Draft Lake Louise Ski Area Site Guidelines released for public consultation
June 1, 2015 – Lake Louise, Alberta – Banff National Park of Canada
Today, Blake Richards, Member of Parliament for Wild Rose, on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced that Parks Canada has released draft Lake Louise Ski Area Site Guidelines for Development and Use for public consultation. The proposed Site Guidelines, developed by Parks Canada in collaboration with the Lake Louise Ski Area, include major gains in conservation, visitor experience and education for one of Canada’s most iconic winter destinations.
Benefits of the proposed Site Guideline include the net reduction of the ski area leasehold by 669 hectares or close to 30 percent. Lands reverting to the park – an area approximately the same size as Marmot Basin (558 ha) and Mount Norquay ski areas (167 ha) combined – will become designated wilderness. Areas include the undeveloped and pristine Purple and Wolverine Bowls, as well as large sections of the Whitehorn Wildlife Corridor, both of which are commonly used by a variety of sensitive species including grizzly bears and mountain goats.
Further ecological gains include improving stream flow conditions in the Pipestone River and Coral Creek, which provide important habitats for aquatic species at risk such as Westslope Cutthroat Trout. The Site Guidelines include a Strategic Environmental Assessment which provides a detailed examination of the environmental impacts of the proposals.
The draft Site Guidelines provide the Lake Louise Ski Area with a blueprint for long-term growth, building on their already successful summer and winter programs, and connecting visitors to the unique heritage and sense of place in Banff National Park. Development of several new areas of ski terrain is proposed, including major new beginner and intermediate terrain, as well as alpine bowl skiing experiences for the more advanced. The development of a new day lodge in the vicinity of the Grizzly Gondola top terminal would support relocation of summer use operations away from sensitive grizzly bear habitat, while providing improved visitor facilities and spectacular sightseeing. Terrain modifications in key locations would improve skier safety and circulation.
Canadians interested in reviewing the draft Site Guidelines can access them by visiting www.parkscanada.gc.ca/lakelouise2015, by calling 403-762-1544, or by attending one of several open-houses to be hosted in Calgary (Canada Olympic Park, Multi-purpose Room A, Markin MacPhail Centre, June 10, 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.), in Banff (Banff Park Lodge, June 11, 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.) or in Lake Louise (Lake Louise Inn, June 12, 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.). There is a three week period for the submission of comments from June 1 to midnight June 21, 2015. Comments can be emailed to: opinion@pc.gc.ca.
Jonathan Lefebvre
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441
Media Relations
Parks Canada
1-855-862-1812
Tania Peters
Public Relations and Communications Officer
Banff National Park
250-343-2005
tania.peters@pc.gc.ca
