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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-08-20 Support Documentation Town Council Evening Session VAIL TOWN COUNCIL EVENING MEETING TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 1996 7:30 P.M. IN TOV COUNCIL CHAMBERS EXPANDED AGENDA 7:30 P.M. 1. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION. 7:35 P.M. 2. Mauri Nottingham Environmental Quality Awards. Russell Forrest ACTION REQUESTED OF COUNCIL: Recognize award winners. BACKGROUND RATIONALE: The success of Vail as an internationally recognized ski resort is attributable, at least impart to the outstanding natural resources and pristine environmental quality of the area. Ensuring the integrity of our natural resources requires proactive environmental action from government, businesses, residents, and our youth. Using environmentally friendly products, converting to gas firepiaces, recycling, planting trees, and conserving water and electricity are just a few steps that businesses and individuals can take to improve environmental quality. The purpose of the environmental quality award is to encourage businesses and residents to implement creative programs to protect the environment. The three winners for the 1996 Mauri Nottingham Environmental Quality Award are: Byron Brown - Individual Award Coyote Cafe - Business Award John Wright - Student Award 7:50 P.M. 3. Vail Tomorrow Update. Susan Connelly Suzanne Silverthorn ACTION REQUESTED OF COUNCIL: None; for information, only. - 8:00 P.M. 4. Resolution No. 15, Series of 1996, a resolution adopting the Town of Tom Moorhead Vail/Eagle River Water and Sanitation District Joint Funding Agreement. Russell Forrest ACTION REQUESTED OF COUNCIL: Adopt Resolution No. 15, Series of 1996. BACKGROUND RATIONALE: The Town of Vail/Eagle River Water and Sanitation District Joint Funding Agreement will provide a partnership to address water quality, quantity, aquatic life issues in the Gore Valley Watershed with a goal of characterizing, protecting, and improving water quality, stream flow, aquatic life, wetlands, and repairing habitat in the Gore Creek Watershed. The agreement specifies the description of the project, its purpose and scope. The services will be performed between the date of the agreement until August 20, 1997 and the contribution by each party shall not exceed $10,000. n'rw rr ~i.. J..'-w w+..~.. 0.r~ ,.~~..,,v~~~~~~~ur ~~v~v. rrNpruve Kesoiution No. 15, 5eries ot 1996. 8:15 P.M. 5. Appeal of the Design Review Board (DRB) approval of five accessible Andy Knudtsen (handicapped) parking spaces to the Vail Commons development/2099 N. Frontage Road West/an unplatted parcel located north of the I-70 right-of- way, east of Vail das Shone, south of Vail Heights, and west of the Brandess Building. ACTION REQUESTED OF COUNCIL: Uphold/overturn/modify the DRB decision to approve the changes to the site plan. BACKGROUND RATIONALE: In May of 1996, the Town and Warner Development learned of standards for accessibility required by the Fair Housing Act, which exceed the standards of ADA. Vail Commons was one of many developments in the Valley which have been recently modified to comply with the Act. Prior to presenting the changes to DRB, the staff and architect met with the neighbors in Buffehr Creek Park to discuss the proposal. The neighbors' comments were related to the DRB at its July 17, 1996 meeting. In addition, two neighbors and a representative of a third neighbor appeared at the DRB meeting. Several of the neighbors' comments were made conditions to the DRB approval (3-0). STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Uphold the DRB decision. 9:15 P.M. 6. Town Manager's Report. 9:20 P.M. 7. Adjournment. NOTE UPCOMING MEETING START TIMES BELOW: (ALL TIMES ARE APPROXIMATE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE) I I I I I I I THE NEXT VAIL TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR WORK SESSION WILL BE ON TUESDAY, 8/27196, BEGINNING AT 2:00 P.M. IN TOV COUNCIL CHAMBERS. THE FOLLOWING VAIL TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR WORK SESSION WILL BE ON TUESDAY, 913196, BEGINNING AT 2:00 P.M. IN TOV COUNCIL CHAMBERS. THE NEXT VAIL TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR EVENING MEETING WILL BE ON TUESDAY, 9/3/96, BEGINNING AT 7:30 P.M. IN TOV COUNCIL CHAMBERS. IIIIIII Sign language interpretation available upon request with 24 hour notification. Please call 479-2332 voice or 479-2356 TDD for information. C:WGENDA.TCE Memorandum To: Town Council From: Andy Knudtsen Date: August 20, 1996 Subject: Appeal of five accessible (handicapped) parking spaces at the Vail Commons development In May of 1996, the Town and Warner Developments learned of standards for accessibility required by the Fair Housing Act, which exceed the standards of ADA. Vail Commons was one of rnany development in the Valley which have been recently modified to comply with the Act. Prior to presenting the changes to the DRB, the staff and architect met with the neighbors in Buffehr Creek Park to discbxss the prapo5al. 'Ihe neighbors' comments were related to DRB at its July 17 meeting. In add:tioFi, nprghbo~ G and a repre;,entative of a third neighbor appeared at the DRS meeting. Several of Y3~~ At-igMb9pS' commen.ts we~-e made conditions to the DRB approval (3-0). The Council packet includes the following: * The DRB approval form; * The letter of appeal filed by David Sherwood; and * A sample letter, sent to each of the individuals involved in the neighborhood meetings. F:everyone\andy\96_adminlcovshed.820 . Design Review Action Form TOWN OF VAIL Category Number Date -711 Project Name: ('~,4 ? t , Building Name: Project Description: ,c ~~f ~?-c ~ : ~a k ~ ~ r J i , ~(.t-~ ~ fa ~,'S / ~ ~1.~ .cu ~2' ;,l Owner, Address and Phone: / G1~n-t .'1 l/6 r ArchitecUContact, Address and Phone: f~~ taK`yt-~--~~? ~'~"1 , Legal Description: Lot Block Subdivision Zone District Project Street Address: G l'9 ~T t` .ic-c~•- - ~ s~ Comments: Board / Staff Action Motion by: Vote: ~ Seconded by: p/Approval ? Disapproval p Staff Approval- n . Conditions: ~..1 /F"~ • r ' i : - ' + ~ i ,,r1"rT ic j i i 6~ .1 • ~i%~, ll ~ ~ L°r ' • i :i~ GPL.U ~ t Ei.'~ 7 Z~ ~ C-/ /.ye : 1 ~ec. t-( 11-' , Town Planner Date: DRB Fee Pre-paid j-7 /c . , ~ . : ` , : , • . ~ ,/"'r . , j " ? J t Z fi ' ~ . . I ) [F ' ~ 1( J cy k' L. I,~ ! r?; ye i' p. T ? APPE ALS FOR1'f REQUIRED FOR FILI\G AN APPEAL OF A STAFF, DESIG` REVIEW BO:ARD OR PLANNING AND EiV'VIRO\11EtiTAL CONLMISSIO\' ACTION A. ACTION/DECISION BE'G APPEALED: U~//*0~ r~ y . / / ~ C.' ~ N i C G /fl A v C~ /y ~ G - ! r- ~i JC ~-c .Z ~"7 C~ - l>- GCJ G Jf ~E ; B. DATE OF ACTIO\',DECISIO\T: i i C. NA:~fE OF BOARD OR PERSO\T REti'DERI\G THE DECISIO\,R'AKING ACTION: ( K/.~ S ` G, ~-C ? i ~ w~ /.i ' cr ~ ~ i ~ D. "I`TAME OF APPELL.ANT(S): ~Cc r~; S~ •F r w oo ~ i ' NtikrLN-c ADDREss: -7/~ S~ i ' PHYSICAL ADDRESS IN VAIL: c7~ 3~l PHO\TE: '~7 LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF APPELLANT'S P20PERTY I.\T VAII.: Cl _5" E. SIGVATURE(S): v Page 1 of 2 • ~ F. Does this appeal involve a specific parcel of land? If yes, please pro~ide the follm;zn; inron„ are you an adjrrent property o«mer? Yes no If no, eive a detailed explanarion of how you are an "ag,.,giieved or adversely affected person." "Aggrieved or adversely affected person"means any person who will suffer an adverse effect to an interest prote-cted or furthered by this tide. The alleeed adverse interest may be shared in common uzth other members of the comr.7euury at large, but shal( exceed in dezree the general interest in commuruty good shared by all persons. Z-I < ~ d e- 1 h e~ /'GG S P d Zr a ,1 JC i- C E~~, Cz' fY~ Gn ~o l~ C C~eSS -7"l1 ~ G,` / C.-a ---i rn o i~ n , ~ G C• ~ < ~ n ,i~ ,o cC" , Fs F , c lif~ G. Pro-vlde the names and addresse,, (both person's mailing address and property's physical address in vail) of all o'%Nners of property -,rhich are the subject of the appeal and all adjacent properiy owners (including properties separated by a ri(-,ht-of--,ray, m:,am, or other inhn•ening barriers). H. On separzte she.ts of paper, sperify the precis:, nature of the appeal. Please cite specific code secrions harin; relevance to the acrion being appealed. I. FEE: S0.00 F:1EN7ERYONES,ALREiN\APPEAL.'W'PD Pacre 2 of 2 . ~ r u ~y TOWN OF VAIL 75 South Frontage Road Department of Comrnunity Development Vail, Colorado 81657 970-479-21381479-2139 FAX 970-479-2452 August 9, 1996 Loyette and John Goodell 1967 Circle Drive Vail, CO 81657 Dear Loyette and John, As a follow up to our neighborhood meeting in the park, I am writing to update you on the developer's application for the accessible (handicapped) parking spaces at Vail Commons. A neighbor of the project, David Sherwood, has appealed the Design Review Board (DRB) approval and a hearing is scheduled for August 20, at the evening Town Council meeting. As the Council reviews the DRB decision, your uiput is welcome. Many of the comments made at the Buffehr Creek Park meeting on July 11 as well as those made at the DRB hearing on July 17 have been incorporated into the project. Warner Developments is currently integrating the requested changes shown below into the Homeowner's Declarations. 1. The four accessible parking spaces accessed from Chamonix shall not be expanded at any point in the future to accommodate addirional parking. 