$27 Million Expansion Cements Canmore Nordic Centre’s Place on the Global Biathlon Map

Nearly four decades after hosting events at the 1988 Winter Olympics, the Canmore Nordic Centre has completed a $27.1-million transformation aimed at securing its future as one of the world’s premier venues for biathlon and cross-country skiing, while expanding access for everyday Albertans who use the site year-round.

The province says the project, first announced in 2022 as part of Alberta’s post-pandemic infrastructure and tourism strategy, has delivered a suite of upgrades ranging from international-standard competition facilities to what officials describe as the world’s longest engineered snow trail.

“Originally built to host the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics, the Canmore Nordic Centre continues to serve both elite athletes and community users,” the province said in a statement marking completion of the expansion. “To ensure the centre remains a world-class destination for high-performance sport, recreation and international competition, Alberta’s government invested $27.1 million to expand and renovate the facility.”

The upgrades include a new biathlon operations building, redesigned competition trails that meet International Biathlon Union standards, an expanded shooting range and stadium, a new penalty loop, and improved tunnel access for athletes and media. Snowmaking and snow-storage systems were also expanded, allowing for earlier season openings and more reliable conditions amid increasingly variable winters.

Infrastructure Minister Martin Long framed the project as both a tourism and community investment.

“These upgrades support major events, boost local tourism and support the local economy,” Long said. “Most importantly, they give Alberta families more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors together.”

Tourism and Sport Minister Andrew Boitchenko emphasized the international positioning of the facility, noting that Canmore now competes with top Nordic centres in Europe and Asia for major events.

“By investing in world-class facilities like the Canmore Nordic Centre, we are strengthening our position as a premier destination for hosting major sporting events and welcoming athletes and visitors from around the globe each year,” he said.

For the biathlon community, the completion of the new stadium and range is more than symbolic. It directly enabled Canmore to secure the 2029 International Biathlon Union World Cup Finals, one of the sport’s most prestigious events.

“The decision by the province of Alberta to upgrade the biathlon range and stadium and build a new biathlon building at Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park is a game changer,” said Ken Davies, event chair for Canmore Biathlon. “The International Biathlon Union has awarded the upgraded facility the 2029 World Cup finals.”

Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen said the investment also reinforces the role of provincial parks as multi-use spaces that balance elite sport with public access.

“Completion of the biathlon building and upgraded shooting range will ensure major events continue in Canmore,” Loewen said. “Shooting sports matter to Albertans, and biathlon unites two great disciplines. Investing in the Canmore Nordic Centre helps showcase Alberta’s provincial parks and sustain facilities and legacy for generations.”

The work builds on a $17.5-million commitment announced in 2022 under Alberta’s Recovery Plan, when the province pledged to modernize the Nordic Centre’s snowmaking, trails and off-season training facilities. At the time, then-Premier Jason Kenney called the funding “a great day for Canmore,” citing its role in job creation and tourism recovery. Local leaders, including Mayor Sean Krausert, argued the centre was not only an international sports asset but also a daily recreational hub for residents.

That dual role remains central to how the facility is being positioned today. The Nordic Centre now offers more than 65 kilometres of groomed trails, over 20 kilometres supported by what the province says is the largest Nordic snowmaking network in North America, and a redeveloped day lodge and cross-country stadium. A summer roller-ski track has been extended to support warm-season training, and a new tunnel improves pedestrian circulation between competition and public areas.

Accessibility was also a key focus. Norbert Meier, events director for the Alberta World Cup Society, said the recent para cross-country and para biathlon world cups demonstrated the practical impact of the upgrades.

“The new biathlon building met technical and hosting needs, and expanded parking improved para athlete access to trails and building,” Meier said.

The new Vista Biathlon Building, designed to support race operations during international events, will double as a year-round public and private event space with capacity for more than 200 people. Exterior landscaping and final site work are scheduled for spring and summer 2026 but are not expected to disrupt operations.

According to the province, the project generated more than 150 construction-related jobs and supports a facility that now welcomes close to 900,000 visitors annually, making it one of the most heavily used outdoor recreation sites in the Bow Valley.