14 replies to this topic

[Peter]

Forest Service OKs expanding Arapahoe Basin
http://www.summitdai...8/NEWS/61208006

The resort will be allowed to upgrade one lift and add another, resulting in an expansion of skiable terrain from 490 acres to 837 acres
By ROBERT WELLER
the associated press
December 8, 2006

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Summit County, CO Colorado
DENVER — On the eve of its 60th anniversary, the Arapahoe Basin ski area won permission Friday to nearly double its terrain, another bit of good news for the rustic ski area high on the Continental Divide about 70 miles west of Denver.

The U.S. Forest Service, which leases land for the area nicknamed A Basin, said the resort would be allowed to upgrade one lift and add another, resulting in an expansion of skiable terrain from 490 acres to 837 acres.

The new lift would be the area’s seventh.

“Things just keep moving forward for us,” resport spokeswoman Leigh Hierholzer said.

The resort got off to a good start this season by beating out the nearby Loveland ski area for the honor of being first in the nation to open, on Oct. 13.
A Basin, one of the state’s smallest resorts, has the nation’s highest skiable terrain on its East Wall run, which tops out at 13,050 feet.

The expansion means the area will be able to comfortably accomodate 3,910 riders a day, compared with the existing 3,210. The Forest Service also approved 231 additional parking spots.
“If it all goes through, we will start construction this summer and the lift will be operational this summer,” said Hierholzer. It would serve the Montezuma Bowl area, which has been off-limits for skiers.

Hierholzer said no date has been set for upgrading the exiting Exhibition Lift.

She had no cost estimate for the expansion project but said in general a new, basic lift costs more than $1 million.

The expansion was approved because Arapahoe Basin, which drew 325,000 skiers and snowboarders last year, was nearing its capacity, Forest Service spokeswoman Sally Spaulding said.

“This will allow them to be more competitive. It is consistent with what they have in mind,” she said.

[Lift Kid]

Skier, on Dec 9 2006, 05:14 PM, said:

The U.S. Forest Service, which leases land for the area nicknamed A Basin, said the resort would be allowed to upgrade one lift and add another, resulting in an expansion of skiable terrain from 490 acres to 837 acres.

Hierholzer said no date has been set for upgrading the exiting Exhibition Lift.

What would the upgrades be?

[Peter]

There would be a new lift next summer in Montezuma Bowl and an Exhibition quad in the next few years (either fg or high speed).

[liftmech]

Probably fixed-grip. Exo isn't that long, and a detachable lift costs quite a bit more. The Basin does well, but I don't know if they have that kind of coin.

[coskibum]

their plans call for a detach quad to replace exhibition

[Lift Kid]

I agree with Liftmech. Exhibition doesn't seen long enough. Maybe they are just trying to boost their pph.

[poloxskier]

One of the possibilities that I have heard that they are concidering is to replace exhibition and norway with one hsq that has a mid load/unload arround the current top of exhibition.

[Lift Kid]

poloxskier, on Dec 10 2006, 09:42 AM, said:

One of the possibilities that I have heard that they are concidering is to replace exhibition and norway with one hsq that has a mid load/unload arround the current top of exhibition.

That is for sure a better way. I hope they do that instead as it will save a lot of money.

[trooper1556]

hey y'all new member here - i posted some info & maps on this on coloradoskihistory - here's the link:
http://www.coloradoskihistory.com/forum/vi...highlight=basin

[skier691]

Well, a detach will allow for better downloading capabilities, for summer skiing when snow is scarce down to the base

[Lift Dinosaur]

Believe me, they have been through all the scenarios.
As liftmech said, Exo by itself is really too short for the price of a detach. They want to extend Exo uphill 200-400 feet to relieve the congestion at the new mid-mountain resturant/cafeteria.
They have looked at replacing Exo/Norway with a detach with angle station- it would require both uphill and downhill load, which makes it an expensive midstation. The other thing many overlook is if the top of the mountain gets "blown out" by either wind or weather, you loose the WHOLE lift. Right now, Lenawee handles most of their traffic, with Norway being run on busy weekends. They are still Parking Lot limited for total skier capacity, and I think that the extension of Exo as a Fixed Grip is the best solution.
My $0.02-Dino

[afski722]

Anyone know what type of lift they are looking at putting in Montezuma Bowl, and the approximate locations?

[Lift Kid]

On the back of their trail map they have a map of it. They have a little description too. I will scan it in when I get home again.

[Peter]

I think it will be a fixed grip quad

[liftmech]

We'll see. Their management is being pretty tight-lipped about the expansion, possibly to keep the locals from freaking out. You should hear some of the comments that get thrown around whenever that expansion is mentioned. Many people like Montezuma as a backcountry experience and hate the idea that there will be a lift there.

Thought- Now there will be two Montezuma lifts at two neighbouring resorts in the county Confusion abounds... 'yeah, I scored some sweet turns on Montezuma yesterday, brah.' 'Dude, which one? Keystone was full of Front-Rangers.'