THE Garibaldi RESORT WILL CREATE NEW OUTDOOR RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SEA-TO-SKY CORRIDOR. In opening up new recreation infrastructure, we anticipate benefiting the community in these four categories:
1. Social & Recreational Development
2. Economic Growth
3. Environmental Responsibility
4. Cultural Sharing
1. Social & Recreational Development
The resort on Brohm Ridge is an opportunity to build a new community space to experience nature in so many ways. Whether it is a solo day of achieving your ‘personal best', a glorious day outside with your best friends, or a day of discovery and play for you and your family, the resort will offer all-season activity and experience for all ages, abilities and incomes. Best of all, the resort will be a place to end the day by connecting with friends and community. Whether you are here for one weekend, or every weekend, the resort's purpose-built social spaces will ensure all visitors can be part of the experience.
OUR RECREATION VISION
Recreation comes in many different forms. Our resort envisions recreation as a diverse set of activities for all interests, age ranges, and abilities. Planned as a true all-season resort, there will be activity for everyone, for example:
Ski during the day, and then try the outdoor rink after dinner;
Toboggan with your kids while your spouse hits the slopes;
Take a Squamish Nation guided hike while your kids cruise the mountain bike trails;
Come for a week-long yoga retreat while your kids are in summer camp;
Hike up to the teahouse every morning, and enjoy a quiet cappuccino and croissant with the book you've been wanting to read;
Book a condo for your family reunion, and take everyone who is young at heart for a mountain bike lesson;
Share the magic of huge trees with your pre-schooler on their first walk through an old growth forest.
2. Economic Growth
In addition to contributing to Squamish's natural and economic assets, the resort will also facilitate long-term economic growth by way of job creation, professional opportunities, entrepreneurial ventures, and educational and training programs. Having a greater opportunity to grow local careers and businesses means less pressure to commute for all residents.
Over a 20-year period, Garibaldi At Squamish will create close to 6,000 new jobs. In addition to job creation, the resort will be an economic driver.
Construction Benefits:
Approximately 1,080 full-time direct and 836 full-time indirect construction jobs
$286 million in additional annual BC economic output
$115 million in additional annual BC GDP
Sustainable Operation Benefits:
An average of 3,045 full-time direct and 984 full-time indirect operations jobs ranging from hospitality to resort operations to retail to tourism
$305 million in additional annual BC economic output
$160 million in additional annual BC GDP
3. Environmental Responsibility
Garibaldi will be the first resort in BC built based on an Environmental Assessment Certificate. We aim to be the most environmentally friendly resort ever built and operated.
—
Which existing resorts have an Environmental Assessment Certificate?
Environmental & Sustainability snapshot
Rehabilitate disturbed environments
Focus on native plants and traditional uses
Integrate culture and sense of place in neighbourhoods
Create opportunities to connect with nature
Zero emission buildings
low-embodied carbon buildings
Active transportation
Electric buses, scooters, and bikes
Regenerative rainwater management
Optimize water conservation and reclamation
With the best technical information, meaningful metrics, and high public expectation, we are creating a renewed vision of an environmentally responsible resort.
The need to achieve the highest environmental standards is part of what makes this resort unique.
The resort intends to be the most sustainable resort in North America, and we are guided by these key sectors:
Squamish Nation Stewardship Protocol:
The resort is located within Squamish Nation Traditional Territory, and Squamish Nation are partners in the resort. As the first inhabitants who lived in the Sea-to-Sky since time immemorial, Squamish Nation developed stewardship protocols to ensure sustainability and longevity. The resort will be guided by Squamish Nation in bringing forward traditional protocols in the resort, to ensure respectful alignment and continuity of environmental practices.
Environmental Assessment Certificate:
On January 26, 2016, the resort was issued an Environmental Assessment Certificate and on January 15, 2021, the Certificate was approved for Amendment and Extension, granting the project until January 26, 2026 to complete the EA Certificate requirements and substantially start construction. The Certificate includes 40 conditions that the resort must comply with before and during construction, and throughout the resort operations, to guarantee a high level of environmental protection and performance. These 40 conditions exceed the requirements any other new or expanding resorts in BC follow. To see the entire list of conditions, click here.
Beyond Smart Growth: Sustainability, a Zero-Emissions Resort & the Clean BC Strategy:
What does the most sustainable resort in North America mean? For us, building the most sustainable resort means using the best tools, science, innovations and common sense to create a resort that goes beyond any current standards to achieve a legacy for British Columbia.
To learn more about our Environmental Assessment Certificate, click here.
To learn more about the Sustainability Principles in the draft Master Plan, click here.
Over 80% of the land will either remain Undisturbed Greenspace / Old Growth, or be trails & recreation area
4. Cultural Sharing
The resort will be a unique opportunity to learn about Squamish Nation's Coast Salish culture in an amazing outdoor environment. With over 80% of the resort area being preserved for nature and outdoor recreation, visitors are invited to learn about the culture and traditions of the Squamish Nation. From architecture to cuisine, seasonal protocol to origin stories, under Squamish Nation guidance, the resort will be a showcase for Coast Salish culture, including language, art and dance, stories and legends, ecology and environmental preservation, and more.
Renderings by PWL Landscape Architects in partnership with Squamish Nation members — Click images to zoom