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Coordinates: 50°54′N 114°54′W / 50.9°N 114.9°W / 50.9; -114.9
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{{Short description|Multiuse area west of Calgary, Canada}}
[[Image:Skiing kananaskis 023.jpg|right|250px]]
[[Image:Skiing kananaskis 049.jpg|right|250px]]


'''Kananaskis Country''' (abbreviated: '''K-Country''')<ref name="CBC-1.6617021"> {{cite news |url= https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/k-country-wildfire-1.6617021 |title= Crews holding wildfire in Kananaskis Country |work= CBC News |publisher= CBC |date= 14 October 2022 }} </ref> is a multi-use area west of [[Calgary]], [[Alberta]], Canada in the [[Rocky Mountain Foothills|foothills]] and front ranges of the [[Canadian Rockies]]. The area is named for the [[Kananaskis River]], which was named by [[John Palliser]] in 1858 after a [[Cree]] acquaintance. Covering an area of approximately {{convert|4000|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}, Kananaskis Country was formed by the Alberta Government in 1978 to provide an assortment of land uses and designations. Land uses include resource extraction activities (such as forestry, cattle grazing, water, oil and gas), recreation, power generation, and residential communities. Land designations include [[public land]] and protected areas.<ref>{{cite book |title= Naming Canada |last= Rayburn|first=Alan |year=2001 |publisher= University of Toronto Press|location= Toronto|isbn= 0-8020-6990-8|page=[https://archive.org/details/namingcanadastor00rayb/page/254 254] |url=https://archive.org/details/namingcanadastor00rayb|url-access= registration }}</ref><ref name="pass">{{cite web |title=University of Calgary Faculty of Law - Kananaskis Conservation Pass|url=https://ablawg.ca/2021/06/07/kananaskis-conservation-pass/|website=University of Calgary Faculty of Law|date=7 June 2021 |publisher=|access-date=3 April 2022}}</ref>
'''Kananaskis''' is an [[improvement district]] (a type of rural municipal administrative unit) situated to the west of [[Calgary, Alberta]], [[Canada]] in the [[foothills]] and front ranges of the [[Canadian Rockies]]. Located within the improvement district is '''Kananaskis Country''', a 4000+ square kilometer tract of land with spectacular mountain and foothills scenery. The area was established by the [[Alberta Government]] for multiple uses including timber harvesting, [[natural gas|gas]] and [[petroleum|oil]] extraction, [[cattle]] grazing, [[recreation]] and [[tourism]]. All activities are planned and facilities developed with [[watershed]] protection as a priority.


[[File:Kananaskis.jpg|thumb|Peter Lougheed Provincial Park]]
Recreation and tourism is what Kananaskis Country is noted for. Development in Kananaskis includes several campgrounds, a [[golf]] course, some hotels, a holiday ranch, two alpine [[skiing|ski]] areas (including [[Nakiska]], which hosted alpine skiing and freestyle moguls skiing during the [[1988 Winter Olympics]]) and a competitive cross-country area (the [[Canmore Nordic Centre]]) that the public can use. The Canmore Nordic Centre was the venue for [[cross-country skiing]] events during the 1988 Winter Olympics. Most of the development in Kananaskis Country is within Peter Lougheed Provincial Park and along the highway 40 corridor that parallels the [[Kananaskis River]]. Kananaskis has many kilometres of [[hiking]], cross-country ski, and horse trails. Other activities popular in Kananaskis include [[mountain biking]], [[scrambling]], [[climbing]], [[Backpacking (wilderness)|backpacking]], [[hunting]], and [[fishing]].
[[File:kananaskis valley3679.jpg|thumb|Highway 40 in the Kananaskis Valley, Alberta]]


== Administration and purpose==
Several parks and one ecological reserve are located within Kananaskis. These include:
The area, which now includes Kananaskis Country, has been administered since 1945 as [[Kananaskis Improvement District|Improvement District No. 5 (Kananaskis)]].<ref>[http://www.municipalaffairs.gov.ab.ca/cfml/profiles/data/0373_1.htm Kananaskis Improvement District] - Alberta Municipal Affairs {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061005035114/http://www.municipalaffairs.gov.ab.ca/cfml/profiles/data/0373_1.htm |date=October 5, 2006 }}</ref> It was established by the Municipal Affairs branch of the [[Alberta Government]] for multiple uses including [[logging]], [[natural gas|gas]] and [[petroleum|oil]] extraction, [[cattle]] grazing, [[recreation]] and [[tourism]]. All activities are planned and facilities are developed with [[drainage basin|watershed]] protection as a priority.


