Imagine a place where adventure meets community, where the beauty of the Fraser Valley unfolds in every season. Bridal Veil Mountain Resort (BVMR) is that vision—a transformative four-season destination overlooking Chilliwack, Canada’s #2 fastest-growing CMA.
Designed to rival BC’s premier mountain resorts, this community-first initiative promises to deliver significant economic, social, and recreational benefits, creating a lasting legacy for generations to come while prioritizing environmental stewardship and honouring Indigenous partnerships.
Bridal Veil Mountain Resort envisions to be the first all-season resort in Canada co-developed, co-owned, and managed in partnership with First Nations, setting a new standard for responsible tourism.
All-season acreage of Stó꞉lō stewarded land,
with managed trails and protected terrain.
Mountain Resort Features
In collaboration with Bartholet, we are introducing Swiss engineered rope taxis. Passengers will enjoy a seamless journey with the ability to pre-select their destination and travel directly there without any stops. This innovative system has 50% greater energy efficiency through regenerative braking and smart controls.
Two distinct villages planned & built in partnership with Stó:lō communities, offer a unique mountain experience not found in the hustle of the city. Our Valley Village will provide essential amenities and vibrant village events, while the Alpine Village will deliver premium hospitality with spectacular mountain views.
Explore 11,500 acres of summer paradise through our network of mountain biking trails, hiking paths, and modern sports facilities. From peaceful walks in nature to high octane sports, our mountain resort transforms into the ultimate summer playground for locals and tourists alike.
Experience winter at its finest across our diverse alpine terrain. Our ski lifts provide direct access to 2,300 feet of skiable vertical, with runs designed for every skill level – from gentle learning slopes to expert backcountry challenges.
Immerse yourself in the rich heritage of the Fraser Valley through collaboration with Stó:lō Communities. Our cultural spaces serve as living galleries where Indigenous art, history, and traditions flourish year-round. From interactive exhibitions to seasonal celebrations, these thoughtfully curated venues offer authentic connections to the land’s ancestral stewards.
Projected Impact
*All figures are projected and will be refined based on final development plans, and agreements with local and Indigenous partners and communities.
This resort’s hidden valley design seeks to preserve natural landscapes.
With stewardship efforts led by local Indigenous communities, we ensure we
pass down these unforgettable views for generations to come.
In November 2020, Bridal Veil Mountain Resort took its first steps toward becoming a reality with the filing of our Expression of Interest. This pivotal year saw the formation of our leadership team and the beginning of our vision for a four-season mountain resort in the Fraser Valley. We began establishing key relationships and conducting preliminary assessments of the region’s potential. We strengthened our foundation by partnering with Whistler-based Brent Harley & Associates, bringing world-class resort planning expertise to the team.
We also closed on our first private land purchase of the first 21 acres of the project.
A significant year began when our Expression of Interest was accepted for provincial review in January. We also secured an additional 4 acres.
In May, the project underwent an important leadership transition, with Robert Wilson and Mike Lalonde taking the helm to guide the project forward. Michael Watson of DPI Development Partners continued his vital role in First Nations consultation, bringing 20 years of experience working in S’ólh Téméxw.
A landmark year that saw BVMR step onto the global stage at Mountain Planet in France, where we were invited as one of five international speakers to discuss mountain tourism development strategies. The project gained attention for its innovative approach to Indigenous partnership and environmental sustainability.
We also proudly welcomed Cody Hall of Tzeachten First Nation, strengthening our commitment to meaningful Indigenous participation in the project’s development.
This transformative year set the tone with a closing on an additional land purchase of 64.5 acres. The land acquisition particularly represented a significant step in establishing our presence in the region. We also secured a partnership with a Swiss gondola technology provider – Bartholet.
These strategic moves demonstrated our commitment to building a sustainable and technologically advanced mountain resort experience. The team flew to Switzerland to look at Bartholet’s rope taxis in person – an innovation our leadership team is keen on bringing over to Canada as a first in ropeway technology.
Our focus in 2024 was on finalizing our leadership team, identifying key collaborations, and establishing strategic partnerships. We’ve expanded our engagement with local communities and stakeholders, while continuing to develop our comprehensive plan for a sustainable mountain resort. These partnerships span environmental consultants, tourism experts, and community organizations. We also initiated the design stage of the base village.
This year marks our entry into the Mountain Resorts Branch’s (MRB) standardized three-step review process, required for all resort proposals on Crown land in British Columbia. During this first phase, we will participate in extensive public consultation as part of MRB’s formal review requirements.
This structured process ensures all stakeholders have opportunities to provide input that will help shape the resort’s development. As with all major resort proposals in BC, this comprehensive review process is designed to evaluate the project’s viability, environmental impact, and community benefits.
