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Aspen Highlands Ski Area the Aspen Highlands Ski Area. Currently, a very small number of the public are accessing the mountain during the summer to hike and ride mountain bikes. It appears that these activities would continue but without the Aspen Skiing Company developing or promoting this use. I am approving summer use in concept after construction activities at the base area and on the mountain and will review specific proposals and their compatibility with this EIS and corresponding mitigation. RECREATION * How will increased use of the wilderness be protected? The potential for increased use and access to the wilderness is not likely. To access the wildemess. the visiting public will need to hike approximately 12 miles and climb 900 feet in elevation to reach the summit of Highland Peak. Once atop the peak the wilderness lies to the south. There are no trails into, through. or connecting with other trails for many miles from this point. Because of these factors I do not believe that the Management Area standards and guidelines of (6) people encounters/day would be exceeded. ALPINE SKIING * Will the USFS analytical methodology for estimating total mountain and pod capacity account for the high-speed lift technology, and will the effects of "bottle necking" which constrain the actual terrain capacity of the mountain be analyzed? Will the egress concerns of the narrow north-south ridge, funnel nature of Highlands be analyzed? * How will the general quality of skiing at Highlands be affected? The EIS has described the potential increased use of the ski area. Appendix C, Terrain and Lift Capacity Calculations, illustrates exactly how all the variables are detennined and how they interact. The effects of "bottle necking" are a result of the terrain itself and the numbers of people trying to access other terrain. This outcome can be mitigated and is best handled through day-to-day on the ground management by the ski patrol and lift operations. Over the past ten (10) years, visitation to Colorado ski areas has grown at rates which meet or exceed those predicted in the Regional Guide and Forest Plan. The Aspen/Snowmass area is highly regarded as a destination ski resort which offers a low-density ski experience for a wide range of recreational users. As a result, it serves a broad and diverse market in North America and has had success at attracting international visitors. It also consistently ranks among the top ski areas in .the country in tenns of both skier visits and visitor quality ratings. At the same time, it must compete with other destination ski resorts, both by the experience it offers and by various trends that influence skier visitation at all ski areas. including demographic shifts, lifestyle changes, the state of the economy, and weather, among other things. The quality of skiing was a major concern in my decision. I did not want to jeopardize the existing quality experience. At the same time I am keenly aware of the fact that a number of lifts are over twenty (20) years old and needing replacement. I also recognize the fact that skier habits and technologies have changed. Aspen Highlands Ski Area has approximately 47 percent of the terrain classified as advanced and expert. Because of this opportunity many skiers come to the Aspen Highlands Ski Area for this experience. I believe that the development of the Deep Steeplechase area will add to this experience and do so in a safe manner. On the other hand, I am not yet convinced that the development of the Highland 32 Consideration afEnVlronmental Issues Alpine Skiing