Not all areas of Kananaskis Country are covered by the same measure of protection. Areas within Kananaskis Country include provincial parks, provincial recreation areas, wildland provincial parks, ecological reserves and [[Crown land]]. All of the aforementioned categories are governed by differing laws.
Bow Valley Provincial Park


A management plan approved in March 2003 by the Kananaskis Country restricts further development in the [[Spray Valley Provincial Park]] area to preserve the ecological integrity. Restrictions were imposed on off-road vehicles, snowmobiles, [[horseback riding]] and [[biking]]; however, a site in the Spray Valley is considered for the construction of a small lodge.<ref>[[FFWD (newspaper)|FFWD article]] (August 2003). [http://www.ffwdweekly.com/Issues/2003/0814/news1.htm Kananaskis Country management plan pleases greens, irks others] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070624195746/http://www.ffwdweekly.com/Issues/2003/0814/news1.htm |date=2007-06-24 }}. Retrieved March 11, 2007</ref><ref>[[Alberta Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture]] (2006). [http://www.cd.gov.ab.ca/enjoying_alberta/parks/featured/kananaskis/parks_spray.asp Management plans for the Kananaskis Area] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070606224838/http://www.cd.gov.ab.ca/enjoying_alberta/parks/featured/kananaskis/parks_spray.asp |date=2007-06-06 }}. Retrieved March 11, 2007</ref>
Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park


Kananaskis Country includes four areas of Crown land (also known as provincial land or public land) called Public Land Use Zones (PLUZ). The largest is the Kananaskis Country Public Land Use Zone which takes up over a quarter of Kananaskis Country's land area. The other public land uses zones are Sibbald, Cataract, and McLean. Land use zones do not include provincial parks or provincial recreation areas. Each Public Land Use Zone is managed differently, but permitted activities may include cattle grazing, trapping, mining, oil and gas exploration and production, logging, pipelines, cultivation, or commercial recreation operations. Recreational uses such as camping, [[mountain biking]], [[hunting]], [[hiking]], horseback riding, and skiing are permitted with certain limitations. Motorized recreation is permitted in all zones except Kananaskis Country Public Land Use Zone.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kananaskis Country Public Land Use Zone|url=https://www.kananaskis.org/kananaskis-country-public-land-use-zone/|website=Friends of Kananaskis Country|publisher=|access-date=6 April 2022}}</ref>
Peter Lougheed Provincial Park


In June 2021, the Alberta Government implemented user fees for all personal and commercial vehicles stopping in Kananaskis Country. The fees, known as a conservation pass, are meant to provide more conservation and safety measures, and improve services and facilities. The fee does not apply to the McLean Land Use Zone, which caters to motorized recreation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kananaskis Conservation Pass Effective June 1|url=https://www.kananaskis.org/news/kananaskis-conservation-pass/ |website=Friends of Kananaskis Country |date=31 May 2021 |publisher=|access-date=20 October 2021}}</ref><ref name="pass"/>
Sheep River Provincial Park


== Recreation and tourism ==
Spray Valley Provincial Park
[[File:Skiing kananaskis 018.jpg|thumb|Cross-country skiing in Kananaskis|alt=]]
Although Kananaskis Country is a multi-use area, it is noted for recreation and tourism. One of the reasons the area was established was to "alleviate congestion in national parks, and to provide greater recreation opportunities for Albertans".<ref>{{cite book |last=Daffern |first=Gillean |author-link= |date=2012 |title=Kananaskis Country Trail Guide Vol.4 |url= |location= |publisher=Rocky Mountain Books |page=8 |isbn=978-1-927330-09-8}}</ref>


