Baldy Master Plan - Skimap

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Mount BaldyResort ExpansionMaster Plan February 2005IntroductionBACKGROUNDOn behalf of the Mount Baldy Ski Corporation (MBSC), ”The Resort Expansion MasterPlan for the Mount Baldy Ski Area” has been completed by Brent Harley and AssociatesInc., The Resort Planning Group (BHA), as per the requirements of the CommercialAlpine Ski Policy.THE PLANNING PROCESSIn April 2004, Mountain Recreation, LLP (MRLP) completed the purchase of Mount BaldySki Area and associated private lands. In the Spring of 2004, BHA was retained to createthe Resort Expansion Master Plan for Mount Baldy. A detailed terrain analysis of the MtBaldy study area confirmed the technical viability for the expansion of the alpine skiresort. Anticipating a growing market demand for a mountain resort product, somewhatdifferent than the “typical” ski area offering, a comprehensive vision for Mt. Baldy wascreated. The results of this process provided the foundation for the Master Plan.THE PROJECT VISIONMt. Baldy is a “hidden gem” where skiing today can be compared to what it was twentyyears ago: friendly, un-crowded and affordable. MBSC intends to protect theseattributes, elevating the resort’s infrastructure to support current skier expectations whiletransforming Mt. Baldy into a profitable enterprise capable of becoming a significant fourseasontourism complement to the South Okanagan’s regional economy.To that end, the Vision is:To nurture Mt. Baldy as a special place where the outdoor environment iscelebrated, where people are valued, and the timeless spirit of skiing andmountain-play thrive.Supporting this, the Primary Goal is:To develop a high-quality all-season mountain resort at Mt. Baldy that offers aunique blend of recreational and adventure opportunities including (but notrestricted to) low density alpine skiing and snowboarding, Nordic skiing,backcountry touring, mountain biking, hiking, golfing, horseback riding, birdingand a mountain spa/water park.FIRST NATIONS RELATIONSHIPThe Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB) claims that the proposed expansion of Mt. Baldy lieswithin their traditional territory. A key project goal is to establish an unprecedentedworking relationship with the First Nations in the area where economic opportunities canbe shared, heritage can be celebrated, and culturally sensitive areas will be respected.MBSC and the OIB are working diligently to achieve this goal. The common vision thatthe parties are taking into the negotiations is that certainty must be created for MBSC,OIB and potential investors; economic opportunities associated with the project must beshared; OIB must participate in the project in a meaningful way, and OIB’s culture, rightsand title must be protected.Page IBrent Harley & Associates Inc.The Resort Planning Group
Mount BaldyResort ExpansionMaster Plan February 2005Existing ResortLOCATIONMt. Baldy is situated on the eastern boundary of the Southern Okanagan Valleyapproximately 40 km east of the communities of Oliver and Osoyoos and 30 km north ofthe U.S. border. Penticton, and the main population centre of Kelowna, are both situatedto the north at distances of approximately 75 and 150 km respectively. The closestinternational airport is located in Kelowna, an approximate 2 hour drive.EXISTING FACILITIESMt. Baldy currently operates on two mountain faces, the southeast face of Mt. Baldy andthe west face of Mt. McKinney. All of the ski terrain is located on Provincial Crown landand is subject to an operating lease providing the ski area with approximately 188 ha(465 acres) of licensed terrain. In addition to alpine skiing, Mt. Baldy offers limited crosscountryskiing and snowshoeing.The existing area has two ski lifts, the Eagle Chair (double) and the McKinney T-bar,servicing 389 metres and 94 metres of vertical respectively. They service the 22 existingski trails; 18 in association with the Eagle Chair and 4 with the McKinney T-bar.The existing Comfortable Carrying Capacity (CCC) of the skiing at Mt. Baldy is 799skiers/day. The area is under-lifted with the ski lifts having less uphill capacity than theterrain’s downhill capacity. Further, the developed terrain is not well balanced whencompared to the accepted skier marketplace distribution. The first phases of expansionshould focus on adding more beginner and low intermediate terrain.Located at the base of the mountain the three-story 600 square metre Day Lodge housesthe ski rental shop, ski ticket office, ski school office, the cafeteria and a fully servicedlounge. An analysis of this space identifies significant shortcomings in terms of spacefor washrooms, daycare, retail sales and convenience products, as well as public lockers.Currently at Mt. Baldy there are approximately 100 privately owned single-familyresidences, two condominium complexes consisting of 20 units, and one managed bedand breakfast. The existing resort residential area can expand by another 30 singlefamilyresidences. As such, the current existing and committed bed units at the resortequates to 822.Site AnalysisTHE MOUNTAIN AND THE BASEThe study area was analysed in terms of slope, elevation, aspect and fall-line in order togain an understanding of the alpine and Nordic skiing development potential and itscapability to physically and environmentally support additional four-season recreationactivities. It is clear that much of the land within the study area is well suited to additionalalpine ski resort development. The mountain exhibits a strong consistency of terrain, areliable snowpack, a variety of ski terrain orientations, and good fall-line skiingopportunities. Mt. Baldy has the physical potential to have about 645 metres (2,115 feet)of lift serviced skiing, comparing favourably with other ski areas throughout BC (BigWhite: 777 m; Silver Star: 760 m; Apex: 610m; Crystal Mountain: 232 m; Sun Peaks: 881m). At buildout, the mountain could support as many as 7,000 skiers per day in abalanced and well integrated fashion. Supporting this, there are two base area focalPage IIBrent Harley & Associates Inc.The Resort Planning Group
Page 2 and 3: Brent Harley and Associates Inc.The
Page 6 and 7: Mount BaldyResort ExpansionMaster P
Page 26: Mount BaldyResort ExpansionMaster P
Page 57 and 58:
Mount BaldyResort ExpansionMaster P
Page 59 and 60:
Page 61 and 62:
Page 63 and 64:
Page 65 and 66:
Page 67 and 68:
Page 69 and 70:
Page 71 and 72:
Page 73 and 74:
Page 75 and 76:
Page 77 and 78:
Page 79 and 80:
Page 81 and 82:
Page 83 and 84:
Page 86:
Page 89 and 90:
Page 91 and 92:
Page 93 and 94:
Page 104 and 105:
Page 106 and 107:
Page 109 and 110:
Page 111 and 112:
Page 113:
Page 116 and 117:
Page 119 and 120:
Page 121 and 122:
Page 123 and 124:
Page 125 and 126:
Page 132:
Page 137 and 138:
Page 139 and 140:
Page 141 and 142:
Page 143:
Page 147 and 148:
Page 149 and 150:
Page 151 and 152:
Page 153 and 154:
Page 155:
Page 159 and 160:
Page 161 and 162:
Page 163 and 164:
Page 165 and 166:
Page 167 and 168:
Page 170:
Page 173 and 174:
Page 175 and 176:
Page 177 and 178:
Page 179 and 180:
Page 181 and 182:
Page 184:
Page 187:
Page 191 and 192:
Page 193 and 194:
Page 195 and 196:
Page 197 and 198:
Page 199 and 200:
Page 201 and 202:
show all

Baldy Master Plan - Skimap

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?