Where to Ski And Snowboard - New ski resort to open in Canada

New ski resort to open in Canada

25th August 2016, by Abi Butcher

The ski resort "Valemount Glacier" will take 20 years to complete

A new ski resort is to be created in Canada which aims to offer the biggest lift-served vertical in North America.

Valemount Glacier has just been given the go-ahead by authorities in British Columbia and when completed, will offer year-round skiing, 2,090m of vertical and — incredibly — a direct ski lift from the local airport.

The planned resort will be located on Mount Pierre Elliot Trudeau (2,640m) in the east of British Columbia — around 90 miles from Jasper in Alberta — which benefits from an average snowfall of 14m at 1,800m, making it one of the snowiest areas in the world.

The grand plan includes 18 lifts, five of which are currently gondolas, and a resort base village. As well as the lift to the airport, there will be a summer snowsports lift on Twilight Glacier (2,530m) so Valemount Glaciers can offer year-round skiing. Although the project is expected to take 20 years to complete, the first phase of development with five lifts is hoped to be open by December 2017.

Once Valemount Glaciers is complete, British Columbia will offer the three biggest verticals in North America. Revelstoke currently offers the biggest, with Whistler Blackcomb in second place.

A few final approvals are required, but the project has reportedly received less opposition than some others in British Columbia.

“This project would not be possible without the initiative and steadfast support of the people of Valemount and the Simpcw [First Nation],” said Oberto Oberti, who is the project’s architect and the originator of the vision.

“It has been carefully designed to integrate with the existing community.”

Should the approvals be granted, work will begin next spring. For more information on the project, visit valemountglaciers.com