Whistler Wayfinding Project – BHA out in the field

RMOW, Merje, BHA & Knight Signs teamed up this week for an extensive survey exercise of the implementation of the Whistler Wayfinding Strategy 3rd Phase.  BHA has been working on this exciting project since 2014 with Merje, a design firm from Pennsylvania.  The Wayfinding Strategy included comprehensive vehicular signage, pedestrian access, and bike trail signage as well as online and onsite mapping.  The implementation started in 2016 and is in its final stage of completion.

For more information:

https://www.whistler.ca/media/news/whistler-wayfinding-signage-program-funded-province-british-columbia

https://www.whistler.ca/media/news/new-trails-and-parks-signs-help-wayfinding

https://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/whistler/second-phase-of-wayfinding-project-now-complete/Content?oid=2875234

https://www.whistler.ca/media/news/second-phase-wayfinding-project-now-complete

https://www.whistler.ca/services/transportation/master-wayfinding-and-guest-arrival-experience-strategy-project

https://www.whistler.ca/services/maps

Whistler Wayfinding
Photo: Merje 2016

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BHA Planning in the Spotlight! Big White Slopestyle Athletes Announced

We are more than stoked to see an international event coming up at Big White Bike Park!  BHA has been part of the planning of Big White Bike Park since 2015.  Located at the base of Lara’s Gondola, the Slopestyle Pro Course is one of the most exciting new additions to the bike park amenities for 2018.  Planned to be an event hosting and training facility, the Slopestyle Course is one of the few of its kind in North America, offering an awesome opportunity for the development of Slopestyle Mountain Biking.

So far, 23 riders have confirmed their presences at the Big White Invitational on July 4-7 2018, for more information and the schedule:

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/athlete-announcement-for-big-white-invitational.html

http://www.bigwhite.com/summer/events-activities/big-white-invitational-slopestyle

Big White Invitational Logo
BHA Planning at Big White Bike Park.
Photo: Big White 2018

 

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© 2019 BHA

BHA in Cold Lake Alberta – Kinosoo Resort Master Plan Open House 2018

In the spring of 2018, BHA was selected to developed the Master Plan for Kinosoo Ridge, a ski area located in Cold Lake, Alberta.  As part of the planning exercise, the BHA Team will be leading an exciting series of Open Houses in the Municipal District of Bonnyville on June 19th & 20th 2018.  The community will have the opportunity to give their input on the proposed Master Plan concept for Kinosoo Ridge Snow Resort.

The new Kinosoo Ridge 2018 Master Plan focus on developing an all-season recreation hub unique in the region and possibly turning the resort into a year round destination.

For more information:

https://www.md.bonnyville.ab.ca/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=524

https://www.facebook.com/events/171614853533132/

https://lakelandconnect.net/2018/06/14/m-d-of-bonnyville-council-highlights-3/

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© 2019 BHA

Big White Invites World’s Best to New Slopestyle Course

What better way to celebrate the launch of a new slopestyle course than with a party? Big White will be holding its inaugural invitational slopestyle  event (Big White Invitational) this July 4 – 6. The event, hosted by pro-rider Tom Van Steenbergen, will see 30 of the world’s best riders take on the brand new slopestyle course designed by BHA and built by LOFT Bike Parks (owned by Van Steenbergen). The slopestyle course is comprised of two separate lines, a “gold” and “bronze”, suited to different skill levels, and will act as a qualifying event for Crankworx.

The development of the slopestyle course adds to Big White’s growing reputation as a mountain biking destination. The Big White Bike Park, also designed by BHA, opened last year and will see significant additions this year en route to becoming the mountain biking destination in British Columbia’s Okanagan. You can follow the progress at Bike @ Big White.

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Sea to Sky Gondola in National Geographic

4 years after opening, the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish, BC is still amazing visitors with the beauty of its surrounding landscape. Featured as part of National Geographic’s See 30 Amazing Places in North America series, this eerily beautiful picture of the Sea to Sky suspension bridge taken by Xiao Ling Aw captures the natural wonder just steps from the Gondola’s top terminal.

