Lake Louise ski hill is hoping to get expanded winter ski terrain, a new upper mountain lodge, and expansion and relocation of its summer use program.
The draft Lake Louise ski area site guidelines, a blueprint for future development and use of Canada’s third largest ski resort, were released by Parks Canada in Banff on Monday (June 1), and at full-growth could accommodate up to 11,500 skiers a day, up from 6,000.
In exchange for more development, officials say there are several environmental gains to be had, including the ski hill returning a portion of its lease to ensure Purple Bowl and Wolverine Bowl remain undeveloped, as well as protection of a wildlife corridor.
Melanie Kwong, superintendent of Lake Louise, Yoho and Kootenay, said the draft guidelines try to balance ecological integrity, visitor experience and long-term growth and development.
“We are not looking at any specific proposals at this time. What’s being proposed is the scope and type of projects we would consider under certain conditions,” Kwong said.
“With the proposed development, the capacity would go from 6,000 skiers per day established in 1981 to 11,500 skiers per day at full build-out. That could be over many, many years, decades.”
The draft guidelines open the door for development of new ski terrain at Richardson’s Ridge – an historically controversial development proposal that has been pushed by Lake Louise ski hill but until now opposed by Parks Canada.
Intended to be beginner to upper intermediate ski terrain, the Richardson’s Ridge proposal, which is in the current leasehold but outside the current developed boundary, includes a ski lift, ski runs and glading on the south end of the ridge over about 80 ha.
The guidelines also speak to development of about 30 ha of ski terrain in West Juniper. As well, there’s a proposal to open up terrain currently outside the ski hill’s leasehold in West Bowl, and more terrain in Hidden Bowl.
West Bowl, which currently sees a fair amount of use by skiers accessing the backcountry area from the Summit lift, would be geared to more adventurous skiers. There will be no lifts, no cut runs and no grooming, although the ski hill would be responsible for avalanche control.
Hidden Bowl aims to give intermediate to advanced skiers a backcountry bowl experience, and provide an alternative to the expert terrain of Whitehorn Back Bowls. There is consideration of a single lift for Hidden Bowl, and warming hut, but no cut runs.
In addition, there’s a proposal to relocate the existing summer use operation from mid-mountain to the upper ridges of Whitehorn Mountain, aimed at moving visitors away from prime summer grizzly bear habitat at the centre elevations of the ski hill.
The ski hill wants to build a new lodge in the vicinity of the top terminal of the existing Grizzly Gondola on Whitehorn Mountain. It will replace summer use of Whitehorn Lodge and in winter, aims to ease congestion in existing lodges.
As part of the deal for development, there would be a net reduction of the ski area leasehold of 669 hectares, or close to 30 per cent. Lands, such as Purple Bowl, Wolverine Bowl, and sections of Whitehorn wildlife corridor, would be designated wilderness.
Once the draft site guidelines are approved, the ski hill can advance individual projects in a long-range plan, which would be subject to environmental review.
Dan Markham, Lake Louise Ski Resort’s director of communications, said this is a long-term vision for the ski hill.
“This is a 10- to 15-year program and part of it will be whether the market has demand for it,” he said.
If all goes according to plan, Markham said relocation of the summer operation and construction of Eagle Ridge lodge are priorities.
“The work in West Bowl would probably have a lot less operational and financial investment so that might come a little earlier,” he said.
“Then there’s the opportunity to access Richardson’s Ridge and Prunepickers. If we were starting to look at lift development, those might be things we’d begin to look at.”
The busiest days at Lake Louise ski hill currently see approximately 7,000 to 8,000 skiers.
“We do see growth potential in the market,” Markham said. “When this first came about in 1981, the population of Calgary was 350,000 and now it’s one point some million people, and Calgary is one of our largest markets.”
Conservationists say they need more time to review the draft site guidelines.
But, they are wary of the lease reduction being touted as an environmental gain, pointing to the fact that as the manager of national parks lands, Parks Canada already has the authority to say yes or no to any development, regardless of whether it’s inside the ski hill’s lease or not.
Colleen Campbell, president of Bow Valley Naturalists, said she has some initial concerns about the cumulative effects of ongoing development in the national park.
“I’m also really nervous about the numbers, with the build-out of 11,500 skiers for a whole lot of reasons,” she said. “For environmental reasons on the ground, for traffic, for the spillover effect in Canmore and Banff.”
The draft site guidelines refer to expanded parking at the resort, allowing parking for up to 3,256 vehicles and 50 buses.
Another condition for development include changes to water withdrawals systems, including a potential reservoir to catch water during higher flow periods in the Pipestone River for snowmaking.
Public open houses on the site guidelines will be held in Calgary at Canada Olympic Park on June 10, Banff Park Lodge on June 11 and Lake Louise Inn on June 12. The times are 6-8:30 p.m.
The deadline for public comment is June 21. Comments can be emailed to: [email protected].
