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OJ''1~5 , J_ Chapler 2 - Tire Allernalivu UPGRADES ApPROVED IN 1994 PHAsE I DEVElOPMENT The first phase consisted of upgrades approved for implementation in 1994 (Table 2.1). This phase included the removal of three double-chair lifts (Exhibition I, Loge Peak and Nugget) and replacement of Exhibition I and Loge Peak with high-speed, detachable-quad lifts (Figure 2.1) (USDA-FS I 994a). This component of the developrnem was completed in 1994. The new Exhibition I Lift is 8,600 feet in length and has a delivery capacity of 1,800 pph and the new, extended Loge Peak Lift is 6,500 feet long and has a design capacity of 1,800 pph but is operated at 1,200 pph. Consll'UCtion of an underground utility corridor from the Aspen Highlands base to the Meny-Go-Round Restaurant (6,600-foot-long section) and from the restaurant to Loge Peak (6,700-foot-long section) (Figure 2.1) was approved for this phase but was not initiated in 1994 (Table 2.1). Relocation of the maintenance facility from its current position to the northeast of the Meny-Go-Round Restaurant was also approved and consll'UCtion of the new facility was initiated but not completed in 1994 (Table 2.1). Finally, the approved widening of the T -Lazy-7 Catwalk from Prospector Gulch to the top of the old Nugget chairlift was completed in 1994 as was the approved glading between the following ski trails: St. Moritz to Boomerang, Golden Horn to Park Avenue, Apple Strudel to Moment-of-Truth, and T-Lazy-7 Catwalk and Exhibition I. PMAsEIIDEVELOPMENT The second phase of the approved development pertains to upgrades of ski lifts during or after 1995. This includes the removal of the Grand Prix poma lift and the Cloud Nine and Olympic ehairlifts and the installation of the Exhibition n and the Cloud Nine Express lifts (fable 2.1). The Exhibition n Lift will be a 4,883-foot-long, fIXed-grip, two-passenger lift with a 1,200 pph capacity and the Cloud Nine Express Lift will be a 4,OOO-foot- long fixed-grip or detachable lift with an 1,800 pph capacity. The Grand Prix Lift was removed in 1995 but the remaining approved phase n developments have not yet beeo initiated. OFF-SITE DEVELOPMENTS Developments proposed by Hines for the private land at the base of Aspen Highlands (Figure 2.2) have received general submission approval by Pitkin County. While these developments would be executed independently of on-mOLUltain developments, they would affect the ski area through their impact on base area skier use pallems, access to initial access lifts, skier egress in the Thunderbowl area, skier amenities, and base area lI'ansportation and parking facilities. A brief description of these developments is included here to facilitate understanding of discussions in chapters 3 and 4. The proposed developments include construction of the Aspen Highlands Village (with new accommodation and service facilities), recontouring of some ski terrain in the base area, and improvements of roads servicing the ski area. In addition, the Moore Family Partnership has proposed installing a ski lift from the high school to near the upper terminal of the existing Thunderbowl Lift. Money has also beeo set aside by Hines and the Moore Family for improvements to the Maroon Creek road corridor. Under the base area development, the new skier amenities would be located in buildings 6 and 7 of the proposed village (Hines 1995a). Building 7 would include 6,000 square feet of employee locker, storage, restroom, and office space; 4,200 square feet of public lockers, restrooms, infonnation and reception; and 1,800 square feet of meeting rooms. Building 6 would contain about 250 square feet of ticketing and ski school sales facilities. The High School Lift proposed by the Moore Family Partnership would be located entirely on private property north of the ski area and would not exleod into NFS land (Figure 2.2). It would be a 5,200-foot-long fIXed-grip, two-passenger chairlift extending from the high school up to a point about 200 feet northeast of the current upper terminal of the existing Thunderbowl Lift. It would have a vertical rise of 850 feet and a carrying capacity of 1200 pph. This lift would deliver Aspen public school students, Aspen Valley Ski Club participants, and neighborhood residents to the Aspen Highlands initial access, As such, it would help reduce vehicular trips on the Maroon Creek Road and facilitate skier egress at the end of the day. It would not increase initial access capacity, however, because it would not be direc~y linked to on-mountain distribution lifts. The High School Lift Allernalive A - No Aclion OfJ.Silt! Deve/opmenlS 2-3