British Columbia — Located just outside Vancouver, Mt. Seymour is one of the most convenient options for skiers and riders in Canada’s third-largest city.
However, its future is far from certain. Seymour faces uncertainty due to warming winters, which will likely affect lower-elevation mountains. As a ski resort near a city, it can also experience crowds. With that in mind, the ski resort is envisioning a future with more terrain and lifts at higher elevations.
Last week, Mt. Seymour released a draft of its 60-Year Master Development Plan. This plan includes more terrain, new lifts, additional summer activities, and facility upgrades. Here’s a rundown of what could be coming to Seymour.
Skiing
It’s quite striking what Seymour is planning to do for the skiing experience. If fully implemented, Seymour plans to increase its ski trails from 41 to 90, skiable hectares from 42 to 147, and lifts from 4 to 14.
Planned terrain expansions focus on the upper mountain, though one is also planned for the lower mountain. Five new terrain pods are proposed: De Pencier, Flower, Percy, Ridge, and Summit. This would cater most to intermediate and advanced skiers and riders, although there would be beginner runs. Also of note is the revival of the Ridge terrain pod with a new chairlift, as the existing lift has been abandoned for some time.
Expanding snowmaking is also planned, which will be critical to the ski resort’s long-term viability. Early phase focuses will include the Goldie, Ridge, and Lodge Chair Pods. If Seymour expands, they also plan to add snowmaking in the Summit and Percy terrain pods.
Also worth noting is the plan to improve the experience for uphill skiers. Mt. Seymour is aiming to add a designated uphill route.
Summer
At this point, Mt. Seymour’s activities are limited, which is surprising considering its location. The only real summer activity at the moment is hiking. The plan is to add attractions such as more hiking trails, a beginner mountain-biking trail network, a disc golf course, glamping and overnight cabins, a spa, an aerial adventure park, ziplines, via ferrata, and the De Pencier Skywalk (a suspension bridge).
Facilities
Mt. Seymour’s current base area facilities are regarded as dated and cramped. The plan is to add, upgrade, and expand various buildings. In terms of new buildings, Seymour wants to add the Mystery Peak Lodge (decently-sized restaurant next to the top of the Mystery Express chairlift), Peak Warming Hut (small lodge next to the top of the De Pencier Chair), and De Pencier Warming Hut (small lodge at the bottom of the De Pencier Chair). There would also be lodge upgrades, with plans to double the size of The Alpine Activity Centre and expand the old Ridge Chair Cabin.
The number of parking spaces would also be expanded from 820 to 1,347.
Phasing
Phase one would see new magic carpets installed first. Phase 1b would include the Brockton Chair replacement, the new Summit Quad and terrain expansion, and the Summit Access lifts. The second phase would include the rebirth of the Ridge Chair and the relocation of the snow tubing park. The third phase would introduce the Percy Chair expansion. The final phase would include the De Pencier Chair expansion, the egress lifts to return to the rest of the slopes, and a new gondola. The first phase could begin within the first five years of the plan’s approval.
For this vision to become a reality, it will need B.C. Parks’ approval. An open house is scheduled for June 11th from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. Public comments for this comprehensive proposal are available until 4 p.m. on June 26th. You can submit your thoughts on the proposal here.
Image/Video Credits: Mt. Seymour Resort, SRG Skiing/Skier72
