About Us

Great Things Happening at Nitehawk Recreation Area

A jewel in the Peace Country is about to get even better. Hard to believe Nitehawk Recreation Area is run as a non-profit. Nitehawk Recreation Area has being in existence since 1960 and run by a board of directors, a dedicated team of volunteers and a hard working crew of staff.

The area includes the well know Nitehawk Ski Hill, Luge Track, Gravity Mountain Bike Park, convention facility and Wilderness Campground open year round.

General Manager Duane Stevenson says “it’s being a couple of exciting years here and the future looks even more exciting. Our campground opening two years ago was a real milestone to turn this area into a year round facility. The campground offers full service, nestled in some beautiful wilderness, is adjacent to the chalet and very popular. It’s perfect for people attending weddings and conventions on site and other events in the chalet.”

“We launched the Gravity Mountain Bike Park in August 2007. The Gravity Park provides a system of trails for people who love to mountain bike. “Gravity” alludes to the Bauer Triple Chair you can ride up to the top of the mountain for comfort. These parks are very popular in North America and it’s exciting to see Grande Prairie with one. Just like skiing we have easy to more challenging trails for the bikers. It’s great for young people and families. We’re proud to have it open. Season passes for the bike park will go on sale in March.

Other developments include the Luge Track and the Freestyle Water Ramp. The water ramp means you can practice ski jumping in the summer and once again adds to the “year round multi purpose” of Nitehawk.

Our ski and snowboard season is off to a good start, we’ve got great conditions and a ski hill we can be proud of.

Through the course of the winter we expect 40,000 visitors to our ski hill. We think it’s one of the best opportunities for young people in particular to enjoy fresh air, exercise and good clean fun in a controlled environment. That’s why so many families and businesses are keen to support our Nitehawk Ski Hill.”

‘Stay and Play’ at Nitehawk is just one of the ways that Nitehawk is making it easy for those traveling to Grande Prairie. In conjunction with the Stanford Inn, ‘Stay and Play’ entitles the guest to not only an accommodation discount but 25% off lift passes, rentals or lessons at Nitehawk.

Future plans for the area are just as bold. Nitehawk is working on an expansion plan in preparation for the Arctic Winter Games in 2010. “In 2008 we intend to up-grade our Snow Making system to increase our efficiency and inclusion of a Snow Board Half pipe. In 2009 we will be proceeding on a $300,000 expansion of the Chalet facility to include better medical facilities, expanded food services, operations and rental shop. The newly expanded Wilderness Campground will now include 73 sites with 46 full service sites and 33 power only sites. The Group area will be completed in spring of 2008.”

Nitehawk Recreation Area has become an important economic component of the Peace Country. “We have families from all over the north that come to stay, shop and ride at Nitehawk during the summer and winter. We are working towards some great package deals to include accommodation and hill passes. It means we can become a one-stop-shop for visiting the area and having accommodation and recreation taken care of. This is a very positive economic stimulus for our area when families stop, stay and shop.”

Over the years Nitehawk has grown from a quaint ski hill to a multi purpose recreational area and facility. It employs 8 full time and 60 part time seasonal staff throughout they year and provides recreation, exercise and fun for thousands of people year round. The chalet provides a wonderful facility for weddings, conventions and banquets in a cozy wilderness setting. All this just 10 minutes south of Grande Prairie.

Stevenson adds “We’re non-profit and we never forget we wouldn’t be here without our sponsors, volunteers and various levels of government that make this facility a reality. Without them we would just not exist.”