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Alberta.ca Account
Part of Tourism

All-season resorts

All-season resorts provide year-round experiences at world-class resort sites for Albertans and visitors to enjoy.

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All-season resorts

Overview

All-season resorts are a key component to achieving the ambitious goal of our Tourism Strategy to more than double our visitor economy in Alberta to 25 billion dollars by 2035.

Alberta boasts some of the world’s most iconic landscapes, and Albertans and visitors alike are seeking more ways to experience them year-round. 

All-season resorts will provide destinations where accommodations, recreation activities and amenities come together to create unforgettable experiences in every season. By attracting private capital investment, these resorts will unlock new opportunities for recreation, tourism and economic growth across the province.

Our vision 

Alberta is a globally renowned, year-round tourism destination recognized for the beauty and diversity of its landscapes, the enjoyment and experience of which are supported by innovative, environmentally responsible all-season resorts that grow the province’s visitor economy in partnership with Indigenous and local communities.

Legislation and policy

Development and management of all-season resorts are guided by provincial legislation and policy:

All-season Resorts Act

The All-season Resorts Act was created to strengthen investor confidence and grow Alberta’s tourism sector. It does this by: 

  • improving regulatory clarity
  • offering tailored support to the resort development industry
  • providing focused attention that enhances Alberta’s competitive advantage
  • making the regulatory system more efficient

The act establishes the framework for designating All-Season Resort Areas on public land and sets requirements for resort development. This includes administration of the Public Lands Act, Water Act, and Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act.

All-season Resorts Regulation

The All-season Resorts Regulation outlines the process for implementing the All-season Resorts Act. It sets additional rules and procedures for resort development and gives the government tools to guide, approve and enforce projects. 

All-Season Resorts Policy

The All-Season Resorts Policy sets the framework for how resorts are planned and developed in Alberta, including:

  • establishing a vision, principles and goals focused on sustainable development
  • setting a standard of environmental excellence
  • enabling Indigenous partnership and consultation throughout the development process

The policy also outlines how decisions about resorts will be made, ensures collaboration with municipalities, and details key requirements for resort development such as staff housing, wildfire mitigation and carrying capacity standards.

Benefits

All-season resorts are essential to Alberta’s visitor economy. The responsible development and management of all-season resorts is intended to:

  • strengthen Alberta’s economy through private investment and tourism revenue
  • create meaningful, year-round jobs for Albertans
  • give Albertans more ways to enjoy our landscapes and outdoor recreation
  • make Alberta a competitive destination for year-round tourism
  • protect and conserve natural spaces for enjoyment of future generations

Our commitments 

Environmental standards

All-season resort developments must meet Alberta’s rigorous environmental standards. The All-season Resorts Act:

  • points to existing legislative standards rather than duplicating them
  • creates a new classification of public lands called All-Season Resort Areas, requiring individual approval for each designation
  • requires All-season Resort Area designations to align with regional and sub-regional plans under the Alberta Land Stewardship Act
  • does not replace existing standards for development on provincial public lands
  • requires the submission of environmental assessments prior to approval 

Indigenous consultation and engagement 

Alberta is committed to meaningful engagement with Indigenous communities and to meeting its legal duty to consult. Consultation is required before any land is designated as an All-season Resort Area and before any resort development begins.

How consultation works

  • Alberta's government must consult Indigenous communities when considering All-season Resort Area designations.
  • Resort proponents must consult Indigenous communities when proposing a resort development within an All-season Resort Area.

Indigenous collaboration

We encourage resort proposals that partner with Indigenous communities. The program supports:

  • Indigenous-led tourism enterprises
  • partnerships between Indigenous communities and resort developers
  • investment opportunities for Indigenous communities
  • access to organizations like the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation
  • collaboration with Travel Alberta and Indigenous Tourism Alberta
  • respectful integration of Indigenous culture, language and heritage into resort experiences

How it works

Step 1: All-season Resort Area Designation; Step 2: Expression of Interest; Step 3a: Application for ASR Disposition; Step 3b: Master Development Plan Review and Decision; Step 4: ASR Disposition Application Review and Decision; Step 5: Operations

  • Step 1. Designation

    The Government of Alberta decides which public lands can be considered for resort development by designating them as All-Season Resort Areas under the All-season Resorts Act. See the All-Season Resorts Policy for more information.

    Before land is designated as an All-season Resort Area:

    • Indigenous communities are consulted
    • the public is engaged if land uses are proposed to change
    • the following criteria are reviewed:
      • compliance with existing legislation and land-use plans
      • economic viability and market potential
      • location and accessibility (airports, highways, gateway communities)
      • natural setting and recreational assets
      • infrastructure and servicing capacity
      • environmental suitability and sustainability
      • community and Indigenous compatibility

    Designation does not grant approval to develop, but allows proposals to be considered.

  • Step 2. Application review

    After land is designated as an All-season Resort Area, proponents can make an application under the All-season Resorts Act.

    Expression of Interest (EOI)

    Once land is designated, the Department may solicit EOIs or engage with existing rights holders. Proponents submit their vision, planned activities and business plan for an all-season resort. Based on a competitive process, the government will select a proponent to proceed to the application stage.

    Application for All-season Resort Disposition (lease)

    Selected proponents submit a formal application, including information such as:

    • a Master Development Plan (MDP)
    • Environmental assessments
    • Public engagement and Indigenous Consultation
    • Financing and infrastructure plans

    MDP review and decision

    The government reviews the MDP within 150 days of the submission of a complete application.

    An MDP is a detailed plan that guides how a resort will be developed and operated over time. It explains the phases of development and the resort's vision at full build out, detailing accommodations, activities, services, amenities, timelines and capacity limits. the MDP serves as the foundation for regulatory review, infrastructure planning, and long-term oversight.

    MDP approval may include conditions or required modifications to the plan.

    Once the MDP is approved, a Master Development Agreement (MDA) may be established to guide resort development.

    An MDA is a legally binding contract based on the approved MDP. It sets the terms for how the resort will be developed and managed over time, including land use, environmental care, infrastructure and timelines. It does not give ownership of land or permission to start work, but it’s often required before other approvals like an All-season Resort Disposition can be issued.

    Application review and disposition

    After approval of the MDP, government may approve, approve with conditions, or refuse the application for All-season Resort Disposition within one year of receiving a complete application.

    Additional authorizations may be required under:

  • Step 3. Operations

    Once an approval is granted, construction and operations can begin. The government monitors compliance with environmental, social and economic commitments throughout the resort’s lifecycle.

All-Season Resort Areas

Explore Alberta’s designated All-Season Resort Areas map.

Get involved

Your voice matters. Participate in public engagement sessions and share feedback on proposed resort areas and plans.

Engagement opportunities

Help shape future resort areas. When new lands are considered for designation and a change in land use is proposed, Albertans will be invited to share their feedback.

There are no engagement opportunities at this time. Check back soon to stay informed.

Public notices

Before any decision is made on an application, the Government of Alberta must post a public notice for a minimum of 30 days. During this time, anyone may submit written comments for consideration.

See public notices for more information.

Resources

Funding and partnership opportunities

Contact

Complete the form to connect with the All-Season Resorts Branch.

Next All-season resorts – Public notice