Forest Service seeks comments proposed improvements at Snowmass

Aspen Skiing Company (ASC) is proposing to replace and realign the aging Coney Glade and Cirque lifts, construct new mountain bike and ski trails, and reroute a hiking trail. If approved, work is anticipated to begin in summer 2024.

The proposals are included in the 2022 Master Development Plan for Snowmass, which the White River National Forest accepted in January 2023.

“Individual proposals within an accepted master development plan are required to undergo an environmental review as part of our normal approval process,” said Aspen-Sopris District Ranger Kevin Warner. “Public comments are a key part of our environmental review.”  

Under the proposal, the existing 1980s-era Coney Glade lift would be replaced with the realigned and renamed Coneygame Lift, which would begin at the Snowmass base, southwest of the Village Express gondola. An angled mid-station would be located near the Spider Sabich area, ending near the existing top terminal. The number of new towers on National Forest System land would be approximately the same as the existing lift.

The existing Cirque Lift would be realigned to eliminate a problematic bend and replaced with another surface lift with an increased capacity of 1,000 people per hour. The bottom terminal of the proposed lift would be located approximately 100 feet west of the current location, ending at approximately the current top terminal.

The proposed 620-foot Blue Grouse Ski Trail Connector would connect the existing Blue Grouse Ski Trail to the entrance Snowmass Terrain Park halfpipe to eliminate cross-traffic issues. The new trail would require cutting approximately 50 trees.

ASC is also proposing to construct a new 970-foot mountain biking trail in the Elk Camp and Meadows area that would connect the existing Vapor and Squeezy mountain biking trails, as well as decommission a 3,200-foot section of the existing Summit Hiking Trail and create a new 5,840-foot trail alignment.

Snowmass Mountain Resort operates on the White River National Forest under a special use permit. The proposed improvements are within their permitted area.  

More information, including the proposal and how to comment, is available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/whiteriver/?project=64153

Comments will be most helpful if received by July 9, 2023.