British Columbia — Numerous proposed ski resorts in British Columbia are stuck in limbo, including Garibaldi at Squamish, Valemount Glacier, and South Anderson Resort. Bridal Veil is another proposed resort, but it faces renewed scrutiny over its potential danger to an at-risk bird.
The Chilliwack Progress reports that the Wilderness Committee has partnered with the Cheam First Nation to call the British Columbian government to stop the proposed Bridal Veil Mountain Resort due to its potential harm to an endangered bird species. The bird in question is the spotted owl. It’s reportedly the “most endangered bird in Canada,” as logging has increasingly endangered its future. The ski resort development would have its gondolas going through WHA 2-501 Elk Creek, which is the owl’s habitat.
Joe Foy, the protected areas campaigner for Wilderness Committee, said the following about the proposed ski resort:
“It’s outrageous the B.C. government and the minister responsible for recovering the near-extinct spotted owl population have so far remained silent about the Bridal Veil Mountain Resort proposal. From the get go, they should have said there’s no way this ski resort can ever move forward — and absolutely not in a wildlife habitat area. They need to speak up now loud and clear.”
The province has been considering ways to grow Chilliwack’s tourism industry for many years. The city is home to the famous Bridal Veil Falls but needs more to attract guests for longer stays. The province is considering two proposals to attract more visitors: a sightseeing gondola or a large ski resort on the same plot of land above the famous falls.
Bridal Veil Mountain Resort has the potential to have 11,500 skiable acres, and ski runs would have an average of a 2300-foot vertical drop. Other activities would include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, backcountry skiing, tubing, hiking, and mountain biking.
The destination resort would be built in multiple phases. The first phase would build a sightseeing gondola, and the following phases would build out the ski resort and villages.
A gondola is the alternative option. With much less acreage used by visitors, the Cascade Skyline Gondola Project would likely have a much smaller impact on the land than the ski resort. The eight-person gondola would have a ride time of fifteen minutes. Some amenities and activities could include hiking trails, a restaurant, a Scandinavian Spa, a theater, a gift shop, an observation deck, and an events plaza. They’re also planning to build a Sto’lo Cultural and Interpretive Centre, which would document the history and culture of the First Nations that live around Chilliwack. Those developers have strategically placed the proposed gondola line away from the area where Spotted Owl hang out. Cheam First Nation is an equity partner for this proposal.
Both proposals have been stalled for years, with the BC government not yet deciding which proposal will go forward.
Image/Video Credits: Bridal Veil Mountain Resort, CTV News Vancouver, Cascade Skyline Gondola Project
