The 1995-96 winter may not have been a banner year for snow conditions, but that’s not slowing ski areas’ expansion plans. The major projects at Whistler include Whistler Mountain’s six-passenger gondola and the continuing real estate development in Village North, but investors are showing confidence in other B.C. ski areas, too. Last month Big White announced a $45 million real estate and ski area expansion which will take place over the next several years as part of the area’s plans to become a four-season resort. Phase I includes spending $8.25 million this year on the new Gem Lake Express quad chair and the Westridge Day Lodge. The lodge is the first facility in the Westridge real estate development, which will eventually include hotels and condominiums. A new Village Centre Mall is also planned for this year. Future development includes a golf course, mountain bike trails, tennis and basketball courts. Sun Peaks is not planning any lifts this summer, but nearly $30 million will be spent on real estate development and slope improvements. Included in that figure is the second phase of Nancy Greene’s Cahilty Lodge, condominium developments and a restaurant. Red Mountain at Rossland, which added a new lift last summer, has plans for a major real estate development at the base of the mountain. Panorama Resort is attempting to purchase 38 hectares of Crown land adjacent to land it already owns to build an 18-hole golf course and residential development. The development is estimated to be worth between $120 and $150 million.
