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<br />DfJr~,"S3 <br /> <br />3. Sheer Bliss Gondola and Associated Facilities <br /> <br />ASC is authorized to construct a two-stage gondola from Base Village to the <br />11, aDO-foot elevation above the existing Sheer Bliss lift, with a mid-station <br />near the top of the existing Wood Run lift. This facility was described and <br />analyzed as part of FEIS Alternative H. The mid-station facility can. total <br />19,200 sq. ft. with up to 500 restaurant seats. The summit facility will be <br />limited to 10,000 sq. ft. and 250 restaurant seats. Interpretive/environmental <br />centers can be included in either or both the mid- and summit stations. <br /> <br />DISCUSSION <br /> <br />This lift would be a substantial benefit to out-af-base access and to relieving <br />morning congestion in the base areas. The lower stage of this gondola would <br />replace the existing Wood Run fixed-grip chair lift and provide repeat skiing <br />opportunities for beginners on the lower Funnel trail. The upper stage would <br />replace the Sheer Bliss chair lift and would extend approximately 100 vertical <br />feet higher, thus enabling skiing access to Cirque terrain (AMF trail and lower) <br />which is now accessed by walking. The upper stage of the gondola would provide <br />repeat skiing for the entire Sheer Bliss/Big Burn pods. This gondola would be <br />an attractive winter and summer recreation amenity. <br /> <br />CONDITIONS <br /> <br />The final top terminal location will depend upon feasibility verification from <br />ongoing wind monitoring data. Construction of the lower stage of the gondola <br />will require a variance from the State Tramway Board and special design features <br />to meet safety standards. <br /> <br />There are no significant resource issues associated with the use of this <br />facility, thus there would be no restrictions (other than those directed by <br />standard operating procedures) on winter or summer uses. This gondola can be <br />built in addition to, or instead of, the Base Village-to-Burnt Mountain or Base <br />Village-to-Elk Camp gondolas. <br /> <br />4. Sam's Knob Gondola and Associated Facilities <br /> <br />ASC can build a single-stage gondola from Base Village or West Village to the top <br />of Sam's Knob. The gondola base terminal could be located in the vicinity of <br />Base Village Lot A or at the current base terminal location for the Burlingame <br />fixed-grip lift, across from the mall entrance to Fanny Hill. This facility was <br />analyzed as part of FEIS Alternative B. The existing Sam's Knob Restaurant will <br />be redesigned and enlarged to include 20,000 sq. ft. in one or more buildings <br />with up to 700 restaurant seats. <br /> <br />DISCUSSION <br /> <br />This lift would significantly improve out-of-base access capacity and serve as <br />an effective upgrade for the existing Burlingame fixed-grip double chair. It <br />would provide quick, comfortable access to the entire Sam's Knob and Campground <br />pods, and would improve the existing access to the Big Burn/Sheer Bliss areas. <br /> <br />CONDITIONS <br /> <br />The Sam's Knob gondola can be built instead of, or in addition to, any of the <br />other gondola alignments herein authorized. There are no significant resource <br />issues associated with the use of this facility, therefore no restrictions (other <br />than those directed by standard operating procedures) would be placed on winter <br />or summer uses of this facility. <br /> <br />RECORD OF DECISION <br /> <br />Page . 11 <br />