ALBERTA SKI HILL CARVES ITSELF BUSINESS NICHE
Deal with brewery makes canned glacier water available across the province
Although there has been no lift access for skiing on Fortress Mountain in Kananaskis Country for more than a dozen years, it has thrived as the popular KPOW! Cat Skiing area and is now fostering a new revenue stream — a unique selection of glacier-water-based beverages.
Sourced at the base of a rock glacier buried deep underground at the ski area, the pure water that has remained untouched by natural disasters and pollutants for thousands of years has supplied potable water since 1978. Now, a sustainable way to share it commercially has been established through the creation of rök Glacier Water, which is now available across the province.
President Michael Wood says the company was launched with the notion to preserve, enhance and share. “The privilege of stewarding this resource has led to a wonderful opportunity to share the exceptional experience of enjoying some of the world's best water.”
Wood certainly knows water. With degrees in forestry and environmental science, he spent many years in environmental planning, working on exciting remedial projects in the oil and gas sector across Canada and into the U.S., Peru, Mexico and the Dominican Republic.
But he is also an avid skier, and is a director, and past president, of Eagle Pass Heliski in the Monashee Mountains at Revelstoke. It's a tight-knit industry, and after his friend Thomas Heath, managing director of Fortress Mountain Resort, discussed his plans to commercialize the unique water resource, he joined the company that was spun out as rök Glacier Water in the role of president to oversee packaging, sales and marketing.
Sustainability is at the forefront of everything the company does, from sourcing and transporting to packaging and distribution, going to great lengths to reduce waste, conserve energy, and collaborate with like-minded partners.
Plastic bottles were shunned in favour of cans made from 95 to 100 per cent recycled aluminum — infinitely recyclable — and rök's collars are made from recycled, biodegradable cardboard.
“We also work with vendors, governments, industry partners and consumers to ensure the environmental integrity of our operations on every level,” Wood says.
Fortress Mountain is on Crown land and its water licence allows for only 2.96 per cent of the vast amount flowing from the creek. Once collected, it is transported in 50-cubic-metre tanker trucks to Rapid Ascent Brewery for canning.
Wood says the Calgary craft brewery was the only one capable of canning still water as well as carbonated water. Owner Troy Kamphuis-finnigan was excited about the prospects of sales of the glacier water, entering into a partnership with rök and serving as a director of the company.
The brewery has also launched three varieties of beer using the natural pure water, labelled as rök Blonde, rök Devil's Gulch IPA and rök Sorcerer Raspberry Ale.
Wood says revenues from the sale of rök spring and sparkling waters and craft beer labels will be used to fund the redevelopment of the historic ski resort, as well as the ongoing land-reclamation efforts, sustainable initiatives, development of educational grants, and charitable contributions to the local community and beyond.
NOTES:
Golfers have been enviously watching the beginning of the 2021 season on Hawaiian courses, especially those golfers who have not been able to get away to their Palm Springs winter retreats.
But summer golf is starting early at Hotel Arts, where on Feb. 4 — depending on restrictions — you can tee off at 50 of the world's best courses — including Pebble Beach, St. Andrews and Valderrama — from a private indoor golf studio. Add a dip in the heated pool, a poolside cocktail and gourmet dining at the inner-city escape and summer will feel just a little nearer.