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,,"<C:~' v J.:'..J :::J't Summary Under Alternative B, live tree removal would be limited as much as possible to the lift line and catwalk corridors. Lift corridors would be cleared to a minimum of 60 feet wide in forested stands to meet the Colorado State Passenger Tramway Safety Board (PTSB) standards. Additional di~turbance within the corridor would include excavation of tower foundations and lift terminals. The proposed alignment of the Steeplechase Lift was selected to minimize disturbance of avalanche starting zones and to follow a previously cleared survey line. Table 3. Description of new ski lifts for Alternative B. Length Vert. Rise Ride Time Capacity Skiable Terrain Ski Terrain Lift Type' (feet) (feet) (minutes) (pph)' (acres) Capacity (skiers) Thunderbowl D4C 4000 1350 4 1600 96 962 Sleeplechase F2C 4400 2200 9 1600 209 2027 Highland F2C 4500 1950 9 1200 152 1441 Bowl Maroon Bowl F2C 3900 1850 8 1200 189 1849 D4C - detachable quad chairlift; F2C = double fixed-grip chairlift , pph = persons per hour Much of the ski terrain that would be accessed from the proposed Thunderbowl and Steeplechase lifts is already being used, thereby reducing the need for tree clearing. In terrain serviced by the Highland Bowl and Maroon Bowl lifts, tree removal would also be limited because much of the new terrain would occur in natural bowl openings. Where new ski terrain crosses timbered areas, partial tree clearing (glading) rather than total clearing would be used where possible. Low intensity clearing would focus on the removal of dead and leaning trees, while increasing intensity of tree removal would represent progressively greater changes to the tree stands and habitats. Trees would be tagged prior to removal and would focus on avalanche-damaged trees, snags, and standing and leaning dead trees where possible. The Steeplechase Catwalk, from mid mountain to the base of the Steeplechase Lift, would service the Deep Steeplechase area and provide a backup route for skiers to reach Loge Peak via the Steeplechase Lift in the event that the Loge Peak Lift is out of service. It would also greatly facilitate evacuation of injured skiers from the Steeplechase and Highland Bowl areas. The average grade of Steeplechase Catwalk would be about 8 percent but the grade along the middle section would be less than 5 percent. The average grade of the Highland Bowl Catwalk would be about 15 percent, although it would be about 10 percent for a significant portion of its length. New buildings would include the reconstructed Merry-Go-Round restaurant and the new PHQ. Upgrading the Merry-Go-Round restaurant would not only improve the visual quality of the facility but would provide a range of high quality dining services and four separate cuisines. Relocating the PHQ to the south of Loge Peak would improve ski patrol efficiency throughout the Aspen Highlands Ski Area, including the new terrain. The new snowmaking facility would require one control building (about 5,950 square feet in area) with air compressors and water cooling and pumping equipment, three pumphouses (each about 1,360 square feet in area) located at quarterway, mid mountain, and at the top of Cloud Nine area, and each of which could have one or more external cooling towers (174 square feet in area). This facility could provide 12 to 18 inches of artificial snow over a total of 303 acres (227 acres more than current coverage) of the most commonly used terrain between the Aspen Highlands base area and Loge Peak, particularly during Section /I Allenw/;ves Consid~rl!d in Detail II