Citizens of Squamish — just say no!

Peter Alder's a smart guy with an unfortunate philosophy on nature. He believes nature exists only for our economic benefit — after all, it's no good just sitting there.

Sorry to sound like a pessimist, but, while it might appear this project is to be decided by interested citizens, in reality, the fate of the Chief has been decided. The right people are already onboard, the plan has already been pre-floated by the right government officials for advice and Alder is making the necessary strategic allegiances in Squamish.

After all, he's a smart guy who's experienced in precisely this type of development. He knows what needs to be done, and worse, he knows the right people who can get it done for him. He has the connections and knows the messaging. All he needs is time.

Once someone like, say, the Mayor of Squamish gets onboard and starts touting economic benefits, it's a done deal. No protest, no opposition, nobody will be able to change it's course.

Regarding the gondola ride at Niagara Falls, a lot of behind the scenes work went on there as well, and I'll bet it still is. Indeed, the Niagara Falls Citizens for Democracy apparently put an end to this project; however, the Niagara Parks Commission still thinks it'll happen — eventually. If you can't find the Niagara Parks Gondola advertisement at the previous link, go to the Niagara Parks site and search for "Gondola" from there.

As an aside, could you imagine putting one of these things up at Half-Dome in Yosemite?

Where's out pride?

Where's our pride?

How much money has Alder donated to the Liberals? This will most likely be the determining factor as to whether or not such a project will go ahead. Funny how community approval doesn't seem to be required to build that piece of highway around Horse Shoe Bay, when a tunnel makes so much more sence.

Our mayor has said, "No" in the local paper. This proposal has almost no support in Squamish and enough angry people who are willing to do whatever it takes to stop it. I really don't believe it will happen, but I do wish these "rumours" would all just go away.

I am concerned about the changes to the park act allowing development in our parks these liberals are a bunch of parsites.

AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH! There is no way this is going to happen- Squamish won't let it. I'll be there to protest alongside them... I'm with Zdanivsky- if you want the view, drag your ass up it. How pathetic people have become.

Let's build it. Gordo and a few of hills pals can take the first ride in it, next May 17.

Its too bad the Squamish citizens let the development above the smoke bluffs go ahead back in the 80's(when i stopped visiting/climbing in the area).Now this will be the final demise of an area only comparable to Yosemite park ,California.Which I invite everyone from Squamish to go visit.

@ sugar bluff That's it then, is it...the only way our kids will be able to visit our natural wonders will be to visit somebody else's?

Last weekend I drove up to Squamish, I stopped in Portage Park where I paid my new Parking toll. While I ate lunch I seen 2 cars get ticketed. (nice for the tourists) Then I went to Shannon Falls where I paid more parking tolls, and soon with the new P3 Sea to Sky their will Be hiway tolls. And now lets sell tickets on the gondola. These assets belong to us and Have been paid for by high tax rates, the new cash strapped Fiberals with their growing Dept are just adding as much taxes and user fees as possible. Now these free assets are Becoming private property for those who can pay. Don't let these parasites get away with Taking away what already belongs to us. Email the Mayor of Squamish, write letters and start Fighting, do not wait for others to do what you need to. If you don't act get ready for the First McDonalds on the chiefs.

If this proposal were to go ahead, it would likely include a signed contract giving these developers exclusive use of The Chief. Climbers may well have to consider other venues as the anal retentives who count beans and project liability will probably insist that non-paying visitors be barred from the area. Alarmist? Perhaps, but then you likely thought the BC Rail deal was pretty straight forward and redevelopment of the Sea-To-Sky highway has something to do with sports.

You pave paradise, put up a parking lot. With a big hotel, a boutique and a swinging hot spot. Then...you take all the trees, put em in a tree museum, and you charge the people a dollar and a half to see em.

After Alder paves it, where will he find 880 people who still want to go up there?

@ Joanie, A dollar and a half? How 'bout a hunnerd and a half, that oughta do it (but only for the day, overnight is X5).

Leave The Chief alone! Quit trying to spoil our natural beauty with these bogus business plans. The Chief, left unspoiled, is the branding Squamish should be reinforcing.

"What we call Man's power over Nature turns out to be a power exercised by some men over other men with Nature as it's instrument." (C.S. Lewis)

Does the Resort Developer plan to run the Gondola up the face of the Chief? What's the name of the company Alder is consulting for?

