Snow-covered mountain range with two prominent peaks during sunset or sunrise
A black and white illustration depicting different styles and cuts of leather boots.

Sustainable Resort, Recreation, and Tourism Solutions

RIDGELINE MOUNTAIN PLANNERS

Ridgeline Mountain Planners is a small, collaborative planning practice led by planner Matt Bakker. Over the last decade, Matt has helped shape master plans and management strategies for destination ski areas, local hills, backcountry operators, and mountain communities. Through Ridgeline, we bring that experience to resorts, operators, and communities that want thoughtful, practical, and sustainable resort and outdoor recreation plans.

EXPERIENCE

Past Projects include:

  • Baldy Mountain Resort Master Plan Evaluation

  • Great Bear Heli-Skiing Management Plan

  • Battle Abbey Backcountry Lodge Management Plan

  • Big White Ski Resort Master Plan*

  • Lake Louise Ski Resort Long Range Plan*

  • Bridal Veil Mountain Resort Expression of Interest*

  • Zincton Formal Proposal*

  • Mike Wiegele Heli Skiing Various Projects*, and more.

*These projects were completed while Matt was a planner and project manager at Brent Harley & Associates (BHA).

Matt Bakker - Principal

I grew up skiing, biking, and running in the mountains of BC’s South Coast, and I’ve spent my career helping resorts, operators, and communities design mountain experiences that keep people coming back.

Before founding Ridgeline Mountain Planners, I spent nine years as a resort planner and project manager at Brent Harley & Associates (BHA), working on master plans and management strategies for community hills, regional destinations, and major ski areas across Canada and beyond.

With RMP, you’ll work directly with a planner who understands both the guest experience on the mountain and the operational realities behind terrain, lifts, trails, beds, and approvals—and who can turn that into clear plans and next steps for your operation.

OUR SERVICES

Resort Master Plans
Align lifts, terrain, accommodation, and infrastructure around a clear long-term vision.

Backcountry & Adventure Tourism Management Plans
Secure and update commercial recreation tenures, identify terrain opportunities, and align operations with wildlife and policy constraints.

Site & Recreation Facility Assessments
Understand what’s working, what isn’t, and where to invest next on-mountain, on the trails, or in the village.

Trail & Recreation Network Planning
Plan or refine multi-use trail systems and outdoor amenities that fit your destination or community.

PROJECTS & CLIENTS

Baldy Mountain Resort
Master Plan Evaluation

Great Bear Heli Skiing
Management Plan

Battle Abbey Backcountry Lodge
Lodge Management Plan

Before founding Ridgeline Mountain Planners, Matt worked for nine years with world-renowned resort planners Brent Harley and Associates (BHA) helping deliver master plans for some of North America’s leading resorts and backcountry operators.

Past Projects with BHA

Big White Ski Resort Master Plan

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Lake Louise Ski Area Long Range Plan

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Norquay Gondola Feasibility Study

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Bridal Veil Mountain Resort Expression of Interest

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Zincton Formal Proposal

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Blue Ridge Mountain Resort Master Plan

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Caledon Ski Club Master Plan

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Rose Valley Regional Park Trails Master Plan

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Mike Wiegele Heli Skiing Various Projects

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Whitemantle Heli Sports Management Plan

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Big White Ski Resort Master Plan - Lake Louise Ski Area Long Range Plan - Norquay Gondola Feasibility Study - Bridal Veil Mountain Resort Expression of Interest - Zincton Formal Proposal - Blue Ridge Mountain Resort Master Plan - Caledon Ski Club Master Plan - Rose Valley Regional Park Trails Master Plan - Mike Wiegele Heli Skiing Various Projects - Whitemantle Heli Sports Management Plan -

Contact us.

info@ridgelinemtnplanners.com

North Vancouver, BC
Coast Mountain Range