Regions - Kootenays/Bugaboos - Jumbo Glacier
A large downhill ski resort has been proposed for this area, at the head of Farnham Creek. The area has nine of the seventeen 3,353 metre (11,000 foot) peaks in the Columbia Mountains, and has long seen considerable alpine climbing and backcountry skiing. The Alpine Club of Canada has held four General Mountaineering Camps here. Camps of this nature would not be possible if the development proceeded, and access for climbing and ski touring would be severely affected, with ski lifts almost to the summits of several peaks.
To mitigate the impacts of the development on grizzly bears, the proposal would also include closing the public forest roads in the vicinity - about 3,000 square km - to all motor vehicles. Much of this area has high climbing and mountaineering values.
The Access Society wrote to the provincial government, expressing concerns about the proposed development, and noting the existing significant economic, cultural and other values of recreation, such as backcountry skiing and alpinism, in the area. We also noted that it is an internationally-known mountaineering destination, and stated that we disagreed with the development, and the closure of adjacent roads, as proposed.
The provincial government has approved the project, and it appears that it will go ahead. More information is on the Jumbo Creek Conservation Society website at www.jumbowild.com.