So the Liberals want to know how the residents of Squamish feel about this gondola up the Chief - I am totally against this stupid idea. Leave our parks alone. The Chief is a beautiful place for climbing and hiking. Why spoil such a wonderful place with towers and cables etc.

Sounds like this Adler guy just wants to make a few bucks. Big deal... If you don't like gondolas, go somewhere else!

I believe Peter Alder works for Ecosign http://www.ecosign.com/ This is a horrific proposition. It breaks my heart that this has even been considered. I will sign any petition, in fact I will be in Squamish in two weeks, I will hand deliver my letter. We must fight this.

''This Adler guy just wants to make a few bucks...''.Gee, that's some real good analysis there Dan boy. So if some asshole wants to make a buck everyone else who appears pretty happy just looking at or climbing the Chief should simply piss off and let this nice capitalist have his way. You see, his penchant for ''just a few bucks'' is just another example of what's wrong with this world. I'd recommend that people who want the type of thrill you get from a gondola to wait a few years until tourist-based space travel becomes a reality. That way, if there are any screw ups on the ride we non-paying public won't have to pay for the clean up or be liable if the operator is found responsible.

What a dumb idea this is ! But sadly, exactly what we have come to expect of the BC Liberals over the last few years. They really do not seem to "get it" at all when it comes to the beauty and grandeur of nature. But worse still they don't even get it when you translate this into economic concepts, of which they seem to think they have a superior understanding than everyone else in BC public life. If you think of the Chief as an extremely long-lived "natural capital" asset, with a very low elasticity of supply (close as dammit to zero), that is much more in the nature of a complement than a substitute to man-made and financial capital, and whose value (unspoilt!) to future generations might well approach infinity, you realize that Alder's project does NOT make economic sense for anyone other than Alder and the construction companies (who don't even own the asset they propose to ruin). This isn't economic "development", it is theft from nature, and theft from current and future generations. Aren't they embarrassed to be so lacking in any sense of leadership as to even contemplate this ? Why is it than even a Republican Governor like Arnie in California or an Alberta-PC premier like Ralph isn't (at least as far as we know) giving anyone nudges and winks over plans to put gondolas up Half-Dome or Tahquitz or Yamnuska ? If Barisoff is at least as sympathetic to the idea as this article suggests he is, it would simply confirm for me that these guys really must not, under any circumstances, get another term in office.

I live here. That is my community branded piece of granite and not this Mr Alder's. Most ugly preposterous idea ever floated. I REALLY doubt this will go forward. But another side to this if it does not go forward questions how many jobs were created dreaming this up: tons of consulting charges to be written off to the "bottom" line. Create a job and write it off against all the other business earnings. Plus government workers,etc. Great idea if you have absolutely no principles towards persons, community and nature.

The whole appeal is in the outdoor experience of the hike and being enveloped by the environment - like Zdanivsky the climber who relishes the challenge - anyone with a brain would see the poor business aptitude of offering an escalater for the love of a stair-master. Having said that, I have become wary of Liberal motives - they obviously must anticipate the objections to the gondola - and while people are thrown into a hissy fit over this audacity, they will come from left field with loggers and miners and cremating the old Chief to remove all trace of his existence in the name of economic prosperity at the cost of our soul, health, and life in the absence of sickness.

I can't understand why anyone would think this would be a sustainable business. I enjoy hiking the back of the Chief and I admire the folks who are able to go up the front. But the whole point is the enjoyable exertion and the cameraderie. The Chief itself has a view of...of what? Brackendale? If I was some city slicker who drove way out to Squamish and then paid to ride a gondola up there I'd be a little pissed.

Clint: Did you know that Ecosign, owned by ski consultant Paul Mathews has been the consultant that has been 'in bed' with the senior land bureaucrats since the 1970's, based in Whister. He always gives the bureaucrats what they desire in a report; afterall, he has received huge amounts of taxpayers' (read: OUR dollars) to do sO. They are a tight little group. dON'T YOU THINK SOMEONE MUST LOOK INTO THIS SITUATION. There are a few senior land bureaucrats who have controlled crown land in BC for their own best interests and remain in the shadows. They are now located in Lands and Water BC a crown corporations established by the Liberals; just hidden a little more from the public eye. They have their own arrogant/deceitful agenda behind closed doors. Do you also know that these key land bureaucrats manipulating crown land decisions for the Liberals and themselves, are on the Olympic Committee? Smells fishy to me.