2. The four accessible parking spaces accessed from Chamonix shall not be connected to any other driveway or parking lot within the Vail Commons development at any point in the firture. The only access allowed to these four spaces shall be from two curb cuts along Chamonix. 3. The Homeowner's Association and City Market shall be responsible for removing snow promptly from the accessible parking spaces and shall not plow snow in such a way as to block the site-lines of the parking spaces to Chamonux. 4. The eight Aspen and 24 shrubs to be planted around the accessible parking spaces shall not encroach onto site-lines. Aspens shall be a minimum of twelve feet from the curb line. In addition, the Vail Police Department has agreed to step up enforcement for the first three months the spaces are constructed and then monitor them regularly thereafter. Thank you for making the rime to be a part of the initial discussions and communicating your issues and concerns. - If you have questions about the Council meeting, which begins at 7:30 p.m., please give me a call. I can be reached directly at 479-2440. Sincerely, 2 ~ . J J 1/ F J Andyknudtsen CP Senior Housing, olicy Planner 3c: Susan Connelly RECYCLEDPAPER I VAIL TOMORROW WORK PROGRAM 1996-1997 TASK 1996 1997 A. KiCK-OFF EVENTS July 19-21 1. Chris Gates at Manor Vail (200 attended) X 2. Community Breakfast at Ford Park (200+ attended) X 3. Community Worship Service at Eagle's Nest (200+ attended) X B. DESCRlBE A GREAT COMMUNlTY July 22 - September 6 1. 11 Community Roundtable Discussions (300 attended) X 2. Community Suggestion Box X 3. Survey of 30 Former Residents X 4. Survey of 4,000 Second Homeowners X 5. Compilation of information obtained and preparation of report X C. IMAGINE VAIL TOMORROW September 6-7 1. Miles Rademan presentation pre-conference X 2. Imagine Vail Tomorrow Conference X - Based on the "criteria" or "values" describing a great resort community, articulate what about Vail should stay the same and what we would like to change for the better D. DOCUMENT VAIL TODAY September 7-October 18 1. Newsletter summarizing Conference outcomes X 2. Research about how Vail measures up now (gap analysis) . X 3. Large group discussions with second homeowners in the cities of X their primary residence (New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas Denver/Front Range) re: results of conference and research, possibletaget goals and possible action a(ternatives to achieve the target goals E. DESCRIBE VAIL TOMORROW November 1-2 1. Describe Vail Tomorrow Conference X - Review research and input from Second Homeowners - Set Target Goals Target Goalsenu of alternative actions for achieving the F. CREATE VAIL TOMORROW November 1996- Apri! 1997 1. Formation of teams around specific Target Goals and/or X action alternatives 2. Team traininq by Matorola team trainers X 3. Team Analysis of the menus of alternative actions X X - may include expert assistance 4. Team recommendations of actions X G. CELEBRATE VAIL TOMORROW April 1997 1. Celebrate Vai! Tomorrow Conference X - Review recommended actions - Take responsibility for implementation - Start to implement actions - Celebrate! H. GUIDE VAIL TOMORROW April 1997 and ongoing X 1. Progress reports 2. Periodic community gatherings 3. Assistance with implementation strategies 4. Set new/ additional goals for action FIEVERYONEISUSAMVAILTOtAWORKPROG. WPD VAIL TOMORROW ENDORSING ORGANIZATIONS AS OF 8/16/9b Chamber of Commerce Vail Va1leyRestaurant Association Colorado West Menta,l Health Vail Alpine Garden Foundation Eagle County Vait Associates Kiwanis Vail Symposium Lionshead Merchants Assoc. Vail Daily Snowboard Outreach Society Vail Mountain School Board Town 'of Minturn Council Vail Valley Theatre Company Town of Vai1 Council, Vail Religious Foundation PEC and DRB Vail Valley Foundation U.S. Forest Service, Vail Valley Tourism and ConventionBureau Holy Cross Ranger District Vail Village Merchants Association Board Presentations have been made to: Vail Recreation District Board Presentations are scheduled for: Vail Business and Professional Women - Wednesday, August 21, 7:45 a.m. Vail Valley Board of Realtors - Tuesday, August 27, 9 a.m. West Vail Lodge School Board - Wednesday, August 28, 6:45 p.m., Edwards Water District Board - Thursday, August 29, 1 p.m. Water District offices, Vail Presentations are to be scheduled with: PTSA for Red Sandstone Elementary School Battle Mountain High School Vail Mounta,in School Partnership for Environmental Education Programs (PEEP) Board Town of Avon Status reports will be delivered or mailed to all endorsing organizations. Updates are scheduled for: Vail Town Council - Tuesday, August 20 [meeting starts at 7:30 p.m.] RESOLUTION NO. 15 SERIES OF 1996 A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE TOWN OF VAIL/EAGLE RIVER WATER AND ' SANITATION DISTRICT JOINT FUNDING AGREEMENT WHEREAS, pursuant to C.R.S. 29-1-203, the Town of Vail wishes to enter into a partnership with the Eagle River Water and Sanitation District (the "District"); and WHEREAS, this will provide a partnership to synthesize and bring together fragmented water resource data to tl`etermine the significance of the observed changes in water quality over time; and WHEREAS, this partnership shall address water quality, quantity and aquatic life issues in the Gore Valley Watershed with a goal of characterizing, protecting, and improving water quality, stream flow, aquatic life, wetlands, and repairing habitat in the Gore Creek Water Shed. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF VAIL, COLORADO THAT: 1. The Town Council hereby adopts the attached Town of Vail/Eagle River Water and Sanitation District Joint Funding Agreement which provides for a contribution by the Town of Vail in an amount not to exceed $10,000. 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage. INTRODUCED, READ, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this day of August, 1996. Robert W. Armour, Mayor ATTEST: Holly L. McCutcheon, Town Clerk C:\RES01-1.196.15 Resolution No. 15, Series of 1996 TOWN OF VAIUEAGLE RIVER WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT JOINT FUNDING AGREEMENT THIS AGREEMENT made is entered into on , 1996 by and between the Town of Vail, a Colorado municipal corporation ("the Town"), and the Eagle River and Sanitation District, a Colorado Metropolitan District (The District). ' WlTNESSETH WHEREAS, pursuant to CRS 29-1-203,. the Town wishes to enter into a partnership with the District to protect water resources and aquatic life in the Gore Creek. NOW, THEREFORE, the parties mutually agree as follows: 1. Project Descri tion Numerous entities within the Vail Valley have collected water resource information over the ' last 20 years to determine the health of Gore Creek. Information indicates that certain water quality parameters have changed over time with the development of the Vai! Valley. There is a need to synthesize and bring together fragmented water resource data to determine the significance of the observed changes in water quality over time. The Vail Valley Consolidated Water District, Upper Eagle Regional Water Authoriry, Upper Eagle Valley Consolidated Sanitation District, and the Town of Vail (The Watershed Partnership) are interested in participating in a watershed management program. The Watershed Partnership shall address water quality, quantity and aquatic life issues in the Gore Valley watershed with the goal of characterizing, protecting and improving water quality, stream flow, aquatic life, wetlands, and riparian habitat in the Gore Creek watershed. Specific objectives of the Watershed Partnership are to: 1) Financially support 50% of the cost of the existing U.S. Geological monitoring station at Dowd Junction. 2) Obtain grant funding to supplement contributions by participants. 3) Collect and synthesize current and historical land use, water quality, water quantity, and aquatic life information for integration into a database to be used by the Watershed Partnership. 4) Analyze new data from the USGS monitoring station and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment along with historical information using a integrated database. This analysis will identify critical water quality trends, the significance af those trends and their relationsilip to aquatic life and land use. 5) Implement best management practices to protect water resources 6) Work with the Colorado Department of Transportation to implement Best Management Practices to reduce water quality impacts from I-70. 1 2. P r~g The intent of the Watershed Partnership is to develop a joint funding agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey (U.S.G.S) to accomplish these goals. The U.S. Geological Survey has developed a joint funding agreement which would be signed by the Eagle River Water and Sanitation District on behalf of the Watershed Partnership. The U.S.G.S, through this agreernent commits to matching every dollar the Watershed Partnership invests in this program. This agreement does not preclude the Watershed Partnership, through unanimous agreement, from obtaining the services of other consultants. 3. Scop.e of Services Attachment A includes a detailed work plan and schedule. The following is a summary of critical actions outlined in Attachment A. Task 1- Compilation of available data. Task 2- Analyze historic data. Task 3- Relate historic information to land use. Task 4- Point and nonpoint source monitoring Task 5- Identify critical relationships between water quality, quantity, aquatic life, and land use in a final report. 