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Aspen High/twIs Ski Are. - Draft En.iro",""",aJ /mpac' Slale""'" and would minimize the need for large cuts. but clearing of heavy tree cover along a significant ponion of the alignment would be necessary. The average grade of Steeplechase Catwalk would be about 8 percent but the grade. along the middle section would be less than 5 percent. Another 12-foot-wide catwalk (Highland Bowl Catwalk) would extend 5,831 feet from the base of the Steeplecbase Uft up to the base of the Highland Bowl Uft (Figure 2.3). The average grade for this catwalk would be about 15 percent (the grade is about 10 percent for a significant ponion of its length) and it would be used for skier egress from Highland Bowl, service to the base terminal of the Highland Bowl Uft, and evacuation of injured skiers from Highland Bowl. No roads, other than the previously described catwalks. would be constructed for the installation of the Steeplechase and Highland Bowl lifts. The construction components (excluding the base terminals) would be flown in to the site. However, a 1,185-foot-loog service road would be consll'UCted from the end of the existing Loge Peak Road to the top of the Maroon Bowl Lift. A third catwalk would be the Loge Bowl Catwalk, a 1,876-foot-long, 12-foot-wide southward extension of the existing Olympic Catwalk. This would provide an egress route for skiers using the expen terrain in the Loge Bowl area (Figure 2.3). - RESTAURANTS It is proposed that the existing Merry-Go-Round Restaurant at mid-mountain be demolished and a new restaurant facility constructed in the same location. There are two main objectives for this reconstruction. The fIrst is to improve the aesthetic quality of the building since the existing structure is a relocated Safeway store that is out of cbaracter with the surrounding environment. The second objective is to provide a selection of high quality dining services comparable to those available at most other Colorado resons. Although no more than the current seating capacity 0000 is planned. architectural requirements may result in a footprint about 10 percent larger (Le., 19,375 square feet) than the existing footprint. The new restaurant would adhere to Forest Service standards and guidelines for visual quality. PATROL HEADQUARTERS AND OTHER FACILITIES The ski patrol headquaners (pHQ), currently located at the top of the Cloud Nine Lift, would be moved to a new facility to the south of Loge Peak (Figure 2.3) in order to provide access to all areas of the Aspen Highlands Ski Area, including the new terrain served by the proposed lifts. This would enable ski patrols to more rapidly reach injured skiers, particularly in the new terrain areas. Approximately 1,500 square feet would be required for the footprint of the new facility. The pall'ol headquaners would adhere to Forest Service standards and guidelines for visual quality. Power would be supplied underground from the top terminal of the Loge Peak Lift. The existing PHQ building would be either demolished or relocated to improve skier circulation and transformed into an interpretive center and/or warming hut. In addition, the existing powder mixing and storage magazine facility for use in avalancbe conll'Ol, whicb is currently located near the base of the Loge Peak Lift, would be positioned either southeast of the Merry-Go-Round Restaurant on a bench along the Steeplechase Catwalk, or to the south of the upper terminal of the Loge Peak Lift. and just west of the Loge Peak/Highlands ridge. SNOWMAKING The consuuction of a new facility has been proposed to provide better and more consistent ski conditions along the most heavily used ski terrain between the Aspen -Highlands base area and Loge Peak,panicularly during the early ski season. The system would be designed to provide 12 to 18 inches of snow over approximately 303 acres ('127 acres greater than the current coverage) by December 25 of each year. Patch coverage would continue during December and January as required where the snow wears out due to skiing. The ASC and Hines jointly already own a water right in Maroon Creek that could be used to supply the necessary water. The facility would require one building with air compressors and water cooling and pumping equipment and. based on the new snowmaking system at Snowmass, would be about 5,950 square feel in area and 26 feel high. It would also include three pumphouses located at quarterway, midway, and al the lOp of Cloud Nine area. each of whicb would be about 1,360 square feet in area and 21 feet high and each could have one or more optional external cooling 2-10 AlIe.rllDlive. B - Propose.d Actioll Srwwmal:ing