B.C. Government Gives Approval to Build Large, Year Round Ski Resort | Will Have Largest Vertical Drop in North America

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Valemount ski resort, B.C. plans.
Valemount ski resort, B.C. plans.

Canada’s British Columbian government approved Valemount Glacier Destinations Ltd.’s master plan to construct a ski resort near Valemount, B.C. on Mount Peirre Elliott Trudeau.

This ski resort project has not faced the opposition that the Jumbo Glacier ski resort
faced deeper in the B.C. mountains.

Valemount Master Plan that was approved today:

Valemount Master Plan

Day lodge in the Valemont plans.
Day lodge in the Valemont plans.

Phase one of the is expected to be completed as early as December 2017.

Once phase one is completed, the Valemount ski resort will rise as high as 8,530 feet with a vertical drop of 5,775 feet.

Valemount ski resort, B.C. plans.
Valemount ski resort, B.C. plans.

Once the entire resort is fully built, it’ll rise as high as 9,850 feet with a vertical drop of 6,726 feet, the largest in North America and the 3rd largest on Earth.

“It’s not the highest mountain in North America. Mountains in Colorado are higher. It will be the biggest vertical drop in North America.  The glacier access will also be the highest in North America.” – Tomasso Oberti, consultant on the project, told BIV

Valemount ski resort, B.C. plans.
Valemount ski resort, B.C. plans.

The Valemount ski resort will be a year round ski resort and major sightseeing destination.

Valemount project presentation

Photo of future ski resort area. image: valemountglaciers.com
Photo of future ski resort area. image: valemountglaciers.com
Photo of future ski resort area. image: valemountglaciers.com
Photo of future ski resort area. image: valemountglaciers.com
Photo of future ski resort area. image: valemountglaciers.com
Photo of future ski resort area. image: valemountglaciers.com
Photo of future ski resort area. image: valemountglaciers.com
Photo of future ski resort area. image: valemountglaciers.com
Photo of future ski resort area. image: valemountglaciers.com
Photo of future ski resort area. image: valemountglaciers.com

Valemount Press Release:

VANCOUVER – Valemount Glacier Destinations Ltd. received its Master Plan approval today from the British Columbia government.

According to Tommaso Oberti of Oberti Resort Design and the Pheidias Group, “Valemount Glacier Destinations will feature some of the most impressive viewpoints for sightseeing in North America. It also opens lift access to one of the best snow zones and reliable climates for snowsports on the continent.” A modern lift system designed for both sightseers and skiers will bring visitors to the summits of Mount Pierre Elliot Trudeau, Twilight Glacier, Glacier Ridge and Mount Arthur Meighen. “It will be a true multi-peak experience surrounded by stunning glaciers,” continues Oberti. “The project embodies the best of B.C. – environmentally sustainable design coupled with some of the best vistas and mountain experiences in the world.”

Pin = Valemount, B.C.
Pin = Valemount, B.C.

The Master Plan envisions a new, iconic mountain sightseeing and sporting destination in Canada. At build-out, it will provide sustainable public access to large glaciers at over 3,000 meters (9,850 feet) elevation – the only such access in North America – and will have a vertical drop of approximately 2,050 meters (6,726 feet), the largest in North America and third largest in the world. It is expected to become a major sightseeing and year-round skiing destination welcoming visitors from the nearby National Parks and from around the world.  This is one of the rare available sites for new mountain resort developments in North America.

Map showing town of Valemount and Mount Pierre Trudeau where the ski resort will be located.
Map showing town of Valemount and Mount Pierre Trudeau where the ski resort will be located.

The project team thanks Minister Shirley Bond (Prince George – Valemount MLA), and the Mountain Resorts Branch for today’s announcement, which is the culmination of four years of tireless work together with the proponent group.

Valemount Glacier Destinations has drawn unprecedented public support over many open houses and public meetings. “It has been inspiring to work with our partners, the local people who will be welcoming visitors to their magnificent land. We thank Valemount mayor Jeanette Townsend and her Council, former mayors Andru McCracken and Bob Smith, McBride mayor Lorrane Martin, the Valemount Ski Society and the people of Valemount and the Robson Valley, whose initiative and enthusiasm have been a major driving force,” says Oberti.

The project is located in the Premier Range, within the traditional territory of the Simpcw First Nation, whose support and partnership have been integral to the project since its beginning. “We have appreciated that Chief Nathan Matthew has seen the promise of a significant tourism destination to enhance the prospects of the Simpcw”, says Oberti. Already, the Simpcw people have contributed extensive work through Estsek, their environmental consulting company.

The project has undergone a harmonized approval process, with the Regional District of Fraser – Fort George processing an Official Community Plan Amendment and rezoning in concurrence with the Master Plan review process.

Local MP Bob Zimmer has also encouraged this project, which will show visitors the extraordinary beauty of northern British Columbia.

Oberto Oberti, the project architect and originator of the vision adds, “this project would not be possible without the initiative and steadfast support of the people of Valemount and the Simpcw and it has been carefully designed to integrate with the existing community.”

The next steps are the completion of a Master Development Agreement with the province as well as imminent completion of the rezoning and Official Community Plan amendment process with the regional district. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2017, with an ultimate public opening in December 2017.

The Master Plan can be downloaded from the project website: http://valemountglaciers.com/master-plan/

For further information, please contact Tommaso Oberti:
E: toberti@pheidias.ca
T: (604) 613-2949

 

 


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10 thoughts on “B.C. Government Gives Approval to Build Large, Year Round Ski Resort | Will Have Largest Vertical Drop in North America

  1. There were similar plans for the resort in Revelstoke, BC. It was supposed to be bigger than Whistler. Like Valemount, it’s far from large urban centres, i.e. 5 hours from Edmonton. Revy never got past phase 1.

    1. Marmot Basin closer to Edmonton and Calgary for drivers and flyers and it is big. why go further? Been to Revy and it is a long drive from Calgary with other top tier resorts in between; but nice though.

  2. Why in earth would you build a ski resort up there. I thought our glaciers were melting so you want to build a building on top of them.The scenery is awful nice where you want to put the resort it won’t look that nice when you do that. I think it should be just left alone and not have people climbing all over glaciers you know that thing that we only have so little left. But then there’s those people that just want money and more of it.just like the government himself

  3. I’m only mildly familiar with the general area. Would the Westridge Hut or any CMH Malemount tenured area be included in this proposal?

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