Oh yes - and one small item: WHERE IS THE LEGAL GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL CALL REGARDING THIS PROPOSAL? FOR THAT MATTER WHERE IS THE PROPOSAL CALL RE: BROHM RIDGE/GARIBALDI, CROWN LAND THAT ALSO SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN HANDED OVER BY THE BUREAUCRATS TO ANOTHER PRIVATE GROUP WHO ARE TIGHT WITH JACK POOLE? GEE - I WONDER IF THESE TWO GROUPS ARE CONNECTED? MAYBE PEOPLE SHOULD BE ASKING MORE QUESTIONS.

I can see this whole idea being driven by the "Fat, Lazy and Stupid" lobby. Too fat or lazy to climb up there yourself? Take the gondola! Once you're there, we'll make sure you can't fall off because you're too stupid to stop walking once you reach the edge. Please leave via the gift shop!

Hey, cool idea!! And we could put gonolas up the side of the Eiffel tower, and wouldn't it be groovy to get closer to the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Be great if we could get up to the top of St Paul's Cathedral, ought to be able to get some great camera shots from up there. I was thinking maybe a mini mono rail through several of the more famous cemetaries, make it easier to get rubbings from the tombstones, and when we've commercialized the entire globe let's send some gondola chairs right up this arstles basic fundament, go mining, see if we can find any hint of brain matter. But by all means, let us not WALK, climb or in any other way exert ourselves.

just what the voters wanted they got,you only select at each election the team to direct policy? why not separate legislative power from the stewardship of provincial crown authorities like we see done at ferry system, at crown lands bc then a whole new influence group of creditential carry university grads who need not pay back taxpayers ripoff taxpayers more ,opps sorry i forgot that was last election.

To expand on Anne's post... I'm wondering how long it will take for the invention of moving sidewalks... like in airports, except everywhere... outside. People could have one leading from their bed to their car (maybe stopping briefly in the kitchen?) and then on those most annoying days when your neighbour has parked in "your" spot and you have to go two feet out of your way, you could have a little moving bridge that popped you over to your car...

Why not attach a gondola that goes from the Chief all the way to the top of the Christ church Cathedral, in Burrad and Georgia, and down to the water in Grandville Island (a toxic dump site) with a stop by the towers that Martha Pipe is building on top of Wreck beach in trust land that cannot be sold, but people are buying condos and other houses for half million and up, in a land that is not for sale, nor has been ceded by any of the natives...oh well, well, greed people are mad people and so, let them be stupid in the UBC campus (Marthat has everyone by the balls), but leave the Chief alone... there is so much bad medicine in storage for the developer... One of Ledcor bosses got a family member killed, on the job site, because of greed....Leave the Chief alone or death will knock at your door.

Money talks and usually greases the way for all manner of slimy capitalist projects. Here is a prime example where Squamish politicians are willing to " DIsney-ize" a spectacular natural landmark for a few pieces of silver. IF this abomination proceeds, may I suggest that all climbers print suitable rebuttal slogans on their backs as well as feel free to moon the gauking tourists and follow up with suitable finger salutes.Have fun and make a statement!

If anyone wants to go to the source I pulled this off the ecosine website: tel: 604 932.5976 fax: 604 932.1897 e-mail:

I would love to have more cars racing up and down the highway. More people skipping the exercise that feels better than any paycheck. More destruction to an ecosystem that can't defend itself.

Since I'm not a climber but do want to see the view I say let's build it,how about a little lounge with some snacks

Fi, I believe the Segway is an attempt to implement the moving sidewalk for real. It reduces the motion of walking to the act of leaning forward.

I am starting a group of concerned citizens against this proposal. We are called Friends of the Chief, and if you would like to join us or get more information about what we are doing, please email your support to

. We can give you the contact info of the Minister, the Premier and the Mayor of Squamish if you want to spread the word. Thanks!

The developer is assuming a "low profile" and s/he had better dig heir own very deep hole to die in. This is a place of recereation; thousands walk up the back side of the Chief each year, an easily accomplished trek. The better tourist attraction is to eyeball those that challenge the climb up the face. Let them sell binoculars if they must make a profit off this gorheous hunk of our Mother.

