MOUNT SEYMOUR’S FUTURE: PUBLIC INPUT NEEDED BY JULY 24
Co-authored by Bev Ramey and Joanna Chin
Mount Seymour Resort has released a proposed 60-year Ski Resort Development Plan that is currently open for public comment. The proposal includes a wide range of new recreational infrastructure and activities, including infrastructure for summer use such as: expanded trails, mountain biking facilities, an aerial adventure park, ziplines, a skywalk, disc golf, cabins, glamping accommodations, and potential ski lift and transportation expansions.
According to the proposal, the Controlled Recreation Area associated with the resort would increase from approximately 235 hectares to 334 hectares.
Nature Vancouver members and others who care about the future of Mount Seymour are encouraged to review the proposal and provide feedback through the provincial consultation process before it closes on July 24, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.
Why this matters
The issue is not simply whether individual facilities such as ziplines, mountain bike trails, or glamping are desirable. Rather, many naturalists are concerned that these proposals are being considered before Mount Seymour Provincial Park has an up-to-date Park Management Plan.
A Park Management Plan would normally identify and inventory the park’s ecological, cultural, and recreational values, establish appropriate zoning, and provide opportunities for public engagement before major development decisions are made.
Mount Seymour is valued not only for its natural and cultural values but also for the public’s longstanding access to trails and outdoor recreation opportunities within the park.
Mount Seymour Provincial Park receives more than one million visitors annually, making it one of the most heavily used parks in British Columbia. Despite this, the park does not currently have a modern management plan to guide future development. While BC Parks has been developing recreation-focused planning initiatives, some observers have questioned whether the necessary ecological inventory, park zoning, and broader management planning should occur first.
Concerns about Goldie and Flower Lakes
Particular concern has been raised about proposed development in the vicinity of Goldie and Flower Lakes.
For decades, experienced naturalists, wetland specialists, and local observers have identified this area as one of the North Shore’s most ecologically significant wetland complexes. Long-term observations have highlighted the area’s rich wetland vegetation, extensive fungal communities, and importance for a variety of wildlife. The wetlands are widely regarded as a valuable component of the mountain ecosystem and are known to support diverse plant and animal communities.
These observations are largely based on many years of field experience and local ecological knowledge rather than a comprehensive provincial inventory. Nevertheless, they highlight the importance of undertaking careful ecological assessment before introducing additional recreational infrastructure into sensitive wetland habitats.
Many observers are concerned that overnight accommodations, increased trail networks, and higher levels of human activity could affect wildlife, wetland function, and the quiet character of these areas.
Key Questions for Consideration
As you review the proposal, you may wish to consider:
- Should an updated Park Management Plan be completed before major new recreational developments are approved?
- Have the ecological and cultural values of Mount Seymour Provincial Park been adequately inventoried and assessed?
- Are sensitive areas such as the Goldie and Flower Lake wetlands appropriate locations for additional development?
- How can recreation and conservation be balanced in one of British Columbia’s most heavily visited provincial parks?
- What safeguards should be in place to protect wildlife and sensitive habitats?
Learn More and Participate
The provincial government is currently seeking public feedback on the proposed Ski Resort Development Plan.
Review the proposal and complete the survey here:
The survey closes at 4:00 p.m. on July 24, 2026.
An in-person Open House was held on June 11, 2026.