Following MRB’s established review framework, we plan to submit our formal proposal and then the master plan – key components of the three-step process that all mountain resort proposals must complete. The comprehensive master plan will detail our complete vision for the resort, incorporating extensive feedback from public consultation, environmental assessments, and technical studies. The master plan will address crucial elements required by MRB’s review process, including environmental stewardship, economic viability, community benefits, and sustainable resort operations. Like all resort proposals on Crown land in BC, our submission will undergo thorough evaluation against established provincial criteria.
Upon successful completion of MRB’s three-step review process and obtaining necessary approvals, we anticipate moving into the development planning phase. This stage will transform our approved master plan into detailed implementation strategies, marking the beginning of the resort’s physical development process.
Our planning will continue to be guided by the framework established through MRB’s review process, ensuring all development aligns with approved plans and provincial requirements.
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Meet the Team
Bridal Veil Mountain Resort Ltd. is a collaborative effort, bringing together a proven team with deep roots in the Fraser Valley and in-depth knowledge of its unique environment and community needs.
Passionate about outdoor recreation and tourism, the team is supported by strong financial backing and works in partnership with renowned firms such as Brent Harley & Associates for resort design and construction, Hall & Larocque for Indigenous legal counsel, DPI for Indigenous relationship counsel, Kika Marketing for marketing communications, and Bartholet for gondola installation and ongoing support.
The BC Government’s Mountain Resorts Branch (MRB) oversees a standardized three-step review process for all resort proposals on Crown land in British Columbia. This includes:
1) Initial proposal review and formal application
2) Master plan development and submission, and
3) Master Development Agreement.
Each step involves thorough evaluation and includes opportunities for public input.
We are currently in step #1; the Expression of Interest (EOI) phase with the Mountain Resorts Branch.
This is the initial stage where we present our preliminary concept and vision. The next phases will include a formal proposal and master plan submission as part of MRB’s established three-step review process. The review process is thorough and comprehensive, typically extending over several years. This ensures proper evaluation of all aspects including environmental impacts, economic viability, and community benefits. The timeline can vary based on the complexity of the proposal and the consultation required.
The most direct way to participate is by completing the project survey on the EngageBC website. This is your opportunity to share what excites you about the project, make recommendations for its development, and voice any concerns you may have. Public input is a vital part of the review process – your feedback helps shape the future of this mountain resort.
We encourage everyone to participate in this official channel for public consultation, as all feedback submitted through EngageBC becomes part of the formal review record.
The proposed Bridal Veil Mountain Resort is located in S’ólh Téméxw, the traditional lands of the Stó:lō People, who have occupied these lands since time immemorial, and never ceded or surrendered the lands. The Land maps and materials provided to BVMR by the People of the River Referrals Office (PRRO) show that these lands include the overlapping and shared traditional lands and territories of many Stó:lō Communities and Stó:lō Tribal Groups. These are complex land and historic issues, that can only be addressed with Stó:lō-led solutions.
Bridal Veil Mountain Resort will be located in the Upper Fraser Valley on the eastern edge of Chilliwack, on the highlands immediately south of the Fraser River. NOTE: The proposed Bridal Veil Mountain Resort study area does not overlap with any provincial parks, protected areas, or municipal parks.
In winter, BVMR will offer downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, backcountry touring, skating, snowshoeing, tubing, Indigenous cultural activities and sightseeing. While detailed winter climate studies remain to be completed, records show that the area’s natural snowfall is significant, due to the site’s proximity to Mount Baker.
In summer, BVMR will offer lift-serviced downhill mountain biking, cross-country mountain biking, hiking, zip lines, aerial adventure park, Indigenous cultural activities and sightseeing.
No. This project features a new team, a new vision, an expanded variety of activities and experiences, and significantly more opportunities to benefit local First Nations, local communities and the province.
No. A single sightseeing gondola project has been proposed nearby. That project however has not been approved. It is currently in the application process, as per B.C.’s Adventure Tourism Policy. B.C.’s Mountain Resorts Branch is currently conducting a review process, comparing our Bridal Veil Mountain Resort project with the other proposed project to determine highest and best use, economically, socially, environmentally and culturally.
Only one project will be selected to proceed. We believe that ours is the superior project.
The BVMR team is engaging in proper and respectful consultation with all 24 Stó:lō communities within S’ólh Téméxw, the traditional territory of the Stó:lō people. While this engagement is mandated by the Province of BC’s All Seasons Resort Policies and Guidelines, our actions are guided by the core Indigenous values upon which BVMR was founded.
First and foremost is the belief that no major resource projects in Canada should proceed, unless the local First Nations upon whose traditional territories the proposed project is located, are invited to be meaningfully engaged and become major owners in the project. This focus on joint management and equity ownership in the BVMR Project are the foundations of our Stó:lō consultations. Those consultations are being conducted in full accordance with all Stó:lō community consultation protocols.
Additionally, the BVMR Project will be jointly planned and developed to the highest environmental standards and sustainability principles with the participating Stó:lō communities, applying Stó:lō cultural, traditional and land stewardship values.
You can reach us at 1-833-YES-BVMR or info@bvmr.ca.
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