Recreation.

The Old Glory Alpine area is a special part of the Rossland Range that is used extensively in summer and winter for non motorized recreation. Ski tourers, snowboarders and snowshoers use it in winter and hikers, horseback riders and others such as bear watchers, berry pickers, naturalists and photographers in summer. The natural obstacles which developed during its many years as a Recreation Area have, to a large extent, prevented use by motorized vehicles such as ATV’s 4 x 4’s and snowmobiles. The area offers peace and tranquility to those who access the area on foot.  

 It is one of only three or four areas in the West Kootenays suitable for ski touring and snowshoeing which is readily accessible from a maintained public highway in winter close to centres of population such as Trail, Rossland, Castlegar, Grand Forks and Nelson. It can be reached generally within 1 hour or less driving time from any of these centres of population.

There are innumerable back country areas in the West Kootenays which can be accessed for motorized recreation. The few areas accessible from a maintained public highway should be protected for pedestrian users.

Wildlife.

The Old Glory Alpine area provides habitat for some of the rarer species of wildlife. The Old Glory area is known to be a denning area for at least two grizzly bears and is the core habitat for others.

Grizzlies in the area are a recovering population that is at the very southern edge of grizzly range in this part of British Columbia . They are of international significance and importance to grizzly bear recovery and conservation efforts. They are the basis of an ecotourism industry, which in a tourist economy like Rossland is an important asset.

Grizzlies need secure unroaded habitat. The Rossland range is the last undisturbed and unroaded island of high elevation grizzly bear year round habitat in the region. There are no areas in the region where wildlife conservation has been undertaken on a large enough scale to make a long-term difference. The Rossland range area is suitable for that purpose along with its high recreational values as part of a comprehensive wildlife conservation plan.

Bobcats are seen in the forest areas around Old Glory.

Motorized recreational use of the Old Glory Alpine area has a negative impact on these animals and would probably drive them to seek other areas for their habitat. Negative impact of motorized access has been well documented in other areas.

Visual Landscape.

Old Glory is a prominent and dominant feature of the landscape to travelers on highway 3 and 3A. It attracts outdoor enthusiasts who see it whilst passing through the area.

It is also a dominant feature seen by skiers from the Long Squaw run at the Red Mountain ski area.

It is important to protect its natural features and ensure that any logging or other resource extraction is undertaken with considerable planning and care to protect not only the visual impact but also address concerns for the community watershed, wildlife and recreation activities in the area.

Economic.

Many people are attracted to live and work in the region because of the wide variety of opportunities for outdoor recreation, including downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, ski touring, snowshoeing in winter and hiking, fishing, sailing, boating, horse riding, mountain bike riding in summer.

The Red Mountain ski area is well known and uses a large part of the Rossland Range.  The ski area boundaries were recently changed to provide for its future development.

There is land in the Rossland Range available to the two local cross-country ski clubs, which provides for 90 kilometres of cross-country ski trails in the area at the Black Jack and Paulson cross country ski areas.

Snowmobilers use mining and logging roads available in all directions from Rossland but especially those on the east side of highway 3B with access to the Mackie and Neptune areas and the network of logging roads on the North side of highway 3.

Snowcat skiing can be experienced with 4 operations within one hours drive in the Bonnington range, at Baldface near Nelson, Qua creek near Whitewater and the Valhallas near Passmore.

Having the Old Glory Alpine area protected for non motorized recreational use complements these other winter activities and adds to the attractiveness of the area for new residents and tourism. It would provide for a wider range of winter activities and would respect the needs of people who choose to access the backcountry on foot, snowshoe or ski.

The Red Mountain base area development has already begun and is projected to increase to nearly 2000 units over the next 15 years with a considerable economic investment of approximately $ 500 million in construction investment and consequent additional income in the area of $ 20 to $ 30 million annually.

The Old Glory Alpine  is a key component in offering lifestyle and recreation activities to attract people to invest in the area and buy condominiums and houses at the Red Mountain base area.

Potential property owners are interested in year round recreational activities and the exceptional summer hiking, biking and horse riding opportunities available in the Old Glory Alpine complement the known winter activities in the Rossland area.