Go Nitehawk, it’ll light up your life

Learn more about what Northern Alberta has in store for you this winter visiting our #SkiNorthAB page, where more stories and videos will be coming out all season long.

By Doc Pow for #SkiNorthAB

Grande Prairie, AB – Ski hills heading into 2020 are going to have to be innovative to stay alive; continuing to offer up experiences that ensure their audiences not only keep coming back, but offerings that bring their friends and family along with.

Just on the outskirts of Grande Prairie, Nitehawk Year-Round Adventure Park is not only innovative, but it just might be the model of the future for ski and snowboard destinations across the west. It was a recent #SkiNorthAB visit that helped me appreciate just where these guys are going.

Adventure is calling, go Nitehawk...

Watch Go Nitehawk, it’ll light up your life #SkiNorthAB on YouTube.

Even the name spells it out – Nitehawk Year-Round Adventure Park and not simply Nitehawk Ski Hill. Why the name change a few years back? It’s all about that need for relevance and the need to build the resort into a destination that provides 365 days worth of options to its snow seekers.

Nitehawk
Photo: Nancy Shields

As one of Northern Alberta’s top winter attractions, the destination offers a whole lot more than just a day of skiing. The addition of night skiing adds to the impact this attraction has to its locals and visitors.

“Whether it’s at night or during the day, this is a great learning hill,” explains mother of three, Jodie Funk.

You’ll find the Funk families’ experience embedded in this story via our #SkiNorthAB video; a SnowSeekers look at Nitehawk Year-Round Adventure Park.

“This place is ideal for us. We're so busy as a family, that it makes for the perfect little getaway. Whether it’s for two hours at night or a weekend. To have this downtime away from our hectic schedule and doing something together makes for an excellent family bonding experience.”

Nitehawk
Photo: Nancy Shields

Funk, a school teacher in the neighbouring community of Beaverlodge, appreciates Nitehawk’s investment in night skiing as it gives her family an alternative to TV/screen time in the evenings and as an alternative, the chance to get out and enjoy the winter.

During my visit, I had the chance to sit down with Assistant GM Johnathan Clarkson who gave me the low down on three things that keep Nitehawk unique:

Nitehawk
Photo: Nancy Shields
  1. Night skiing: a recent upgrade to a LED lighting system, means you score a crisper experience on the slopes. The lighting upgrades are happening first on the beginner slopes, meaning anyone can come be a part of the snow school any time of the day.

  2. Year-round operations: Nitehawk has put in a huge effort to utilize the resources that are there. Whether it’s a packed on-site RV park, an expansive array of on snow experiences (come try luge, ski/snowboard, terrain park, tubing and of course, a vibrant learn to ski/ride school) – then converting the hill in the summer to the Gravity Mountain Bike Park.

  3. Collaboration and the sense of community: Connecting with local sports associations. Adventure seekers come here through the year to run, bike, do yoga, ski/snowboard and even chow down on the impressive food and beverage offerings (Tuesday’s Chinese Food Buffets, to special events – bring your mom here for their delicious Mother’s Day spread).

Nitehawk
Photo: Nancy Shields

Community-minded through and through, the Hawk keeps the winter stoke alive and well in Northern Alberta. For example, in just four hours during the annual ski and snowboard swap this past fall, saw the event pump $108,000 worth of ski and snowboard gear into Grande Prairie.

When You Go

Pretty much anytime through the year is a good time to be into Grande Prairie to enjoy the slopes of Nitehawk. Night skiing is a unique draw for the region in the winter time, and snow seekers shouldn't be fooled into thinking this is just a place for kids. This place is on the rise. In just 13 years, Nitehawk had grown its operations six-fold, so experience the momentum, get set to rip the Hawk and see your spirit soar.

Make it a weekend visit, check out this story showcasing the region’s array of attractions.

Set the compass north, Grande Prairie Regional Tourism Association can help get you there.

For more on Nitehawk Year-Round Adventure Park’s menu of options, ski over to the website or search it out online via #GoNitehawk.

Learn more about what Northern Alberta has in store for you this winter visiting our #SkiNorthAB page, where more stories and videos will be coming out all season long.

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