Mt. Agassiz Ski Resort was once a popular winter destination in Manitoba, attracting ski enthusiasts from all over the province and beyond. The ski resort, located eight miles west of McCreary, was developed by a dedicated group of skiers who sought to provide the area with downhill skiing.
Mt. Agassiz Ski Resort's early years were marked with steady growth and development as it sought to establish itself as a premier ski destination in Manitoba. The ski resort's first major milestone was the installation of a T-bar and a rope tow, which were expected to be operational by December of 1964. The T-bar lift had a capacity of 960 skiers per hour and took 8 minutes to bring skiers to the top. The new chalet, which replaced temporary accommodations, consisted of a lounge, a canteen, and a pro shop for ski rentals. The ski resort's only drawback at the time was the absence of a snowmaking system, which made it dependent on natural snowfall.
Despite these setbacks, Mt. Agassiz Ski Resort continued to gain popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, attracting skiers from all over Manitoba and other parts of Canada. The resort's northern exposure made it ideal for skiing, as it provided a natural setting for the sport.
In 1970, the federal government paved the road to the ski hill, improving access and making it easier for skiers to reach the resort. Mt. Agassiz also purchased a tire-tread grooming machine in 1972, which enhanced the quality of the mountain and made it easier for skiers to navigate the slopes. Attendance records were broken in 1972, and the resort responded by purchasing and installing a second T-bar, which ran parallel to the existing lift, thereby doubling the uphill capacity of the mountain.
The ski resort also developed a strong ski culture, with several dedicated skiers arriving a few hours before the lifts opened, hiking to the top, and skiing down to get first tracks.
In 1973, the resort installed a snowmaking system that covered most of the main trails, allowing the resort to stay open more reliably.
In the late 1970s, the city of Brandon, Manitoba proposed to host the 1978 Canada Winter Games. As part of this proposal, a man-made ski hill was proposed to be constructed to host the Winter Games. Instead, the government evaluated Mt. Agassiz and Minnedosa Ski Valley as potential sites for the games. Ultimately, Mt. Agassiz won the contract to host the 1978 Canada Winter Games.
As part of this contract, the ski hill was allowed to nearly double its terrain with five new intermediate and expert runs, as well as a new Skyway double chairlift. A new base lodge was also constructed for the Winter Games.
Despite its success in the early decades, Mt. Agassiz Ski Resort struggled to survive in the 1980s and 1990s, leading to its eventual closure in the 2000s. One of the major factors contributing to the resort's decline was the changing landscape of the ski industry in Canada. The emergence of larger resorts such as Asessippi made it increasingly difficult for Mt. Agassiz to compete. Asessippi boasts a modern lift fleet, full snowmaking, and modern skier amenities — unfortunately, these were simply beyond the budget of Mt. Agassiz.
Another challenge faced by the resort was the unpredictable weather patterns in Manitoba, which made it difficult to maintain consistent skiing conditions. While the ski resort had a snowmaking system, it still struggled in years where snowfall was low, leading to a decrease in skier visits and revenue, making it increasingly difficult for the resort to remain financially viable.
In the end, Mt. Agassiz Ski Resort closed its doors in 2000 after more than 40 years in operation. The closure was a sad moment for many skiers in Manitoba who had grown up skiing on the mountain and had fond memories of the resort.
After the closure, there were several attempts to revive Mt. Agassiz as a winter destination. In 2012, a proposal was made to reopen the ski area, and Parks Canada conducted a feasibility study to assess the potential for its revival. However, the study found that the cost of repairing and upgrading the resort's infrastructure was prohibitive, and the proposal was ultimately rejected.
In 2015, after several years of consideration and consultation, Parks Canada decided to remove the ski lifts, lodges, and facilities from Mt. Agassiz and allow the area to return to its natural state.
Source: Skimap.org
Year: 1981
Mt. Agassiz was divided into two terrain zones: East and West. The east side was serviced by two parallel T-bars rising over a kilometre in length with a 147-metre vertical drop, and was geared towards intermediate and expert skiers. A mid-load station on both T-bars provided the only true beginner terrain on the east side, with a rope tow offering an egress route out via the Snow Boat run. The west side was serviced by the Skyway double chairlift, which was 878 metres long with a 141-metre vertical drop, and offered a mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced terrain.