PRPA Investing in Shames Mountain’s Future

EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 20, 2025

PRINCE RUPERT, BRITISH COLUMBIA – Shames Mountain can weather northwest BC winters with greater efficiency and reliability with the completion of its Climate Resiliency Project. The Prince Rupert Port Authority’s (PRPA) Community Investment Fund and Shames My Mountain Co-op partnered once again to adapt critical infrastructure and enable the popular outdoor recreational site to operate a safer and more consistent season. With this latest project, PRPA has now committed $521,000 to projects that enhance Shames Mountain for all users. 

The Climate Resiliency project will help Shames Mountain mitigate the impacts of warmer and wetter winters currently predicted by long-term climate forecasts for the region. Improvements include regrading the base of the hill to address lower snowpacks as well as upgrading the lower portion of the mountain to redirect overland waterflow to combat drainage issues. These enhancements are making it safer for skiers, snowboarders, and snow grooming equipment in wet conditions.  

“The Climate Resiliency project is essential to ensuring sustainable future operations at Shames Mountain and enables us to elongate our skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and snowshoeing season without depending on significant early snowfall,” said Christian Theberge, General Manager, My Mountain Co-op Shames Mountain. “We are tremendously grateful for the continued support of the Prince Rupert Port Authority’s Community Investment Fund to enhance our infrastructure and make the mountain safer and more accessible for people from across northwest BC.” 

“Shames Mountain is one of the region’s most important winter outdoor recreational assets and these strategic investments will give current and future generations of residents the opportunity to enjoy all the activities it has to offer for more weeks in the year,” said Shaun Stevenson, President and CEO, Prince Rupert Port Authority. “We are proud to continue to work with Shames My Mountain Co-op to make northwest BC a better place to live and play.” 

PRPA’s Community Investment Fund committed $181,000 to the $431,000 Climate Resiliency Project. This is the fifth time since 2011 that PRPA and Shames My Mountain Co-op have successfully partnered to improve access and safety on the slopes, including: 

• Facility Access and Parking Expansion Project – $160,000 
• Beginner Lift Replacement Project – $80,000 
• Snow Cat and Snow Machine Project – $50,000 
• Grooming Equipment Project – $50,000 

QUICK FACTS: 

• Shames Mountain can now operate with 40cm of snow at the base. Previously, a minimum 80cm of snow was required.
• Around 30,000 people visit Shames Mountain annually. 
• My Mountain Coop was formed in 2011 to purchase the assets of Shames Mountain and to operate the facility as a community service non-profit. 

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ABOUT THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FUND

The Community Investment Fund is financed by a share of the Prince Rupert Port Authority’s annual net income that has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents of the North Coast. By investing these funds into community projects, led mostly by dedicated local volunteers, the Port Authority has been able to share its financial success with the communities that enable it. Since 2010, more than $18.9 million has been committed to the Fund, helping to bring more than 115 local and regional projects to life. Each of these projects has filled an important role in supporting recreation, health and wellness, arts and culture, youth, education, the environment, and other needs in the community. 

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES CONTACT:   
Olivia Mowatt  
Senior Communications Officer 
Prince Rupert Port Authority   
250-627-2588 
omowatt@rupertport.com