4. Personnel The Watershed Partnership agrees to sign an agreement for services with the U.S. Geological Survey to perform the tasks outlined in Attachment A. The U.S. Geological Survey will in effect act as a consultant for this project. Nancy Driver from the U.S. Geological Survey will be responsible for project completion and quality assurance. This agreement does not preclude the Watershed Partnership, through unanimous agreement, from obtaining the services of other consultants. 5. Time of Performance The services set forth in the scope of service above shall commence on the date of this Agreement and be performed on an ongoing basis until August 20, 1997. 6. Compensation Each member of the Watershed Partnership will pay equally for the costs outlined in this scope of service. The total amount each party shall pay will not exceed $10,000. 7. Payment Payments shall be made by the Town based on invoices from the Eagle River Water and Sanitation District. These invoices will identify the tasks completed, hours spent on a task, total cost, and the Tuwn of Vail portion of the cost. The cost payable by the Town of Vail shall not exceed 1/5th of the total cost. If there are no contested items in the District's invoice, the Town will pay the District the amounts due as indicated by the statements submitted by the District within fifteen (15) days of receipt of an itemized statement. If the Town,-in its sole discretion, disagrees 2 with any charge in the District's itemized invoice, the Town will give notice to the District of the Town's disagreement and the parties will work together to resolve the disagreement. Any payment made by the Town shall not constitute a waiver of the right of the Town to require the fulfillment of all terms of this agreement and the delivery of all services embraced in this Agreement complete and satisfactory to the Town in all details within the budget set forth in Paragraph 5 of this Agreement. 8. ReQOrts. Documents All documents, drawings, or plans, drawings, or plans shall become the property of the Watershed Partnership and it is agreed that Eagle River Water and Sanitation District. shall not retain any proprietary rights of said reports, documents, drawings, or plans. 9. Indeoendent Contractor The Watershed Partnership intends to obtain the services of the U.S. Geologicaf Survey as a consultant to help complets the tasks outlined in section 2 of this agreement. Any professional services obtained from the U.S.G.S. or other consultants shall comply with Colorado State Law on independent contractors. The "ConsultanY" is an independent contractor, and nothing contained in this Agreement shall constitute or designate the Consultant or any of the Consultant's employees as agents (except as expressly set forth in this agreement) or employees of the Town. Further, it is agreed that: a) The Town of Vail does not require the Consultant to work exclusively for it; b) The Town of Vail, for whom the services are to be performed, does not establish a quality standard for the Consultant; c) The Town of Vail may supply plans and specifications, but will not oversee the actual work or instruct the Consultant as to how the work will be pertormed; -d) The Town of Vail can terminate the Contract if the Consultant violates the terms of the Contract or fails to produce a result that meets the specifications of the Contract; e) The Town of Vail does not provide training for the Consultant's employees or workers; f) The Town of Vail does not provide tools or benefits to complete the Contract although materials and equipment may be supplied; g) The Town of Vail does not dictate the time of performance except that a completion schedule and range of work hours may be estaMshed; h) Payment for services rendered pursuant to this CcAtract will be made to the trade or business name of the provider of services rather than to the individual; and The Town of Vai{ does not in any way combine its business operations with those of the Consultant. THE CONSULTANT AS AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR IS NOT ENTITLED TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION BENEFITS AND THE CONTRAGTOR IS BUGA l'ED TO PAY FEDERAL AND STATE INCOME TAX ON ANY MONIES EARNED 3 a 10. Insurance The Consultant shall obtain and rnaintain in force for the term of this Agreement the following insurance: a. Comprehensive general Iiability (including personal injury) in an amount not less than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.00) per individual and not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) per occurrence. B. Workman's Compensation and employer liability in accordance with the Workman's Compensation Act of the State of Colorado for employees doing work in Colorado in accordance with this Agreement. C. Automobile liability (including owned, non-owned, and hired) in an amount not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) per individual and not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) per occurrence. D. The above coverages shall be obtained from companies acceptable to the Town. Certificates of Insurance evidencing automobile liability coverage shall be furnished to the Town at the time of the signing of this Agreement. The general liabiliry policy shall include the Town as an additional named insured by policy endorsement. 11. No Waiver No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to constitute a waiver of any other provision of this Agreement, nor such waiver constitute a continuing waiver unless otherwise expressly provided, nor shall the waiver of any default of the terms of this Agreement be deemed a waiver of any subsequent default. 12. Termination The performance of the work provided for in this Agreement may be terminated at any time in whole or, from time to time, in part by the Town for its convenience. Any such termination shall be affected by delivery to the District of a written notice specifying the date upon which termination becomes effective. This Agreement may also be terminated by the District in the event of a material default of any of the terms and conditions of this Pjreement by the Town, provided the District has first provided the Town with written notice of the dtifault and the Town shall have failed to cure the specified default within seven (7) days of receipt of the notice. In the event of termination, the District shall be paid on an hourly billing and expense basis for work satisfactorily completed prior to the date of termination. 13. Jurisdiction Venue and Attorney Fees The jurisdiction and venue of any ;uit or cause of action under this Agreement shall lie in Eagle County, Colorado. If it becomes necessary to bring any cause of action to enforce the terms of this agreement, the prevailing party shall be awarded its legal costs including investigation and attorney fees. 4 14. Point of Contact The points of contact for both parties and any notice provided for in this Agreement shall be deemed given if mailed to the respective parties at the addresses befow. Town of Vail ATTN: Russell Forrest 75 S. Frontage Rd. Vaif, Colorado 81657 ph.970-479-2138 , Tom Huston Eagle River Sanitation and Water District • 846 Forest Rd Vail, CO 81657 ph. 970-476-4089 15. Assignment This Agreement is for expert services of the U.S. Geological Surveys that may not be assigned without the prior written consent of all parties to this Agreement. 16. Compliance with Law The Watershed Partnership will not perform any of the services provided specified in this Agreement contrary to any local, state, federal, or county {aw. 17. Severability Should any section of this Agreement be found to be invafid, ali other sections shaif remain in full force and effect as though severable from the part invalidated. 18. Discrimination The Watershed Partnership shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant for emplayment because of disabi{ity, race, color, age, sex, religion, or national origin. 19. Intention of the Parties This Agreement contains the entire intention of the parties and may only be changed by a written document signed by the parties. 