1 INTRODUCTION

1 INTRODUCTION
Ski Marmot Basin (a subsidiary of Rocky Mountain Skiing Inc.) owns and operates the Marmot
Basin Ski Area in Jasper National Park of Canada. The ski area is situated approximately 21
kilometres (km) south of the Town of Jasper and operates under a lease agreement with the
Parks Canada Agency (Parks Canada) for an area that is 680 hectares (ha) in size (Figure 1).
Consistent with the regulatory and policy requirements of the Parks Canada Agency, Ski Marmot
Basin is now advancing a first long range plan for consideration that will guide future use and
development. This plan advances project components for:
•
Expanded snowmaking in the mid-mountain and upper mountain areas;
•
Enhanced parking and transportation access;
•
Upgrading of the Caribou Chalet; and
•
Limited tree reglading on the slopes west of the mid-mountain chalets.
Subsequent long range plans will be submitted by Ski Marmot Basin following the conclusion of
wildlife investigations pertaining to mountain goat and woodland caribou.
1.1 OVERVIEW OF THIS LONG RANGE PLAN DOCUMENT
Section 1 of this Long Range Plan contains an overview of the Marmot Basin Ski Area, the ski
area planning process adopted by the Parks Canada Agency (Parks Canada) and an
identification of development projects that have either been implemented or are being advanced
outside of the parameters of the long range planning process.
Section 2 contains an explanation of the approach taken by Ski Marmot Basin in advancing long
range planning for the ski area. The portion that deals with “public engagement” will be completed
once public comments and opinions are received, analysed and Parks Canada has had an
opportunity to provide direction to Ski Marmot Basin.
This section outlines the four major project components that are advanced by Ski Marmot Basin
to the Canada Minister of Environment, Responsible for Parks Canada for decision. The section
describes, also, the scope, context, need, and possible alternative means for each component.
Substantiating policy for each component is described as well as the applicable requirements
placed on Ski Marmot Basin as part of the 2008 approval for the Marmot Basin Site Guidelines for
Development and Use.
Section 3 consists of a summary of the Ski Marmot Basin 2014 Long Range Plan: Marmot Basin
Detailed Impact Analysis (2014).
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Section 4 addresses the comprehensive set of general requirements that must be reflected in the
long range plan submission, such as “limits to growth and ski area balancing”, strategies for
vegetation management, as well as assessments of the adequacy of supporting infrastructure. A
number of these topics are provided in summary form with the full documentation provided in the
supporting technical document entitled Ski Marmot Basin: 2014 Long Range Plan Supplemental
Volume.
Section 5 contains a summary of Ski Marmot Basin’s approach for application of policy decisions
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contained in the Marmot Basin Ski Area Site Guidelines for Development and Use (2008) , as
well as the sequencing for implementation of the project components contained in this long range
plan should the Minister of Environment grant approval.
1
Parks Canada Agency. 2008. Marmot Basin Ski Area Site Guidelines for Development and Use and
referenced henceforth as 2008 Site Guidelines.
2
Figure 1:
Marmot Basin Ski Area
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1.2 THE CONTEXT AND SKI AREA HISTORY
Downhill skiing has a long and rich history in Canada’s renowned Jasper and Banff national
parks. The four alpine ski areas in these national parks – Marmot Basin, Sunshine, Mount
Norquay and Lake Louise - have evolved to become resorts that are competitive internationally
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and now attract over one million skiers and riders each winter season. Today, they are
recognised as the cornerstone of winter tourism in Jasper and Banff.
Canadians are justifiably proud of their national parks. As a consequence, the presence of ski
areas in national parks is a matter of considerable public interest. Interested members of the
public and stakeholder groups have played an important part in the formation of Parks Canada’s
policy pertaining to ski areas.
Figure 2:
Alpine terrain accessible from the Knob Chairlift is popular for intermediate and
higher level riders and skiers.
The four ski area operators in Jasper and Banff national parks, along with Parks Canada agreed,
in 2005, that a clear and consistent approach to their management was required. The parties
2
Throughout this document, reference is made to “skiing”. The term is synonymous, when used
contemporaneously, with “riding” and the use of snowboards.
