Vail & Beaver Creek Ski Area Zoning Options with the WRNF Plan Revision

Beaver Creek and Vail Ski Area Zoning Options
with the White River National Forest (WRNF) Plan Revision

	Beaver Creek Ski Area, owned by Vail Resorts, Inc. (VRI), stated Oct. 14, 1999 that it wants to have McCoy Park zoned for downhill lift served skiing. Being fairly flat, McCoy Park is currently used for cross country skiing; it contains much mature forest and wetlands, and provides critical elk wintering habitat. VRI owns land in McCoy Gulch (yellow); their plans likely entail dropping lifts there to bolster profits from high end real estate development. The WRNF’s draft plan (Alternative D) proposes to limit ski areas to their currently permitted boundaries, which would eliminate the McCoy Park zoning for developed skiing. Yet Vail Resorts is lobbying to zone the area for downhill lift served skiing despite expert wildlife biologists' recommendations to the contrary.
	Meanwhile, Vail Ski Area is still zoned with Alternative D for additional lifts in Category III (although lynx preservation concerns and public opposition may present significant hurdles to additional development there). Mushroom and Benchmark bowls are still on the table for development, and Game Creek may be considered for additional lift served skiing down to Minturn.

Division of Wildlife Biologists on Further Ski Area Expansion with the WRNF Plan Revision
(from their March, 1998 letter to the Forest Service)

“We favor the removal of the 1B/8.22 (ski area zoning) prescription from all such areas currently undeveloped or unpermitted, or areas outside of existing special use permit boundaries. This includes Adam’s Rib, Coal Basin, Rifle, Brewery Hill, Georgia Pass, and Sunlight Peak.”
“McCoy Park/Mud Spring area contains high quality elk calving habitat that needs protection from human disturbance during the spring. The adjoining ski area (Beaver Creek) already has closure to protect calving. This closures should be from May 1 to July 1. This area should also be considered for primitive or semi-primitive travel restrictions to provide buffer for the wilderness.”
“South of Edwards McCoy Park... The elk study is showing this area to be high quality calving and rearing habitat. There could be some conflict with the special use permit for cross country skiing but if no more clearing is done these could be compatible.”
“Commando Bowl and the land between Super Bowl and the private Gilman Property needs to go to wildlife as per Vail Category III Record of Decision. This is for protection of elk and lynx habitats.”
“The Down Junction area…should be closed to human uses from Dec 1 to July 1… The current use of the ‘Minturn Mile’ could be excepted although it is not in keeping with the protection of the wildlife values of the area.”
“Area west of I-70 from east side of Vail permit boundary… should be given a primitive or semi-primitive prescription. This would protect the corridor between the Holy Cross and the Eagles Nest wilderness areas for T&E species travel… This would be in keeping with the mitigaiton for CAT III…”

Action Alerts Colorado Wild's Board of Directors Conservation Organization Links

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P.O. Box 2434
Durango, CO 81302
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Last updated October 30, 2000
© Colorado Wild, 2000

Action Alerts Colorado Wild's Board of Directors Conservation Organization Links

For more information, contact:

Colorado Wild P.O. Box 2434 Durango, CO 81302 Contact Last updated October 30, 2000 © Colorado Wild, 2000

Colorado Wild
P.O. Box 2434
Durango, CO 81302
Contact
Last updated October 30, 2000
© Colorado Wild, 2000