BHA developed the management plan for the Sea to Sky Gondola, and continues to provide design and planning services as the number of visitors grows. Below is a preliminary 3D visualization of the top terminal developed by BHA during the initial planning process. Though not included in the visualization, the suspension bridge featured in the picture spans from the top terminal to the right over a steep chute (indicated by the smaller trees).

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© 2019 BHA

BHA at 50th Annual CWSAA Spring Conference

With another amazing ski season coming to a close it was time for those in the business of skiing to once again gather, share stories, challenges, innovations, and opportunities at the 50th Annual Canada West Ski Areas Association (CWSAA) Spring Conference. Hosted at Lake Louise Ski Resort, Alberta, the Conference saw three full days of presentations and discussions, and showcased the latest and greatest in ski area design, management, and technology. Brent Harley, President and founder of Brent Harley and Associates (BHA), was honoured with a standing ovation in recognition of his role as a pioneer in ski area design and planning, and his decades of service to the ski industry in Canada. The BHA team was also well represented, attending several of the weekend’s workshops and showcasing BHA’s services to attendees from across Western Canada (though they still found time to sample the local terrain). While a long three days, BHA is looking forward to the 51st Annual CWSAA Spring Conference next year!

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© BHA 2019

Pemberton Trail Master Plan – BHA leads Open House

BHA was excited to lead the first of a series of Public Consultations last night at the Pemberton Community Centre as part of the Pemberton Valley Recreational Trails Master Plan Planning process. The presentation and Open House were designed to capture community insights and suggestions regarding draft recommendations, existing trail issues, and proposed planning elements, as well as the goals and objectives for the Trails Master Plan. Around 70 local trail users and residents showed up and took part in a variety of workshops.

Extensive input from the Pemberton Community – from long time trail users,  young families, users group representatives, to local trail builders. BHA 2018

For more info https://www.slrd.bc.ca/inside-slrd/current-projects-initiatives/pemberton-valley-recreational-trails-master-plan-update

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© 2019 Edward Witwicki

Public Consultation for the Pemberton Valley Recreational Trails Master Plan

BHA staff will be leading a Community Open House at the Pemberton Community Centre on Monday evening (April 9th, 2018) from 6-9pm.  The Community Open House is an important step as we work toward the completion of the updated Pemberton Valley Recreational Trails Master Plan.

A Community Meeting for Lil’wat Nation members will be held in Mount Currie on Tuesday, April 10th from 4:30-7:30pm, and led by Liz Scroggins of Grey Owl Consulting.

Read more here: SLRD to start public consultation on trails ‘master plan’ update.

To see more details, stay up to date, and fill out the Community Survey (starting April 9th), please visit: slrd.bc.ca/PVRTMPupdate or lilwat.ca.

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© BHA 2019

Upgraded Powder Chair coming to Big White!

BHA has been actively engaged in the master planning process for Big White Ski Resort for the past 15 years.  We have recently been working on a new Master Plan designed to improve the quality of skiing, enhance the base area, expand summer season offerings and improve the overall mountain resort experience.  In preparation for this next stage of development, Big White has plenty of upgrades planned for the 2018 season, including a new fixed-grip quad chair to replace the famous Powder Chair.

Read all about the planned improvements in 2018 here.

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© 2019 BHA

BHA Planning comes to reality at MSC

Based on the Master Plan developed by BHA in 2015, the Mansfield Ski Club has undertaken a program of upgrades and improvements in recent years. The club’s members and visitors can now enjoy the new Javelin Triple Chairlift and a new terrain park – The Flight Deck.  Both amenities have been a huge success since their implementation, and resulted from a detailed planning exercise led by BHA that also included the expansion of skiable terrain, a grading plan, resort residential development, and all-season considerations.

For more information on MSC    http://www.mansfieldskiclub.com/

Live action at the new “Flight Deck” terrain park at Mansfield Ski Club. Photo: MSC 2018.
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