BC Complex Gets Creative to Stay Open After Suspicious Fire Destroyed Main Chairlift | The Canadian News

A popular ski resort in Kimberley, British Columbia, was left in ruins after a suspicious fire destroyed the electrical system of its main chairlift, less than 24 hours after opening day.

The fire at the Kimberley Alpine Lodge broke out around 3 a.m. on Dec. 18, according to RCMP Cpl. Christ Manseau, who said police and firefighters are still working to determine the cause.

“It was a total wreck for the controls on that lift,” he said.

“At this point, we will treat him as a suspect until proven otherwise.”

Resorts of the Canadian Rockies Vice President Matt Mosteller described the fire as “really horrible,” particularly as the ski hill was able to open earlier than expected amid excellent snow conditions.

With the main chairlift out of service for the foreseeable future, Mosteller said the staff got creative to ensure the mountain can still have a ski season.

Two additional elevators at the rear of the mountain continue to operate, which can be reached on foot in about half an hour.

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Mosteller said the complex is making arrangements to transport people’s equipment to the other elevators and will deploy snow cats to transport families or others who cannot walk.

“Really, the experience of walking is quite magical,” he said. “It warms you up, it’s kind of an old-school ski style, and then you take a cat trail to the bottom of the tamarack lift to start your day.”

The resort is also considering moving its ski and snowboard park to the base area, he said, and is also considering adding other amenities to the base, such as a skating rink.

The fire on the mountain came just days after another suspicious fire at a gymnastics club in Kimberley, sparking a whirlwind of rumors in the community that the two events could be connected.

Manseau said researchers have so far seen nothing to suggest a link.

“There’s a tendency to think, ‘Oh my God, what’s happening to us?'” Said Kimberley Mayor Don McKormick.

“But they are independent, and I think that, as with all difficulties, what counts is not what happened, but how you deal with it.”

To that end, he said the community has rallied around the two affected companies to help them get through a difficult season.

“Small communities are like that,” he said.

“The truth is that there are many other communities that have it worse than we do, so it is up to us to lift our socks and do the best we can with what we have to work on.”