Silvertip Gondola Plan for Lady Mac Enters New Phase

The Alberta government is seeking public feedback on a proposal that could move the long-discussed Silvertip Gondola project into a new phase.

The project, which has been under consideration since at least 2017, would see a gondola built above Canmore on the slopes of Lady Macdonald Mountain. While the idea itself is not new, what is new is the province’s proposal to redesignate land within Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park to allow for potential resort development.

At the centre of the current process is whether that land should be designated under Alberta’s All-Season Resorts Act, a piece of legislation designed to support year-round tourism projects on Crown land.

The ongoing public engagement, which runs from March 16 to May 14, is focused specifically on that land-use question. It is not a decision on whether the gondola will be built, nor does it address detailed design or construction plans.

Instead, it represents the first step in a multi-stage approval process.

What the land change actually means

In simple terms, redesignating the land would make it eligible to be considered for resort development.

Under the All-Season Resorts Act, the province can designate specific areas of public land for tourism projects, such as ski resorts or gondolas. That designation does not grant approval to build, but it allows proposals to formally move forward through a structured review process.

If the land is designated, the project would still need to complete environmental assessments, Indigenous consultation, and multiple regulatory approvals before any construction could begin.

Provincial officials say the legislation is intended to streamline approvals and support investment in tourism infrastructure, while still requiring projects to meet environmental standards.

The project proposal

The Silvertip Gondola proposal, led by Stone Creek Resorts, includes a gondola system connecting the base area of Silvertip to an upper terminal along the summit ridge of Lady Macdonald Mountain, with a mid-station integrated into the resort village.

The project would also include a base-area transit hub, a day lodge, viewing platforms, and additional visitor amenities.

According to project materials, the gondola is designed to provide sightseeing and recreational access for a wide range of users, including those who may not be able to access the mountain by foot.

Preliminary economic analysis suggests the development could generate more than $40 million annually in tourism revenue for federal and provincial governments.

Stone Creek says its role at this stage is to provide information and complete technical studies to support the province’s decision-making process.

“Our role at this stage is to provide transparent information and complete the technical studies needed so the province can make an informed decision with input from the public, Indigenous Nations, and stakeholders,” said Jessica Lawson, senior account manager for Stone Creek Resorts.

Environmental concerns emerge

The proposed development area overlaps with land classified under Alberta’s Eastern Slopes Policy as both prime protection and critical wildlife zones, designations intended to preserve environmentally sensitive terrain and protect key habitat.

Environmental groups say that raises broader concerns about land-use policy in the Bow Valley.

“It is my view that this is wrong headed, inappropriate and irresponsible,” said Gareth Thomson, executive director of the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley.

Thomson said those classifications reflect the ecological importance of the area, particularly for wildlife movement and habitat connectivity.

“It’s really important that we protect wildlife corridors,” he said. “We need to ensure we don’t kill the goose that laid the golden egg from a wildlife point of view.”

He added that key questions remain about how both the infrastructure and increased visitor use could affect wildlife and sensitive alpine environments, including species such as bighorn sheep that rely on these areas.

“We don’t know the answers to the important questions,” Thomson said.

Proponent points to mitigation work

Stone Creek says wildlife impacts are a central focus of its environmental assessment work, which draws on more than two decades of wildlife movement data.

The company says the project is being designed to avoid direct impacts on wildlife corridors.

“No portion of the project will introduce new activities in the wildlife corridors. The gondola will carry passengers above the wildlife corridors. The corridor will remain intact as is and will not be fragmented in any way,” Lawson said.

The company also says the project is intended to improve access to the mountain environment while supporting year-round tourism.

“We expect this project has the potential to offer a more accessible way for a broader range of visitors,” Lawson said.

For critics, the proposal is part of a larger pattern of development pressure in the Bow Valley.

Thomson said new projects should be considered within the cumulative impact of tourism and growth in the region.

“We seem to be loving this valley to death,” he said.

What happens next

Public feedback gathered through the engagement process will help inform whether the province proceeds with redesignating the land.

Even if the designation is approved, the project would still need to move through further environmental review, Indigenous consultation, and regulatory approvals before any construction could begin.

Information on how to submit feedback is available through the Government of Alberta’s engagement portal.