Recreation facilities in Kananaskis include several campgrounds, a [[golf]] course, a hotel, a holiday ranch, two alpine [[skiing|ski]] areas ([[Nakiska]], which hosted alpine skiing and freestyle moguls skiing during the [[1988 Winter Olympics]] and [[Fortress Mountain Resort]] and a competitive [[cross-country skiing (sport)|cross-country ski]] area, the [[Canmore, Alberta|Canmore Nordic Centre]]) that the public can use. The Canmore Nordic Centre was the venue for cross-country skiing events during the [[1988 Winter Olympics]]. Most of the development is within Peter Lougheed Provincial Park and along the highway 40 corridor that parallels the [[Kananaskis River]]. Kananaskis has many kilometres of hiking, cross-country ski, and horse trails. Other activities popular in Kananaskis include mountain biking, [[scrambling]], [[climbing]], [[Backpacking (wilderness)|backpacking]], hunting, and [[fishing]].
Bluerock Wildland Provincial Park


=== Parks ===
Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park
[[File:Kananaskis park system.png|thumb|Extent and locations of parks in ''Kananaskis Country''|alt=]]
Several parks and campgrounds and one ecological reserve are located within Kananaskis. These include:


Don Getty Wildland Provincial Park
* [[Bluerock Wildland Provincial Park]]
* [[Bow Valley Provincial Park]]
* [[Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park]]
* [[Bragg Creek Provincial Park]]
* [[Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park]]
* [[Don Getty Wildland Provincial Park]]
* [[Elbow-Sheep Wildland Provincial Park]]
* [[Peter Lougheed Provincial Park]]
* Plateau Mountain Ecological Reserve
* [[Sheep River Provincial Park]]
* [[Spray Valley Provincial Park]]


Special areas within Kananaskis Country that are not formally designated as parks or ecological reserves include the [[Bow Valley|Bow Corridor]] Area, the [[Elbow River]] Valley Area, Evan-Thomas Provincial Recreation Area, the Highwood/Cataract Areas, Sentinel Provincial Recreation Area, Stoney Creek Provincial Recreation Area, Strawberry Provincial Recreation Area and the Sibbald Area (Sibbald Lake Provincial Recreation Area, Sibbald Meadows Pond Provincial Recreation Area).
Elbow-Sheep Wildland Provincial Park


==Special facilities==
Plateau Mountain Ecological Reserve
A [[University of Calgary]] [[ecology|ecological]] and [[environmental science|environmental]] [[research institute|research station]] is located nearby, at [[Barrier Lake]]. A [[Tim Hortons|"Tim Horton Children's Foundation"]] summer camp is also located in the area. [[Easter Seals Camp Horizon]] is located within Kananaskis along Highway 66. A [[YMCA]] summer camp, Camp Chief Hector, is located alongside the Trans-Canada Highway near exit 114. William Watson Lodge, a facility for people with disabilities, seniors, and their families is located in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park.


==Access==
Special areas within Kananaskis Country that are not formally designated as parks or ecological reserves include the Bow Corridor Area, the Elbow River Valley Area, Evan-Thomas Provincial Recreation Area, the Highwood/Cataract Areas and the Sibbald Areas.


Kananaskis Country can be accessed by five main highways that run into or through the area: [[Alberta Highway 40|Highway 40]], a {{convert|66|km|mi|abbr=on}} segment of the Bighorn Highway and also known as Kananaskis Trail; [[Alberta Highway 66|Highway 66]], a {{convert|28|km|mi|abbr=on}} highway originating near [[Bragg Creek, Alberta|Bragg Creek]] known as Elbow Falls Trail; [[Alberta Highway 68|Highway 68]], a {{convert|42|km|mi|abbr=on}} gravel highway originating from the [[Trans-Canada Highway]] ([[Alberta Highway 1|Highway 1]]) known as Sibbald Creek Trail; Highway 546, west of [[Turner Valley]]; and Highway 549 west of [[Millarville]].
Toward the west, Kananaskis Country borders [[Banff National Park]], [[Elk Lakes Provincial Park]] ([[British Columbia]]), and [[Height of The Rockies Provincial Park]] (British Columbia). The northeastern border of Kananaskis abuts the [[Stoney Indian]]
[[Indian reserve|reserve]].


