By Monica Andreeff

Executive Director, AMPPE.

Banff National Park’s historic Mount Norquay has forever seemed like “The Little Ski Area That Could.”

Dating back to 1926, skiers and hikers from Banff, Canmore, Calgary and across Canada, have trekked up the mountain for the deep dry snow and amazing views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

In 1948, Canada’s first alpine lift was installed for summer sightseeing and winter ski use.

But in today’s more challenging 2011 world – Norquay’s 85th anniversary – the ski area is in jeopardy.

Despite the investment and business acumen of a succession of owners, it remains the smallest of the four national park resorts zoned for recreational use (Banff’s Sunshine Village, Lake Louise and Jasper’s Marmot Basin are the other three) all competing globally for recessionary, discretionary dollars.

Recent proposals to change the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) – coincidentally – and new site guidelines for Norquay, could potentially turn that around.

Proposed CEAA amendments would streamline the review and approval process for ski areas that are doing long-range planning.

Currently, the comprehensive study requirements – prohibitively expensive and time consuming – subject ski area planning to the same criteria as an oil pipeline or a nuclear power plant. We’re talking millions.

Proposed amendments would mean that a screening type of environmental assessment for certain projects could be completed by Parks Canada, along with extensive public consultation. Nonetheless, the CEAA amendments have far-reaching implications for national park ski areas that want to do long-range planning and, more urgently it would seem, for Mount Norquay to complete its site guidelines.

Parks Canada and the ski area owners have laboured for many years to unveil Norquay’s draft blueprint for the future, to create more certainty for business while maintaining ecological integrity and setting limits on future development.

The draft summary – let alone the lengthy strategic environmental assessment – make for riveting bedtime reading, but are definitely worth a look. Let’s be clear, there’ll be no U.S.- style resort roller coasters planned for Norquay’s slopes.

Neither is high-speed downhill mountain biking on the table. Via ferrata, the much-debated fixed climbing rope activity for beginners, is but a pipe dream at this stage. Pay no mind to the alarmists.

Two independent (of Parks and Norquay) professional, third party environmental assessment experts concluded, “There are potential significant issue that need to be addressed particularly related to summer use. However if these issues are addressed through integrated ski area and Parks Canada initiatives, there is significant opportunity for ecological improvements and enhancements on a broad scale.”

What is on the table are improvements for wildlife corridors by redrawing lease boundaries and introducing mass transit, along with improvements to visitor experience in Banff National Park and renewed optimism that Norquay will continue to be there in the future.

No one wants to envision the day that we point to the ski resort which “used to be” there.

The Association for Mountain Parks Protection and Enjoyment (AMPPE) represents a wide range of stakeholders from across Canada including skiers, cyclists and hikers – who might not always have a voice – to municipalities and businesses just trying to survive within a competitive global tourism market, in the embrace of a highly-regulated, government-controlled environment.

A member-based association since 1994, AMMPE is the voice of balance. We promote sustainable tourism, a positive visitor experience and protection of ecological integrity in Canada’s Mountain parks.

We also view these important issues as an opportunity for average people to leverage their opinions.

As Western Canadians we are often reminded that we have little-to-no impact on federal elections and policy-making. Well, this is perfect chance to make our voices heard.

It’s as close to “direct democracy” as we are ever going to get when it comes to participating in the future of Canada’s premier national park.

Do some light on-line reading about the CEAA amendments at ceaa.gc.ca and Mount Norquay at pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/plan/norquay-2011.aspx (there are executive summaries) and make up your own mind. Then fill out the comment sheets and let your voice be heard. The deadline for public comment on both issues is Feb. 11.

This year Norquay is honouring its 85th Anniversary with 85-cent lift tickets on the first Thursday of the month. Seniors can ski all season for $85.

It’s just the kind of thing you’d expect from the “Little Ski Area That Could.”

Monica Andreeff is the executive director of The Association for Mountain Parks Protection and Enjoyment (AMPPE)