20. Execution The parties have executed this Agreement on , 1996. TOWN OF VAIL By: Robert W. McLaurin, Town Manager Attest: Holly McCutchean, Town Clerk 5 , ~ Eagie River Water and Sanitation District By: ~ Printed on recycled paper i 6 ~ u ~y TOWN OF VAIL 75 South Frontage Road Yail, Colorado 81657 970-479-2100 FAX 970-479-2157 HOLD FOR RELEASE 12 Noon, August 13, 1996 Contact: Bob McLaurin, Town Manager 479-2105 VAIL TOWN MANAGER OUTLINES WORKING ASSUMPTIONS FOR 1997 TOV BUDGET AND 10 YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN (Vail)--The 1997 Town of Vai1 budget will reduce operating expenses through attrition and other internal cuts that will likely be transparent to the publice In additlon, the financial health of the town over the next 10 years will be much improved. During a preview of the upcoming budget process at the Town Council's work session this afternoon (8-13), Town Manager Bob McLaurin outlined a series of working assumptions following a 10-week internal review by his staffe The "strategic financial plan," presented to the Council today reverses a projected $7 million operating deficit projected by the year 2005. Last February, McLaurin and Finance Director Steve Thompson had warned of a growing deficit after plotting the correlation between flat sales tax collections and growing expenses over a 10 year period. The new plan shows elimination of the deficit through personnel savings, reductions in force, reductions in operating expenses and an increase in several revenue sources overthe next decade. "What we're presenting today represents the first step in ensuring the town's long- term financial health," IVIcLaurin said. "We'll continue to monitor the impacts and make whatever adjustments are needed to best serve the community." (more) RECYCLEDPAPER . TOV Budget/Add 1 The framework for the 1997 budget will combine reductions of approximately $500,000 and revenue enhancements of $85,000. The actions, if approved by the Town Council, will generally maintain current service levels and will likely be transparent to residents, guests and second homeowners, McLaurin said, with one exceptfon. The plan proposes to modify library hours by opening at 10 a.m. rather than 9 a.m. and closing at 8 p.m. rather than 9 p.m. However, Sunday hours would be expanded by two hours, from the current 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., to 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The proposed adjustments respond to current visitor patterns and customer requests for expanded Sunday hours, the busiest day of the week. The 1997 plan also would use attrition to cut 7.50 full time equivalent positions firom the town's work force. The full time positions include two police officers, a mechanic, an apprentice carpenter and a custodian, plus several seasonal positions. The police cuts actually represent the current number of .officers on the street and therefore will not reduce existing police service, McLaurin said. Over the 10 year period, the personnel cuts will save the town over $3 million, he said. On the revenue enhancement side, possibilities include fees in the Police Department for vehicle inspection number (VIN) checks and finger printing to reflect comparable fees throughout the valley, plus possible fines for fire and police false alarms. The proposal also includes the possibility of increased parking fines in the commercial core areas and increased fines for traffic violations heard in municipal court. There's also the possibility of increased lease fees in the Vail Transportation Center to reflect improvements to the building's interior and a concept to sell audio advertising on the town's buses. (more) r TOV Budget/Add 2 For the first time in the town's history, the current $31 million 1996 budget reflects zero growth in projected sales tax revenues and a salary freeze for the town's 210 full time employees. The strategy for the 1997 budget assumes a four percent salary increase for the town's workforce and a 3.5 percent increase in sales tax collections. Preparation of the proposed operating budget for 1997 will begin Aug. 23 and will be presented to the Town Council on Nov. 1. The budget will be reviewed during all-day sessions on Nov. 5 and 12. Then it will undergo a public hearing on Nov. 19, followed by final adoption on Dec. 3. Council and community interest in the capital improvements budget wili be high, McLaurin predicted, due to the cost and timing of proposed improvements to the West Vail interchange. An alternative solution, derived from a three-month-long citizen participation process, will be presented to the Town Council for consideration in September. Unless the town finds additional funding partners or chooses to delay the project, McLaurin said, many other capital projects on the town's list may be deferred. Respondents to the town's 1996 annual community survey listed the West Vail interchange as one of its top priorities. For more information on the 1997 budget process, contact McLaurin at 479-2105, or Finance Director Steve Thompson at 479-2116. # # # Media Note: For an advance copy of the presentation materials, piease contact Suzanne Silverthorn at 479-2115. 3 4VA TOWN 75 South Frontage Road Yail, Colorado 81657 970-479-21 DO FAX 970-479-2157 MEDIA ADVISORY August 14, 1996 Contact: Suzanne Silverthorn, 479-2115 Community Information Office VAIL TOWN COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS FOR AUGUST 13 Work Session Briefs Council members present: Armour, Foley, Jewett, Johnston, Kurz, Navas --Town of Vail Strategic Plan and Revenue Forecast Town Manager Bob McLaurin and Finance Director Steve Thompson presented an overview of a proposed 10 year strategic financial plan that reverses a projected $7 million operating deficit projected by the year 2005. The plan was created by a 36 member employee work team following a 10-week review. As proposed, the 1997 budget would use attrition to eliminate 7.5 full time equivalent positions, shift library hours from 68 hours per week to 59 hours per week, plus other operational cuts to reduce the town's spending by $500,000. In addition, the plan proposes $85,000 in revenue enhancements. Those possibilities include fees in the Police Department for vehicle inspection number (VIN) checks and finger printing to reflect comparable fees throughout the valley, plus possible fines for fire and police false alarms. The proposal also includes increased parking fines in the commercial core areas and increased fines for traffic violations heard in municipal court. There's also the possibility of increased lease fees in the Vail Transportation Center to reflect improvements to the building's interior and a concept to sell audio advertising on the town's buses. When plotted over a 10-year period, the proposal balances the town's budget, while keeping reserve funds at 10 percent of revenues. The plan assumes no new additions to the town's workforce over the 10 year period. For additional details, please refer to the news release issued _ August 12, or contact McLaurin at 479-2105. --Community Development Department Overview and Tour In preparation for the 1997 budget, Gouneil members-#oured #he Gommunity Development Department and heard an overview of the department's goals and accomplishments. Among the accomplishments: the opening of a customer service window to provide technical assistance weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; 24-hour turnaround on many complete design review applications; creation of a housing division; leveraging dollars through partnerships for water quality and solid waste studies; creation of a restaurant education program to reduce the number of restaurant incidents requiring the attention of the environmental health officer; and creation of a telephone menu system for greater efficiency. Goals for 1997 include: Lionshead (more) ~,5~ RECYCLEDPAPER v TOV Highlights/Add 1 master planning; responding to action plans created by the Vail Tomorrow project; full implementation of an improved development review process; continued response to inspection requests within 24 hours of each request; implementation of a solid waste plan and Gore Creek Watershed program; completion of the land exchange with the U.S. Forest Service; construction of the Red Sandstone and Public Works affordable housing projects; approval of two additional employee housing developments; and greater efficiencies in the area of code enforcement. Several Council members complimented the department for its emphasis on improved customer service. --Library Budget Tour During a tour of the library, Council members learned how the library staff monitors the needs of its users through circulation patterns, surveys and customer comment cards. The Council also heard about the impacts of new technology on library services. Efficiencies now offered by the Internet, for example, will allow the library to maximize its collections budget to better serve the diverse needs of its customers. The most popular topics for library users include materials on travel, home remodeling, business . (stocks) and health. Council members were invited to attend an open house beginning at 4 p.m. Thursday to celebrate the addition of two new Internet terminals at the library in sponsorship with the Wertheim Foundation and Vailnet. For more information, contact director Annie Fox at 479-2195. --Discussion of 800 MHZ Eagle County Sheriff AJ Johnson presented an overview of a November ballot issue that would raise $4.3 million over three years to create a new 800 megahertz communications system for fire, police and emergency medical systems throughout the county. The new system would enable agencies to communicate on a common frequency. Currently, agencies operate on differing frequency bands and are unable to communicate with one another. Johnson said the county is funding the first phase of the project with an infrastructure investment that will serve the first 3 of 8 sites within the system. Voters will be asked to fund a countywide property tax of 1.5 milfs that would sunset after three years to fund the remainder of the system. That equates to just under $60 a year for three years for the average price of a single family home, Johnson said. With new provisions established by the Federal Communications Commission that will eventually mandate a shift in the current UHF and VHF radio systems, Town Manager Bob McLaurin said Johnson's proposal is logical and one that makes sense. _ If the tax increase passes, the