== 28th G8 Summit in Canada ==
In June 2002, the area was the host of the [[28th G8 summit]].
{{Main|28th G8 summit}}
==See also==
On June 26 and June 27, 2002, the area hosted the [[28th G8 summit|28th G8 Summit]]. This annual "Group of 8" Summit was held in [[Kananaskis Village]] at the [[Kananaskis Resort]] (also called the "Delta Lodge at Kananaskis").<ref>Delta Hotels: [http://www.deltahotels.com/hotels/hotels.php?hotelId=30 Kananaskis Resort] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090806085032/http://www.deltahotels.com/hotels/hotels.php?hotelId=30 |date=2009-08-06 }}</ref> This was the second time Canada used a lodge venue for the G8 Summit, after its inaugural [[7th G7 summit|7th G7 Summit]] at [[Montebello, Quebec]] in 1981.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.g8.utoronto.ca/scholar/kirton-performance-080717.pdf|title=''A Summit of Substantial Success: The Performance of the 2008 G8'' p. 84}}</ref> So far, it is the only [[G8|G8 Summit]] to be held in [[western Canada]]. The 2002 conference pumped some $300-million into the Kananaskis and Alberta economy; however, security cost taxpayers in excess of $200-million.
<ref name="globe1">Andreatta, David. [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080711.whuntsville12/BNStory/Front/home "Brace yourself, Huntsville. The G8 is coming,"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090323052209/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080711.whuntsville12/BNStory/Front/home |date=2009-03-23 }} ''Globe and Mail'' (Toronto). July 12, 2008.</ref>

== Climate ==
Kananaskis experiences a [[subarctic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Dfc'').
{{Weather box
|location = KANANASKIS 1981-2010 Normals
|metric first = Y
|single line = Y
|Jan high C = -0.3
|Feb high C = 1.3
|Mar high C = 4.5
|Apr high C = 9.4
|May high C = 14.4
|Jun high C = 18.3
|Jul high C = 22.1
|Aug high C = 21.6
|Sep high C = 16.5
|Oct high C = 10.4
|Nov high C = 2.8
|Dec high C = -1.0
|year high C = 10.0
|Jan mean C = -6.1
|Feb mean C = -4.7
|Mar mean C = -1.6
|Apr mean C = 3.2
|May mean C = 7.7
|Jun mean C = 11.4
|Jul mean C = 14.5
|Aug mean C = 13.8
|Sep mean C = 9.4
|Oct mean C = 4.5
|Nov mean C = -2.3
|Dec mean C = -6.2
|year mean C = 3.6
|Jan low C = -11.7
|Feb low C = -10.7
|Mar low C = -7.7
|Apr low C = -3.1
|May low C = 0.9
|Jun low C = 4.5
|Jul low C = 6.8
|Aug low C = 6.0
|Sep low C = 2.2
|Oct low C = -1.5
|Nov low C = -7.3
|Dec low C = -11.4
|year low C = -2.7
|Jan record high C = 19.0
|Feb record high C = 18.0
|Mar record high C = 20.5
|Apr record high C = 26.1
|May record high C = 29.5
|Jun record high C = 31.1
|Jul record high C = 34.5
|Aug record high C = 33.3
|Sep record high C = 31.0
|Oct record high C = 27.2
|Nov record high C = 19.5
|Dec record high C = 16.1
|year record high C = 34.5
|Jan record low C = -45.6
|Feb record low C = -43.5
|Mar record low C = -40.6
|Apr record low C = -31.1
|May record low C = -21.7
|Jun record low C = -8.3
|Jul record low C = -2.5
|Aug record low C = -4.0
|Sep record low C = -14.0
|Oct record low C = -29.0
|Nov record low C = -37.0
|Dec record low C = -42.2
|year record low C = -45.6
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 21.2
|Feb precipitation mm = 21.0
|Mar precipitation mm = 40.7
|Apr precipitation mm = 55.4
|May precipitation mm = 88.5
|Jun precipitation mm = 119.4
|Jul precipitation mm = 64.9
|Aug precipitation mm = 70.8
|Sep precipitation mm = 72.8
|Oct precipitation mm = 39.0
|Nov precipitation mm = 26.7
|Dec precipitation mm = 18.9
|year precipitation mm = 639.4
|unit precipitation days = 0.2 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 7.0
|Feb precipitation days = 6.7
|Mar precipitation days = 9.6
|Apr precipitation days = 10.2
|May precipitation days = 13.1
|Jun precipitation days = 14.9
|Jul precipitation days = 12.7
|Aug precipitation days = 13.1
|Sep precipitation days = 11.4
|Oct precipitation days = 8.9
|Nov precipitation days = 7.5
|Dec precipitation days = 6.3
|year precipitation days = 121.1
|unit rain days = 0.2 mm
|Jan rain mm = 1.2
|Feb rain mm = 0.3
|Mar rain mm = 2.9
|Apr rain mm = 13.9
|May rain mm = 60.5
|Jun rain mm = 118.2
|Jul rain mm = 64.9
|Aug rain mm = 70.2
|Sep rain mm = 56.6
|Oct rain mm = 11.2
|Nov rain mm = 3.4
|Dec rain mm = 1.1
|year rain mm = 404.6

