They're not installing new lifts, but Keystone Resort and Breckenridge Ski Resort are asking for Forest Service approval for improvements to the skiing and biking experience and to the efficiencies of on-mountain infrastructure.
A letter was recently released asking for public comment on the proposals, which would likely be implemented late this summer. Comments are due June 24.
White River National Forest supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams wrote in the scoping letter that the proposed projects don't need an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement, however, he's calling for public feedback prior to making a decision.
Keystone hopes to:
Relocate a vault toilet from the top of the tubing hill to the top of the Peru Express chairlift;
Remove two trees near the wastewater treatment facility to improve snowcat parking;
Enhance less than .5 acres of small vegetation regeneration areas on the front side of the mountain by transplanting some species to other areas of the mountain, mainly those affected by the Mountain Pine Beetle;
Remove about 20 trees from the egress routes of the north and south bowls to improve skier exit from the areas as well as grooming of the routes;
Realign three mountain bike trails — Paid in Full, Let it Ride and Eye of the Tiger — to improve the overall bike trail system and decrease soil runoff; and
Develop a Family Adventure Zone in the tree islands surrounding the trail Schoolmaster, involving timber removal and spot grading.
Breckenridge hopes to:
Install a water line on the Freeway trail on Peak 8 to improve snowmaking efficiency, involving 1,300 feet of ground disturbance;
Develop a ski school trail on Peak 7 between Swan City and Monte Cristo, approximately 14 feet wide with disturbance on about an acre;
Install about 2,500 feet of cable to support the race course on American;
Construct hiking trails, approximately 1,000 feet long, from the top of the Colorado SuperChair on Peak 8 and Independence SuperChair on Peak 7;
Realign a trail 50-foot long connection between the Pioneer bike trail and Southside bike trail; and
Install about 1,500 feet of cable from the bottom of Chair 6 to the existing weather station to improve the station's capabilities.
To learn more about the projects, call Dillon Ranger District snow ranger Shelly Grail Braudis at (970) 262-3484.
To submit comments, address them to Scott G. Fitzwilliams, Forest Supervisor c/o Shelly Grail Braudis, Dillon Ranger District, P.O. Box 620, Silverthorne, CO 80498; or email them to wrnf_scoping_comments@fs.fed.us. Include your name, address, telephone number, organization represented (if any) as well as the name of the project and specific facts supporting any concerns.