impact on the town would be the $150,000 to $200,000 cost to bring the Public Works Department on line, he said, as well as the cost of ongoing maintenance fees by the system users. If the tax fails, Council members were told the tovarn anrould not-be compelled fa jain the -800_system right away; however, looking to the future, town officials said an 800 system hookup is probably inevitable. The Town of Vail's current radio system was last upgraded in 1988. For more information, contact McLaurin at 479-2105. (more) . TOV Highlights/Add 2 --Information Update Town Attorney Tom Moorhead presented an update on operation of the popcorn wagons in Vail Village and Lionshead. He said the current operator of the Village wagon is being replaced by the tenant. That operator is interested in entering into a lease of the Village wagon at this time that will become effective upon expiration of the current lease. Operators of the popcorn wagons lease space to operate on town- owned property. The current leases expire Dec. 31, 1997. --Council Reports Sybill Navas reported on her attendance at a Northwest Council of Colorado Council of Governments Water Quality/Quantity Committee, in which several water issues were discussed, including a 1041 ordinance to provide greater consistency throughout the region. Ludwig Kurz distributed information on an Eagle Valley River Clean Up scheduled for Sept. 14. The clean up, sponsored by local businesses, Trout Unlimited, Vail Recreation District and Vail Associates, will take place along Gore Creek in Vail and the Eagle River through Eag)e-Vail, Avon and Arrowhead. Call 845-2642 for more information. Bob Armour reported on his attendance at a World Alpine Championship organizing meeting and a welcoming reception for the new chief executive officer for Vail Resorts Inc. --Other The Council voted 4-2 (Navas, Armour against) to donate $500 from council contingency funds to help sponsor a Hot Summer Nights end-of-the-summer season concert at the Ford Amphitheatre on Tuesday, Aug. 27. UPCOMING DISCUSSION TOPICS August 20 Work Session Public Works Windshield tour of Townwide Infrastructure Site Visit, Vail Commons Curb Cuts _ August 20 Evening Meeting Ordinance No. 3, Model Traffic Code Resotution No. 15 re: Water Quality Agreement Appeal of Vail Commons Gurb Cuts Mauri Nottingham Environmental Quality Awards Vail Tomorrow Update August 27 Work Session Public Works Budget Tour # # # TOWN OF UAIL 75 South Frontage Road Yail, Colorado 81657 970-479-2100 FAX 970-479-2157 • MEDIA ADVISORY August 7, 1996 Contact: Suzanne Silverthorn Community Information Office VAIL TOWN COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS FOR AUGUST 6 Work Session Briefs Council members present: Armour, Foley, Jewett, Johnston, Kurz, Navas --Presentation by Jeff Winston re: Courchevel, France Jeff Winston, principal of Winston Associates, a Boulder-based environmentaf planning, urban design and landscape architecture firm, presented an overview of a recent trip he made to Courchevel, France. Courchevel, which was created as a ski resort in 1947, is noted for its ongoing transformation from Lionshead-like architecture (flat roofs and concrete) to an atpine character with pitch roofs. The transformation in exterior renovation and replacement of flat roofs to create a more alpine character, began in earnest 5 years ago, Winston said. Courchevel's master plan provides two incentives for redevelopment: additional density floor area for existing buildings that are redeveloped (does not apply to new construction) and additional setback considerations. The presentation, which offered similarities between Courchevel and Lionshead, was made to provide additional background as the town contemplates redevelopment opportunities and incentive programs for the Lionshead area. For a copy of Winston's handout, please contact the Community Information Office at 479-2115. --Police Department Overview and Tour As partof the 1997 budget preview, Council members toured the Police Department _ and received an overview. Chief Greg Morrison spoke of three philosophies of the department: 1) "community policing" in which members of the community identify priorities and help develop programs based on those priorities; 2) "problem-oriented policing" in which officers probe the roo# of a problem in a proactive manner rather than reactive; and "team policing" in which sergeants, patrol officers and code enforcement officers work in team units for greater accountability and improved relationships. Morrison said the department's 5 patrol teams will share the same shift for six months (summer season, winter season) to provide better service to the community and its guests. Also yesterday, Council members learned about the dispatch communications center and experienced the department's training equipment on firearms decision- making, which is shared with other agencies in the region. (more) RECYCLEDPAPER ? TOV Council Highlights/Add 1 --Municipal Court Overview and Tour In their tour of the Municipal Court, Council members learned of the many efficiencies created by automation of court documents and the town's parking ticket program. Vail's municipal court is a state leader in the implementation of court technology. Buck Allen listed several issues facing the court system as he prepares the 1997 budget: 1) paying for the cost of professional interpreters for non-English speaking participants who come through the judicial process; 2) providing indigents with legal representation; and 3) considering the repetitious nature of the cases filed in the court, meeting the ongoing challenge to treat each case on its own merit. ' --Council Reports During an update on the Eagle County Recreational Authority (Berry Creek Fifth), Ludwig Kurz said representatives from Arrowhead were interested in buying some adjacent land from the school district. It was suggested that a land exchange occur between the recreational authority and the school district, followed by a direct sale to Arrowhead. Kurz said the topic will require further discussion from the parties involved. Bob Armour reported on his attendance at: a Vail Community Task Force meeting in which the Vail Associates merger was discussed, as well as a cooperative marketing program for ski season. The Colorado Card program would involve continuation of a free day of parking during early season, plus discounted parking during specified seasons, including a deeper discount on specified Wednesdays. Discounted lift tickets and various merchant and todging offers would accompany the package. Armour also assisted the Vail Valley Tourism & Convention Bureau in attempting to attract a 500- person conference to Vail in 1999. In addition, he made a presentation on the Vail Tomorrow project to the executive board of Vail Associates and received an endorsement, as well as participated in a Vail Tomorrow roundtable discussion. Evening Session Briefs Council members present: Armour, Foley, Jewett, Johnston, Kurz, Navas --Citizen Participation Jo Staufer, who has previously addressed the Council about what he calls the "urbanization of Ford Park," inquired about the status of the management plan for the _ park, which will need approval by the Town Council. In an update, Assistant Town Manager Pam Brandmeyer said groundwork with the park's user groups has now been completed, enabling the process to be turned back to the public. She said a calendar for the citizen involvement process will be prepared shortly. Next, Brad Haslee, another local resident, said he agreed with Staufer regarding the future of Ford Park. He said he hopes the Council will oppose a concept that would potentially eliminate the softball fields at Ford Park in place of a future parking structure. Representing the Vail Recreation District (VRD), Hermann Staufer said he wanted to dispel rumors that the VRD has proposed a 2,500 seat stadium for Ford Park, which woui'd require a parking structure to accommodate a stadium. Staufer said the VRD has rao intention of proposing a stadium for the park. (more) TOV Council Highlights/Add 2 Next, local resident Rick Sackbauer gave his thanks to the town on behalf of the Bicycle Tour of Colorado, which brought 550 bicyclists to Vail on July 18 for an overnight stay. Sackbauer encouraged the town to work to bring the tour back to Vail next year because of the event's positive economic benefits. Jim Slevin of Vail presented a brief history of the acquisition of Ford Park and asked the Council to remember the park's past in,thinking of its future. Lisa Watts, general manager of the Wren, asked the Council to consider the needs and concerns of the community, along with users of the park in reviewing the Ford Park management plan draft. And lastly under citizen participation, Rodney Johnson, representing Ford Park's softball players, spoke of the value of softball as a recreational asset for Vail. On another note, Johnson expressed his concern about a citation he had received as manager of the Red Lion for exceeding noise levels within the town's amplified sound ordinance. --Legislative Update by Jack Taylor and Dave Wattenberg The Council heard a brief overview of the last legislative session from Rep. Jack Taylor and Sen. Dave Wattenberg. Both talked about their continued opposition to the takings legislation and warned of an uphill battle in continuing to keep the issue from passing the