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agreed, also, to manage them in a manner that will not impair the ecological integrity of the parks
while assisting the ski areas to remain sustainable in an increasingly competitive international and
Western Canada market. The owners and managers of the Marmot Basin Ski Area, in
collaboration with Parks Canada, have taken a leadership role in advancing this management
approach.
th
The start of the 2013/ 2014 ski season marked the start of the 50 Anniversary of Marmot Basin.
During this time, Marmot Basin has played an important part in the human history of Jasper
National Park. In the late 1920s, Joe Weiss found an area that he recognized for its skiing
potential and later called “Marmot Basin”. The first road to Marmot Basin was built in the early
1950s, as a result of lobbying by Bill Ruddy and Tom McCready. Ruddy then operated a
Bombardier snow cat that could transport up to 15 passengers at a time to Marmot Basin.
Figure 3:
Marmot Basin plays an important part in the human history of Jasper National
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Park and is now celebrating its 50 Anniversary.
During the 1950s and 1960s, road access was only possible in converted busses and trucks
installed with cat tracks and runner sleds. By 1961 Marmot Basin’s first rope tow was installed on
Paradise Run. Toby Rayner constructed the tow from the remains of an old army truck.
National Park Warden, Toni Klettl, became involved with Marmot Basin in 1964 and oversaw
many activities at the ski area; from cutting-out ski runs to setting up the ski patrol and avalanche
control programs. Parks Canada, at that time, hired the ski patrol, cleared and brushed-out the
runs, did the snow packing and avalanche control work, and provided on-site snow clearing. At
times, in these early years, there were eleven National Park and only five Marmot Basin
employees working at the ski hill.
In 1968, the Tranquilizer chairlift was installed. The ski area owners progressively continued to
install new lifts and open new areas to skiing. The Caribou Chair was installed in 1971 and
originally ran from above Lot 4 to the unload area of the new Paradise Express Chair.
Subsequently, the Caribou Chair was shortened and Ski Marmot Basin is now pursuing
decommissioning of that lift. The Kiefer T-bar was added in 1974, and the Knob Chair in 1976,
providing access to the upper slopes of Marmot Peak. In 1990, Marmot Basin installed its first
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high-speed detachable quadruple chairlift - The Eagle Express. The Canadian Rockies Express
was installed in 2009 and replaced the Tranquilizer Chairlift and the Keifer T-bar. In 2011, the old
Paradise Chairlift was replaced with a new high-speed detachable quadruple chairlift and the
School House T-bar was replaced with the retrofitted and former Paradise Chairlift.
Since the 1999/2000 winter season, annual visitation to the ski area has varied considerably with
an average of 204,884 visits per season, and ranging from a low of 132,800 visits in 2000/2001 to
a high of approximately 258,000 in 2009/2010. At present, the ski area experiences a daily peak
capacity of about 4,500 visits. Peak daily visits occur over the Christmas period, several
weekends associated with the “Jasper in January” promotions, the Alberta Family Day weekend
in February and during the spring breaks.
Ski Marmot Basin received approval, in 2004, to construct an interim snowmaking system on
selected portions of the lower mountain. Following the initial operation of the snowmaking system
in 2006/ 2007, visitation to the ski hill has increased significantly during the early season and
Christmas period due to the certainty of good snow conditions on the lower mountain. This has
increased winter visitation to the Town of Jasper and provided a range of direct and indirect
economic benefits to the supporting tourism-related businesses and the community. It has
reduced, also, the burden on the community’s social services in the early winter period from
under-employed or unemployed persons arriving in the community and seeking employment for
the ski season. In addition, the guarantee of suitable snow conditions on the lower mountain has
allowed Ski Marmot Basin to extend the spring ski season into early May.
The owners and managers of the Marmot Basin Ski Area recognize that they must continually
enhance the ski area’s services and facilities in order to remain sustainable and competitive.
They embrace that this enhancement must occur in the context of an iconic Canadian national
park and World Heritage Site. This has meant collaboration with Parks Canada, acceptance of
noteworthy corporate responsibilities, and the demonstration of responsible stewardship within
the ski area and broader tourism industry. Examples of this commitment to stewardship relate to
the proposed leasehold reconfiguration, involvement in comprehensive goat and caribou studies,
and the provision of environmental education opportunities for youth.
