Mt. Seymour could become the largest of Metro Vancouver’s three ski area under a new development plan released this week. Currently the local’s mountain operates just three chairlifts and one surface lift, which could grow to 14 lifts over the coming decades. Seymour lies within Mount Seymour Provincial Park and could increase its footprint from 581 acres to 825 with comfortable carrying capacity rising from 1,717 skiers per day to 4,561. Whistler-based Brent Harley and Associates (BHA) crafted the plan. “We have the potential to expand our winter operation with excellent higher elevation intermediate terrain, mountaintop food and beverage with 360 world-class views, and a little more space for us all to breathe,” wrote Mt. Seymour. “We already carefully control our capacity to avoid overcrowding, but we all need more space.” Potential full buildout could include four new quad chairs, two double chairs and two-T-Bars. Summer offerings would grow significantly with a via ferrata, mountain biking, hiking, zip lines and more.

First could come a new Brockton Chair, which dates back to 1970 and remains one just four Murray-Latta lifts on Earth. Phase 1b also includes nearby Summit and Percy quad chairs, adding intermediate and advanced terrain. “Unique, undulating topography of the slopes will result in remarkably playful and dynamic ski terrain featuring natural bumps, rolls, and banks sought after by experienced skiers,” the plan notes. Summit would be quite long and include an intermediate station about two thirds of the way up. A double chair called Flower and access T-Bar could be built alongside Summit.

Phase three includes a new Ridge chair, located near the former Ridge double chair which stopped operations circa 2008. This fixed quad would service beginner and intermediate progression terrain. “The proximity of this lift to the rental and ski school buildings makes it very accessible to newer skiers and well suited to ski school lessons,” BHA noted. Ridge could also service a future downhill bike park.

A new quad called De Pencier would probably come last, offering a distinctive alpine experience. This phase would also include construction of a Haul Back T-Bar and Exit chair to facilitate egress. The final phase also mentions the possibility of a gondola from the foot of the mountain to the ski area similar to the Blue Grouse Gondola at nearby Grouse Mountain. “Gondolas are increasingly being employed in resort and recreation contexts where onsite parking capacity is limited or where additional vehicles would detract from the desired experience,” BHA noted. “The development of a gondola at MSR would address parking capacity issues at the resort and reduce traffic on Mount Seymour Road.” This high dollar project would need to be studied extensively in partnership with BC Parks.

Mt. Seymour plans to host an open house on June 11th from 4:30 to 7:30 pm at the Parkgate Community Centre. Comments on the plan can also be submitted online.