Industry News
Bridal Veil Mountian Resort would be British Columbia’s next big ski area. The proposed all-season resort would have 11,500 acres of skiable terrain and two sightseeing gondolas. Many are in favor of it, as it’s estimated that it could create more than 1,800 full-time equivalent jobs and generate more than one million visits each year. But not everyone is in favor of it—not the Cheam First Nation.
According to a press release from the Cheam First Nation shared on April 15, 2021:
“The Cheam First Nation is deeply concerned about and surprised by the recent announcement from Bridal Veil Mountain Resort Project (BVMR) proponents contemplating a large industrial ski resort located on our traditional territory.”
A new proposal for a massive ski resort just off Trans-Canada Highway in Chilliwack: Bridal Veil Mountain Resort.
– big base village next to highway
– 2 gondolas leading to the upper villages and ski hills
– 11,500 acres#bcpoli #vanpoli #vanre #vancrehttps://t.co/I9JxzowowX pic.twitter.com/14rV0tmxOt— Kenneth Chan (@iamkennethchan) April 13, 2021
The Cheam First Nation rejects the BVMR proposal because it says the project in no way represents its interests nor values. The Cheam First Nation is also working on a project of its own called the Cascade Skyline Gondola Project, which would be similar to the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish.
“The Cascade Skyline Gondola Project is an eco-cultural tourism amenity similar to the very successful Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish. It is fundamentally a “celebration of nature and natural spaces” with non-motorized activities for a range of abilities and interests. It will provide accessible transportation above the Fraser Valley in the Cascade Mountains in our traditional territory. At the summit, guests will be able to enjoy a variety of low-impact, nature-based activities including sight-seeing, hiking, cultural tours, paragliding in summer and snowshoeing, sledding, cross-country and backcountry skiing in winter. The project has been through years of studies, extensive community and First Nation stakeholder consultation and engagement which has resulted in overwhelming community support throughout the region.” – April 15, 2021 press release
The Cheam First Nation, working in partnership with other First Nations, says BVMR cannot and will not be considered as a replacement for their own project, their own future, and their own traditional territory and lands.
To read the full press release, click HERE.
News Update: Cheam Council has issued a news release regarding the Cascade Skyline Gondola Project.
Swipe to read or visit https://t.co/EX8bg8VLzI https://t.co/qRA7K9nkYL
— Cheam First Nation (@Cheam_FN) April 15, 2021
But it could create 1,800 minimum wage jobs and make a handful of rich investors even richer!
Hopefully we can demolish your house and let mother nature retake the land. We should also donate it back to the Natives.
All environmentalists are against any expansion of any resort in N America. Even if it is a pure rider only type mountain. There are ways to responsibly develop new terrain in N America. Do what the Europeans do!!
Pesky First Nations and their ancestral land! Europe doesn’t have this problem!