“The proposal is not an expansion of the ski area but the replacement of a 37-year-old chairlift within an existing ski area subzone.”– Paul Anderson, NZSki Chief Executive.
The Remarkables in New Zealand is trying to replace their thirty-seven-year-old Shadow Basin chairlift with a new lift. The high-speed six-pack chairlift would increase the uphill capacity from 1500 to 2400 people per hour. The new lift would also go fifty meters further up the hill, giving easier access to runs like the Alta Chutes and Sunrise Face. The new lift alignment would also avoid wetlands.
In spite of this, the proposal is being opposed by the Ngāi Tahu, Forest and Bird, and Federated Mountain Clubs. According to Stuff, some of the other complaints include that it would become an eyesore during the summertime, alter the natural landscape of the area, and put thousands of skiers onto conservation land. For context, the Alta Chutes run finishes on a flat run out onto frozen Lake Alta, which is on conservation land.
On the other hand, NZSki, which owns The Remarkables, argues that through their research, they discovered that the impact on the subzone around Lake Alta is low to minimal.
I could see a project like this easily being passed in the United States, but in New Zealand, who knows? The environment matters to them much more there compared to ‘Murica.
Image Credits: The Remarkables/NZSki