St. Paul's Cathedral. I just got it. Very good. I laughed out loud. If you've ever met Paul Mathews you'd laugh too. St. Paul's Cathedrals, It could be a website name for his resume and photo album.

don't worry residents of squamish,if your council turns down this proposal the provincial government can introduce the same bill that gave whistler its train station,hotel development.and there's nothing you can do about it!! i'm probable sure that this guy will make sure he squeezes every penny out of anyone who may want to climb or walk up to the chief. maybe the local indian band can drive this guy into bankrupcy...any sacred burial sites? then pick it up for pennies on the dollar

The idea is a money-grabbing, ignorant, moronic, lazy, nature hating....enough said. I will keep myself in the loop on this one. I love that area and would hate to see if ruined by idiots!

Nice concept, wrong location. Leave the Pristine Granite monolith as is, preserved as a Park. Explore the option on the other side of the Squamish River, adjacent to the spit where the same views can be obtained, and a whole new access to the other side of the river for all user groups can be excersized.

Well it goes to show us all that the upcoming olympics is a big'o'money grab by a select few. It seems to me that this era is being form- fitted to the lazy and mundane humans. Lets make an amusement park out of every wonder in this great country of ours and reap the benefits. Shall we? I shake my head in digust.

Well it goes to show us all that the upcoming olympics is a big'o'money grab by a select few. It seems to me that this era is being form- fitted to the lazy and mundane humans. Lets make an amusement park out of every wonder in this great country of ours and reap the benefits. Shall we? I shake my head in disgust.

Maybe after all is said and done I can wrangle for a job frying chicken at the top of the Chief. Leave the developers alone, government knows best not stupid scientists.

So you pay ?$ to get up there, and what do you see? Nothing. Doesn't this so called developer realize that 9 months of the year are foggy or rainy? And on top of it, where do you go from there? You cannot really go on as you would, say from the top of Whistler or Blackcomb mountain for an easy hike. This is just a plain and simple STUPID idea. It is not only the end result which is rewarding, but the journey there. By the way, has this guy ever hiked the Chief?

Check it out folks, stop shaking your heads and start shaking your fists, CKNW has made the following announcement. They plan on making the deal in Sep and then having public consultation in Oct after the deals done, should it not be the other way around. Lets pre empt them, start emailing the Olympic committe, IOC etc, tell them what damage their causing,District of Squamish and the Squamish Nation., make sure the public is at the first meeting not the window dressing after, If not get ready for the first Starbucks at the chief, I'm not kidding, check it out.***************************************************************** **** It plans to meet with various groups beginning in September, including the 2010 Olympic Committee, the District of Squamish and the Squamish Nation. Public consultations begin in October. The plan includes a makeover of the park at the base of the Chief and Shannon Falls with gondolas, a First Nations souvenir shop, warmer washroom facilities and a Starbucks.

Talk about jumping the gun. Who has seen the proposal? What proposal / application is everyone angry at? Doesn't seem to me that anything is a "done deal" A developer has an idea, and has chosen to include local interest groups BEFORE making any applications of any kind. I won't weigh in against a proposal until I've seen it for myself. My (limited) understanding is that the gondola is proposed to travel up the back of the mnt, and would not be visible from Squamish. Most people's knee jerk reaction is that it's going up the face. Access to all canadians and visitors is a positive idea, why should a provincial park cater to just a small % of fit people who can make the trek? If you don't want to take the gondola, then walk / hike or climb up! Maybe your knees can't handle the descent, so an option would be to hike up, and ride down. Many people do this with the Grouse Grind. As far as the idea of "earning" the view - the pleasure should be internal, don't worry about how other people get to the top, just enjoy how you get there. If it's going to only the 2nd peak, then people who choose to hike to the 1st or 3rd peaks won't even have to worry about crowds or tourists spoiling the moment. (Anything involving tourism in Squamish should be investigated, as opposed to resourse extraction such as logging.) Emergency rescue access would also be a benefit of a Gondola. I feel that a well thought out proposal is very appropriate for Squamish, "the outdoor recreation capital of Canada", and fits well with B.C.'s Olympic and tourism goals. I'm saddend to see such negativity and distrust by so many.

This negativity stems from seeing pristine places hijacked by development. Aside from trees and the moss that grows on them lies deep rich systems that don't take well to urban sprawl. That's mighty thoughtful of you to think of Canadians with bad knees but does that include moose too? Setup a gondola and other zany development ideas will follow.

