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Sea to tree to sky: Squamish Gondola to open tree walk

Sea to Sky Gondola invests millions into new project and converting from diesel
sea_to_sky_gondola_tree_walk_rendering_sm_feb2019
SKY HIGH The elevated tree walk will make it easy for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the Sea to Sky Gondola attraction. Photo courtesy of the Sea to Sky Gondola

The Sea to Sky Gondola has plans to take visitors even higher above Squamish.

On Jan.30 a development permit for the multi-million dollar addition of an elevated tree walk was approved by the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD). The new attraction was made public today, Feb 6.

The project will go through First Nations engagement, and seek local and provincial government approvals.

"The elevated tree walk we have envisioned and propose will make it easy for our guests of all ages and abilities to better connect to the great outdoors, regardless of the season and no matter the weather," said Kirby Brown, Sea to Sky Gondola general manager, in a press release.

The 34-metre tall spiral structure will begin on the Panorama Trail, with the path then heading out over wetlands and above treetops on Panorama Ridge with a 2.5-kilometre loop return. The walkway will be 2.4-metre wide, with a grade varying between four and five degrees.

"You will be able to push a stroller up that quite easily," said Brown. "Able upper-bodied people with wheelchairs will be able to ascend it without great difficulty. It's a little bit above the three degrees that you typically see, but again this is about adventure. It's meant to be a little more advanced."

The company is also looking for accessibility partners for programming and accessible vehicles such as the TrailRider, which helps people to cross many kinds of terrain not suitable for a wheelchair or walker.

The Panorama Trail's Stawamus Chief overlook structure will remain, while the trail will be re-graded in anticipation of more visitors. Educational features are being designed to add to the trail.

On the new elevated walkway, self-guided educational materials may be added to the area stretching over the wetlands, the base, and summit of the spiral structure.

"The tree walk will preserve, connect and enhance access to natural areas while protecting environmentally sensitive areas," Brown said in the release, adding that the tenure is not only on Squamish Nation territory but is also considered a sacred space for the Nation.

"We are also confident this new experience will bolster Squamish's recreation economy by providing accessibility to nature for visitors of all abilities, as well as enhancing the tourism activities Squamish has to offer in off-peak times and during inclement weather," Brown said. "Our goal is to ultimately create another unique and spectacular year-round visitor experience."

Since the Sea to Sky Gondola opened in 2014, Brown said the company has taken feedback from its visitors and staff into account, including about accessibility and the desire for more trails.

"It's the ease at which those who currently wouldn't be able to access that area find themselves in this beautiful space that really compelled us to do a project like this," said Brown.

The elevated-walkway project will be the second major infrastructure addition to the Sea to Sky Gondola. The company will also invest more than $2 million to convert from diesel-generated power to BC Hydro, once proper permits are approved.

"(This) significantly reduces our carbon footprint," Brown explained. "It's a point of pride for us, because to turn off the diesel generators by next fall will be an enormous step forward for us as a business. We have a value around respecting nature and the environment. Being able to not burn that kind of diesel every year just to keep the summit electrified will be a huge breath of fresh air-pun intended."

The tree walk is expected to open in spring 2020, with construction beginning in late 2019.

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