Good things take time, Garibaldi at Squamish resort community founder Wolfgang Richter tells us, talking about the project that's taking another shot at getting provincial government environmental approval. The $5.8B effort, to be built over 25 years (thanks to science, by that time we'll all be 10 years younger than we are now), includes a 25-lift ski area on 124 developed ski trails. Wolfgang, who lives in Whistler, would love to see Santa delivering a ton of shovels this Xmas so workers can start digging by April 2015.

Today, the environment assessment of the project takes another step with an open house from noon to 8pm at West Coast Railway Heritage Park in Squamish for the public to comment—all of which will be factored into the decision. "It's a step forward in the process so that we can move forward towards the final master planning, governance and potential annexation of the subject site to the District of Squamish," Wolfgang tells us.