There are plenty of Pine Tree pina colada lounging stations in BC for tourists who don't enjoy hiking or have bad knees to inhabit. What Mr. Adler is looking to do is exploit the trail of tourists wandering up to Mount Whistler for they olympics - $$$ - and not to open up the beauty of the Chief to folks who have yet to discover that the the god of evolution has graced us with four fingers, a thumb, and heaping muscles in our thighs for good reason.

I agree Graham that nobody including the author of this story has mentioned where they propose the gondola will be placed, so why assume the worst? Just like a Vancouver Sun article this one conjures up fear, hate and suspicion by not telling the whole story. I didn't know there were 3 peaks either. What a waste to ask for public input without the facts. No wonder we seem suspicious! How can anyone fight a plan that doesn’t exist? I wish the Editor of The Tyee would keep an eye on Asperisms here. We hiked up Sulpher Mountain in Banff under the gondola once. It was a challenge that took about five hours. We seemed to have the heavily treed trail all to ourselves. We came face to face with mountain goats near the top and at the top we saw a bunch of fat tourists scrambling around in high heals and too much makeup. They didn't earn the view but we sure did. Internally, it was one of my greatest pleasures but externally, I felt the tourists didn't appreciate where they were because it was so easy to get there. Some were whiney because they spent their money and all they got was a view. It's kind of like people who say they like nature so much that they use an SUV to bomb around the back roads. A bicycle trek would be more appropriate for a true nature lover—too bad about the turds in their personal trucks that would choke them on the way.

The Stawamus Chief dominates the area, a 1200' granite monolith overlooking Howe Sound, Canada's southernmost fijord. The Chief offers some of the finest multi-pitch climbing in the world with routes to suit a wide range of abilities. You can walk rock climb etc. It is very unique , in fact there is only 2 like it in the world. This mountain brings 1000's of people every year, it is a pristine and untouched. We cannot be all things to all people, we have lifts at Grouse , Seymour, Whistler and many others. We cannot build over every wetland and protected areas because a few Can't do the hike. If you look at Whistler, most of the area is private property, huge cost to park Use the facilities etc. This is what comes out of tampering with the private sector, If you want Whistler go ahead, but leave the chief be, The benefits will go into few hands, once you have Starbucks you cannot stop other private companies from entering the area. This mountain is a gem and one of a kind, lets not mess with it,

FIVE hours to get up Sulphur?? Are you sure?? It takes 1.5- 2 if I remember correctly, but I agree on the whiney tourists at the top. Nothing beats covering every step of the way with your own two feet.

Mr. Alan and the company he works for, ecosign, are obviously environmental sociopaths.

As the founder of TRASH IT! - Tourist Rights And Sore Hamstrings Including Torsos! - I support rigging up something to get my lard butt up there. I mean at the rate I'm going I'll be in a wheel chair soon 'cause my legs and back aren't able to support my obese ego, er, I mean, wallet, I mean weight. Speaking of which, I've got connections in Victoria and when I start to throw my weight around, well, waters will part, mountains will move, and gondolas will be built; so watch out you skinny wall climbing six-packers, 'cuz I'm about ready to flex mine my own ("if only I can find it somewhere in my cooler.") Hurrumph!

Stuart’s right, they plan on pushing this development through although the acting mayor of Squamish has said publicly that there was no way that this was ever going to see the light of day. But, Gordo could implement the significant projects streamlining act and over-rule all opposed, even Local municipal councils. However, given the fact that NW has given this topic so much attention recently makes me very suspicious and in my mind seems to legitimize the who concept even further. Also the mayor of Squamish has not made a position public as far as I know so who knows what could play out here. I just checked the BC parks home web page and nearly puked when I seen Gordo’s picture on the main page. WTF are they trying to suggest that he has a commitment to keeping our parks pristine and free of his developer buddies? What a Fu(king insult! From their mission statement……. “As a public trust, our mission is to protect representative and special natural places within the Province's Protected Areas System for world class conservation, outdoor recreation, education and scientific study.” Yeah right, that’s why you went and cut out 20% of the South Chilcotins provincial park and handed it over to your mining buddies! Also allowing a huge development next to Monck Provincial park just out side of Merrit. Here....Taken directly from the Sawamus Chief’s parks web site……… “Stawamus Chief Provincial Park protects the 700 metre massive granite cliffs that stand at the southern entrance to Squamish on the scenic Sea to Sky Highway. Established in 1997 the 506-hectare park provides rock climbing opportunities of international significance. Hiking trails to The Chief’s three summits offer rewarding views of Howe Sound, Squamish townsite and surrounding mountains. This park has opportunities for camping, hiking, rock climbing and scenic viewing atop the Chief”. What part of the “PROTECTS THE 700 metre massive granite cliffs” does this stupid a$$oholic Gordo and the developers not understand! Provincial Parks should = 0 development. So I’ll be there with civil disobedience in mind if this piece of $hit goes through.

