Ski Hill Lighting Upgrade – RMWB

Overview

At the heart of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB), Vista Ridge All Seasons Park is a year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts and families in the Fort McMurray area. In 2025, the municipality completed a transformative lighting retrofit at the ski hill to improve energy efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance lighting quality for users. This project not only modernized the facility’s infrastructure but also set a new benchmark for sustainability and operational excellence at the ski hill.

Approach

The ski hill’s original lighting system relied on 134 1000-watt metal halide fixtures. This technology, while once standard, had become increasingly costly and inefficient. Recognizing the opportunity for improvement, the municipality partnered with the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre to pursue a full-scale upgrade. All 134 metal halides were replaced with Snow-Bright 300-watt high efficiency fixtures, purpose built for cold climates and outdoor recreation. This change not only reduced energy consumption for slope and facility lighting by more than two thirds, but also delivered brighter, more consistent illumination for night skiing and events.

The retrofit was carried out over the summer to minimize disruption to park operations. By selecting high performance Snow-Bright lights, the municipality ensured the new system would withstand harsh winter conditions, reduce maintenance requirements, and provide a safer, more enjoyable experience for visitors and staff alike.

Results

Annual electricity consumption at the ski hill dropped by nearly half a million-kilowatt hours, resulting in yearly utility savings of over $100,000. These operational savings mean the project will pay for itself in just over two years, freeing up resources for further community investment. The retrofit has also reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 244 tonnes each year, the equivalent of taking dozens of cars off the road, which demonstrates the municipality’s commitment to promoting sustainability.

For the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, this project delivers more than just energy and cost savings. The reduced maintenance needs and improved reliability of the new lighting system allow staff to focus on other priorities, while the significant operational savings can be reinvested into community programs and services. The success of the Vista Ridge lighting retrofit highlights how targeted infrastructure upgrades can strengthen municipal operations and support long-term sustainability goals.

“This investment demonstrates how even small-scale infrastructure upgrades can have meaningful impacts when it comes to energy efficiency. We’re thankful to the Government of Alberta and our partners at the MCCAC for their continued support in helping municipalities lead climate action on the ground.”

Toni Elliott, acting director, Community Services, Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo