Aspen Heights - The Lost Resorts, Episode 17

Once a bustling community ski area, Aspen Heights has been dormant for almost two decades. Today, it is almost completely unknown, and you would be hard-pressed to find any information online. This video will take you through the general history of Aspen Heights, and the topography of the ski area.
The Lost Resorts is a weekly video series that focuses on the history of lost ski resorts in North America. New episodes release every Thursday at 5:15am MST (unless otherwise notified). Join me as we take a look at the forgotten resorts, that were once bustling lively enterprises.
Aspen Heights (Alberta) Information:
Years of Operation: 1990-2004
Run Count: 10-13
Lifts: 1 Double (Mueller), 1 Rope Tow
Music by Artlist.io

[@nathanjanuszewski]

Aspen Heights can definetly come back. If they put like 2 t bars and added more park terrain, they can definetly re-open. These videos are always so great to watch.

[@Skier72]

I mean... they could use the double chair. It sounds like it's still operable. Just would have to figure out the water rights issue for snowmaking. But if they could figure it out, it's definitely a lost ski area that could easily come back

[@iceberg210]

Love the old LMC3700c they used. Great machine. Seems like a neat resort for a surface lift

[@JA-ns1jm]

I grew up not far from there (Hughenden). There was another ski hill in the area, Sugarbowl Ski Hill, that I learned on. It operated from about 1975-2000. The Holt’s were very involved with Sugarbowl as well. You can still go to Sugarbowl and see the old rope tow. Many awesome memories learning to snowboard at Sugarbowl! Any mention of Sugarbowl in your old ski hill map?

[@Skier72]

Thank you for your comment! I haven't been able to dig up much about Sugarbowl (didn't even know that's what it was called). Could you give me the approximate location? I'd like to know more. Or you could email me ([e-mail]) and we can talk more about Sugarbowl from there.

[@lornetyndale7974]

Fascinating video, During the years I lived in Alberta I had never heard of Aspen Heights until now. It doesn't look all that big, but considering its location I would not expect it to be all that big. I would expect something around the size of Drumheller or Paskapoo (currently known as Canada Olympic Park). If it came back I'd consider making the trek out to it just to be able to say that I've skied there. I wonder if it currently gets enough natural snow to ski there, even if it involves hiking up the hill (only with the owners permission of course... let's be honest, that hill does not look like it would be all that much to hike up and it would be one of those unique skiing credits for closed areas). Skier 72 as a former Albertan who now is living in Ontario without any skiing that even comes close to comparing with what's available in Alberta I love the content! Keep it coming!

[@Skier72]

Thanks for your comment! The reason you've never heard of this place until now is one of the reasons it didn't survive. I have an old map from the 90's that shows every operating ski hill in Alberta, and it even didn't pick up on this place. Even the local newspaper never mentioned Aspen Heights once. The hill is north facing and looks like it does get some natural snow accumulation. I bet that if the runs were regularly mowed, it would be possible to hike up and ski down. Hopefully someone with the money is able to buy this place and re-open it - it would be such an amazing comeback story.

[@docholliday3150]

Excellent content and narration. Doc

[@Skier72]

Thanks, I've certainly improved both my editing and vocal narration since creating that Abandoned video

[@bopbopbeebop1138]

I live in Hardisty and skied there as a kid. Looking back, we now realize how much this little gem meant to our community. There was talk a few years ago about people reopening the hill. Unfortunately, after spending some time investigating, they decided it wasn't worth it. Rumor was that since the chairs weren't removed from the lift, the cable had stretched too much - plus mechanical issues with the lift would require a lot of money to fix. Always the question around insurance for the old equipment as well.

[@Skier72]

Thank you for your response! It also looks like the top lift shack has been knocked down (either by the wind or by a person). At any rate, it's a shame they closed. Once a ski area closes, there's a very small chance it'll ever come back.

[@JamesRegister-np7gn]

Please do a video on Mountain Run or those other ski areas mentioned earlier. See ski magazine, skisoutheast, and white book of American ski areas and dcski.