The Last of Us continues to devastate audiences across the globe, but in between crying and crying even harder, many familiar with Wild Rose Country may have perked up while watching a recent episode.
While the show moved production to British Columbia for Season 2, eagle-eyed Albertans may have recognized a snowy spot in the first episode, titled “Future Days.”
Located west of Calgary in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Fortress Mountain is a Hollywood hotspot, and on April 13, it served as a main character’s chosen place for target practice.
Back and sadder than ever
After a short hiatus, the show, which follows Joel and Ellie, an unlikely pair who form a strong bond after the apocalypse, picked right back up in Wyoming, five years after the events of Season 1.
The road to this point was rocky, but our protagonists have carved out a comfortable life for themselves. Of course, if you’re up to date on the show, you know that this doesn’t last much longer, but at least Fortress Mountain serves as a reminder of better days, when the show was filmed in and around the prairie province.
The show is no stranger to Alberta
From downtown Calgary to the Edmonton Legislature building, many recognizable spots have been featured in the HBO hit.
Season 1 was filmed entirely in the province, and the show’s stars were often heard in interviews gushing about its beauty.
Unfortunately for us, things have changed, but there was just no B.C. substitute for this particular mountain.
More about Fortress Mountain
Once a beloved ski resort, Fortress Mountain can be seen in a number of films, including Inception, Jumanji, The Bourne Legacy, Brokeback Mountain, and The Revenant.
Despite closing in 2004, the area is now used for cat skiing and climate research.
If, of course, you’d like to explore the area for yourself, there are several hiking trails nearby. You can also canoe near Spray Lakes Provincial Park or view it from above in a helicopter.
You might not be able to hit the mountain like they used to, but it still stands tall and makes for an incredible photo opp.
Here’s to hoping it’s not the last time we see Alberta in the show.
Who knows, with several episodes of The Last of Us left in Season 2, we might get another peek.
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