B.C. approves controversial scheme for new ski resort

The British Columbia government has given approval to a controversial $450-million ski resort on Jumbo Glacier in southeastern B.C. near the Alberta border.

The resort would have 23 ski-lifts, beds for more than 5,000 tourists and access to four separate glaciers.

Right now the only access to the area is by helicopter. Developer Grant Costello says it's time for that to change.

"What we're trying to do here is provide Canadians with something they've never had before and that is year-round skiing on four spectacular glaciers with a sight-seeing gondola to the top of the mountain."

It may be the ideal home for a ski resort, but it is also home to thousands of grizzly bears, and many people in the nearby community of Invermere are bitterly opposed to the project.

Meredith Hampstead, of the Jumbo Creek Conservation Society, says the provincial government has shown "complete disregard ... for public input into the process. The minister just said he appreciated hearing from people, apparently he didn't hear very well."

But the provincial approval is just the beginning of a long process. The final decision on this project will be made by the East Kootenay Regional District, which is a board of local mayors.

Hampstead says people in the area have been clear about how they want those elected officials to vote.