Silvertip Resort proposing gondola development but is met with opposition from Canmore residents

The latest proposal under Alberta's All-Season Resorts Act is facing backlash from several Canmore residents.

Silvertip Resort is looking to add a gondola development with help from the province’s All-Season Resort Act.

The gondola would run in two shuttles, starting near the Trans Canada Highway and stopping in Silvertip Village before taking visitors three quarters of the way up Mount Lady MacDonald.

“The Silvertip Gondola is part of our overall Silvertip integrated resort,” said Stone Creek Resorts CEO Guy Turcotte.

“It would be a new high altitude mountain experience in the town of Canmore and it would be for everybody.”

Proposed for Bow Valley Wildland Park, the project would feature viewing platforms, along with a day lodge and restaurant at the top. Stone Creek Resorts estimates between 200,000 and 300,000 people would make use of the eight-person gondola trams each year.

The same project was proposed in 2017 but never completed the approval process.

On Tuesday, Stone Creek Resorts held an open house for the initial engagement steps to have the land designated as an all-season resort area by the province.

“Part of the process is we engage with Albertans, we take a look at the actual land, make sure it’s compatible there’s alignment with that,” said Rob Simieritsch, Director All Season Resorts with tourism and sports.

But some residents are reluctant at the idea of a gondola in the community. Carl Griffiths, who has lived in town for two decades and currently resides in the Silvertip area, said the gondola would “spoil” the atmosphere of Canmore.

“It’s outrageous. It’s a disgrace. It will spoil the area. It will spoil the peace and tranquility of Canmore,” said Griffiths, whose home backs onto the 16^th green of Silvertip Resort’s golf course and features a view of Mount Lady MacDonald.

Another worry many community members share is that a gondola will bring in too many tourists.

“There’s already too much tourism in the Bow Valley,” said Leanne Allison, a board member with Bow Valley Engage. “There’s so much pressure on the community.”

Stone Creek Resorts says the project won’t add much more foot traffic to the area, and instead will give tourists another amenity to enjoy.

Meanwhile, wildlife and habitat baseline studies are being completed, which will feed into its required environmental assessment. The Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley worries for wildlife in the area.

Public engagement will be held until May 11. From there, the province has 150 days to review the project. Stone Creek Resorts could start planning for development if approved, but building wouldn’t begin for another year.