A competition regulator in Canada is urging for measures to prevent a monopoly in the provision of paid experiences in Alberta’s mountain parks following the acquisition of Jasper SkyTram by a U.S.-based company.
Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality completed the purchase of the Jasper SkyTram for $23.7 million on January 2, 2025. The Competition Bureau initiated an investigation in late 2024 after concerns were raised by private business operators but concluded in April that no further action was necessary.
The Canadian Anti-Monopoly Project’s Executive Director, Keldon Bester, expressed worries about Pursuit’s ownership of private attractions in national parks leading to a lack of competition in the Rocky Mountain region. The project released a report in December urging the federal government to reverse Pursuit’s previous acquisitions to break the company’s monopoly hold on Banff and Jasper.
Pursuit operates various establishments globally, including hotels, attractions, restaurants, and lodges. In the Banff, Jasper, and Waterton Lakes national parks, it owns 11 hotels and manages private attractions such as the Banff Gondola and the Columbia Icefield Adventure.
Stuart Back, the Chief Operating Officer of Pursuit’s Banff Jasper Collection, highlighted the company’s community involvement and partnerships with local businesses. Pursuit stated that over the past decade, it has created 1,200 jobs in Alberta, reinvested Canadian profits locally, and contributed $3 million for Jasper wildfire relief.
Bester pointed out that Pursuit’s attractions cater to individuals with accessibility needs who may not be able to participate in free park activities but noted the higher costs associated with these paid experiences. Despite the Competition Bureau finding no immediate competition issues, Bester emphasized concerns about potential price hikes for consumers due to monopolies.
Bester also called on Parks Canada to promote competition when private operators conduct business in the parks. He stressed that lack of intervention by the Competition Bureau does not necessarily imply a lack of concern regarding monopolistic practices.