legislature. Sen. Wattenberg said congestion along the I-70 corridor also continued to concern him. Possible solutions, such as light rail or widening of the interstate, are under review, he said, along with mechanisms to pay for such improvements. Following up on discussions from a visit to the Town Council fast year, Taylor and Wattenberg asked for an assessment of the Department of Transportation's job in handing snow removal on I-70 this past winter. Council members agreed the situation was much improved over previous years. --Resolution to Designate Additional Signers for Library Deposit Transactions The Council voted 6-0 to approve a resolution to allow additional signers for library deposit transactions, due to night and weekend shifts. --Vail Interfaith Chapel Request to Proceed through the Process for Expansion The Council voted 6-0 to allow the Vail Interfaith Chapel to proceed through the application process for an expansion which could potentially encroach upon Town of _ Vail-owned property. The Chapel's preliminary design plans show an encroachment of the office space and parking expansion onto Town of Vail-owned stream tract. It has also been determined that the Chapel, as it presently exists, encroaches into that same Town of Vail-owned property. FoU.owing last night's.action, the Planning and Environmental Commission (PEC) will now review the application and will take into consideration all appropriate impacts such as wetlands and design issues, said Town Attorney Tom Moorhead. In the event there would ultimately be approval for a design that encroached upon Town of Vail-owned property, the encroachment issue would need to be addressed between the Town and the Chapel. In addition, an agreement for the portion which presently encroaches upon the Town-owned land will need to be addressed. Council mem,.)ers expressed support for the Chapel's presence in Vail;'. noting its strength and unirlueness in serving six denominations. Council member (more) . TOV Council Highlights/Add 3 Ludwig Kurz said the Chapel is as much a community center as it is a church. Council member Sybill Navas requested that the PEC work with the applicant to avoid or minimize the encroachment. For more information, contact Moorhead at'479-2107. --TCI Update and Overview Fred Lutz, general manager of TCI Cablevision of the Rockies, began his overview with an update on the status of the system rebuild. The current franchise agreement between the Town of Vail and TCI, signed Jan. 5, 1995, provides for installation of a fiber optic network within three years. However, Lutz acknowledged yesterday that due to volatile financial markets, the $5 million rebuild'in Vail, which began last week, will not be completed until late summer of 1998 (a half year later than the franchise provides). The franchise agreement provides for penalties up to $1,000 a day for failure to meet provisions of the contract. Lutz, who replaced former general manger Stan McKinzie this year, said his goal is to provide a quality product for TCI customers and to restore the local_system's financial health. Once the fiber optic network is completed, Vail subscribers will have an array of new services, including high speed data transmission and telephone service, he said. But due to the significant capital investment in rebuilding the system, Lutz said the company is unable to provide a $30,000 operational grant requested by Channel 5 Vail Valley Community Tetevision. In previous years, TCI has provided a portion of Channel 5's operating funds. The $30,000 request for 1996 represents about 30 percent of Channel 5's budget. Brian Hall, board president of Channel 5, told the Council he was disappointed by TCI's decision and that the future of Channel 5 is in jeopardy. Also yesterday, Lutz announced that TCI has received a"must carry" request from KTVD Channel 20, an independent channel in Denver, which must be provided for on the TCI cable lineup by Oct. 7, according to provisions of the federal cable act. Due to the inability of channel space, Lutz said the options for finding a spot for KTVD include either merging Channel 11 (the Town of Vail's character generator station) with Channel 5, or eliminating the free FM service. Council members expressed concern over both options, which resulted in Town Manager Bob McLaurin offering to facilitate a meeting with Lutz, town staff and representatives from Channel 5 to work out a solution. --Town Manager's Report In his town manager's report, Bob McLaurin said frontage road improvements _ associated with the City Market construction in West Vail will begin in about two weeks. The work will include a middle turn lane, accel/decel lanes and drainage improvements from the Brandess Building west to McDonalds. A tie-in to the West Vail Interchange will occur once the scope of that projectas determined. McLaurin also said a redevelopment of the Safeway store is planned and that Safeway will assist with roadway and drainage improvements as well. # # # ~ TOV Council Highlights/Add 4 UPCOMING DISCUSSION TOPICS August 13 Work Session PEC/DRB Review Community Development Budget Tour Library Budget Tour 800 MHZ Radio System Discussion by Sheriff AJ Johnson Present Strategic Plan and Revenue Forecast August 20 Work Session Public Works Windshield Tour of Townwide Infrastructure Site Visit, Vail Commons Curb Cuts August 20 Evening Meeting Ordinance No. 3, Adopting Model Traffic Code Resolution No. 15, re: Water Quality Agreement Appeal of Vail Commons Curb Cuts Mauri Nottingham Environmental Quality Awards August 27 Work Session Lunch at Public Works Tour of Pubiic Works Facility Public Works Overview PEC/DRB Review u ~y TOWN OF VAIL 75 South Frontage Road Yail, Colorado 81657 970-479-2100 FAX 970-479-2157 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 15, 1996 Contact: Jody Doster, 479-2178 Transit Qperations Coordinator TOV BUS ROUTE ACROSS PULIS BRIDGE RETURNS MONDAY (Vail)--The new Pulis Bridge at the intersection of Vail Valley Drive and South Frontage Road in Vall will be put to its final test Monday (8-19) when the town's buses begin utilizing the bridge as part of the regular Golf Course route. Since April, the buses have been re-routed away from the intersection to make way for the new bridge. With construction finished in July, Monday's return of the Golf Course loop will mark the final step in completing the project. In the past, the 40-ft. long buses had difficulty in making left and right-hand turns at the bridge, due to its narrow width. By widening the bridge from 20 feet to an average of 40 feet, Jody Doster, transit operations coordinator, says the town's bus drivers will be able to handle the turns more easily. "We used to dread that intersection9 but now our drivers are looking forward to it because of the improvement to everyone's safety," he said. Beginning Monday, the Golf Course route will depart from the Transportation Center at 7:40 a.m., 9:40 a.m., 11:40 a.m., 1:40 p.m., 3:40 p.m., 5:40 p.m., 7:40 p.m. and 9:40 p.m. From there, the route will run to Golden Peak, the golf course club house and to other stops on the regular route, then across the Pulis Bridge and on to Ford Park (more) RECYCLED PAPER Golf Course Route/Add 1 along South Frontage Road. The temporary route had buses doubling back from the golf course club house with no service to Ford Park along the frontage road. The $600,000 Pulis Bridge project was funded by an 80-20 percent federal grant, with the Town of Vail picking up $125,000 of the cost. The Golf Course service is one of five outlying routes offered by the town's transit system, which is thought to be the largest free operation in the country, carrying about three million passengers per year. For additional information on the Golf Course route, contact Doster at 479-2178. Summer bus schedules are availabfe at the Vail Transportation Center, or call the town's 24-hour bus line at 328-8143. # # # , ~ u ~y TOWN OF VAIL 75 South Frontage Road Yail, Colorado 81657 970-479-2100 FAX 970-479-2157 MEDIA ADVISORY August 14, 1996 Contact: Suzanne Silverthorn, 479-2115 Community Information Office VAIL TOWN COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS FOR AUGUST 13 Work Session Briefs Council members present: Armour, Foley, Jewett, Johnston, Kurz, Navas --Town of Vai! Strategic Plan and Revenue Forecast Town Manager Bob McLaurin and Finance Director Steve Thompson presented an overview of a proposed 10 year strategic financial plan that reverses a projected $7 million operating deficit projected by the year 2005. The plan was created by a 36 member employee work team following a 10-week review. As proposed, the 1997 budget would use attrition to eliminate 7.5 full time equivalent positions, shift library hours from 68 hours per week to 59 hours per week, plus other operational cuts to reduce the town's spending by $500,000. In addition, the plan proposes $85,000 in revenue enhancements. Those possibilities include fees in the Police Department for vehicle inspection number (VIN) checks and finger printing to reflect comparable fees throughout the valley, plus possible fines for fire and police false alarms. The proposal - also includes increased parking fines in the commerciat core areas and increased fines for traffic violations heard in municipal court. There's also the possibility of increased lease fees in the Vail Transportation Center to reflect improvements