The High Cost of Skiing

Started by Kelly, Aug 27 2005 06:49 PM

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#1 Kelly

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Posted 27 August 2005 - 06:49 PM

Ever wonder why ticket prices are so high at Squaw Valley Ski Area

http://www.tahoe-wor.../News/108240005

Squaw agrees to $900,000 settlement

By David Bunker
August 24, 2005

Squaw Valley Ski Corporation and the state of California have reached a deal in three-year-old lawsuit over water quality at the ski area, in which the resort will pay $900,000 to the state.

The 26-page lawsuit, filed in 2002, lists nine separate construction projects at the ski resort that allegedly violated federal, state or local environmental laws.

The state alleged that Squaw built ski lifts and ski trails without the proper permits, and dynamited a ski trail into Shirley Canyon despite a court injunction on construction in the area. Because of the construction, soil was discharged into Squaw Creek and two of the creek's tributaries were altered, according to the lawsuit.

The ski lifts, built between 1998 and 1999, include the Headwall and Gold Coast chairs and the funitel.

Despite more than a decade of bad blood between governmental water quality watchdogs and the upscale ski resort, state officials said the agreement, which also includes a long list of environmental improvements and monitoring to be performed by Squaw, may foreshadow a truce between the two.

"It sets the stage to have a better working relationship with Squaw," said Scott Ferguson, a chief watershed officer with the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board.

The proposed agreement will also settle a lawsuit filed by Squaw Valley against the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board alleging that the state agency discriminated against the company and violated the ski company's rights.

Squaw Valley did not return Sierra Sun calls asking for comment as of press time Tuesday.
---------------
A little more history …
Squaw Valley’s history of non-compliance with water qual-
ity requirements extends back into the 1970s. The Lahontan
Board adopted a Cease and Desist Order against Squaw Val-
ley in 1976, and imposed a Stipulated Judgment in 1978. The
Lahontan Board also issued CAOs against Squaw Valley in
January 1983, September 1983, August 1985, and November
1985. In 1992, Squaw Valley settled an enforcement action
resulting from a fuel spill. The Lahontan Board issued an
ACL against Squaw Valley in January 1994, and issued more
CAOs in August 1994, November 1995, March 1998, and March 1999.

Link to above -
www.ca9.uscourts.gov/ca9/newopinions.nsf/ EF998042C56F943C88256ED7004B8690/$file/0217346.pdf?openelement
(see page 6)

www.ropetech.org

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#2 heavenly_romer

HI

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316 Posts:

Interests:yo, my name is Christian, and I live in the San Francisco Bay Area (Berkeley ....sort of) skiing is what I do best, and I love the mountains. Of course I love skilifts too, which is why I'm here. I'd like to learn more about them and maybe work in the Ski industry later on in life. Let it snow.

Posted 27 August 2005 - 08:53 PM

Squaw's season pass prices are ridiculous...I think its about $1600 for adult and $800 for kids. Yikes!

This post has been edited by heavenly_romer: 27 August 2005 - 08:53 PM

-Christian

<a href="http://www.myspace.com/the_skiing_beast" target="_blank">http://www.myspace.com/the_skiing_beast</a>