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Of~' I" 5 u..J(} ':.';0 DISCUSSION The new quad would extend from the Cafe Suzanne area to the top of the Naked Lady trail. This lift was not proposed by ASCi however, members of the agericy planning team, the public, and I see it as having substantial merit. This quad would be a transport lift to quickly and efficiently move skiers out of the Cafe Suzanne area'to the western pods of the mountain. Since the approved Hanging Valley lift alignment will not serve as a general east-west transport lift, that function may need to be performed by another facility. Two out-of-base high- capacity lifts will have unload stations in the new mid-mountain complex area. Since the bulk of the ski terrain lies to the west, it is imperative to move people in that direction to reduce congestion around the, complex and prevent overcrowding.in the Elk Camp and western Burnt Mountain pods., The Adam's Avenue trail alone will not be adequate to move skiers to the west. Use of this trail requires skiing through the most congested part of the complex, then a slow uphill push and a long traverse with substantial uphill cross-traffic, to get to the Alpine Springs base terminal or back to Fanny Hill. Associated with the Turkey Trot quad is a new fully cleared intermediate ski trail from the top of the Turkey Trot trail to the Slider trail. This trail will help disperse skiers from the' top of the Turkey Trot and Alpine Springs quads. The "Trotter Surface Liftll is recommended as a means of providing beginning skiers a better "on-mountain" experience. This lift would work in conjunction with the Base Village to mid-mountain gondola lower stage. The gondola would deliver beginners to this new ski school lift where they could take lessons and practice on the flat terrain near the complex and then down-load on the gondola to return to the base. In addition to this area being a better skiing environment than Fanny Hill, it will have much better snow conditions, particularly in the spring when the base area snow deteriorates. This lift was described and analyzed as part of FEIS Alternative F. The constructed alignment could go either on the Turkey Trot trail or the lower Bull Run/Gray Wolf trail, depending on which location is determined to be best for skier density and circulation. CONDITIONS The Turkey Trot quad can be used in both the winter and summer seasons. Summer use may be Clesirable for transporting visitors and mountain bikes to trail systems. Final determination of whether the Trotter Surface lift will be constructed and its optimum alignment will be made after adequate monitoring of the skier den$ities and circulation patterns which result from each increment of development in the mid-mountain complex. 9. Cirque Surface Lift A new surface lift may be built from near the top terminal of the Big Burn to the 12,600-foot elevation on the west side of the Cirque. This facility was described and analyzed as a component of FEIS Alternative E. DISCUSSION This lift was not an element in the most recent ASC proposal. The Forest Service planning teartl. determined that over the long term, it would be a desirable component in the MOP. The surface lift would transport skiers high into the treeless alpine environment to experience wide-open gentle gradient skiing, unmatched by lift-served terrain in the Aspen area. This lift would only be used 30 to 40 days a season, depending on annual wind and snow conditions. RECORD OF DECISION Page . 15