Banff's Mount Norquay announces plans to replace chairlift, lodge
Mount Norquay ski resort in Banff National Park has announced plans to replace its North American Chairlift, originally built in 1946, with a two-station gondola.
Officials say the gondola would run from the main lodge area to the Cliff House restaurant.
It's one of a number of proposed changes outlined in Norquay's vision for the next hundred years of operation, during which time the resort aims to modernize ski and sightseeing opportunities with energy-efficient lifts and the integration of new buildings and heritage buildings.
Along with the outdated chairlift, Norquay plans to remove the the North American lodge, expand and restore Cliff House, relocate and restore ski jumping judging towers, create a wheelchair accessible Via Ferrata route and an enhanced shuttle system that will better manage traffic on the Norquay access road through the Cascade Wildlife Corridor.
“For nearly 100 years, Norquay has served as Banff’s backyard, an iconic destination for skiers and sightseers, often providing visitors their first introduction to Banff National Park," said Mount Norquay general manager Andre Quenneville in a Tuesday news release.
"As we start to look towards our second century of operation, we are putting plans in place to improve the visitor experience and make ourselves more accessible as well as environmentally and economically sustainable."
A map showing a potential future lift system at Norquay, as seen on Norquay's website. (Norquay) Officials hope throughout the modernization they can decrease Norquay’s built footprint and reduce the potential for human-wildlife conflict.
In addition, there are plans to use Indigenous names for major Norquay components, in consultation with Indigenous communities.
"Without this project, Norquay is not economically sustainable because it does not generate enough funds to replace its existing lifts at the end of their life," said Quenneville.
For more information on the project you can visit Mount Norquay's website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
RateMDs violates privacy of health professionals, class-action lawsuit claims
A lawsuit against RateMDs has been given the go-ahead by a B.C. Supreme Court judge who found the claim that the website violates the privacy rights of medical professionals is not 'bound to fail.'
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Court to hear about search for remains as Winnipeg murder trial enters second day
A courtroom in Winnipeg is expected to hear testimony today about the search for the remains of the four victims of Jeremy Skibicki.