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1.3 FACILITY OVERVIEW
The ski area is operated by Ski Marmot Basin on a current leasehold area of 678 ha and
complies with the policy and regulations of the Parks Canada Agency. There are 93 trails/ runs
(86 of which are “named” runs) that provide a range of high quality opportunities for visitors to the
national park. The ski runs, which encompass an area of 218 ha, are situated in a variety of bioclimatic zones from upper alpine to lower sub-alpine. The vertical drop from the existing highest
unload terminal to the base area is 915 metres (m). The upper terminal of the highest chairlift, the
Knob Chairlift, is situated at 2,612 m above sea level. The base elevation of the ski area is 1,697
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m. The ski trail system has a capacity of approximately 5,140 skiers per day (Ecosign, 2013).
The current operating lift system consists of three detachable quadruple chairlifts, one fixed-grip
quadruple chairlift, one fixed-grip triple chairlift, one fixed-grip double chairlift, and one small
conveyor belt (magic carpet) beginner lift. The Caribou Chairlift is no longer operational and Ski
Marmot Basin is pursuing its decommissioning. The entire lift system can accommodate up to
5,430 skiers per day. The lifts are identified below in Table 1.
Table 1:
Marmot Basin Chairlifts - 2013
Lift Name
Eagle Express
Canadian Rockies Express
Paradise Chair
School House Triple Chair
Magic Carpet
Eagle Ridge Chair
Knob Chair
Caribou Chair
Vertical Rise
322 m
558 m
409 m
105 m
5m
301 m
271 m
Type
High Speed Quad
High Speed Quad
High Speed Quad
Triple Fixed-Grip
Conveyor
Quad Fixed-Grip
Double Fixed-Grip
198 m
Double Fixed-Grip
Year Constructed
1990
2009
2011
2011 (retrofitted)
2003
2001
1976
1971
(not operating)
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The total commercial floor area at Marmot Basin is 3,664 square metres (m ) located in three day
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lodges; The Caribou Chalet, located at the base of the mountain contains a cafeteria, dining
lounge, outdoor decks, washrooms, retail store, ski rental and repair shop, tickets sales, the
Marmot Basin Ski School, dispatch and lower mountain first-aid area, as well as other
administrative offices (Figure 4). The adjoined Eagle and Paradise Chalets, located in the midmountain area, contain a cafeteria, dining lounge and public eating areas, outdoor decks, as well
as space for the ski patrol operations (Figure 5).
3
Ecosign Mountain Resort Planners Limited was retained by Ski Marmot Basin to conduct all calculations
associated with growth limits and ski area resort balancing. See also Section 4.2 of this document. All
existing commercial floor area numbers are based on the “Partial Real Property Report” prepared by Alpine
Surveys Ltd. on behalf of Ski Marmot Basin and accepted by Parks Canada in September 2013.
4
The 2008 Site Guidelines reference existing commercial space at 4,379 m2 (pg. 23). Following completion
of a “Partial Real Property Report” and acceptance by Parks Canada, there was agreement on a revised
figure of 3,664 m2.
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Figure 4:
The Caribou Chalet
Figure 5:
The Paradise (left side) and Eagle Chalets (right side)
Operational buildings are located throughout the ski area; a number of which are in poor repair. In
the lower-mountain area, these are concentrated at the Vehicle Maintenance and Storage Area
between Parking Lot 1 and the Caribou Chalet and at the edge of Lot 1. A number of buildings
were also situated in the mid-mountain area near the lower terminus of the Eagle Ridge Quad
Chairlift. Consolidation of the mid-mountain buildings is being advanced outside of this long range
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planning process. A proposal to relocate and consolidate the lower mountain area structures will
be advanced in a subsequent long range plan.
Water for the ski area operations, including snowmaking, is drawn from Basin Creek that has
been the water source since ski area operations commenced in 1964. Water is collected from an
intake located near the Paradise Chalet. Existing infrastructure associated with water use include
below-ground water lines, cisterns and a stave tank, two storage reservoirs, a wastewater
treatment plant, above-surface water lines associated with the “interim snowmaking system” and
various snowmaking guns. Further details regarding the water-related infrastructure and water
use are contained in the “Water Management Strategy” prepared as part of this Long Range
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Plan and in section 2.3 of this plan document.
