SROM 171 Ski Area Planning

School of Hospitality and Tourism

SROM 171 Ski Area Planning provides an introduction to a wide range of ski resort planning and development topics. In SROM 171 you will study the mountain environment, ski resort environmental impact issues and mitigation practices, ski area feasibility and physical site evaluation, ski area planning parameters, and the BC Commercial Alpine Ski Policy. You will learn about the requirements for ski resort mapping and you will practice several ski area planning skills, including topographic map interpretation, slope and fall line analysis, ski resort terrain capacity calculations, and mountain design. Finally, you will study ski resort base area design and ski resort real estate development.

Accessibility Services Notice

Students who would like an academic accommodation and who have a documented disability should contact Accessibility Services, if they have not already done so.

Transfer Agreements

Course to Course transfer – NoBlock Transfer – Yesbctransferguide.ca
Course Details
Total number of weeks15
Total Credits
Total Hours45
Typical hours per week breakdown
Lecture3

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

  1. Describe the role and purposes of ski area planning
  2. Describe the process of release of Crown lands through the B.C. Commercial Alpine Ski Policy
  3. Identify and explain the main components of a ski area master plan document and identify the essential steps of the master planning process
  4. Identify and apply some common ski area planning methods including slope and fall line analysis, ski area capacity calculations and lift/run pod design
  5. Identify and explain the causes of poor design and the significance of elements of community, historical influences, and the aesthetic values of mountain landscape
  6. Identify and explain the elements of quality ski resort (base area) design, including community form and core and appropriate architectural styles
  7. Identify and describe the importance and methods of design control and the impacts and implications of real estate development
  8. Identify the main elements of ski area feasibility including the essential attributes of a promising ski resort site
  9. Identify and describe the main components of a ski area physical site evaluation
  10. Identify important mountain environment features and their impacts on mountain resort design
  11. Identify important mountain environment features related to soils, vegetation and wildlife.appraise a specific building system via an assigned research project
  12. Identify environmental impacts of ski resort development on soils, vegetation, and wildlife; and examine methods of mitigating/minimizing those impacts
  13. Apply techniques of topographic map interpretation
  14. Identify and apply ski area planning parameters

Teaching and Learning Approach

This is a student-centred approach which will blend together theory and practice. Experiential opportunities will be had within the classroom, online, community and in an industry setting where possible

Learning Resources

Required: SROM 171 reference materials, Selkirk College, 2024

Detailed Course Content, Topics, and Sequence Covered

1. Intro Course outline Rules of class conduct In-class exercise planning IQ test What is a riparian zone PP- objectives master plans government requirements Brent Harley website Assign questions Talk about final project 2. Recap objectives Go over questions PP- BC Commercial Alpine Ski Policy Assign questions 3. Recap BC Commercial Alpine Ski Policy Go over questions PP - Physical site requirements Assign questions Assign reading 4. Recap physical site requirements Go over questions PP- Topographic Map interpretation Assign topo map assignment PP- physical site analysis Assign reading Assign questions 5. Recap physical site analysis Take up questions PP-Biogeoclimatic eco system Assign reading Assign questions 6. Field trip to Whitewater to look at physical site and do assessment 7. Recap Biogeoclimatic eco system Take up questions Ski area mapping requirements Assign questions/take up Review for mid term 8. Mid term exam 9. Take up exam PP- distance and area calculation Assign questions Assign final project 10. Take up distance and area calculation PP-Slope analysis map Assign question Assign slope analysis map assignment PP- Generating a fall line analysis map 11. Recap fall line and slope analysis Take up questions PP- Avalanche hazards and ski area planning Assign questions Go through ski area planning parameters PP- mountain terrain calculations PP- mountain planning process PP- ski resort balance Assign questions 12. Recap avalanche hazards, terrain calculations, planning process and resort balance Take up questions Go through space requirements PP- base area design and development Assign questions Assign reading 13. Recap base area design Go over questions PP- resort design influences Assign questions Go over questions 14. Recap resort design influences Take up questions PP- design control and real estate development Assign questions Assign reading 15. Recap real estate development Take up questions Final review 16. Final exam

Assessment

TitleLearning OutcomesValue
Assignment #1 - Topo Map Interpretation4,8,9,13,1410%
Assignment #2 - Slope AnalysisMap 4,8,9,1310%
Assignment #3 - Base Area Design1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,1420%
Midterm Test1,2,3,4,5,6,725%
Final Test8,9,10,11,1225%
Professionalism1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,1410%
Total100%

Grading Table

Standard Academic and Career Programs Grading Table

PercentageLetter GradeGPA
90-100A+4.33
85-89A4.00
80-84A-3.67
76-79B+3.33
72-75B3.00
68-71B-2.67
64-67C+2.33
60-63C2.00
55-59C-1.67
50-54P1.00
0-49F0.00
DNW0.00

See the Academic Calendar for General Information including how to withdraw from course(s) and other regulations.

Disclaimer

Information contained in this course outline is correct at the time of publication. Content of the course is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational, employment and market needs. The instructor will endeavor to provide notice of changes to students as soon as possible. The instructor reserves the right to add or delete material from courses.