2023 - 2024 Far West Skier's Guide - 68

The Far West Ski Association's Public
Affairs portfolio is responsible for a wide variety
of programs and has historically been
very active in a host of areas that impact ski
area development, safety, volunteer liabilities,
transportation, taxation, ski history, environment,
climate change, and diversity in snowsports.
As the " Voice of the Western Skier " it
is our responsibility to present our positions
to the outside world.
We also work to educate our own
members on the impact of changing demographics,
efforts to modernize state ski laws,
expanding snowmaking capabilities, consumer
tendencies, the Forest Service's role in area development,
and to meet various needs based
on demographics such as age, capabilities, interests,
and other factors.
The Association strongly encourages all
snowsports enthusiasts to get informed and
involved in issues that might affect them, by
keeping abreast of industry news, government
activities, area developments, legislation, public
meetings, safety issues, and product developments.
To help you stay informed, we encourage
you to visit our website at
www.fwsa.org, and subscribe to the Far West
News Flash (a no cost monthly electronic newsletter).
AREA
DEVELOPMENT
Independent Ski Resorts
Aspen Snowmass, CO
Aspen Snowmass is owned and operated
by the Aspen Skiing Company. It is comprised
of four skiing/snowboarding areas on four adjacent
mountains in the vicinity of the towns
of Aspen and Snowmass Village. The areas
are Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk,
and Snowmass.
ing from intermediate to advanced terrain
(plus an extension of favorite expert runs such
as Walsh's, Kristi, and Hyrups). This will be
Aspen Mountain's first significant addition
since the opening of the Silver Queen Gondola
in December of 1985.
Mt. Hood Meadows, OR
Mt. Hood Meadows is replacing the Mt.
Hood Express, a high-speed quad with a detachable
six-pack chairlift. Although the new
Leitner-Poma chairlift will not increase speed,
it is expected to increase capacity by 1,000
people per hour, from 2,600 to 3,600.
Bogus Basin, ID
Bogus Basin just completed its 80th season.
The resort has allocated $5 million to a
variety of projects including additional snowmaking
equipment, new runs, expanded beginner
terrain, RFID technology, and increased
lighting for night skiing. Some of the improvements
were accomplished prior to the 2022-23
ski season. During the 2023 off season, Bogus
Basin has installed a new pump on the " back
side " to add more snowmaking capacity.
Brundage Mountain, ID
In 2022 Aspen Skiing Company put forth
a plan to open up 22% more skiable terrain on
the upper, eastern aspects of Aspen Mountain.
The area, called Pandora's, was already within
the company's U.S. Forest Service Special Use
Permit boundary. The project planning and execution
includes a whole systems approach,
which considers environmental health, community
impact, and skiers' experience. The
Board of the Pitkin County Commissioners approved
the plan in November 2022.
Beginning in the 2023 - 2024 season, the
area, which has been skied for years by a
small number of people, will now be accessed
via a high-speed quad and will include 1,220
vertical feet of groomed trails and glades rang68
Far West Skier's Guide 2O23 - 2O24
Brundage Mountain is the 4th largest ski
area in Idaho. Located in McCall it has 1,920
skiable acres and averages 320 inches of snow
per winter. In 2023 the U.S. Forest Service approved
Brundage Mountain's Master Development
Plan, which includes proposals for up
to seven new lifts, including two more highspeed
quads, which could eventually serve
substantial terrain expansions. Brundage is replacing
the Centennial triple chair installed in
1990 with a Doppelmayr high-speed quad in
the summer of 2023. The new quad will cut
the ride time from 16 minutes to six minutes.
The new lift will be in operation for the 202324
ski season.
Big White Ski Resort, BC
For 2023-24 Big White will open a new
luxurious and relaxing spa at Stonebridge
Lodge, where guests can relax and rejuvenate
after an exhilarating day on the slopes. Big
White has also purchased a new groomer with
advanced technology adding to a fleet of 12
groomers. This new groomer will enhance skiing
conditions for guests and increase efficiency
in snow grooming operations. Last year
it replaced 16 cabins on Lara's Gondola. This
year the gondola controls have been upgraded
for safety, reliability, and efficiency. The River
Day Lodge will re-open this winter with many
improvements. Big White will be adding two
new electric vehicle charging stations.
Jackson Hole, WY
After 31 years of ownership, the Kemmerer
family announced in August its intent
to sell Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. The
Kemmerer family bought the Resort in 1992,
and their passion, dedication and commitment
turned the Resort into a world-class destination.
As the family watched the consolidation
of the ski industry, their highest priority was
maintaining the Resort's status as an independent,
family-owned ski area. The Kemmerer
family found the perfect buyers: Teton
County residents, close Kemmerer family
friends and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Board Members Eric Macy, Mike Corbat, their
families and a small, select group of co-investors.
Alterra
Mountain Company
Alterra Mountain Company is comprised
of 15 iconic year-round destination resorts, including
the world's largest heli-ski operation,
offering the Ikon Pass. Its holdings span six
U.S. states and three Canadian provinces. Alterra
owns and operates a range of recreation,
hospitality, real estate development, food and
beverage, retail, and service businesses. The
company headquarters is located in Denver,
Colorado. Alterra Mountain Company is
rooted in the spirit of the mountains and
united by a passion for outdoor adventure.
(www.alterramtnco.com).
Steamboat Resort, CO
Steamboat is moving ahead with a $220
million improvement package which will
make it the second largest ski resort in Colorado.
The big items that are part of the upgrade
include the new Wild Blue Gondola,
which Steamboat describes as " the longest and
fastest 10-person gondola in North America. With
the lower leg opening in 2022-23, and upper leg
opening in 2023-24, the state-of-the-art gondola
will feed skiers/riders through a newly created
mid-station adjacent to Bashor Bowl with the final
destination at the top of Sunshine Peak. " The gondola
will be 3.16 miles long with a total riding
time of 13 minutes. There will also be a new
Beginner Learning Area. The re-graded Rough
Rider/Bashor Basin area will become home to
the Greenhorn Ranch, an area designed for be
http://www.fwsa.org http://www.alterramtnco.com
2023 - 2024 Far West Skier's Guide

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of 2023 - 2024 Far West Skier's Guide
