About Hidden Valley

Located in Cypress Hills Provincial Park, Hidden Valley is an alpine resort operated by Alberta’s Ministry of Forestry, Parks and Tourism. Our unique montane environment provides stunning vistas overlooking the prairies toward Medicine Hat, 65 kilometres to the northwest and some 600 metres below. The nearby Elkwater townsite is home to year-round amenities including a café, hotel, restaurants and trails.

We are fortunate to receive significant snowfalls annually; however, we also have an extensive snow making system to ensure visitors are able to hit the slopes.

Hidden Valley is open Wednesday to Sunday with extended hours during vacation times and holidays. Our lifts run from 9am to 4pm.

Your safety is our top priority. We reserve the right to close lifts due to extreme weather and temperatures (-25 degrees not including wind chill). Should this occur during an operational day, refunds will be issued to day pass holders. In the event of a partial lift closure, refunds will not be issued unless the disruption exceeds four hours.

Days of Operation

During our operating season, we are open Wednesday to Sunday. While we open at 8:30am, please note our lifts do not run until 9am. Our typical season begins in December and runs through to the end of March. We offer extended hours during vacation periods.

Christmas: Open December 23 to January 8 (please note we will be closed at 3pm on December 24 and all day on December 25)

February Reading Week: Open February 16 to 26

Terrain Park

Hidden Valley Terrain Park offers a range of features from rails, boxes, barrel taps and various sizes of jumps. The terrain park is typically re-modelled at least twice per season to give variety and progression for all levels of ability. The Mini Park is great place to start or for our less aggressive riders and sliders to ride the rollers, and hit the jumps. Please be aware of rules and etiquette before using the parks.

The Elkwater Ski and Snowboard Club run season long programs for those wishing to learn more and try the competitive side of freestyle skiing and boarding. Details: Elkwater SkiBoard Race Club

The Day Lodge

Our day lodge is ready to serve you. We proudly offer the Mountain Side Café and Brown Bag Lunch Area (equipped with lockers). The lodge opens at 8:30am and closes at 4:30pm. Please note the café is not expected to open until December 26. Should we be able to open earlier, we will be offering limited service. The lounge is expected to be closed this season.

Looking for lessons? Visit us on the main level. We offer beginner lessons for new skiers and snowboarders, and advanced lessons for those of you wish to polish their skills! Lessons are $70 per hour for the first person and $25 for each additional person. All lessons are private, one hour lessons for up to three people. If you would like a longer lesson, you will need to book an additional hour.

Safety & First Aid

Safety is our top priority. While we hope you never need them, our highly trained, full time patrol is there to assist visitors when needed. First aid is located in the lower level of the day lodge.

Snowmaking

Yes… we make snow. Lots of it! Around 7 million gallons of water are used each winter to provide some of the nice white stuff for you to play on. The addition of two new fan guns since 2014 has improved our capacity to get you sliding. Around 95 per cent of the resort is covered by the snow making team and its quite a science… ask us for more information during your next visit.

Transportation

We are not offering a bus to Hidden Valley Ski Resort this season. Parking is available on site. Visitors are encouraged to monitor highway driving conditions on Alberta 511.

History

In the early 1960s, Hidden Valley Ski Resort began as a toboggan hill, developed by local residents wanting to spend time outdoors and enjoy the picturesque evergreen forests of Cypress Hills Provincial Park. Around this time, the Cypress Skiers Association installed a rope tow and in 1967, the association installed a T-Bar with several runs. A member of the original group, Leonard McGee, continued to develop and operate what was then the Mile High Ski Hill. He will forever be known as “Mountain Man” for all he contributed to the area.

In 1981, Dave Fischer took over the planning and operations for the area and the ski hill became Hidden Valley. Alberta’s government invested in the future of the facility in 1987, which enabled the development of more lifts, a day lodge, a snowmaking system, new runs and the recontouring of the base. The Fischer family operated the facility until 2015, at which time the Alberta government assumed its operations.

 Today, Hidden Valley is known for its consistent snow conditions, facilities and friendly staff and visitors. The trails and amenities are diverse, offering something for visitors of all skill and experience levels to enjoy. Hidden Valley is conveniently located near Elkwater, which offers a number of additional activities and amenities.