Go Nitehawk, it’ll light up your life

As one of Northern Alberta’s top winter attractions, the destination offers a whole lot more than just a day of skiing. The addition of night skiing adds to the impact this attraction has to its locals and visitors.

“Whether it’s at night or during the day, this is a great learning hill,” explains mother of three, Jodie Funk.

You’ll find the Funk families’ experience embedded in this story via our #SkiNorthAB video; a SnowSeekers look at Nitehawk Year-Round Adventure Park.

“This place is ideal for us. We're so busy as a family, that it makes for the perfect little getaway. Whether it’s for two hours at night or a weekend. To have this downtime away from our hectic schedule and doing something together makes for an excellent family bonding experience.”

Funk, a school teacher in the neighbouring community of Beaverlodge, appreciates Nitehawk’s investment in night skiing as it gives her family an alternative to TV/screen time in the evenings and as an alternative, the chance to get out and enjoy the winter.

During my visit, I had the chance to sit down with Assistant GM Johnathan Clarkson who gave me the low down on three things that keep Nitehawk unique:

1. Night skiing: a recent upgrade to a LED lighting system, means you score a crisper experience on the slopes. The lighting upgrades are happening first on the beginner slopes, meaning anyone can come be a part of the snow school any time of the day.

2. Year-round operations: Nitehawk has put in a huge effort to utilize the resources that are there. Whether it’s a packed on-site RV park, an expansive array of on snow experiences (come try luge, ski/snowboard, terrain park, tubing and of course, a vibrant learn to ski/ride school) – then converting the hill in the summer to the Gravity Mountain Bike Park.

3. Collaboration and the sense of community: Connecting with local sports associations. Adventure seekers come here through the year to run, bike, do yoga, ski/snowboard and even chow down on the impressive food and beverage offerings (Tuesday’s Chinese Food Buffets, to special events – bring your mom here for their delicious Mother’s Day spread).

Community-minded through and through, the Hawk keeps the winter stoke alive and well in Northern Alberta. For example, in just four hours during the annual ski and snowboard swap this past fall, saw the event pump $108,000 worth of ski and snowboard gear into Grande Prairie.