![Vancouver, Oct. 14, 2004 - An artist's conception of what the Jumbo Glacier Ski Resort could look like. The B.C. government lifted key environmental hurdles Thursday to developing a controversial year-round ski resort in the B.C. Interior. The developers of the Jumbo Glacier Ski Resort in the Kootenays have received an environmental assessment certificate. (Photo: Undated handout/Jumbo) [PNG Merlin Archive]](https://i0.wp.com/wp.usatodaysports.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/88/2015/06/7583759.jpg?ssl=1)
After evaluating the development of one of the most controversial ski resorts in skiing history, Environmental Minister Mary Polak decided that the proposed Jumbo Glacier Resort had failed to sufficiently start construction and therefore has lost its environmental certificate, rendering Glacier Resorts Ltd. unable to continue development of a ski area in southeastern British Columbia.
According to the official evaluation, the minister “determined that the Jumbo Glacier Resort project has not been substantially started.”
This move, which comes on the heels of the hotly debated location and development plan, is drawing support from activists in the area. As reported by the Nelson Star, David Reid of the West Kootenay EcoSociety said, “The province made the right decision,” adding that the environmental minister’s evaluation “is utterly reasonable, given the developer’s failure to comply with the environmental certificate.”
Polak’s move shows a determination to hold developers feet to the fire when executing a vision in a timely and focused manner. The planned resort would now have to repeat the lengthy process of applying for an environmental certificate in order to proceed with construction.
If a new certificate is granted, Jumbo Glacier Resort could be the first year-round ski resort in North America. As of now, plans on the resort website include twice the skiable terrain as Whistler Blackcomb, access to four glaciers, and a vertical drop of 5,627 feet.