Parks Canada, which operates under the federal government, has declined Mount Norquay’s request to build a new gondola connecting to Mount Norquay ski hill. 

Needing federal approval due to the gondola being located in Banff National Park, the proposal has been turned down twice by the federal agency now.

Their latest rejection relates to concerns that the project would violate legislation that’s meant to protect the park’s natural environment – including increasing parking space, and building more retail shops and restaurants.

But Jan Waterous, the owner of Liricon Capital – which operates Mount Norquay – called their decision a “spurious concern,” saying the project “is fundamental to making the multimodal transit hub economically sustainable.” 

She stated that Parks Canada made six errors in their assessment of the project, while also confusing the proposal with a previous one. 

Waterous added that Banff residents and visitors have complained about vehicle congestion for decades.

“We took on these projects to reduce this congestion as a result of Parks Canada’s failure to address vehicular traffic. This failure has been detrimental to both the ecological integrity and visitor experience in the park,” she said.

She further said that Parks Canada is interfering with municipal affairs, saying that town council members must not “blindly follow” whatever the unelected Parks Canada bureaucrats say.  

Mount Norquay issues statement 

Mount Norquay also lamented the decision in a press release, stating that “without the project, Norquay cannot generate sufficient funds to make the investments required to provide a competitive skiing and sightseeing experience while serving as Banff’s community ski hill.”

The proposed project aimed to replace a chairlift (The North American Chairlift) that was constructed in 1948 and was last upgraded 48 years ago.