I decided to go to school in the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina (shoutout to Western Carolina). I love it there because so much of it is untouched and wild. I can leave my apartment and 10 minutes later be deep in the woods, where I can’t hear the cars go by and get lost in thought and appreciation of my surroundings.
Recently, I read an article by Teton Gravity Research on Jumbo Valley, located in the heart of British Colombia’s Purcell Mountains. Although I’ve never been there, I felt like I could understand what those locals were feeling. If someone came to my lovely mountains of WNC and said they were going to build an amusement park or mall to “expand Sylva” or “bring in money” in the middle of my favorite place, I would be livid. But there are pros and cons to every controversy. Everyone can’t be happy. I am interested in how Jumbo Valley is going to look in the future, and you should be too.
Watch: Jumbo Wild: The Movement
The Big Question: Should Jumbo Valley be kept wild or built into one of the greatest ski resorts in the world? This controversy has been going on for decades.
There is a definite passion from both sides of the story, which is why making a decision has been so difficult.
On one side, you have the locals, who have lived in Jumbo Valley for 400 generations. They love their land and will do anything to protect it.
On the other side, you have a ski resort that would attract people from all over the world, year round.
Build Jumbo Glacier Resort
The Goal: Turn Jumbo Valley into a billion dollar ski resort.
Why?
It would be the greatest ski destination on the continent.
According to the website, there would be year-round skiing, 100 percent natural powder, access to four glaciers, and spectacular viewpoints. It would be a new kind of alpine lift in North America.
If built, it will be located at the foot of Jumbo Mountain and Jumbo Glacier. The resort will include 5,500 bed units and see up to 2,000 to 3,000 visitors per day.
The website says they will hardly have an impact on the grizzly bear population.
Keep Jumbo Valley Wild
Jumbo Valley's land is stunning but also has its dangers.
Grizzly bears, avalanche paths, and impassable glaciers to name a few.
The people that live there generally don’t want the resort to be built because of the sacredness of the land. There is also a huge concern for the wildlife, particularly the grizzlies. It is one of two remaining areas in North America where grizzlies roam free.
The people making investments on the ski resort will benefit, but not the people who live there and want to keep the land natural.
“There is also this intangible spirit that exists back there -- everyone who visits is taken aback by the power that lives in the valley,” said Leah Evans, Patagonia ski ambassador.
To learn more on how to keep Jumbo wild, check out their website.
In Recent News
This summer, the Jumbo Glacier Resort was told to stop development. Their environmental permit expired and their permitting process would have to start over if they really wanted to see the resort built.
Keep Jumbo Valley wild, or turn it into a ski resort? People are doing everything they can on both sides of the controversy. Which side are you on?