The wastewater treatment system is designed to accommodate high winter volumes and ensure
that effluent is treated in a manner that meets all applicable criteria established by Parks Canada.
Wastewater from the two mid-mountain chalets is contained in holding tanks with the liquids
released into a buried sewer line that empties into Cell 1. The solids are transported from the midmountain holding tanks by truck to the Jasper Wastewater Treatment Facility. The two lower3
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mountain cells have capacities, respectively, of 11,355 cubic metres (m ) and 15,140 m .
Wastewater in Cell 1 is treated through a filtration system that injects a diffused air and polymer
mixture into the effluent. These solids are disposed at the Jasper Wastewater Treatment Facility.
An independent laboratory tests the treated wastewater and once the Parks Canada criteria are
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achieved, the water is released to ground. Cell 2 (15,140 m ) is now used for the collection of
clean water for snowmaking.
Access to the ski resort is by a paved road maintained by Parks Canada. At the lease boundary,
Ski Marmot Basin has responsibility for road maintenance and operation. Public parking is
provided in four parking lots with approximately 1,000 stalls. In addition, up to 300 vehicles can
be accommodated on sections of the access road between the upper lot (Lot 4) and the ski area
gate, located below the Caribou Chalet. The existing parking lots and access road have an
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estimated capacity to park 3,250 skiers based on an industry standard of 2.5 skiers per vehicle.
Ski Marmot Basin operates a shuttle bus from the townsite and bus access is provided from
Edmonton and surrounding areas on both a scheduled and chartered bases.
The Ski Marmot Basin lease provides for recreational day use only. The current focus of the ski
area is geared mainly towards skiing and snowboarding. There is no summer recreational use at
Marmot Basin. A gate on the access road, approximately one kilometer below the Caribou Chalet,
prevents public vehicle access to the ski area base in the off-season.
5
An explanation for projects that have or may proceed outside of the long range planning process is contained in section
1.7 of this plan document (pp. 12 – 14).
6
Golder Associates. 2014. Marmot Basin Water Management Strategy contained in the Ski Marmot Basin:
2014 Long Range Plan Supplemental Volume.
7
Ecosign, 2013.
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1.4 OVERVIEW – SKI AREA PLANNING PROCESS
The purpose of Parks Canada’s ski area planning process is to provide land use certainty for ski
areas in the mountain national parks, for the Canadian public and for the regulatory authority Parks Canada. The process requires collaboration between Parks Canada and the ski area,
engagement with aboriginal communities and the Canadian public, as well as application of
requirements under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act 2012.
Following the approval of the National Park Ski Area Management Guidelines in 2006 (2006 Ski
Area Management Guidelines), Parks Canada adopted a four step planning process.
•
Step One: The ski area submits to Parks Canada a Vision Statement that outlines the
concepts and initiatives that the ski area would like to pursue in the planning process.
•
Step Two: Parks Canada prepares, with input from the ski area, Site Guidelines that outline
permanent growth limits and provide site-specific direction for development and use
consistent with the Ski Area Management Guidelines.
•
Step Three: The ski area prepares a Long Range Plan (or plans) and associated Detailed
Impact Analysis describing the group of project proposals, consistent with the Site Guideline
direction that the ski area wishes to advance in a five to 15 year timeframe.
•
Step Four: The ski area obtains project permits for implementation of individual projects
contained in an approved long range plan.
A ski area may proceed, at its discretion, with submission of an additional long range plan, or
advance a single element that is consistent with an approved ski area guideline. This approach
can be repeated until a ski area reaches the negotiated and permanent growth limits contained in
the approved 2008 Site Guidelines. As the proponent, opportunities for public engagement are to
be provided by the ski area, to aboriginal interests, the general public and stakeholders.
In July 2012, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act was repealed and replaced by the
Canadian Environmental Assessment Act 2012 (CEAA, 2012). CEAA 2012 no longer requires
that long range plans for national park ski areas be the subject of Comprehensive Study Reports.
This long range plan has been prepared to be compliant with the “Parks Canada Interim Directive
on Implementation of the CEAA 2012”. Ski Marmot Basin has submitted, therefore, a Detailed
Impact Analysis for consideration by the Parks Canada Agency.
