The Breckenridge Planning Commission is on board with a proposed alpine coaster at Breckenridge Ski Resort.
The commission voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve the project; the plan will go before the Breckenridge Town Council March 23.
“Overall, it was fairly well received as an asset to the town,” Planning Commission chair Rodney Allen said. “We felt it fit into the character of the ski area as another recreational amenity.”
An alpine coaster is similar to an alpine slide, but the sleds run on rails set in a raised track, rather than in a trough. Breckenridge already has an alpine slide. According to Allen, the coaster's potential visual impacts received close scrutiny by the commission.
“There is going to be substantially less visual impact than the current alpine slide, which is out in the open,” Allen said.
The coaster will be located between two ski runs in a healthy stand of trees, comprised of a variety of species. The ski area committed to revegetating the area, should the trees die at some point in the future.
The commissioners also received assurance that the project would be in compliance with the town's outdoor lighting standards.
“There will be lights, but it won't be lit up like a football field,” Allen said.
The ski area could begin construction as early as this summer.
