operate the system during those hours.
As an example, Crowsnest Pass Ski Hill was fortunate to receive snowmaking equipment years ago, but they also have employees whose wages are supported by the municipality to manage snowmaking and other operational tasks.
Could snowmaking happen at Wapiti someday? Absolutely. But it would require years of planning, successful grant applications, major fundraising efforts, infrastructure development, and likely some level of paid operational support from the District of Elkford.
Wapiti is proud to be a volunteer-run ski hill, and our volunteers continue to do an incredible job with the resources available. We appreciate everyone’s passion for the hill and support for its future. If anyone is interested in helping us pursue this dream feel free to reach out.
Chris Duthie
Wapiti Ski Club President.
