Closed since 1993, Silver Summit Ski Resort in Yellowhead County, Alberta, was once a thriving ski resort with three chairlifts, 17 slopes and a vertical drop of 300 meters.
Silver Summit was founded by a group of local businessmen who recognized the market for a ski resort outside the Canadian Rockies and near a national park. After years of construction, Silver Summit opened on January 4, 1969. Silver Summit operated successfully for 49 seasons until it suddenly closed in 2018 without a clear explanation.
Enjoy this deep dive into the history and current status of one of Alberta’s most underrated ski resorts.
Silver Summit Ski Resort:
Years of operation: 1969 – 1993
Number of runs: 17
Lifts: 1 double lift (Murray-Latta), 1 drag lift (Doppelmayr), rope lift
Silver Summit (permanently closed)
Once the largest ski mountain outside the Canadian Rockies, Silver Summit was a family-run resort that attracted winter sports enthusiasts for over 40 years. Located near Edson, Alberta, the resort offered an impressive 300-meter vertical drop, 100% natural snow, and excellent conditions from December to late April. Despite its remote location, Silver Summit was a favorite destination for many, offering a personal approach and a wide range of options for skiers, snowboarders, and snowmobilers.
Main features
Silver Summit’s 15,000 sq. ft. lodge housed 22 hostel-style rooms that slept up to 8 each, as well as central washrooms, showers, and a full-service cafeteria and lounge. The resort was known for its friendly staff, ski and snowboard lessons, and two beautiful fireplaces for guests to enjoy. The 1,200 m chairlift provided access to two unloading stations and offered stunning scenery and great skiing and snowboarding terrain.
Snowmobiling
In addition to skiing and snowboarding, Silver Summit was a central location in a vast snowmobile trail network that connected to Edson and Fox Creek, making it an ideal destination for snowmobilers looking to explore the surrounding wilderness.