Laserfiche WebLink
As the skier population and use increases, the demand for a variety <br /> of skiing terrain also increases, particularly in the advanced to expert <br /> category due to the better equipment and young, aggressive "go-for-it" <br /> skiers . Coal Basin offers an opportunity to provide both beginner- <br /> intermediate slopes and a lot of challenging steep terrain (subject to <br /> avalanche control and hazard reduction) for this new generation of <br /> skiers. Such terrain, for example, is being developed and used exten- <br /> sively at Aspen Highlands' "Steeplechase" slopes on the east or Castle <br /> Creek side; the "steeps" on Aspen Mountain; the new runs that drop into <br /> the town of Telluride; the new trails and lifts on the east side of <br /> Copper Mountain; and the lift-served (1978-79 season) "Palivacinni" <br /> avalanche path at Arapahoe Basin that quickly becomes a "mogul field" in <br /> a short time and without the intensive avalanche control measures or <br /> closures. Similar slopes are also heavily used at areas such as Snow- <br /> bird and Alta in Utah, and Jackson Hole in Wyoming. <br /> In connection with this, a "plus" at Coal Basin is the fact that <br /> the area is already on a firm basis for future avalanche hazard fore- <br /> casts and control procedures due to the experience gained since the late <br /> 1950's in eliminating the hazards at the mine portals and along the haul <br /> roads. This experience also includes snowfall records and avalanche <br /> occurrence data plus an investment in gas-powered "avalaunchers", explo- <br /> sives and related equipment and training that can be utilized immediately <br /> by a professional ski patrol. <br /> During 1969 and 1970, I summarized (abstracts, maps, rating forms <br /> and photographs) the Forest Service inventory of potential ski areas on <br /> the White River National Forest. These reports covered nineteen areas <br /> - 5- <br />