Jumbo Glacier Ski Resort Approved - Good or Evil?

It looks like the 20 year battle to get Jumbo Glacier Ski Resort approved is finally over,… or is it?

The province has given the project the green light but there is still considerable opposition to the project from First Nations and environmental groups and a whole of a lot of work to do before the first chairlift loads. One factor still missing is money, approximately $450 million will be needed to complete the resort with the first phase price tag coming in at $50 million.

The proposed mega resort will cover 6000 hectares in the Purcell mountains and is located 57 kilometers up a heavily avalanche prone access road west of Invermere and at build out will contain 22 lifts (including a gondola) and 6500 beds to accommodate all these skiers. 

So why Jumbo? well it will have year round glacier skiing on 4 glaciers and take skiers to 10,000' which is unheard of in Canada and well above the level global warming will affect (they hope).

So why not Jumbo? Let's consider these points:

- Will tax payers have to foot the bill for infrastructure?

- Is there truly a need for yet another ski resort with skier visits dropping and many resorts struggling to make a buck?

- Several First Nations do not support the project.

- Wildlife experts concluded that Grizzly Bears and their habitat will be affected (among other species)and the access road will cut off a vital animal corridor.

- Public opposition is strong. In 2004 91% of respondents opposed the project, in 2007 79% surveyed were against, in 2008 a random sampling showed 63% were against the project but is government listening?

- This will be the first resort built in true backcountry terrain, all other resorts are built in the front country

- How will this affect the headwaters of the Columbia Mountains?

- The land in question is "Crown" or public land, so does it not belong to all of us and not just a few real estate speculators? Jumbo Ski Resort would then become private land and accessible to only paying customers.

- Is this really about skiing or is it simply a mega real estate deal that is anchored to a ski resort?

- Because Jumbo Resort will affect 6,000 hectares 'off-site' mitigation may be considered, effectively shutting down use of adjacent lands

- Skier traffic and ski lifts on Jumbo glaciers will hasten its melting

What is your opinion? are you for or against? We would like to hear, respond to this post and let us know your thoughts and head on over to our Facebook Page to add your thoughts to our survey.

Need more info? Check out http://www.jumbowild.com or http://jumboglacierresort.com/