The New Crystal

Crystal Mountain is expanding in order to become a year round resort and mountain recreation area, in one of the most ideal climactic zones of North America, sunny and dry, with four distinct seasons.

Crystal is located thirteen-and-a-half kilometers northwest of the Glenrosa Interchange of the Coquihalla freeway connector that leads from Vancouver to Westbank and Kelowna. Greater Vancouver is only three and a half hours away to the West and Kelowna is twenty minutes to the East.

Kelowna has a growing airport already connected with non-stop flights to Vancouver, Calgary, Seattle and Toronto, and is served by four airlines.

Crystal Mountain is already a favorite regional destination, a small paradise for learning to ski, snowboarding, nordic skiing and family fun in a scenic, peaceful, sunny and forested setting.

The Okanagan region is a growing holiday and retirement destination, and a destination for wine tasting, eco and agrotourism as well as golfing.

Crystal has developed a unique relationship with the Westbank First Nation, with plans to pilot a development program with a native theme to tourism development.

Crystal Mountain will add a bed base to create a resort with sleeping accommodation and to cater to family holidays for extended periods, for health, relaxation and sporting activities.

Gondola and Teahouse

A new gondola and a teahouse are key features of the new development. A restaurant will welcome visitors at the top of the resort. At the base of the Gondola, ancillary facilities will include a day lodge, ticket and visitor's information facility, and associated services.

Four Seasons

In summer, some of the ski trails will be available for mountain biking and hiking. Horseback riding, tennis, swimming pools and spa facilities will complement the new golfing opportunities that will introduce a summer season in addition to the winter season.

Visitor's Centre

A new Visitor's Centre, with an activities booking facility, is proposed to be developed in conjunction with local interests near the Coquihalla Connector in Westbank. This facility will also advertise Westbank and Kelowna as a tourist destination.

Hotels & Real Estate

Visitors in both winter and summer will have access to new fine lodging. It is proposed that Crystal Mountain will start with a three to four star boutique hotel.

A "boutique" four to five star hotel is projected to be added with the golf course. There is potential for several bed-and-breakfast facilities in the resort.

The project will be designed and built in the style of the traditional western mountain architecture, emphasizing stone and timber in the construction.

The development will grow to include supporting commercial facilities such as restaurants, shops and other tourism related facilities.

A variety of accommodations such as timeshare units, condominium units, townhouses and single-family chalets are also planned for the resort.

Design controls will ensure that the resort is both visually attractive and appealing to visitors in all seasons. Special attention will be paid to landscaping and preserving natural features to ensure visitors and residents can appreciate the unique setting of Crystal Mountain.

Development Planning

Plans for Crystal Mountain will build on the information provided to the public and received during the initial public information campaign.

The vision unfolded with the public presentation of a Formal Proposal for Provincial approval in the fall of 2000 as part of the Commercial Alpine Ski Policy, and with three Open House presentations in preparation of the Master Plan's approval process in 2001.

After the Master Plan approval and negotiations with the Province of British Columbia, a Master Development Agreement was signed.

Crystal Mountain has sought local government approval in order to initiate the development.

Construction of the new base daylodge, golf course and new chair lifts is anticipated to commence as soon as approvals are obtained.

Construction of new lifts will follow demand, with the present completion schedule assuming a seven year term. The hotels and overnight accommodation will be constructed over several years.

The project is planned as a self-contained vacation resort and it is expected that it will be protected by a non-development buffer zone maintained through the provincial and local government approval processes. It will become an enhanced local destination in the forest.