FAQs
Below are the top 20 Frequently Asked Questions. If you do not find what you are looking for, please contact our Resort Sales Team at info@solararesort.com or toll-free at 1.866.3SOLARA (1.866.376.5272).
1. What is Solara Canmore Resort & Spa?
Solara Canmore Resort & Spa offers a revolutionary new concept in recreational real estate ownership, with a truly unique collection of amenities, luxurious all-suite accommodation, and an unparalleled collection of adventure and lifestyle programs. Solara offers owners ‘experiential real estate’ that not only enhances your lifestyle, but also offers a solid investment in a rapidly appreciating recreational real estate market. Managed by Intrawest Lodging — a division of Intrawest Corporation, a world leader in luxury resort operations — Solara is positioned as one of Canada’s finest resorts.
2. Where is Solara Canmore located?
Solara is located in Canmore, Alberta, in the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Canmore is a picturesque, charming mountain community located 60 minutes west of Calgary, 75 minutes from the Calgary International Airport, and a 15-minute drive from the town of Banff. Canmore is surrounded by 2.8 million acres (3,375 square miles) of protected wilderness and parkland preserves, including Banff National Park and Kananaskis Country. Solara is located within easy walking distance of downtown Canmore’s shops, restaurants and services.
3. What are some of the physical attributes of the development?
Solara Canmore Resort & Spa is constructed on a 4.5-acre site on Kananaskis Way, and features 214 apartment style suites in 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom configurations, with suite sizes ranging from 750 to 1,800 square feet. Parking on the Solara site is all located underground, and includes visitor spaces. Amenity space at the resort encompasses approximately 35,000 square feet.
4. What is the developer’s background, and what kind of partnerships have been established to develop Solara?
K2 Developments is a Canadian real estate development firm, headquartered in Canmore, that was established in 2003 to develop Solara Canmore Resort & Spa as a highly unique resort concept meeting the needs of discerning buyers of recreational real estate.
K2 has established strategic partnerships with a number of key organizations for this project, including Intrawest Lodging, HSBC, UPA Construction Group, Marshall Tittemore Architects, and more. The depth and breadth of experience in the Solara team and its partners are unmatched in the Canadian Rockies.
5. What are the amenities at Solara?
Amenities at Solara, which distinguish the resort as one of the most innovative and luxurious in western Canada, include a world-class resort spa, fitness studio, cooking school, 100-seat entertainment theatre and 20-seat digital screening room, creative studio, indoor hot pools and steam room, and resort centre with restaurant, lounge, bistro, gourmet market-deli, group function spaces and full service concierge. In total, Solara Canmore provides 35,000 square feet of amenity space to owners and guests.
6. What ownership opportunities are there are Solara?
Currently Solara is offering limited whole and fractional (Quarter Share) ownership in a selection of 1, 2, and 3-bedroom suites located throughout the resort.
7. What is fractional ownership?
Fractional ownership is extremely popular in the recreational real estate market. It is essentially an option that allows multiple owners to hold title — in fee simple, the most common form of property ownership — on a single vacation condominium. For example, if you own a Quarter Share, you have one-quarter title to the property. A major benefit fractional owners have is sharing the costs for upkeep and maintenance on a single property, while enjoying a wider selection of amenities at a greater level of luxury than they would like experience in a privately held property not associated with a resort.
8. How does fractional usage work for owners at Solara?
Fractional ownership at Solara offers owners generous, fair and flexible vacation use. Quarter share ownership comes with 12 weeks’ usage, which is determined by a calendar that rotates usage year upon year to ensure the popular holiday times in the year are enjoyed fairly by all.
9. Is financing available for purchases at Solara, including fractional purchases?
Yes, financing is available for both whole and fractional purchases. Please inquire with your Solara Sales Executive for more information.
10. What programs and services are available to owners at Solara?
Owners and guests of all ages and interests will enjoy leisure programming both on and off resort that spans outdoor adventure, sports and fitness, arts and culture, health and wellness, pure pleasure and entertainment. Enhancing the experience at Solara, service that will please the five-star traveller includes everything from pre-booking of all activities, event tickets and restaurant reservations, sports equipment concierge and rentals, comfortable shuttle transportation, as well as a full range of owner services, including unique food and beverage experiences, delivered in residence.
11. Is there an airport shuttle from Calgary to the resort for me and my family?
Yes. A shuttle is available for airport transfers, as well as for activities that originate at the resort, such as ski and golf excursions in the area.
12. What parking is available to owners and guests?
Each Solara suite has one assigned parking space adjacent to a convenient access point to their residence. In several cases with larger units, two parking spaces are available. Guest parking is also available, and extra parking can be arranged through the concierge when checking in.
13. Is there extra storage available to owners at Solara?
Storage is available to both full and fractional owners at Solara, for personal items and sporting items such as skis and mountain bikes.
14. Do you allow pets?
No pets are allowed unless specifically authorized in writing by the condominium association board. Fractional ownership (use by multiple owners) and the requirement for a pristine environment for rentals of condo hotel units are factors to be taken into consideration.
15. What is Resort to Resort?
Resort to Resort is a luxury homeowner exchange network operated by Intrawest Corporation. Ownership at Solara provides the exclusive (and optional) benefit of exchanging use of your resort suite at Solara with a growing network of whole or fractionally owned resort properties throughout the world. All owners at Solara, full and fractional, benefit from a free membership in R2R in their first two years of ownership.
16. Who is managing the resort?
Intrawest Lodging, a division of Intrawest Corporation, has been contracted to manage the condo-hotel operation at Solara. Intrawest Lodging is internationally recognized for its operation of luxury resorts in locations truly unique for their scenic beauty and recreational opportunities.
17. Is there a limit on how much time I can spend in my unit at Solara as a full owner?
The tourist zoning bylaw for the area determines the length of stay for a guest or owner in a unit at Solara. It stipulates that consecutive stays of no longer than 28 days are permitted.
18. Why has Canmore become a hot real estate market and for who?
Canmore’s increasing popularity as a hot recreational real estate spot is due to the myriad recreational opportunities available here, coupled with the finite amount of land available for development in this world-class destination. Buyers from around the world have increased Canmore’s profile as a four-season resort location in the Canadian Rockies, purchasing both residential and resort properties in Canmore. Another factor is that the purchase of property in Banff is governed by that community’s “need to reside” legislation. This means that you cannot buy a recreational, or part-time home in Banff, as you are required to work there or own a business.
19. What are the significant trends in the economy of Alberta and the Canadian Rockies, as far as they impact investment in real estate?
Alberta has one of the strongest economies in North America, supporting not only a market for ownership at Solara, but also providing a solid base of potential renters for the luxury resort.
20. When is Solara expected to be fully operational as a resort?
Solara’s grand opening will take place upon completion of suites and amenities. Completion is expected in the summer of 2008, according to the construction schedule.