To: Bill Barisoff, Minister of Water, Land and Air Protection I was shocked yet not completely surprised to read that BC government is entertaining allowing a major industrial development in Stawamus Chief Provincial Park near Squamish BC. Paul Mathews, one of the principle developers of the project, recently commented, “what we hope to do is transform the base area so that people stopping there will be able to buy a Starbucks coffee, buy first nations art and souvenirs, use warm toilets in the area, and of course ride up the gondola.” As Minister of Water, Land and Air Protection, you were quoted indicating the province would be receptive to the idea if the developers can demonstrate community support for the project. You do not have the support of myself or my peers. I write to you with two concerns, representing dozens of friends and peers who voice similar dismay at the prospect of yet another pristine wildeness area being exploited and ruined in the name of progress and development. Humans are a very odd species as they seem to only measure progress and development based on human-imposed construction and commerce - the more pavement and concrete and buildings the better. Looking at the big picture, to me progress is ensuring the preservation of natural wilderness and the synergistic enjoyment of such landscapes showing respect versus exploitation, having the wisdom to avoid destruction and exploitation just to feed someone's pocket with revenues in the short term. As a former 10 year NHL conditioning coach and current international leader in the sport and fitness fields, defining exercise styles through conferences, books, articles, research and DVD's, we have an epidemic on our hands. The average 12 year old in North America already has one sympton of hear disease. The Squamish Chief offers wonderful hiking trails, and if there is any management of this site, why not promote human motion as a way to enjoy it and serve those who are willing to use both the human spirit and human machine to fuel their way up to the beautiful views at the top, along the way gaining respect and appreciation for the forest, feeling as one within it. Contrast that to feeding people McDonalds and Starbucks and hoisting their lazy butts to the top with yet another quick and easy fix to feed peoples' need for effortless entertainment. More commercialization. More corporate branding. Why can't they just go shopping on Robson street and call it a day? >From an environmental concern, this is yet another no brainer. How many developments do we need? Is that progress? Have we not yet evolved enough to have the wisdom to know that there are far more important pursuits than turning all that is natural into a profit making machine; that the way to foster spiritual, emotional, mental and physical wellness is not through fast food and machine based transport so that a natural resource can be exploited. The integration of physicality and spirituality and nature are connected such that one feeds the other. Wizzing to the top, starbucks and hamburger in hand, surely cannot be the best option. I don't know who all will get greased on this proposal and who all stand in line to benefit ($$$), however I urge you to listen to the interests of current communities and also consider the best interests of future generations. And as a business owner, President and CEO, I challenge all proprietors and entrepreneurs to define their business projects based on what makes a positive contribution to health, wellness and the environment. If damage must be done to those to feed your pocket, make the right decision. Sincerely, Peter Twist THERE Director of Education ARE NO President & CEO LIMITS Twist Conditioning Inc. TO WHAT #12-1225 East Keith Road YOU CAN North Vancouver, B.C. ACHIEVE! V7J 1J3 604-904-6556 888-214-4244

For now, you can write, phone or e-mail and express your views on the project. The concerned officials: Bill Barisoff, Minister of Water, Land and Air Protection P.O. Box 9047, St'n. Prov. Gov't. Victoria, B.C. Canada V8W 9E2 (250) 387-1187, or

Gordon Campbell, Premier P.O. Box 9041, St'n. Prov. Gov't. Victoria, B.C. Canada V8W 9E1 Phone (250) 387-1715, or

Ian Sutherland, Mayor District of Squamish P.O. Box 310 Squamish, B.C. Canada V0N 3G0 Phone 1-877-892-5217, or

