Lake Louise ski area site guidelines for development and use

Potential impacts to valued components of ecological integrity, visitor experience and infrastructure capacity associated with the draft Lake Louise Ski Area Site Guidelines for Development and Use were identified and assessed in relation to desired outcomes. Valued components and desired outcomes were identified based on established legislation and policy direction for Parks Canada including the Banff National Park Management Plan and the Ski Area Management Guidelines.

The parameters and conditions of the Site Guidelines in combination with the mitigation measures of the strategic assessment address key impacts to valued ecological components including the Whitehorn wildlife corridor, grizzly bear, wolverine, and mountain goat, and species at risk including Whitebark pine, Westslope cutthroat and Bull trout. Many aspects of the Site Guidelines are anticipated to enhance visitor experience while including consideration for adverse impacts to viewscape, sensory impact, and wilderness character experience of other visitors. Ski area development is not likely to trigger the need for regional infrastructure growth.

Ski area development as envisioned by the Site Guidelines is associated with land gains to Parks Canada while allowing the ski area to expand and enhance both summer and winter visitor experiences. It should be emphasized that potential environmental gains envisioned by the Site Guidelines may be easily lost without further research and planning consistent with the mitigations of this strategic assessment. However, Long Range plan proposals that meet the conditions and parameters of the Site Guidelines and respond to the mitigation requirements of the strategic assessment may be reasonably expected to achieve desired ecological, visitor experience and infrastructure outcomes.