Keep Jumbo Wild

Posted by Jeff on Sep 22, 2015 @ 4:33 am in Conservation | 0 comments | Last modified: September 21, 2015

Deep in the wilds of British Columbia lies a rugged valley – cherished alpine backcountry that deserves permanent protection. At the headwaters of the Columbia River, Jumbo Creek cascades out of deep snowpack, past crumbling glacial ice, wildflowers, and grizzly tracks. The Jumbo Valley has long been revered for its beauty, and to the Ktunaxa Nation, it is known as Qat’muk, home of the grizzly bear spirit. Part of an important international wildlife corridor, the Jumbo Valley is one of only two areas in North America where bears can freely roam between Canada and the U.S.

But, for nearly 25 years, local people — First Nations, conservationists, backcountry skiers and snowboarders have fought a proposed large-scale ski resort deep in the Purcell Mountains of British Columbia. After two decades of opposition, what more will it take to keep Jumbo wild for good?