The proposed Zincton ski resort in BC just cleared a big hurdle—but not everyone’s stoked about it. Earlier this summer, the Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) decided the project doesn’t need a full environmental review, even though plenty of locals, skiers, and Indigenous groups had called for one.
What Is Zincton?
Zincton is a proposed all-seasons, backcountry-focused resort planned for the Selkirk Mountains between New Denver and Kaslo, BC. It’s being spearheaded by Valhalla Pure founder David Harley and pitched as a low-impact alternative to the traditional resort model.
The plan includes a small lift-served area and a compact village with around 1,750 beds—plus a massive chunk of terrain designed for human-powered backcountry skiing. Think electric shuttles, no helicopters, and lots of skin tracks.
Why the Environmental Assessment Decision Matters
Normally, a project of this scale would trigger a full environmental assessment, especially given its location in a key wildlife corridor. But BC’s current rules only require that process if a resort includes 2,000 beds or more. Zincton comes in just under that, which means it skips what many see as a critical step.
That technicality has raised eyebrows. Environmental groups, local backcountry skiers, and Indigenous Nations—including the Sinixt Confederacy and the Ktunaxa Nation—had all requested a deeper environmental review, citing risks to grizzly bears, wolverines, mountain goats, and the long-term health of the corridor between Goat Range and Kokanee Glacier parks.
The Opposition to Zincton
It’s not just about the animals. Critics have also raised concerns around:
- Access: Zincton would commercialize terrain that’s currently free to use for backcountry skiers and snowmobilers.
- Local Impact: The small towns nearby—especially New Denver—are worried about how a resort with up to 1,500 daily visitors could strain roads, housing, and infrastructure.
- Indigenous Consultation: Both the Sinixt and Ktunaxa Nations say the proposal lacks meaningful engagement with the people whose traditional territories it would affect.
What Happens Next for Zincton?
The project now moves into Stage 3 of BC’s five-stage resort approval process, where more detailed planning and community consultation will take place. It’s still a long way from breaking ground, and the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) has already said it won’t support Zincton until more concerns are addressed—particularly around wildlife and cumulative impacts from other developments in the area.
For now, Zincton remains one of the most debated ski resort proposals in the province. Whether you see it as a model for low-impact ski development or a threat to BC’s wild spaces probably depends on how you define “sustainable” skiing.
Read the full proposal here
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