Film captures struggle to develop BC wilderness

Alpenglow Sports has partnered with Patagonia and Sweetgrass Productions to present “Jumbo Wild,” a documentary film highlighting the 24-year fight over the future of British Columbia’s iconic Jumbo Valley. The film documents the tension between the protection of wilderness and the backcountry experience and the ever-increasing development interests in wild places, specifically the proposed 1,500-acre Jumbo Glacier Resort in British Columbia’s Purcell Mountains.

The geography, recreation opportunities and physical nature of the rugged and remote Jumbo Valley lie at the heart of the debate. Located 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 the 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 grizzly bears can freely roam between Canada and the United States.

In 1991, Oberto Oberti, an Italian-born Vancouver architect, and Grant Costello, a former Canadian ski coach, had a grand idea: They proposed building a ski resort with 20 chairlifts and a village in the remote Jumbo Valley, located five hours west of Calgary.

For decades, First Nations, conservationists, backcountry skiers and snowboarders have fought the proposed large-scale ski resort deep in the Purcell Mountains of British Columbia. After 24 years of opposition, the fight still rages on. Twenty-four years since it’s inception, Jumbo Glacier Resorts has yet to build a single lift tower. However, their dream, despite turning in to one of the most contentious development issues in the mountain world, has not died.

The film documents all sides of a divisive issue bringing the passionate local fight to protect the Jumbo Valley to life, in film, for the first time.

Patagonia ambassador and former U.S. Ski Team member Max Hammer will host the evening. The screening will take place at 7pm Oct. 20 at Tahoe City’s Tahoe Art Haus & Cinema. Tickets are $5 and may be purchased online.