Frozen Thunder 2026
Frozen Thunder costs ~$150,000 annually, your support makes it possible for Canada to offer world-class early skiing opportunities
2026 FROZEN THUNDER OPEN OCT 17 - NOV 14 (Weather Permitting)
Friends of CNC Volunteer Society
In May 2026, a new volunteer-led society was established to assist in the delivery of Frozen Thunder. Our mandate is to lead the management and operation of Frozen Thunder to ensure its sustainable and efficient future. We are excited to work with the Canmore Nordic Centre, original consortium members, and all of YOU to ensure the longterm future of Canada’s best early skiing.
The CNC Volunteer Society is: Ken Davies, Matt DeCarufel, Kirsten Kaarsoo, Anna Marino, Norbert Meier, Jack Pengelly
History of Frozen Thunder
The Frozen Thunder Snow Farm came into existence in 2009 through the efforts of Winsport, Nordiq Canada, and Biathlon Canada. Over the years this consortium has evolved to include the Alberta World Cup Society, Biathlon Alberta, and Nordiq Alberta. Together these groups fund the rollout of Frozen Thunder.
The Canmore Nordic Centre covers expenses related to snowmaking and grooming, while the consortium has covered the cost of covering the snow each spring and trucking it onto the course each fall.
In recent years, the snowmaking capacity at the Nordic Centre has increased significantly, enabling the creation of a recreational loop. Unfortunately, trucking expenses have also increased dramatically. The Canmore Nordic Centre and Consortium members cannot cover this shortfall, leading to the establishment of a new volunteer society.
FAQs
What is staying the same?
1
You still need a bib to access Frozen Thunder between 07:00 - 12:00 and skiing is predominantly intended for high-performance users.
You still need an early-season's pass from the Canmore Nordic Centre OR a Canmore Nordic Centre day pass. These can be purchased at the Day Lodge
Events taking place before January 31 are required to remit a Snow Enhancement Fee to our society to help cover rollout expenses
If you have a morning bib you are able to ski in the afternoon. You cannot ski in the morning unless you have a morning bib.
What is different this year?
2
Anyone accessing Frozen Thunder after 12:00 (including after 17:00) must purchase an afternoon Frozen Thunder Event Bib or Day Bib
The Canmore Nordic Ski Club and Foothills Nordic Ski Club have generously agreed to contribute, so any members of CNSC and FNSC wishing to ski after 12:00 DO NOT need to purchase an afternoon bib. CNSC/FNSC members who wish to ski before 12:00 must still purchase a morning bib.
I already purchase a CNC Season’s Pass/Day Pass, why do I need to support?
3
Your CNC Pass provides access to the trail network in Canmore and proceeds of that pass help offset snowmaking and grooming expenses. However, trucking costs and spring snow-covering costs are not paid for by the Alberta Government. To cover this ~$150,000 expense we require additional support from the people who use the trails (including National/Provincial Sport Organizations, early-season events, local ski clubs, and skiers using the trails.)
The current funding model of Frozen Thunder results in an annual deficit of over $30,000. For Frozen Thunder to continue, the business model needs to be changed. This includes shifting how revenues are collected (so they will directly offset Frozen Thunder expenditures).
Why is this change being made?
4
100% of your Frozen Thunder Event bib purchase goes towards the delivery of Frozen Thunder. This includes: trucking costs of moving snow each fall, sawdust costs for covering the snow each spring, and operational costs (ex. insurance). We are a volunteer-based society that is focused on maximizing every dollar raised to support Frozen Thunder.
Where does my bib money go?
5
Who else is supporting this change?
6
Frozen Thunder 2026 continues to receive the financial support of consortium members (Nordiq Canada, Biathlon Canada, Biathlon Alberta, Alberta World Cup Society). The society has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park on the operations of Frozen Thunder and collaborates with them on the rollout of the snow. Lastly, the Society is proud to receive financial support from the Government of Alberta Ministry of Tourism in Sport.
Bottom line it for me, what’s this all about?
7
Initially Frozen Thunder was meant to provide 2km of early season skiing for high-performance users. The 2022-2026 CNC renovation project increased the capacity of Frozen Thunder to between 4-6km, ensuring that high-performance users, local ski clubs, early season international events, and the general public all have access to unparalleled early season conditions. The secret is out, and Canmore now hosts user groups from around the world for early season skiing, making it impossible to safely return to a 2km loop. This change means the operating model of Frozen Thunder also needs to be updated, to ensure equitable support from stakeholders to create a sustainable future for Frozen Thunder.
THANK YOU TO OUR FUNDING PARTNERS
