Richardson's Ridge Expansion

The formal inauguration of Richardson’s Ridge at Lake Louise Ski Resort in the winter of 2025–2026 represents the culmination of a strategic vision spanning nearly three decades. Situated within the Slate Range in Banff National Park, the expansion is a case study in balancing high-intensity recreational use with the conservation mandates of a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Genesis and the 1997 proposal. Charlie Locke first acquired the resort in 1981 and pursued rapid modernization. The specific proposal for Richardson’s Ridge was first articulated in 1997; Locke’s management identified the forested slopes of Richardson’s Ridge and Wolverine Ridge as candidates for “gladed skiing,” a wind-protected, lower-elevation alternative to the high-alpine bowls. The proposal was sidelined when the resort fell into receivership (2001) and passed to Murray Edwards and Resorts of the Canadian Rockies; the focus shifted away from terrain expansion. When Locke reacquired the resort in 2008, Richardson’s Ridge was resurrected as a central pillar of long-term strategy.

The 2015 Site Guidelines and “Land Swap.” Expansion within a national park requires an exception to the general prohibition on new commercial development. The 2015 “Lake Louise Ski Area Site Guidelines for Development and Use” established the regulatory framework. The fundamental trade-off: in exchange for the right to develop Richardson’s Ridge, West Bowl, and Hidden Bowl, the resort agreed to surrender approximately 50% of its leasehold (~1,000 hectares) to Parks Canada for permanent protection. Purple and Wolverine Bowls; ecologically sensitive wildlife corridors for grizzly bear, wolverine, and lynx; were returned to wilderness. Skier capacity increased from 6,000 to 8,500–9,000 per day. The reconfiguration was controversial; CPAWS and Wildsight argued the environmental gains were overstated. Parks Canada asserted that the permanent reduction in footprint provided more secure ecological integrity than the existing lease.

Ecological mitigation. The expansion area is identified as Slate Range grizzly habitat and a corridor for wolverines and lynx. Approval was contingent on relocating summer sightseeing from mid-mountain Whitehorn Lodge to a proposed Eagle Ridge Lodge; moving tourists out of prime grizzly foraging habitat. Richardson’s Ridge is mountain goat summer range; adaptive management protocols require halting projects if the Detailed Impact Analysis shows unmitigable harm.

Phase 1 and the Richardson’s Ridge Express. The 2019 Long Range Plan provided the specific project descriptions. The Richardson’s Ridge Express; a detachable high-speed quad; was the centrepiece. Foundation work commenced summer 2024; Valhalla Helicopters placed towers to minimise construction footprint. Phase 1 introduced approximately 200 acres and five new runs; green and blue terrain, deliberately avoiding steep chutes. The design targeted beginner and intermediate progression, a “low-pressure environment” on the back side. Lower elevation and forest cover reduce susceptibility to wind closures that affect the Summit and Paradise chairs.

2025–2026 opening. Richardson’s Ridge opened on 17 December 2025; a soft launch ahead of the original spring 2026 timeline, aided by historic December snowfall. The ceremonial ribbon-cutting followed on 31 January 2026, with Charlie Locke and Parks Canada CEO Ron Hallman. Locke received the 2025 Jimmie Spencer Lifetime Achievement Award for his forty-plus years in the Canadian ski industry and persistence in realising the Richardson’s Ridge vision.

Broader capital context. Richardson’s Ridge is the fifth major lift project in a 2020–2025 cycle: Summit Quad (2020), West Bowl (2020), Juniper Express (2021), Pipestone Express (2024), Richardson’s Ridge Express (2025). The Pipestone Express heated bubble six-seater provides direct access from the Juniper area to the upper ridge. Future phases include selective glading in advanced/expert sections, a proposed “Prunepicker” lift from Temple Lodge to the Richardson’s Ridge base, and Eagle Ridge Lodge.