The Superintendent of Jasper National Park will make a determination regarding the Detailed
Impact Analysis, and will then recommend the Long Range Plan to the Minister of the
Environment for decision. Once approval of a long range plan is received, ski areas may then
proceed to the “project permitting” stage for individual plan components. The ski area must
submit final designs that undergo development review and issuance of requisite permits.
Implementation would then occur of any mitigation measures and on-going monitoring
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requirements identified as part of the approval process. Elements of a previous approved plan
that have not been implemented can be advanced to the permitting stage at any time.
1.5 NATIONAL PARK SKI AREA MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
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The 2006 Ski Area Management Guidelines for the four ski areas in Jasper and Banff national
parks were established in 2000 and refined in 2006. They were established and released, under
the authority of the Minister, to guide the development of new long range plans. These guidelines
were developed with the intent that the ski areas operate in a manner “that will not impair the
ecological integrity of the parks and assist them to remain competitive”. The guidelines outline;
the broad approach that will be taken to manage the four ski areas, the principles that guide new
long range plan preparation, and how the principles will be applied.
The principles that guide the preparation of long range plans for ski areas follow.
•
The approach taken to manage growth and the preparation of “Site Guidelines” and “Long
Range Plans” at ski areas will be similar to that taken for communities and outlying
commercial accommodation.
•
Inside the existing “Developed Area” , new development can be considered where potential
ecological impacts can be mitigated.
•
Outside the existing “Developed Area”, new development can be considered if there is a
Substantial Environmental Gain within or adjacent to the leasehold.
•
Ski areas will contribute to a unique, memorable national park experience.
•
Ski areas will promote public appreciation and understanding of the heritage values of the
park and world heritage site and local conservation initiatives.
•
Ski areas will be leaders in the application of environmental management, stewardship and
best practices.
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8
Minister of Environment, December 7, 2006. National Park Ski Area Management Guidelines.
An important policy element of the 2006 Ski Area Management Guidelines (pg. 3) relates to the
designation of “Developed Areas”. The existing: “Developed Area represents the area modified for skiing or
other uses within the leasehold through the construction of physical works, or through clearing/removal of
trees or other vegetation, landscaping, terrain modification or other activity associated with ski area
operations. … It does not include Undeveloped Areas, Un-serviced Terrain or In-skied Terrain”. Further
discussion about the topic is contained in Section 2.2.1 of this plan document.
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1.6 MARMOT BASIN SKI AREA
DEVELOPMENT AND USE
SITE
GUIDELINES
FOR
The Marmot Basin Site Guidelines for Development and Use (2008 Site Guidelines) was
approved in 2008. They were based on the 2006 Ski Area Management Guidelines and on future
potential initiatives identified by Ski Marmot Basin in a “Vision Statement” submitted to Parks
Canada in 2005. Parks Canada reviewed the initiatives against the 2006 Ski Area Management
Guidelines. Projects consistent with those guidelines were then included in the 2008 Site
Guidelines that outline the scope, nature and location of development that will be considered by
the Parks Canada Agency at Marmot Basin. The 2008 Site Guidelines outline the scope, nature
and location of development and use changes that will be considered by the Parks Canada
Agency at Marmot Basin. The guidelines contain provisions allowing Ski Marmot Basin to submit
one or more long range plans, providing the projects being advanced in any subsequent plans
are consistent with the approved 2008 Site Guidelines.
The 2008 Site Guidelines are the basis of this Long Range Plan and were approved by the Chief
Executive Officer of the Parks Canada Agency, following public and stakeholder engagement,
and are not the subject of further negotiation or review.
1.7 PROJECTS OUTSIDE OF THE LONG RANGE PLANNING
PROCESS
With completion of the 2008 Site Guidelines, and in recognition that it will take time to prepare a
long range plan, Parks Canada may consider the approval of additional projects that:
•
Are entirely within the existing “Developed Area”;
•
Do not contribute to cumulative effects;
•
Are not linked to other long range plan elements; and
•
Do not result in incremental expansion.
Projects may include:
•
Replacement of existing lifts;
•
Parking lot improvements within the existing footprint;
•
Limited terrain modification of existing ski runs; and
•
Improvements to existing snowmaking.
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10
Parks Canada. 2006. Ski Area Management Guidelines.
