The proposed Jumbo Glacier ski area has gotten official approval to proceed with the construction of lodges and lifts by the resort’s municipal council.
“Jumbo Mayor Greg Deck and council passed the permits on Tuesday that allow ski lifts, a lodge of up to 150 rooms and a day lodge at the base of Farnham glacier. ‘It allows the operator to use a lift on the glacier as opposed to a snow cat and allows for fixed roof accommodation,’ said Deck.” – cbc.ca
The resort’s location was chosen for its optimal snow conditions, high elevations, large glaciers, and the fact that the Jumbo Creek valley has seen significant prior use. The valley provides the easiest access to 3,000 metre high (10,000 feet) glaciers in North America.
The elevation, and four large glaciers — Farnham, Commander, Jumbo and Glacier Dome — also offer up to 700 metres (2,300 feet) of vertical is available in summer on natural snow. This is unprecedented in North America. The skiable terrain in mid-summer is equivalent to what many regional ski resorts offer in mid-winter.
There are also many opponents to the project on environmental grounds, one saying the remote location is a habitat for grizzly bears.
There is no real timescale for development on the resort, which initially requires and access road to be built to the site.
When / If built Jumbo Glacier…
- Would be the only year-round ski area in North America and one of three such resorts worldwide.
- The top lift height of 3419m would be the highest in Canada.
- In winter, the ski area would offer 5,627 vertical feet.
- In summer, the ski area would offer 2,300 vertical feet available on the glaciers.
The proposed cost for the project is around $450m.
Proposed location: 53 km west of Invermere, British Columbia, on a former sawmill site.