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Arapahoe Basin Ski Area terrain expansion moves ahead

In this 2013 file photo, Alan Henceroth, right, COO and general manager of Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, discusses The Beavers expansion with Alan Hansen, center, senior planner with Summit County, and Joe Foreman, background, from the U.S. Forest Service.
jmoylan@summitdaily.com | Summit Daily News

SUMMIT COUNTY — The White River National Forest has released a preliminary environmental report on the proposed terrain expansion at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area.

The document describes the proposed activities in detail and analyzes the potential environmental effects of implementing various projects. A-Basin’s plan calls for the addition of approximately 338 acres of skiing terrain in the Beavers, construction of a new chairlift to access the Beavers terrain, construction of a new surface lift to access Montezuma Bowl, replacement of the Molly Hogan and Pallavicini chairlifts, removal of the Norway chairlift, grading projects to improve operational efficiency and skier circulation, and construction of a zip line canopy tour and a ropes challenge course.

The goal of the project, according to A-Basin’s plan, is to better accommodate existing skiers, maintain the desired skiing experience with comfortable terrain capacities, and provide additional recreational activities for summer guests.



“We have worked for the past two years to get to this point,” said White River Forest supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams. “We are now eager to hear what the public thinks of the alternatives and if there are other considerations to take into account before a final decision is made.”

A public meeting regarding the environmental report will be held at The Keystone Center (1628 St John Road, Dillon) March 2 , from 5-7 p.m. Representatives from the White River National Forest and the ski area will be present to answer questions and provide additional information on this project.



Comments on the environmental report will be accepted until March 21.

For additional information, please contact Roger Poirier, mountain sports program manager, at (970) 945-3245 or visit the White River National Forest website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=41664.

The White River National Forest plans to issue a final decision in fall 2016.


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