to the building's interior and a concept to sell audio advertising on the town's buses. When plotted over a 10-year period, the proposal balances the town's budget, whife keeping reserve funds at 10 percent of revenUes. The plan assumes no new additions to the town's workforce over the 10 ysar period. For additional details, please refer to the news release issued August 12, or contact McLaurin at 479-2105. --Community Development Department Overview and Tour In preparation for the 1997 budget, Council rnembers toured the Community Development Department and heard an overview of the department's goals and accomplishments. Among the accomplishments: the opening of a customer service window to provide technical assistance weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; 24-hour turnaround on many complete design review applications; creation of a housing division; leveraging dollars through partnerships for water quality and solid waste studies; creation of a restaurant education program to reduce the number of restaurant incidents requiring the attentior of the environmental health officer; and creation of a telephone menu system for gre, ter efficiency. Goals for 1997 include: Lionshead (more) RECYCLEDPAPER TOV Highlights/Add 1 master planning; responding to action plans created by the Vail Tomorrow project; full implementation of an improved development review process; continued response to inspection requests within 24 hours of each request; implementation of a solid waste plan and Gore Creek Watershed program; completion of the land exchange with the U.S. Forest Service; construction of the Red Sandstone and Public Works affordable housing projects; approval of two additional employee housing developments; and greater efficiencies in the area of code enforcement. Several Council members complimented the department for its emphasis on improved customer service. --Library Budget Tour During a tour of the library, Council members learned how the library staff monitors the needs of its users through circulation patterns, surveys and customer comment cards. The Council also heard about the impacts of new technology on library services. Efficiencies now offered by the Internet, for example, will allow the library to maximize its collections budget to better serve the diverse needs of its customers. The most popular topics for library users include materials on travel, home remodeling, business (stocks) and health. Council members were invited to attend an open house beginning at 4 p.m. Thursday to celebrate the addition of two new Internet terminais at the library , in sponsorship with the Wertheim Foundation and Vailnet. For more information, contact director Annie Fox at 479-2195. --Discussion of 800 MHZ Eagle County Sheriff AJ Johnson presented an overview of a November balfot issue that would raise $4.3 million over three years to create a new 800 megahertz communications system for fire, police and emergency medical systems throughout the county. The new system would enable agencies to communicate on a common frequency. Currently, agencies operate on differing frequency bands and «re unable to communicate with one another. Johnson said the county is funding the first phase of the project with an infrastructure investment that will serve the first 3 of 8 sites within the system. Voters will be asked to fund a countywide property tax of 1.5 mills that would sunset after three years to fund the remainder of the system. That equates to just under $60 a year for three years for the average price of a single family home, Johnson said. With new provisions established by the Federal Communications Commission that will eventually mandate a shift in the current UHF and VHF radio systems, Town Manager Bob McLaurin said Johnson's proposal is logical and one that makes sense. _ If the tax increase passes, the impact on the town would be the $150,000 to $200,000 cost to bring the Public Works Department on line, he said, as well as the cost of ongoing maintenance fees by the system users. If the tax fails, Council members were told the town would not be compelled to join the SOO.system right away; however, looking to the future, town officials said an 800 system hookup is probably inevitable. The Town of Vail's current radio system was last upgradud in 1988. For more information, contact McLaurin at 479-2105. (more) + ~ TOV Highlights/Add 2 --Information Update Town Attorney Tom Moorhead presented an update on operation of the popcorn wagons in Vail Village and Lionshead. He said the current operator of the Village wagon is being replaced by the tenant. That operator is interested in entering into a lease of the Village wagon at this time that will become effective upon expiration of the current lease. Operators of the popcorn wagons lease space to operate on town- owned property. The current leases expire Dec. 31, 1997. --Council Reports Sybill Navas reported on her attendance at a Northwest Council of Colorado Council of Governments Water Quality/Quantity Committee, in which several water issues were discussed, including a 1041 ordinance to provide greater consistency throughout the region. Ludwig Kurz distributed information on an Eagle Valley River Clean Up scheduled for Sept. 14. The clean up, sponsored by local businesses, Trout Unlimited, Vail Recreation District and Vail Associates, will take place along Gore Creek in Vail and the Eagle River through Eagle-Vail, Avon and Arrowhead. Call 845-2642 for more information. Bob Armour reported on his attendance at a World Alpine Championship organizing meeting and a welcoming reception for the new chief executive officer for Vail Resorts Inc. --Other The Council voted 4-2 (Navas, Armour against) to donate $500 from council contingency funds to help sponsor a Hot Summer Nights end-of-the-summer season concert at the Ford Amphitheatre on Tuesday, Aug. 27. UPCOMING DISCUSSION TOPICS August 20 Work Session Public Works Windshield tour of Townwide Infrastructure Site Visit, Vail Commons Curb Cuts _ August 20 Evening Meeting Ordinance No. 3, Model Traffic Code Resolution No. 15 re: Water Quality Agreement Appeal of Vail Commons Curb Cuts Mauri Nottingham Environmental Quality Awards Vail Tomorrow Update August 27 Work Session Public Works Budget Tour # # # r 4 \ ~ 1 TOWN OF VAIL 75 5outh Frontage Road Office of the Town Manager Yail, Colorado 81657 , 970-479-2105/Ftrx 970-479-2157 August 13, 1996 , Mr. Hany Frampton East West Partners • Drawer 2770 100 E.. Thomas Place , Avon, CO 81620 Dear Harry: On behalf of the Town Council, I wanted to thank you for your letter of July 30, 1996. The Council is pleased to see that people are starting to notice that the Town is taking a more systematic approach to public participation. Having been at the epicenter of the Roundabout decision and the V ail Commons process, I am aware of the criticism the Council received for these decisions. I sincerely believe that the past Council was bold and visionary in making these decisions. Our community will benefit from these decisions for many years to come. I also agree that no decision on a given issue will satisfy all the affected interest groups. I wanted to point out that the focus of our recent public participation efforts is not to try to "sell" a particular solution xo the public. But rather, it is a change in our approach to public participation. This new = systematic approach involves defining the process, developing consensus on the nature of the problem, identifying the decision points (and who will make those decisions), establishing ground rules for how the process will be completed, and encouraging citizen involvement throughout the process. The theoretical underpinnings of this approach to public participation is based on the fact that there will never be agreement on substantive issues (e.g., preferred alternative for the West Vail Interchange). However, there can be agreement on what is fair. This approach is based on the premise that an individual or group is more likely to live with an outcome he does not agree with if he perceives that the process that generated the decision was fair, open, and he siad an opportunity RECYCLEDPAPER r to contribute. This is nat to say that everyone will be happy with the outcome, but rather they are . more likely to "live" with the outcome. We believe when.implemented properly, public participation ' makes "hard decisions" easier to implement. In closing let me say the West Vail Interchange is the top priority for the Town of Vail's capital construction program. We are proceeding as rapidly as possible to develop a recommended. ' - alternative, prepare the construction documents, and get the project bid. It is our hope that we can commence construction next spring with a completion later in the summer. For your information, , I have enclosed a project newsletter which provides an update on the project. Harry, once again thank you for your letter. I sincerely appreciate your thoughts, comments, and concerns. We welcome your 'suggestions on the recommended alternatives for this interchange. . Sincerely, ~ . • . Robert W. McLaurin . Town Manager • RWM/aw xc: Vail Town Council • WUP ATE EST hiL D', INTERCHANGE A°g°St 1996 ~ Thank you for taking an active interest in the West Vaii Interchange project. Your participatian in the open house and public meeting discussions serve as an important part of our continuing