|rain colour = green
|Jan rain days = 0.63
|Feb rain days = 0.22
|Mar rain days = 1.2
|Apr rain days = 3.8
|May rain days = 10.8
|Jun rain days = 14.8
|Jul rain days = 12.7
|Aug rain days = 13.0
|Sep rain days = 10.2
|Oct rain days = 5.0
|Nov rain days = 1.4
|Dec rain days = 0.50
|year rain days = 74.2
|unit snow days = 0.2 cm
|Jan snow cm = 22.0
|Feb snow cm = 23.7
|Mar snow cm = 41.4
|Apr snow cm = 44.9
|May snow cm = 29.2
|Jun snow cm = 1.2
|Jul snow cm = 0
|Aug snow cm = 0.6
|Sep snow cm = 16.3
|Oct snow cm = 29.6
|Nov snow cm = 28.4
|Dec snow cm = 19.2
|year snow cm = 256.5
|Jan snow days = 6.4
|Feb snow days = 6.5
|Mar snow days = 8.7
|Apr snow days = 7.9
|May snow days = 3.9
|Jun snow days = 0.23
|Jul snow days = 0
|Aug snow days = 0.19
|Sep snow days = 2.3
|Oct snow days = 5.5
|Nov snow days = 6.8
|Dec snow days = 5.9
|year snow days = 54.2
|Jan sun = 63.9
|Feb sun = 101.8
|Mar sun = 155.4
|Apr sun = 171.2
|May sun = 205.7
|Jun sun = 217.1
|Jul sun = 250.7
|Aug sun = 228.9
|Sep sun = 166.2
|Oct sun = 133.7
|Nov sun = 69.2
|Dec sun = 47.9
|year sun = 1811.7
|Jan percentsun = 24.3
|Feb percentsun = 36.1
|Mar percentsun = 42.3
|Apr percentsun = 41.3
|May percentsun = 42.7
|Jun percentsun = 44.0
|Jul percentsun = 50.4
|Aug percentsun = 50.7
|Sep percentsun = 43.7
|Oct percentsun = 40.2
|Nov percentsun = 25.7
|Dec percentsun = 19.3
|year percentsun = 38.4
|source 1 = Environment Canada.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kananaskis |url=https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?stnID=2402&dispBack=0 |website=Canadian Climate Normals 1981-2010 | date=25 September 2013 |publisher=Environment Canada |access-date=24 August 2021}}</ref> Station elevation is 1391 meters.
}}

== Photo gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Bighorn Sheep - Kananaskis.jpg|Bighorn sheep in Kananaskis
Image:View from Kananaskis Village.jpg|View from Kananaskis Village of [[Mount Kidd]]
Image:Skiing kananaskis 049.jpg|Kananaskis Country
Image:Barrier_Lake_Kananaskis_Aerial.jpg|Barrier Lake
Image:U-Kananaskis-Lk-Szmurlo.jpg|Upper Kananaskis Lake in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
File:Grizzlymumcubs-c01.jpg|[[Grizzly bear]] sow and two cubs in Kananaskis Country.
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[The Canadian Rockies Trail Guide]]
* [[The Canadian Rockies Trail Guide]]
* [[Scrambles in the Canadian Rockies]]
* [[Scrambles in the Canadian Rockies]]
* [[List of Alberta provincial parks]]


==External Links==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}


== External links ==
*[http://www.cd.gov.ab.ca/enjoying_alberta/parks/featured/kananaskis/flashindex.asp Kananaskis Country]
{{Sister project links|wikt=no|commons=Category:Kananaskis|v=no|n=no|q=no|s=no|voy=Kananaskis Country}}
*[https://albertaparks.ca/parks/kananaskis/kananaskis-country/ Kananaskis Country]
*[http://kananaskisid.ca Kananaskis Improvement District]


