January 25, 2019 (TBC) Banff, Alberta Parks Canada Agency
Parks Canada places represent the very best that Canada has to offer, from coast to coast to coast. The Government of Canada is committed to protecting our national parks and providing Canadians with meaningful ways to experience nature and connect with our heritage.
Today, Parks Canada announced that new Site Guidelines have been approved for Sunshine Ski Village in Banff National Park. Downhill skiing is a cornerstone of winter tourism, providing iconic Canadian experiences, and contributing to local economies. Parks Canada is committed to fostering downhill skiing operations within the mountain national parks.
The Site Guidelines prioritize ecological integrity in decision making, while also ensuring enhancing the visitor experiences at on of the most popular ski destinations in Canada, ensuring it's a sustainable operation for years to come. In addition, the new Site Guidelines will give the operator long-term certainty
Key benefits in the Site Guidelines include:
- Increased protection for wildlife and aquatic ecosystems, including measures to protect Healy Creek and the sensitive Sunshine Meadows region.
- Recognition and inclusion of Indigenous peoples and perspectives in documenting and presenting Indigenous culture and relationship to the landscape; and to facilitate their use of the land for traditional purposes.
- 61 hectares of land with high ecological value to be returned to Parks Canada to be protected from future development.
- Ecological considerations to guide all future use and development proposals within the ski area lease hold.
- Increased potential for commercial development within the ski area lease hold, including the development of up to eight new ski lifts, and 80 hectares of new ski terrain and facilities.
- Increased skier capacity from a maximum of 6,500 to 8,500 at one time.
The approved Site Guidelines, as well as a summary of public comments received during consultation are available at talkwithparks.ca.
Carefully planned and managed ski areas provide meaningful visitor and learning experiences and complement the conservation objectives of Parks Canada. Parks Canada has worked successfully with other ski areas within the mountain national parks to achieve ecological gains and meet the evolving expectations of visitors.
Sunshine Village was the only ski area in Canada's national parks that did not have Site Guidelines completed. Today's announcement is a major step forward in managing the development and use of the Sunshine Ski Village ski area in ways that respect the national park setting. The Site Guidelines provide the foundation of a sustainable ski operation that will benefit skiers and the operator alike and will be the framework for a long-range plan that describes the operator's plans for the future.
Quick facts
Established in 1885, Banff National Park was Canada's first national park and is part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Like all national parks, Banff integrates environmental protection with visitor experiences. Parks Canada successfully manages this balance and works to ensure ecological integrity within national parks while providing meaningful and high-quality experiences to visitors.
Over four million visitors a year come to Banff National Park for a variety of activities including hiking, biking, skiing and camping in some of the world's most breathtaking mountain scenery.
There are four downhill ski areas operating in the mountain national parks: three in Banff and one in Jasper. All now have approved Site Guidelines.
Downhill skiing was introduced in Canada by early Swiss mountain guides and has been part of the visitor experience in the mountain national parks almost since their establishment. More organized downhill areas first appeared in the 1920s and the first mechanical ski lift was used at Mt. Norquay in 1941. Site Guidelines and modern leases will allow for skiing to remain part of the mountain national park experience long into the future.
