First Nation plans large ski resort near Coquihalla summit

A Fraser Canyon First Nation hopes to build a large ski resort near the Coquihalla Summit.

Spuzzum First Nation has submitted an expression of interest to the province—along with more than 100 pages of supporting documentation, maps, and studies—to build a resort the size of Interior destinations like Silver Star and Big White on the backside of a mountain ridge overlooking BC’s most famous highway (and snowshed).

Spuzzum hopes not only to build 11 chairlifts, but also mountain biking trails, a golf course and up to 3,000 homes turning what is now a remote, heavily logged valley into a four-season recreation mecca. Despite its proximity to the Coquihalla, the most likely access route would be through the Fraser Canyon and Highway 1.

Calling the project a showcase for reconciliation, Spuzzum says it has the backing (at least for planning purposes) from neighbouring First Nations. It’s now trying to rally support from nearby communities, with Chief James Hobart speaking to—and winning support from—Hope council Monday.

The location

Spuzzum’s proposed resort would be located at the end of the South Anderson River valley, with lifts providing access to ski terrain on the northern faces of three significant peaks.

The peaks’ southern faces loom over the Coquihalla Highway and the Great Bear Snowshed. But skiing and amenities would be located on the opposite, north-facing side of the mountains. Although Spuzzum’s proposal says access to the resort site from the Coquihalla would be possible, it would likely require tunneling through a ridge. Spuzzum’s application says it will explore that possibility but isn’t counting on that route. Instead, access plans have focused on improving an existing 25km forest service road that connects to Highway 1 just east of Alexandra Bridge (and only a few kilometres north of Spuzzum’s reserves).

(You can read the proposal and supporting documents for yourself here.)

Three phases of construction are envisioned, with the first featuring three large and two smaller lifts. The large first-phase lifts would provide access to an unnamed peak between Wolverine Track and Winters End peaks. Future large lifts would provide access to Winters End Peak and the spectacular Iago Peak. (Backcountry skiers already occasionally use Iago Peak, trekking up the mountain on foot after accessing it through the Coquihalla Highway Recreation Area.)

Smaller east-west chairs would allow skiers and snowboarders to get from one mountain to the other.

Spuzzum’s proposal also envisions a golf course in the valley bottom, a resort area at the bottom of the Phase 1 lifts, and an expansive hiking and mountaineering area in the mountains immediately north of the village and ski area.

Hobart told Hope council Monday that Spuzzum has spent nearly $1 million on its preliminary work and studies. He said the land in question has already been logged and is already used by recreation users. He said a resort would increases stewardship in the area and oversight of activities near culturally sensitive areas and pictograph sites.