Project Investment:

• Island Coastal Economic Trust: $118,650
• Coast Sustainability Trust: $59,325
• Mt Cain Alpine Park Society: $49,325
• In Kind Contribution: $10,000
• Total Budget: $237,300

Project Highlight:

This project has directly contributed to increased skier visitations and employment. It was estimated that Mount Cain had the capacity to increase its skier visits from 200 per day to 300 per day.

Mount Cain is a community-owned ski hill, nestled in the remote backcountry of northern Vancouver Island. It offers a unique experience to skiers, snowboarders and backcountry skiers and is particularly popular with the younger demographic. To support the Regional District of Mount Waddington’s long-term plans of developing Mount Cain Alpine Resort’s attractiveness to both local users and visitors, improvements to the facility’s infrastructure were needed.

Mount Cain Alpine Resort’s essential maintenance, grooming and road grading equipment did not have proper storage facilities. Most of the equipment was repaired and stored outside and exposure to the elements had caused unnecessary damage and expenses.

Completed in 2012, this project included the construction of a new maintenance building with plumbing, concrete flooring, wall framing, siding and roofing. To safely power the building along with existing structures, the power generator was replaced and electrical infrastructure to the site was upgraded with new wiring. Now that the equipment is properly housed, the longevity of the machines is vastly improved and long-term costs to the ski hill are reduced. The new efficient generator has lowered fuel consumption and reduced noise.

The continued development of Mount Cain as an outdoor activity destination supports improved access to recreation, and diversification of the local economy, and has provided new employment to the area. The hill also supports new resident attractions to the North Island, especially the younger outdoors enthusiasts employed in the region’s resource sector.