Responsible Stewardship Showcase

Responsible Stewardship Showcase: Sea to Sky Gondola's Journey to Electrification

We are thrilled to share exciting developments at Sea to Sky Gondola, recently featured in an article by Canada West Ski Areas Association. The project highlights our commitment to sustainability and responsible stewardship, made possible through a collaborative effort with the Squamish Nation and various partners.

Key Points from the Article:

• Transition to Clean Energy:
  In April, with invaluable support from the Squamish Nation, we embarked on an electrification project to replace diesel with clean energy at the summit of the Sea to Sky Gondola. This initiative marks a significant milestone in our journey towards reducing environmental impact.

• Environmental Impact:
  The electrification project is projected to decrease carbon emissions by more than 400 tonnes of CO2e annually. This reduction is equivalent to taking 123 passenger vehicles off the road each year, providing electricity to 269 homes annually, or diverting 17,461 bags of waste from landfills.

• Collaborative Effort:
  The success of this project is a testament to collaborative efforts involving the Sea to Sky Gondola, Squamish Nation, BC Hydro, Ministry of Forests, Land, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (FLNRORD), District of Squamish, Squamish Community Forest, and Efficiency BC. Such partnerships have been essential in navigating regulatory frameworks and environmental considerations.

• Sustainable Practices:
  Our approach includes careful planning to minimize environmental impact. We utilized existing right-of-ways and cleared areas wherever feasible, while ensuring responsible handling of trees removed during construction. Larger trees were collected by the Squamish Community Forest, and smaller trees were chipped, with some left on-site to enrich the ecosystem.

• Projected Completion:
  Scheduled for late Fall 2024, the project aims to have Winter 2025 operations powered entirely by BC Hydro, thereby eliminating the need for diesel generators at the summit.

A Greener Future
Since breaking ground, Sea to Sky Gondola team has been inspired by the cultural significance of the lands entrusted to us by the Squamish Nation. General Manager Kirby Brown emphasizes our ongoing commitment to learn from and respect these lands, a relationship that has deepened throughout this project.

The Sea to Sky Gondola's electrification project represents not only a technological advancement but also a testament to our dedication to environmental stewardship and community partnership. We are grateful for the support of our collaborators and look forward to welcoming guests to a cleaner, greener experience atop the Sea to Sky Gondola.

For More Information
For more details about this transformative project and our ongoing sustainability efforts, we invite you to read the full article on Cwsaa's platform. Stay connected with us for updates on our journey towards sustainability and responsible stewardship. Read here