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MLCM
FALL/WINTER2016
But even the most impressive sustainability strategy can’t
insulateWhistler Blackcomb from the impacts of a changing
climate. InApril 2016, they announced a $364-billion
“Rennaisance Project” aiming to render the mountain
“weather independent.”
“The potential impacts of climate change create a need to
adapt by diversifying the experiencesWhistler Blackcomb
offers and by mitigating the effects of shifting weather
patterns,” Brownlie says.
Steinkamp agrees diversification is needed, but adds that
more action is needed. “If we take meaningful action to
reduce carbon now, it’ll pay off for the next generation,” he
says. “The trend as we see it will need to be a full-court
press by everyone in outdoor sports against carbon emissions
at home and work, at the resort and at the policy level.”
The Future of GAS
After the snow-challenged season of 2014/15, Whistler
Blackcomb submitted a letter as part of the environmental
assessment process that said, “The fact that climatological
data still has not been provided by the proponent is
alarming. If Garibaldi at Squamish had been operating in the
last two years, it would have offered little to no skiing.”
But the project’s proponents say they’re ready for the
challenges ahead. Speaking to the CBC following the
resort’s environmental approval, Aquilini Investment Group
vice president Jim Chu explained, “We’re aware of what’s
happening with resorts around NorthAmerica and around
the world... if winter rolls around and there’s no snow, we’re
prepared for that.”
According to the proposal, these preparations hinge on
the resort becoming a four-season destination. The revised
project description from July 2014mentions two golf courses,
housing, hotels, multi-use trails, hiking andmountain biking.
Like Chris Steinkamp, Beyond Boarding co-founder Tamo
Campos thinks the challenges climate change poses to skiing
and snowboarding speak to something deeper. “At times, we
take all our enjoyment, our careers and our passions from
the mountains without giving anything back,” Campos says.
“Inmany ways it becomes just as extractive as the very fossil
fuel industries leading us towards climate chaos. It’s a one-
way relationship with the mountains and winter.”
Regardless of what happens with Garibaldi at Squamish, climate
change raises a crucial question for everyone who chases
winter
-
what will themountains look like in twenty years, let
alone in fifty? And what role can we play in that future?
“I started skiing when I was five years old, it’s inmy blood,”
says Steinkamp. “I want my kids to be able to have the same
experience”.
LookingbackonBrohmRidge.Climate changewill put all that powat risk. CHRISCHRISTIE
“At times, we
take all our
enjoyment, our
careers and our
passions from
the mountains
without giving
anything back.
It’s a one-way
relationship
with the
mountains and
winter.”
– Tamo Campos