Please write or call! A written letter counts for significantly more than an e-mail, and an e-mail for significantly more than a phone call - very simply, the more effort you put into whatever you send/say, the more impact it has. Please: a) cc the Access Society (see 'contact us' on the website) with anything you send; b) be polite, and brief; c) identify who you are, where you live, who you represent (if anyone besides yourself), your interest in the area and issue, your views on the gondola proposal, and the reasons for them; d) be as reasonable and constructive as you can - there are many aspects to this issue; and e) be clear about what you support, or oppose. The Access Society particularly encourages climbers, and climbers' organizations, from outside B.C. to write and express their concerns. There are also petitions in Squamish-area climbing stores, and petitions may appear elsewhere. Other actions - website information, meetings, broadcast e-mails, attending public meetings - will occur as the occasion demands. The Access Society's position with respect to the Stawamus Chief gondola proposal is that a gondola of this kind would be appropriate somewhere in the Squamish area, if well planned and designed, and if supported by First Peoples, governments, affected interest groups, and the public. A gondola within Stawamus Chief provincial park is not appropriate. It would: a) be contrary to the master plan, b) significantly conflict with existing low-impact users (climbers, hikers, campers, viewers), c) mar a geological, visual and cultural landmark, and d) negatively affect the Chief's standing as a national and international landmark and recreational resource. The proposal also seems likely to generate substantial public comment, and may affect the peregrine falcons which nest on the Chief. There are alternative sites in the Squamish area that would not conflict with existing uses, or have such high environmental, community and visual impacts.

I think it would be such a waste for them to only build an observation deck up there. 2nd peak should also also sport a gift shop, restaurant, patio, bar, perhaps a small hotel and casino ... they could easily remove a number of those bothersome trees to make more room. And each gondola tower could be something "fun" - such as replicas of the Statue of Liberty, Eiffel an CN Towers, Conrad Black, etc ... and the top tower could be a giant totem pole (just to keep those pesky inuns happy, eh?). And I love the idea about the giant plasma screen! It could display a giant video of what the view is like from the top ... for those people who want to avoid that lengthy gondola ride, but still get the experience, and remain on the ground.

Leave nature alone. Climbing is the only respectable way to reach the top.

Totally Sick Idea-- It's bad enough to visit Yosemite Valley and feeling like someone took Costa Mesa and plunked in there. It's quite shocking. I'm taking my first visit to the Squamish Range later this month and hopefully in 10 years I'll still be able to enjoy the same views.

I am opposed to the idea. I think the Stawamus Chief should be left alone. It is beautiful as it is. No "improvements" needed.

the indians say, when the forest dies, we all die, leave the Chief alone!!!!!!!111

Imagine, after finally paying off your mortgage you came home one day to find that IMPARK was charging you to park in your own garage? Does anyone feel that all these user pay fees in our parks are not just the same thing? How about we all deduct money spent on parking in OUR parks from the BC portion of our income tax bill and see how the "LIBERALS" like that.

I LOVE YOU CHIEF WIGGUM!!!!

I LOVE YOU CHIEF WIGGUM!!!!

What gets me is that the Vancouver Olympic Committee is one of the 'key stakeholders' even though the climbing community is not. In '97 this was toted as Canada's first climbing park, and the climbers had significant input to the management plan. What do the Olympics have to do with this gondola?!! I've written my letters to our pseudo-liberal (read Tory) government, and I'll be out protesting the day the construction crews set foot on site. I voted for the other guys.

The Chief should be left alone the way it is!!! Let people hike!

There is enough Tourist-related facilities up the road at Whistler/Blackcomb, which will see many changes in the coming years...The mystique of The Chief needs to be left for those willing to make the effort to either climb the front side or hike the back side...with a little effort involved.

let people have some place close for hiking. It's an hour and a half drive for me, but it's the closest place for me to go hiking. LEAVE the CHIEF ALONE! It's already to populated as it is.

I think Chief Wiggum is right leave the Chief as it IS!!!! YOU EFFING LOSERS

I personally like the chief the way it is. It is peacefull and serene. If you need a gondola to expirience it you need to find an easier hiking trail. (Kyla, i have hiked this trail with you once before and have been trying to find you for over two years. Please, please get in touch i miss our friendship.

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Hello.I want a gondola very much becuase they look cool. but make it fast because otherwise i will get bored and jum p out. lalalala.