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Eagle Pass Heliskiing proposing new lodge on Nelles Ranch

Eagle Pass Heliskiing is looking to build a new lodge on Nelles Ranch just outside Revelstoke.
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A drawing of the proposed Eagle Pass Heliskiing lodge.

Eagle Pass Heliskiing is looking to build a new lodge on Nelles Ranch just outside Revelstoke.

An application has been filed with the Columbia-Shuswap Regional District to re-zone the property to allow the construction of an 11-bedroom, 669 square-metre (7,200 square-foot) heli-skiing lodge.

The property, which is located along Highway 23 just south of Revelstoke, is owned by Denny Kaulback. It was originally a ranch before being turned into monthly rental accommodations.

Eagle Pass Heliskiing has used a number of lodges and hotels as a base over the last few years, including Griffin Lake Lodge, the Three Valley Gap Hotel and, for the past two years, Mulvehill Creek Wilderness Inn (that Eagle Pass has dubbed Echo Point Lodge).

The application with the CSRD, which was filed by Kaulback, calls for an amendment to the Area B Official Community Plan to allow the property to be re-designated as resort commercial. If the OCP amendment is successful, the applicants then want to re-zone the property to resort commercial from rural residential.

The property currently has a large residence, a small apartment, barn and storage yard on site. It is being used as rental accomodation, however the CSRD staff report on the application says that a recent fire revealed several building code violations that need to be addressed.

The proposed lodge would be located in a currently-forested area at the north end of the property, away from the existing buildings.

Scott Newsome from Eagle Pass Heliskiing said he couldn’t comment on the company’s plans right now.

“I’ll let you guys know when we come to a decision but as far as right now it’s just speculation,” he said.