Province must decide on gondola and ski resort proposals for mountains above Chilliwack

Competing proposals that would open the mountains above Chilliwack to tourism — including a sightseeing gondola and an all-season mountain resort — remain up in the air as the province sorts out a process to decide on them.

The gondola group, which has partnered with the Cheam First Nation, had hoped for a response to their tenure application from the Ministry of Forests this spring, said Jayson Faulkner, founder of Bridal Falls Gondola Corp.

“We’re a little confused and unsure about what is happening,” he said. The group has been working to “tick every box” for about six years. “Everyone is a bit frustrated with the lack of transparency in the process.”

Meanwhile, the group behind the ski resort proposal, which was formed about three years ago, is waiting for the province to start the public consultation phase as part of its initial expression of interest. The project is moving through the mountain resorts branch’s approval process, which falls under the Ministry of Tourism.