Conservation Group Warns Silvertip Gondola Decision Could Set A Precedent For Alberta Parks

A conservation group is calling on the Alberta government to stop removing protected parkland for private resort developments, pointing to the proposed Silvertip Gondola above Canmore as a recent example of its concerns.

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) Southern Alberta argues that decisions made under the province's All-Season Resorts Act could set a precedent for commercial development in areas previously protected for conservation.

CPAWS is a non-profit organization that advocates for the protection of public lands, waters and wildlife. Its Southern Alberta chapter focuses on conservation across the region, including the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country.

The call follows Alberta's September decision to remove 14 hectares from Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park and designate the land as an All-Season Resort Area, allowing Stone Creek Resorts to advance its gondola proposal through the provincial review process.

Although construction has not been approved, the land's protected status has already changed.

Concerns Extend Beyond Silvertip

The proposed gondola overlaps the Upper Silvertip Wildlife Corridor, an important route connecting wildlife habitat between Banff National Park and Kananaskis Country.

CPAWS warns that increased human activity and infrastructure could disrupt wildlife movement through the area.

In an interview with Bow Valley Insider, CPAWS conservation campaign specialist Emma Hoskins said this designation is particularly significant because it is the first resort area initiated by a developer under the new framework.

"This is the first proponent-led area designation that we've seen so far," Hoskins said.

She said the organization is concerned that land previously protected from commercial development can now be redesignated to accommodate resort proposals.

Hoskins also pointed to the project's history, saying the Silvertip proposal had been rejected twice before the new legislation allowed it to advance through the designation process.

In a previous statement, she said the project was first proposed in 2017 and did not advance in 2022 because it was incompatible with existing land-use protections.

Silvertip is one of four All-Season Resort Areas designated by the province, alongside Fortress Mountain, Nakiska and Castle Mountain resorts.

According to CPAWS, the four designations have collectively removed approximately 3,000 acres from Alberta's protected areas system.

Province Defends Decision

While CPAWS warns that the resort designations could undermine Alberta's protected areas system, the provincial government maintains that tourism development and conservation can coexist.

In response to questions from Bow Valley Insider, Alberta's Ministry of Tourism and Sport emphasized the province's commitment to protecting parkland while supporting tourism development.

"Alberta remains committed to a strong parks and protected areas system while supporting responsible tourism and recreation opportunities," the ministry said in a statement provided by press secretary Vanessa Gomez.

The ministry said Alberta has expanded its parks system by more than 300,000 hectares since 2019, while land redesignated for existing and proposed resorts represents less than 0.03 percent of the province's parks and protected areas.

However, the ministry did not specifically explain what protections remain on the 14 hectares redesignated for the proposed Silvertip Gondola.

The province's own public consultation summary also identified concerns that changing protected park boundaries for commercial development could set a precedent for future projects.

What CPAWS Wants to Change

CPAWS maintains that tourism development and conservation can coexist, but argues that broader land-use planning should happen before new resort areas are designated.

In an Oct. 6 report on sustainable tourism, the organization called for regional plans that consider the combined impacts of development, recreation and infrastructure on wildlife habitat.

It says this approach would help identify wildlife corridors and environmentally sensitive areas where development should be avoided.

The organization has also raised concerns about changes to municipal planning oversight under the All-Season Resorts framework and what role local governments will have in future development decisions.

CPAWS is urging the Ministry of Tourism and Sport to stop removing protected land for private developments and complete appropriate land-use planning before approving future resort designations.

Gondola Still Awaits Approval

Despite the change in land designation, the proposed Silvertip Gondola has not received construction approval.

As Bow Valley Insider previously reported, Stone Creek Resorts must submit a Master Development Plan, including environmental assessments, traffic studies and other technical information, for provincial review.

"The designation is really the first step under the All Seasons Resort Act framework," Stone Creek Resorts president Shauna Dudding said in a September interview.

Dudding said the company has spent years studying the proposal and believes in the project.

"We really believe in the project and we have done the studies, we have the science, and we are excited to file that application to the province for their review and assessment."

The province has previously estimated that new activities and attractions at Lady MacDonald could create 1,750 jobs and generate $238 million in visitor spending over the next decade.

Hoskins said another opportunity for public consultation is expected once Stone Creek's Master Development Plan is released.

"Once we see the master development plan get proposed for the Silvertip gondola, which we have not seen yet, that will also open up another opportunity for public consultation, public comment, and opportunities for locals to engage as well," she said.

There is no confirmed timeline for final approval of the gondola. While the project remains subject to provincial review, the land's protected status has already changed.