Our History
Cypress Provincial Park (CPP) is located within the unceded and ancestral territory of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh speaking peoples, the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. Archaeological evidence in the form of middens at Whyte Lake adjacent to the Provincial Park shows that the area was used by the First Nations people.
In 1995 FCPP was incorporated and became a registered Charitable Society. FCPP has been actively involved since 1990 in the planning process for CPP, including the 1997 CPP Master Plan and 2010 Olympics planning. FCPP has also undertaken many park enhancement projects over the years including production of interpretive signs and brochures, trail improvements and a free summer hiking map.
Friends of Cypress Provincial Park (FCPP) was founded by John Beltz. He was a member of the 1960s Save Cypress Bowl Committee which helped to stop old-growth logging in Cypress Bowl before CPP was created. He was also instrumental in protecting public access in the park after BC Parks’ ski operation was privatized in 1984.
1990
In January 1990 Beltz gathered together several people interested in the park’s natural values and proposed the formation of FCPP. He was aware that BC Parks was about to begin a new CPP Master Plan process and that Cypress Bowl Recreations Ltd. (CBRL), the private ski company in the park, was interested in expanding downhill ski operations onto Hollyburn Mountain. On March 30, 1990 a letter was sent to BC Parks South Coast Regional Director George Trachuck by FCPP’s first chair, Peter Goy. The letter stated: “The purpose of the FCPP is to ensure that the wilderness areas of the park are not any further encroached upon or reduced in size by private, commercial development, or for that matter public development, inconsistent with the preservation of the wilderness nature of the park.”
By 1991 the CPP Master Plan process was well underway with options being developed for commercial ski area expansion, including downhill skiing on Hollyburn. Over the next few years, the planning process became increasingly contentious. Throughout this period FCPP worked closely with other environmental organizations in speaking for park protection and opposing ski area expansion.
1995
In 1995 the Province established a Special Planning Commission (the “Williams Commission”) in response to a lawsuit launched by CBRL against the Province and several BC Parks officials. The Commission recommended against expansion of CBRL’s Controlled Recreation Area (CRA) on Hollyburn and new areas on Black Mountain. But the Commission supported increased development within the CRA:
On Mt. Strachan, which included cutting new ski runs through old-growth forest and building a gondola and restaurant on the south peak.
On Hollyburn, new toboggan runs through old-growth forest in the Nordic area.
In June 1997 BC Parks completed a new CPP Master Plan, incorporating the Special Commission’s recommendations.
1999
In July 1999 FCPP sought a Judicial Review on the interpretation and application of the Park Act in regard to the 1997 CPP Master Plan. A grant from West Coast Environmental Law Association’s Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund helped fund this undertaking. The judge did not agree with FCPP’s position that the dominant purpose and object of the Park Act is protection of the natural environment of parks established in the public interest. Therefore no changes were made in ski development plans.
2001
In 2001 the ski operation was sold to Boyne Resorts, and now operates under the name “Cypress Mountain”. In 2002 a Province newspaper article reported that Boyne Resorts had abandoned the previous owner's plan - to log old-growth forest on Mount Strachan for new ski runs and to construct a mountain-top restaurant and gondola. Boyne’s new plan was to install ski runs with a new lift on the eastern side of Black Mountain, and build new Alpine and Nordic base lodges. At this time Vancouver was preparing a bid for the 2010 Winter Olympics, with plans to hold snowboard, freestyle and aerial events at Cypress. Approval of the new plan was needed before Boyne could agree to host these events. In addition a snowmaking operation, which includes a reservoir was required for Cypress to qualify as an Olympic venue. The proposal to expand ski development onto Black Mountain’s second-growth was accepted by FCPP as a way to prevent construction of the planned Mt. Strachan gondola and restaurant and to protect certain old-growth areas on both Strachan and Hollyburn Ridge. However, the new plan resulted in the loss of the old Baden-Powell Trail route from Cypress Bowl to Black Mountain plateau and the construction of a steeper trail up to the plateau.
2004
In 2004 Vancouver was chosen for the 2010 Winter Olympics. The Cypress ski area master plan was amended and considerable development took place within the downhill ski area as work began for hosting 2010 Olympics skiing and snowboarding events. FCPP remained involved with BC Parks and Cypress Mountain on a number of planning issues associated with the Olympic preparations.
2007
In 2007 CNL Properties purchased Cypress Mountain's assets, but Boyne continues to operate the ski area.
2015
In 2015 the Society marked 25 years of active involvement in the planning process for CPP, including the commercial ski operation within the park. The Society continues to be actively involved with BC Parks and Cypress Mountain on park management and planning matters.
