The grand opening of the Canyon Ski Resort Summer Tubing Slide was held on Friday, June 23, 2023. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

By Alessia Proietti, rdnewsNOW

Red Deer’s Canyon Ski Resort opens longest summer tubing slide in western Canada

Jun 25, 2023 | 1:15 PM

RED DEER, AB – If skiing, snowboarding, winter tubing, and an alpine coaster weren’t already enough fun at Red Deer’s Canyon Ski Resort, the site has another new summer feature for the whole family to enjoy.

The local hill (38433 Range Rd 264A) held the grand opening on Friday, June 23, 2023 for its summer tubing slide, which is now the longest in western Canada.

The Italian-made 453-feet long artificial slide is stationed in the same area of the hill where winter tubing takes place, but this time with beautiful summer views. A “Magic Carpet” conveyor belt whisks guests up to the top of the hill before racing down from a 35 per cent incline.

David Martel, General Manager and co-owner of the resort, said the idea just came about one day during a family conversation.

“We’re family-owned and operated and we’re always talking ski hill stuff at the dinner table. It’s been a real pleasure that we can just operate like that and have open discussions,” Martel stated.

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: November 12-17, 2024

Nov 12, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: November 4-10, 2024

Nov 04, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: October 28-November 3, 2024

Oct 28, 2024

He said the slide does not require water, although it can still be used if rained on. Instead, the dry slide surface uses a tube with a base that is lubricated daily.

Martel added that the roughly 30-second long adrenaline rush is similar to that of a burlap sack ride found at fairs like Westerner Days, but on a larger scale.

Friends and family can even race each other on the two-lane slide.

The summer addition comes one year after the resort introduced the first alpine coaster in the province: the Canyon Coaster.

READ: Alberta’s first alpine coaster opens today at Red Deer’s Canyon Ski Resort

Martel said the coaster was a success in turning the resort into a four-season facility.

“It was great feedback. We were overwhelmed with how many coaster fanatics there are out there that will travel to experience a coaster,” he said, adding people came from out of province, overseas while on a visit with family and friends, and day-trippers from Calgary, Edmonton and Lethbridge.

Martel noted that the summer tubing slide has already received good feedback from staff as an accessible ride without many physical restraints. Combined with the coaster, he said the hill can be a great way to spend a few hours on a hot summer day.

Ribbon cutting of the new Summer Tubing Slide at Red Deer’s Canyon Ski resort on Friday, June 23, 2023. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

Tubes being handed by Canyon Ski Resort staff to guests, June 23, 2023. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

Upper Village dine-in area overlooking the Canyon Ski Hill, June 23, 2023. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

Still a prototype, Martel said the resort will potentially expand the number of slide lanes in the future depending on customer feedback.

“We’re just trying to create activities out here at Canyon that the families can come out and enjoy and we can see that there’s a real need for it here in central Alberta,” he remarked.

The resort is also continuing to upgrade its nearby Upper Village dine-in area overlooking the hill.

The coaster and slide will be open until Thanksgiving weekend in October.

Tickets start at $5 per ride with various packages.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

—

If you have a news tip, question or concern, please email Lethbridge.newsroom@Pattisonmedia.com.