{{Alberta}}
{{Alberta parks}}
{{Canadian Rockies}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|50.9|N|114.9|W|type:city_region:CA-AB|display=title}}


[[Category:Canadian Rockies]]
[[Category:Canadian Rockies]]
[[Category:Geography of Alberta]]
[[Category:Kananaskis Improvement District| ]]
[[Category:Communities in Alberta]]
[[Category:Provincial parks of Alberta]]

[[fr:Kananaskis]]

Latest revision as of 01:23, 25 July 2024

Kananaskis Country (abbreviated: K-Country)[1] is a multi-use area west of Calgary, Alberta, Canada in the foothills and front ranges of the Canadian Rockies. The area is named for the Kananaskis River, which was named by John Palliser in 1858 after a Cree acquaintance. Covering an area of approximately 4,000 km2 (1,500 sq mi), Kananaskis Country was formed by the Alberta Government in 1978 to provide an assortment of land uses and designations. Land uses include resource extraction activities (such as forestry, cattle grazing, water, oil and gas), recreation, power generation, and residential communities. Land designations include public land and protected areas.[2][3]

Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
Highway 40 in the Kananaskis Valley, Alberta

Administration and purpose

[edit]

The area, which now includes Kananaskis Country, has been administered since 1945 as Improvement District No. 5 (Kananaskis).[4] It was established by the Municipal Affairs branch of the Alberta Government for multiple uses including logging, gas and oil extraction, cattle grazing, recreation and tourism. All activities are planned and facilities are developed with watershed protection as a priority.

Not all areas of Kananaskis Country are covered by the same measure of protection. Areas within Kananaskis Country include provincial parks, provincial recreation areas, wildland provincial parks, ecological reserves and Crown land. All of the aforementioned categories are governed by differing laws.

A management plan approved in March 2003 by the Kananaskis Country restricts further development in the Spray Valley Provincial Park area to preserve the ecological integrity. Restrictions were imposed on off-road vehicles, snowmobiles, horseback riding and biking; however, a site in the Spray Valley is considered for the construction of a small lodge.[5][6]

Kananaskis Country includes four areas of Crown land (also known as provincial land or public land) called Public Land Use Zones (PLUZ). The largest is the Kananaskis Country Public Land Use Zone which takes up over a quarter of Kananaskis Country's land area. The other public land uses zones are Sibbald, Cataract, and McLean. Land use zones do not include provincial parks or provincial recreation areas. Each Public Land Use Zone is managed differently, but permitted activities may include cattle grazing, trapping, mining, oil and gas exploration and production, logging, pipelines, cultivation, or commercial recreation operations. Recreational uses such as camping, mountain biking, hunting, hiking, horseback riding, and skiing are permitted with certain limitations. Motorized recreation is permitted in all zones except Kananaskis Country Public Land Use Zone.[7]

In June 2021, the Alberta Government implemented user fees for all personal and commercial vehicles stopping in Kananaskis Country. The fees, known as a conservation pass, are meant to provide more conservation and safety measures, and improve services and facilities. The fee does not apply to the McLean Land Use Zone, which caters to motorized recreation.[8][3]

Recreation and tourism

[edit]
Cross-country skiing in Kananaskis

Although Kananaskis Country is a multi-use area, it is noted for recreation and tourism. One of the reasons the area was established was to "alleviate congestion in national parks, and to provide greater recreation opportunities for Albertans".[9]

Recreation facilities in Kananaskis include several campgrounds, a golf course, a hotel, a holiday ranch, two alpine ski areas (Nakiska, which hosted alpine skiing and freestyle moguls skiing during the 1988 Winter Olympics and Fortress Mountain Resort and a competitive cross-country ski area, the Canmore Nordic Centre) that the public can use. The Canmore Nordic Centre was the venue for cross-country skiing events during the 1988 Winter Olympics. Most of the development is within Peter Lougheed Provincial Park and along the highway 40 corridor that parallels the Kananaskis River. Kananaskis has many kilometres of hiking, cross-country ski, and horse trails. Other activities popular in Kananaskis include mountain biking, scrambling, climbing, backpacking, hunting, and fishing.

