Vol. 1, September 2008
Mountain Works:
Ready for the Best Season Ever
Sweeping upgrades to the lift system. A new trail that takes you right into town. And more runs that add up to the 5th largest vertical in BC. What do you get when you combine our advances over the summer with the mountain’s unbeatable powder and uncrowded runs? Probably the best skiing and boarding season ever on Hudson Bay Mountain! Here’s why:Skyline Chair Upgrades Completed
We’ve knocked ourselves out to make sure Skyline Chair will run at peak performance this year, with full maintenance, extensive painting and many other upgrades such as a new haul rope, now completed or on track for winter readiness. Design work for a new operator station at the top of the lift is also under way. And—luxury of luxuries!—new seat cushions are on
order to assure a warmer, more comfortable ride to the top.Clearing activity on the highly anticipated "Trail to Town".
“Name the Mountain” Contest Winner Revealed
We’re pleased to announce that Aurora Lemont is the winner of the "Name the Mountain" survey contest. Aurora will receive a ski and board package valued at approximately $1000 which includes skiing and boarding with full day instruction, lunch and apres ski for herself and 8 friends to create a memorable day of outdoor enjoyment and moments to reminisce about the days experiences.Summer Grooming for Winter Beauty
This winter, the beauty of our snow will be much more than skin deep. During August, the grooming of 50 hectares in the Skyline Chair run system began, to be completed by the end of September. Grooming will make a big difference to your ski and boarding experience—we’ll be able to open runs earlier and keep them in better condition throughout the season than has been possible for many years.Trail to Link Mountain and Town
Now that we’ve got the go-ahead to cut a trail to town, Hudson Bay Mountain and Smithers will be closer than ever. Work began on September 10, with Rotary committed to doing their part as well on this vital new trail. Look for it to be completed by late October.
Once this and other news trails are open, the total skiable vertical on Hudson Bay Mountain by December 2008 will be 3773 feet, one of the longest vertical of any ski area in BC of the best snow and least crowded runs anywhere this side of the Himalayas!
During August, we drilled four wells on the Mountain and found sufficient water flow to meet our development needs, pending some remaining work to finalize water-flow tests. We will complete the pumping test and validate our findings during September.
Essential to good planning for the Alpine Area is the availability of 1-meter contour mapping. After a delay caused by the lack of this vital data, it is now in hand and the detailed site design is under way. We’ve also made good progress on other fronts, including design guidelines, the legal structure for the ownership and operation of utilities, and the set-up of the Resort Association. We have also finalized plans for the project’s Discovery Centre, with completion slated for October 15, 2008. Be sure to plan a visit and check out the pristine alpine home sites planned for Hudson Bay Mountain.
Finally, work on the runway expansion at the Smithers Airport is nearing completion. This vital transportation improvement will be a major boon to tourism and real estate in the Bulkley Valley.
Thank you for you continuing interest in the Hudson Bay Mountain project—and stay tune for future updates.
Real Estate
If you love Hudson Bay Mountain so much you’d like to live or vacation here, here’s great news. Our proposed zoning bylaw for development on Hudson Bay Mountain received first and second reading from the Town of Smithers in August, and that means momentum! Work to meet the requirements of the various government agencies is advancing well and we expect approval in principle of the PLA by late October.During August, we drilled four wells on the Mountain and found sufficient water flow to meet our development needs, pending some remaining work to finalize water-flow tests. We will complete the pumping test and validate our findings during September.
Essential to good planning for the Alpine Area is the availability of 1-meter contour mapping. After a delay caused by the lack of this vital data, it is now in hand and the detailed site design is under way. We’ve also made good progress on other fronts, including design guidelines, the legal structure for the ownership and operation of utilities, and the set-up of the Resort Association. We have also finalized plans for the project’s Discovery Centre, with completion slated for October 15, 2008. Be sure to plan a visit and check out the pristine alpine home sites planned for Hudson Bay Mountain.
More Good News
Last month, we received confirmation that the BC Minister of Tourism, Bill Bennett, will visit with us in Smithers in October. During his visit we will officially sign the remaining documents for this project and show the Minister all our progress.Finally, work on the runway expansion at the Smithers Airport is nearing completion. This vital transportation improvement will be a major boon to tourism and real estate in the Bulkley Valley.
Thank you for you continuing interest in the Hudson Bay Mountain project—and stay tune for future updates.