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In the case of Ski Marmot Basin, it was recognized that while a commitment existed for the
expeditious completion of a first long range plan, ultimate approvals would take several years. In
the interim, Ski Marmot Basin identified and responded to a number of operational requirements
with three chairlift replacements completed, with Parks Canada approval. A fourth, consolidation
of various mid-mountain area operations and maintenance facilities, is underway.
Chairlift and T-bar Replacements - New Canadian Rockies Express
The Tranquilizer Chairlift and Keifer T-bar, including all towers, foundations and terminals, were
removed in 2009. Both the Tranquilizer Chairlift and the Keifer T-bar were replaced with a 2,298
m long and detachable quadruple top-drive chairlift, the Canadian Rockies Express, on an
alignment extending from the lower terminal of the Tranquilizer Chairlift to the upper Keifer T-bar
return station. Associated components of that project included; reclamation and revegetation of
the associated chairlift and T-bar towers and terminal sites, as well as selective reforestation of
existing cleared areas to increase forest cover and reduce fragmentation on the ski hill.
Chairlift and T-bar Replacements - New Paradise and School House
Chairlifts
In late 2010 and 2011, Ski Marmot Basin removed all infrastructure associated with the
outmoded, fixed-grip triple Paradise chairlift. Similarly, all infrastructure associated with the old
School House T-bar was removed. The old Paradise lift was replaced with a high-speed and
detachable quadruple chairlift. The lift line was located northward of the previous line to avoid
situating the lower terminal in a poorly drained area with associated environmental and
engineering issues. The new lift alignment is 1,454 m in length. The equipment from the former
Paradise Chairlift was modified and used to replace the 43 year-old School House T-bar. This lift
followed the previous T-bar alignment and is used, primarily, by beginner and novice skiers.
All three upgrades were like-for-like replacements of existing chairlifts, were the subject of
environmental screening reports, and underwent public reviews. In all cases, the replacements
were determined to occur with no increase in out-of-base capacity, no resort balancing issues,
and no corrective development issues. In all cases, the ecological management parameters were
met.
Mid-Mountain Maintenance and Operations Facility
Ski Marmot Basin is in the process of constructing a new maintenance and operations facility in
2
the mid-mountain area. The structure has a footprint of approximately 292.6 m and a total floor
2
area of 585.2 m . It replaces a number of existing and out-dated maintenance, operations and
storage facilities that are scattered around the mid-mountain area. The foundation was completed
in 2013 and the structure will be operational for the 2014–2015 winter season.
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Additional Smaller Projects
Ski Marmot Basin has received approval to proceed with a number of smaller projects. The
following construction occurred in the summer of 2012:
•
Paradise Chairlift related grading and tree removal on the Rollout Run;
•
Grading work in the Caribou Chalet ski rack area;
•
Relocation of the existing Caribou Chalet Magic Carpet; and
•
Reclamation work along the Canadian Rockies Express, Paradise and School House
chairlifts.
Parks Canada approved, also, a 34 m2 expansion of the existing retail store in the Caribou
Chalet. Construction will proceed in the near future.
Ski Marmot Basin is advancing the following projects that Parks Canada representatives have
indicated may receive consideration in advance of the long range plan approval. These projects
are:
•
Replacement of the lower mountain water stave tank;
•
Maintenance of the gabion wall located to the north of the Caribou Chalet;
•
Tree removal at “Coaches Corner” on Show-off Run;
•
Removal of a portion of the Eagle Chalet deck;
•
Internal modification and upgrading to the 53 m former Avalanche Building as the new venue
for the “Learning Centre at Marmot Basin” (operated in partnership with Parks Canada, the
Grande Yellowhead School Division and Ski Marmot Basin); and
•
Decommissioning of the Caribou Chairlift.
2
The Caribou Chairlift is a double fixed-grip chairlift that was first constructed in 1971. It is outdated and sits as a derelict and unsightly structure. Ski Marmot Basin will submit to Parks
Canada, independently of the long range planning process, a description of the decommissioning
project and an associated environmental impact analysis. Parks Canada has provided
assurances that if Ski Marmot Basin removes this derelict structure, the lift would be factored in
future resort balancing calculations and considered as part of the existing chairlift infrastructure.
Any future lift realignment or replacement, it is understood, will be considered within the
parameters of the 2008 Site Guidelines.
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