Parks

[edit]
Extent and locations of parks in Kananaskis Country

Several parks and campgrounds and one ecological reserve are located within Kananaskis. These include:

Special areas within Kananaskis Country that are not formally designated as parks or ecological reserves include the Bow Corridor Area, the Elbow River Valley Area, Evan-Thomas Provincial Recreation Area, the Highwood/Cataract Areas, Sentinel Provincial Recreation Area, Stoney Creek Provincial Recreation Area, Strawberry Provincial Recreation Area and the Sibbald Area (Sibbald Lake Provincial Recreation Area, Sibbald Meadows Pond Provincial Recreation Area).

Special facilities

[edit]

A University of Calgary ecological and environmental research station is located nearby, at Barrier Lake. A "Tim Horton Children's Foundation" summer camp is also located in the area. Easter Seals Camp Horizon is located within Kananaskis along Highway 66. A YMCA summer camp, Camp Chief Hector, is located alongside the Trans-Canada Highway near exit 114. William Watson Lodge, a facility for people with disabilities, seniors, and their families is located in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park.

Access

[edit]

Kananaskis Country can be accessed by five main highways that run into or through the area: Highway 40, a 66 km (41 mi) segment of the Bighorn Highway and also known as Kananaskis Trail; Highway 66, a 28 km (17 mi) highway originating near Bragg Creek known as Elbow Falls Trail; Highway 68, a 42 km (26 mi) gravel highway originating from the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) known as Sibbald Creek Trail; Highway 546, west of Turner Valley; and Highway 549 west of Millarville.

28th G8 Summit in Canada

[edit]
Main article: 28th G8 summit

On June 26 and June 27, 2002, the area hosted the 28th G8 Summit. This annual "Group of 8" Summit was held in Kananaskis Village at the Kananaskis Resort (also called the "Delta Lodge at Kananaskis").[10] This was the second time Canada used a lodge venue for the G8 Summit, after its inaugural 7th G7 Summit at Montebello, Quebec in 1981.[11] So far, it is the only G8 Summit to be held in western Canada. The 2002 conference pumped some $300-million into the Kananaskis and Alberta economy; however, security cost taxpayers in excess of $200-million. [12]

Climate

[edit]

Kananaskis experiences a subarctic climate (Köppen climate classification Dfc).

