Mount Agassiz was first developed in the late 1950s when around 142 hectares was leased to a private operator for the development of a ski resort. In 1961, the Mount Agassiz ski area officially opened with a rope tow, a handful of ski runs, and a new base lodge. In 1979 a new Skyway double chairlift was purchased and installed on the north side; this expansion included expert runs. The ski resort operated for many successful years and provided many economic benefits to the nearby town of McCreary. However, starting in the 1990s, there was a downturn in the number of skier visits. The owner filed for bankruptcy two times: once in 1995, and once in 2000. The ski area has not operated since 2000, despite a strong interest in rehabilitating it.
Parks Canada Redevelopment
In 2007, Parks Canada introduced a new strategic goal for the Mount Agassiz Ski Resort, which precluded the possibility of reopening the ski resort. Although this motion was tabled, it still developed a negative reaction in the community. In January 2011, Parks Canada introduced a feasibility study for the future of the ski resort. It was estimated that it would cost over twenty million dollars to rehabilitate the ski resort. Only one party made a bid on the ski resort, which was denied by Parks Canada, citing it didn't meet all requirements. In 2014, Parks Canada made the decision to redevelop the former ski resort back into its natural state. Demolition of the lodge and ski lifts was completed by September 2015.
