Image: Destination BC and Andrew Strain
Fourteen outdoor recreation, conservation and community organizations, including the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC (ORCBC), have sent a joint letter to BC Parks calling for better public consultation and more transparency around proposed Ski Resort Development Plans for Mount Seymour, Cypress and Manning provincial parks.
The organizations are concerned that decisions with long-term consequences for these parks could be made without enough opportunity for the public to understand the proposals, ask questions and have a meaningful say.
“We do not believe the current consultation process is adequate for decisions that could shape these parks for the next 60 years,” the organizations write in their letter to Jim Standen, Assistant Deputy Minister of Environment and Parks.
The organizations recognize the important role ski resorts play in providing recreation opportunities and supporting local economies.
But Mount Seymour, Cypress and Manning are also provincial parks, visited year-round by hikers, backcountry skiers, snowshoers, naturalists and many others who use the parks independently of the resorts.
Together, these three parks account for approximately 16% of annual visits to BC's provincial parks, according to BC Parks' 2024–25 visitor attendance report.
Decisions about their future need to consider all park users, as well as the protection of the natural areas that make these places special.
At Mount Seymour, proposed expansion beyond the existing Controlled Recreation Area has raised concerns about impacts on backcountry access and sensitive areas around De Pencier Bluffs, Goldie Lake and Flower Lake.
At Cypress, there are outstanding questions about proposed developments, previous approvals and impacts on existing trails and public access. At Manning Park, postponed public meetings have raised concerns about whether there will be enough opportunity to review and discuss the proposals.
A need for better planning and consultation
So far, public engagement has largely taken the form of information sessions and online surveys. While these provide opportunities to comment, the organizations believe more is needed given the scale and long-term implications of the proposed developments.
There are also broader questions about how these plans fit within the overall management of each park.
Major resort developments should be considered alongside other recreational uses, conservation priorities and the cumulative impacts of development across the parks. The organizations are concerned that this broader planning is not adequately reflected in the current process.
The joint letter calls on BC Parks to:
Hold meaningful public meetings where people can ask questions and discuss concerns directly with BC Parks staff.
Update park management plans where needed before approving major developments.
Provide greater transparency around park use permits, potential changes to Controlled Recreation Areas and approval timelines.
Share detailed maps showing proposed developments, existing trails, backcountry access and sensitive ecosystems.
Clarify responsibilities for water, sewer and parking infrastructure.
Explain how public feedback will be considered and how it will influence decisions.
The organizations have also asked BC Parks to hold off on approving the development plans or making related long-term permit decisions until these concerns have been addressed.
Ski resorts are an important part of outdoor recreation in BC, and planning for their future is necessary. But these plans also affect public parkland that serves many different interests.
The organizations behind the letter have extensive experience with these parks and want to contribute to a planning process that considers the full range of recreation and conservation values.
Provincial parks belong to everyone. Decisions that could affect them for decades deserve careful planning, transparency and meaningful public input.