Climate data for KANANASKIS 1981-2010 Normals
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 19.0
(66.2) 		18.0
(64.4) 		20.5
(68.9) 		26.1
(79.0) 		29.5
(85.1) 		31.1
(88.0) 		34.5
(94.1) 		33.3
(91.9) 		31.0
(87.8) 		27.2
(81.0) 		19.5
(67.1) 		16.1
(61.0) 		34.5
(94.1)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −0.3
(31.5) 		1.3
(34.3) 		4.5
(40.1) 		9.4
(48.9) 		14.4
(57.9) 		18.3
(64.9) 		22.1
(71.8) 		21.6
(70.9) 		16.5
(61.7) 		10.4
(50.7) 		2.8
(37.0) 		−1.0
(30.2) 		10.0
(50.0)
Daily mean °C (°F) −6.1
(21.0) 		−4.7
(23.5) 		−1.6
(29.1) 		3.2
(37.8) 		7.7
(45.9) 		11.4
(52.5) 		14.5
(58.1) 		13.8
(56.8) 		9.4
(48.9) 		4.5
(40.1) 		−2.3
(27.9) 		−6.2
(20.8) 		3.6
(38.5)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −11.7
(10.9) 		−10.7
(12.7) 		−7.7
(18.1) 		−3.1
(26.4) 		0.9
(33.6) 		4.5
(40.1) 		6.8
(44.2) 		6.0
(42.8) 		2.2
(36.0) 		−1.5
(29.3) 		−7.3
(18.9) 		−11.4
(11.5) 		−2.7
(27.1)
Record low °C (°F) −45.6
(−50.1) 		−43.5
(−46.3) 		−40.6
(−41.1) 		−31.1
(−24.0) 		−21.7
(−7.1) 		−8.3
(17.1) 		−2.5
(27.5) 		−4.0
(24.8) 		−14.0
(6.8) 		−29.0
(−20.2) 		−37.0
(−34.6) 		−42.2
(−44.0) 		−45.6
(−50.1)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 21.2
(0.83) 		21.0
(0.83) 		40.7
(1.60) 		55.4
(2.18) 		88.5
(3.48) 		119.4
(4.70) 		64.9
(2.56) 		70.8
(2.79) 		72.8
(2.87) 		39.0
(1.54) 		26.7
(1.05) 		18.9
(0.74) 		639.4
(25.17)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 1.2
(0.05) 		0.3
(0.01) 		2.9
(0.11) 		13.9
(0.55) 		60.5
(2.38) 		118.2
(4.65) 		64.9
(2.56) 		70.2
(2.76) 		56.6
(2.23) 		11.2
(0.44) 		3.4
(0.13) 		1.1
(0.04) 		404.6
(15.93)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 22.0
(8.7) 		23.7
(9.3) 		41.4
(16.3) 		44.9
(17.7) 		29.2
(11.5) 		1.2
(0.5) 		0
(0) 		0.6
(0.2) 		16.3
(6.4) 		29.6
(11.7) 		28.4
(11.2) 		19.2
(7.6) 		256.5
(101.0)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 7.0 6.7 9.6 10.2 13.1 14.9 12.7 13.1 11.4 8.9 7.5 6.3 121.1
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) 0.63 0.22 1.2 3.8 10.8 14.8 12.7 13.0 10.2 5.0 1.4 0.50 74.2
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) 6.4 6.5 8.7 7.9 3.9 0.23 0 0.19 2.3 5.5 6.8 5.9 54.2
Mean monthly sunshine hours 63.9 101.8 155.4 171.2 205.7 217.1 250.7 228.9 166.2 133.7 69.2 47.9 1,811.7
Percent possible sunshine 24.3 36.1 42.3 41.3 42.7 44.0 50.4 50.7 43.7 40.2 25.7 19.3 38.4
Source: Environment Canada.[13] Station elevation is 1391 meters.
[edit]
  • Bighorn sheep in Kananaskis
    Bighorn sheep in Kananaskis
  • View from Kananaskis Village of Mount Kidd
    View from Kananaskis Village of Mount Kidd
  • Kananaskis Country
    Kananaskis Country
  • Barrier Lake
    Barrier Lake
  • Upper Kananaskis Lake in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
    Upper Kananaskis Lake in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
  • Grizzly bear sow and two cubs in Kananaskis Country.
    Grizzly bear sow and two cubs in Kananaskis Country.

See also

[edit]

References

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  1. ^ "Crews holding wildfire in Kananaskis Country". CBC News. CBC. 14 October 2022.
  2. ^ Rayburn, Alan (2001). Naming Canada. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. p. 254. ISBN 0-8020-6990-8.
  3. ^ a b "University of Calgary Faculty of Law - Kananaskis Conservation Pass". University of Calgary Faculty of Law. 7 June 2021. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  4. ^ Kananaskis Improvement District - Alberta Municipal Affairs Archived October 5, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ FFWD article (August 2003). Kananaskis Country management plan pleases greens, irks others Archived 2007-06-24 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 11, 2007
  6. ^ Alberta Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture (2006). Management plans for the Kananaskis Area Archived 2007-06-06 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 11, 2007
  7. ^ "Kananaskis Country Public Land Use Zone". Friends of Kananaskis Country. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  8. ^ "Kananaskis Conservation Pass Effective June 1". Friends of Kananaskis Country. 31 May 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  9. ^ Daffern, Gillean (2012). Kananaskis Country Trail Guide Vol.4. Rocky Mountain Books. p. 8. ISBN 978-1-927330-09-8.
  10. ^ Delta Hotels: Kananaskis Resort Archived 2009-08-06 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ "A Summit of Substantial Success: The Performance of the 2008 G8 p. 84" (PDF).
  12. ^ Andreatta, David. "Brace yourself, Huntsville. The G8 is coming," Archived 2009-03-23 at the Wayback Machine Globe and Mail (Toronto). July 12, 2008.
  13. ^ "Kananaskis". Canadian Climate Normals 1981-2010. Environment Canada. 25 September 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
[edit]

50°54′N 114°54′W / 50.9°N 114.9°W / 50.9; -114.9

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