Massive New Ski Resort Gets Approval In British Columbia

by Kraig Becker on

Government officials in British Columbia recently approved a plan to build a massive new ski resort in the province’s Purcell Mountains. When complete, the Jumbo Glacier Alpine Resort will be one of the largest ski areas in all of North America and will become the first on the continent to operate year-round.

It is estimated that it will take approximately two years and $900 million to complete the project, which is expected to open for Christmas 2014. When it does open, Jumbo will stretch across nearly 15,000 acres and will feature 23 lifts. Eventually it will also have as many 5500 rooms for on-site guest accommodations. Its unique location on the Jumbo Glacier will be one of its defining characteristics of course, as that will provide for four-season skiing and snowboarding.

The new project has been in the planning stages for more than 20 years and has been met with resistance from those living close to the new development. Some fear that it will alter the natural landscape and have an adverse effect on the wildlife in the Jumbo Valley where it will be built. As a result, a special grizzly bear protection and management program had to be created before the resort was given the green light and developers had to meet 195 environmental commitments before receiving the seal of approval. When it is completed, Jumbo is expected to draw thousands of visitors to the region on a yearly basis, creating jobs and additional revenue in the process.

I personally know a number of skiers who would love to have the ability to hit the slopes in the dead of summer and in a few years they’ll have that option.

Tsunami powered ghost ship closes in on Canadian shores

by Chris Owen on

When last year’s earthquake and resulting tsunami rocked Japan, the destruction of property and disruption to travel plans were immediate. Minor quakes after the initial tremor did little more damage. But a Japanese squid-fishing boat has been drifting across the Pacific Ocean all year and is now closing in on British Columbia’s north coast.

“It’s been drifting across the Pacific for a year, so it’s pretty beat up,” said marine search coordinator Jeff Olsson of Victoria’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in a Times Colonist article.

The 150-foot tsunami ghost ship was sent out to sea by the weather event and first found drifting right-side-up about 140 nautical miles (260 km) from Cape Saint James on the southern tip of Haida Gwaii, an archipelago on the North Coast of British Columbia. A Canadian Coast Guard plane on a routine surveillance patrol spotted the ship on March 20, causing them to issue a warning to all vessels that the ship is an obstruction to navigation.

“The ghost ship is probably going to be pretty much worthless – nobody’s going to want to have anything to do with it because of the huge costs that are going to be incurred [towing it to shore],” said Gray, senior captain with the Vessel Assist towing company reports the Times Colonist, adding “All that garbage, it’s going to hit Alaska, it’s going to hit B.C. and it’s going to hit Washington.”

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Flickr photo by elmas156

Video of the Day: Paraplegic girl bungee jumps in Whistler

by Mike Barish on

Traveling with disabilities poses its own set of challenges. However, challenges can be overcome. That’s what makes this video so inspiring. Not one to let her paralysis keep her from enjoying an adventure, this paraplegic woman bungee jumped – with her wheelchair – off a bridge in Whistler, BC. The next time you’re feeling skittish about hitting the road, trying something new or testing your limits, remember this girl. I’m pretty sure she could kick my ass.
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Photo of the Day: Seaspan Sunset

by Chris Owen on

This Photo of the Day comes from Gadling Flickr pool member James Wheeler. Using a Nikon D5000 camera equipped with a Tokina 12-24mm f/4 lens, James processed the photo with Adobe Photoshop, Photomatix and Nik Colo.

Wreck Beach is a popular clothing-optional beach located in Pacific Spirit Regional Park, just west of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. James says feel free to download the full size version of Seaspan Sunset from my blog for personal use.

James also tells us “Wreck beach gets pretty busy in the summer but on this clear December day there weren’t many people around.”

Upload your best shots to the Gadling Group Pool on Flickr. Several times a week we choose our favorite images from the pool as Photos of the Day.

Hotel in Vancouver, Canada, puts a new spin on in-room iPads

by Jessica Festa on

No need to worry about tipping your tour guide on your next trip to Vancouver, Canada, as the OPUS Vancouver hotel has recently added iPads to each of their 96 guest rooms to act as personal tour guides of the city. While the trend of adding tablets to hotel rooms is not a new concept, the OPUS adds a new spin by having the technology reflect the guests’ personality and show them around the city.

First, guests choose their rooms based on what they like: Red Modern and Minimalist, Blue Stylish and Sophisticated, Green Artful and Eclectic, Orange Vibrant and Outgoing, or Taupe Daring and Dramatic. Your in-room iPad concierge and guide will then give you a personalized tour of the city based on your personality. To make these fictional guides more human, they’ve been given names, professions, and home cities. Guides include:

  • Pierre, a food and wine critic from Paris
  • Billy, a cultured rock star from London
  • Susan, a fashion executive from Toronto
  • Mike, a doctor from New York
  • Dede, an actress and prima donna from Los Angeles

And no need to worry about Wi-Fi as the virtual guides work offline, as well. For more information, click here. To get to know the tour guides a little bit better, you can also visit the OPUS Hotels’ Blog to read some posts written by the fictional characters.