efforts to resolve the complexities of the Interchange., This update will focus on three altemative solution categories and the comments from the Open House on July 17 and 18. Progress--6 remain out of 24 alternatives After careful analysis of the 24 alternative solutions generated by the public, three directions forpossible alternative solutions include: NarrOWl l fg {~I IG TQp • Signal and metering • Interstate access improvements Alternative Solutions • Intersection design and improvements August 21 nd (6:00 pm to 1;30m) In our next pubtic meeting (see box) wf. will ask you to help us (doors open af 6:00 with presentafion a 6:30) determine the merits of each of the remaining alternative solutions. AUgUSt ZZCId ~~Z:00 pm to 2:00 pm~ Please plan to attend or fax, or phone comments to Suzanne Silverthorn, Town of Vail (fax - 970/479-2157, phone - 970/479- (fI001yS OpG118f 12: 0 with presenfation at 12: O) 2115). West Vail Lodge • Solution Category 1 Signal and Ramp Metering Solution Category 3 InteYSection Design and Improvments ~6mqt` ~tern 1 Qt~~0 ~ 3 ~ernqt~ ~•Z~ Build an additional InvoNes puiting up mastarms and signal underpass with westbound heads at the ramp ond frontage road ~t off-ramp and eastbound intersections with Chamonix Rd. on-ramp just east of the Vail Commons. Traffic would trwel one way. Solution Category 2 1"70 4r Interstate Access Improvments One Large Roundabout, build one or 1wo additional bridges under I-70 and ufllize the roundobout traffic controi found at 2 the Main Vail interchange. 1-70 (np}/`~ ~~ernot~`~ Mvolves moving the ramps to vanous iocations wittiin 5 & V ihe West Vail area to separate traffic movements to Tivo Lane Single Lane dfferent intersections along the fronTage roads. Desr'g» Design 'fwo Roundabouts, similar to the roundabouts at the Main Vail interchnnge, perhaps smalles to fit within ex+sting topography. Alternative Sotution Selection Criteria ln addition, some alternative solutions were suggested to solve ~ other problems, mostly dealing with the north-south access issue In selecting the remaining six possible alternatives, 18 of for pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles. Most of these altematives the 24 alternatives were dropped from consideration can be combined with one of the six remaining alternative because they contained Fatal Desigri Flaws and did not solutions that meet the project objectives, and design criteria. meet the Project Objectives. Including: • • Improving safety by reducing intersection Next: • conflicts and improving sight distances 'I'he project team is working to determine the design • Reducing delays- aa?d congestion by meeting characteristics of each altema'tive. Each of the remaining minimum traffic capacity requirements alternative solutions will be analyzed to determine the best design and location for that aitemative. These will then be presented to • Design and construction economic feasibility the public in the form of a matrix explaining the pros and cons of each alternative solution. Citizen Comments offered at the July 17th and 18th Open House These comments represent a summary of the feedback received. Most of the comments favored Alternative 5. Alternative 1 was the least favorable. inotj`0 Vail currently does not have traffic lights, why & „ . 7 change it." m I believe this would be the most effcient.„ L,F "1 [first choice]. Like this one." "(No.] Let's keep it aesthetically pleasing." "Not bad but I like the Double Lane roundabout better." • "No." ~tOmQt~~ "No--would have to spend more $ [dollars] later on ~ No. Too costly.~~ 2 1 [First choice]. . , [in] additions and adjustments." "Either one [this one orthe Double Lane]." "Like this one." "Prefer one of these two [this one or the Double Lane]." "Affect intermountain adversely." "Like this one." ~ "3rd choice. Remove sidewalks and make "Very efficient, consistent with existing roundabout. turnlanes. Bike/Ped. path behind ramps. Off Cost may be high. Would accommodate for future ramps with ramp metering. development of the valley." "No." "3 [third choice]. Add thru lanes, separate sidewalk/bike path." ernQl„ "Would be temporary fx." ~t~~Lm ~~I believe this would be the~most effcient.„ 2nd choice. Like this one. "Okay." " "Equally easy for drivers to understand-relative to Vail Luke Warm." roundabout. Less expensive than large roundabout." "No." ~\e "Okayif... [design] minimize[s] impact on creek." ~^t/~m "Expensive, but would be easy to understand, „ ' ~ moves traffic effectively and'blends' with existing 2[second choice]. . ~J tra ff i c s t r u c t u r e." Either one [this one or the la r ge roundabout "Prefer one of these two, [this one or the large "Inconvenient." "Absolutely, no." roundabout]." - "Extra travel adds to poilution." Takes up too much room." " "Like this idea the best. Combine it with a Simba [Run] No. Too costly." "Ick." Underpass." Project Staff: 18~~i~ "Just not big enough to handle south side'on/offramps' ~ m and frontage road.." Tovm of Vail - ph# 970J479-2115 "NO." fax# 970/479-2157 "Should handle traffic 99% of the time. [I] like very Larry Grafet tt]uCh." Greg Hall "NO." Suzanne Silverthom "No." " MK Centennial - ph# 303/420-0221 "No. "NO." fa~c# 303/420•2308 Ditk Bauman "Maybe--will not be adequate during pea:; and tater Joe Kracum growth in area." David Woolfall )ennifer Linden , x~. ' ~'"-.~,•.r;.",-';. ! ~ "cL •'Y1 s N O-W - " Y COUNTR. ..~r~ _ I T-OP ~ ~ w ,~,~rj,-f, ~ ~•a • J MK ~ ORT ~ ' • ~ ` RES _ . • • • ti • ~~+rt' . Meet the kmgs of the hiil. SNOw Courrrx,Y)s eighth _ annual rankings reveal the finest ski resort :-3 destinations in North America as determined - by reader surveys and ski area measurements. INCE INFORMATION IS POWER, Sxow CovrrrxY's Top 50 resort • . rankings offer a potent guide to North America's finest ski areas. This year, our 87-page packa.ge is a one-stop source for organizing a - successful ski vacation. Divided into twa regions--the West and the " : East--this special section provides insights into both the highlights and lowlights of the continent's best resorts. ¶ Start with the map on the next page to find out where the Top 50 ski destina- INS I D E: - tions are loca,ted. Then study the Resort Report Cards (West, page 88; East, page 148) to see how our readers scored each area in 23 separate The West: 86 categories. Select those categories that are most important to you, Reader Report Cord: 88 then see vvhich resorts fare best in meeting those needs and desires. The 8i99est & Best 120 Finally, turn to the resort profiles and at-a-glance stat boxes for an informed view of what makes each ski destination tick. Where They Are s4 To find out which resort has the most expert terrain, the best <`:< bumps or the finest dining in town, check out the Biggest and the Best The Eost 146 Z(West, page 120; East, page 164). To find out which resorts are the Report Card:148 y favorites af specific groups-singles, parents, experts or women-ta.ke The 8i99~ ~BesL. 164 o a look at Popularity Contests (West, page 107; East, page 148). y . ~.:s o Now, start planning this season's big trip to the ski resort of your dreams. ~ It could be the start of a beautiful relationship. . 82: SNON COONTBY : September1996 u,y.~h • ~ . . -A, 'c.-y ~ ' ~ 4,~•' - ~,~y. ,~a~,. 1't«:~ ~ea"^ L+ 'i~~",~S aS_ ~~s ~ . - . . . " - ~ ` oft ~ ~ y ••r,i, . r~ r ~ -a~6'~ ~ - t _ . . _ Y; ` '•M ' ~1~ - V ~ ~ t• ~ f + ` ~ . ~ . ~ _ _ ~ ~ . j ~+i. - ..I'-~ . . ' ~ • ~ ~C a - ~ . > f. . ~ . " ~ ' . . ~ ~ _ .r. _ . . . 's`". ~ ~4'.° . _ . ~s ~ • if~ ~W ' a• a~.x . ; ~ .~ry~r,. ~ m , . , _ _ _ • ~ ~ L"` v ~ s ~ ~ ~c~•'~ ~ " . Y. r• ~ , . ~ ' ~ • ~ ~j ~ ~ _ ~ r i~ ~I u - ~ ~4~? ' > ~ ! ' , , + .'e'~~_ Oh- t ~ - • . 1g s*°.~?~,r~s~ - . +.S ^ .s f 4z z~~~~ . ' • - . ' , ~ 1, ~T~ • i~. . •4, ey .H T - . ~ ~ ~ • ; • . Y' :AX e . i ~ a.. • , y ; . ' . ' ' : ` L e a . ~ Y ~°0,,p:144 ~o ~ ~1~,' .s,~ ~ ~ ~ : y ' t~ t . 4 k,,i v_~~~~wv~..~ . t r~ f ~ z s ~ \ + 1 i~ 4 t,~,~'!•~ Y~, "S t~..'k ,+~,+r ~I ~1'~ ~ l1 ' ~ ~ ? ~ i ~ ~~.N ~a ; - ~ ~ ? Sx~t.y ''~M~ y~~ ° x:~ 15 i~~ p` ~ ~ i . • ~j ti~-a . . ~i Y , " c r= ~ ~bP ? ~ ~'p~~y ~ a , 1 ~ t ~ ' tYd~F ~ 4'i:e - x . + 1 T a'^ _ y-" .~.}.t ~ \ ~k,~, y- iff, '°ti , y ~ .~'~l ti. = ~ ` 10 .,r~ - . h ~y~tl ~i: ~ ~ i°:, l~' P{\'1 ( ~ m ;tir ~ ~ \ ' , . ~y. ' '~~tit~i~. •~!`~t.~~ ~ Utah s . ~ Lak` ~ .t ~,~yL~ ~ i~r `«4 . ~ ? ` ,C n~' ~l~~41.j~ 4~•, yd ~ , , ~ ti ~~wt1 k•Zk~~^`tii'~~..t,t ~1~;r, f~ x~, i~ 84 : SNBM COUNTRY : September 1996 ~ E Y . ere T Are . . . , J , ~ , , . _ ; t . - ~ j ~ r ~ ~ Y ~3 ~,y ~ -.w. N ~ ;1 . ~ r ~ , . l ~a ~ ~7j~~ ~ \ t t t 4 . r~ ~5 ~ M~• , R. . ~ \ f 1 . t• y~ „__"t~"~~:~~ ''~t ? ~ ~ ~ ; },`.Y h ? v ~ ; . 1 Z , 1 ~;~~'#'.5'~il o , ~ ~ , ; . i~•~~~ 1r , : k ~ ~ ' ;~n~ ~~``s,,.e •r ~ • ? ~,~jb, ' 3~1~ , eik • y{ ,~p~'~~ ~ ~~r , ~ 7.~~~ ? , G('~'~L4C ~ a? ~ i~~ ? ' , i\ a 4n: q . t ~ ~ IfOIT1~8, f ~ . ~ ve' ~ ~ ,'~ip~.~ ~Y ~ ' * x•' 2z ~r t ~ r '.=z , . y . ered .aro~ r' xES0~9 ~ ~ e.k e ep loca.ti 3~6 ~Lble: t s " , v . ~ tleWSr\VV~l.1dPt, V ng ~ a I c~ F ` .r ~ . ~~''Z ~a,y ~ "~~...~•~\~L 1r*~, 11. ~i•~~ry i _ ~ L+ T (+'v ?w~ ` . IVy ~;4 `G a C^ C ~ ~ K C' \f~`~ ~l ~1 i •1~~C ~ ~ . _ ~ . , i.t. - i 4 . - ~ "~w • i` ~ -,\R i ~ ~a ~~;Sry^'~~~ ; L 4~a s• :j,. ~a~'~ ~t . t. f _ d'~\*~',~li'~y5t''~•?'~^e!i.1 ~'r~,FrL,~{~y~'~ ~,~5~.~'.~.>, . '~t ~°~f!•~:' ~a i ~:~1~ 1~~:•~'~! `i~4~.~''e-"~~"u .~x`~;.L~~iu ; , . ~'t.~'t. - ~ y ` ` f..• . S` ~r ` _m N :,s `i ' ° ~ ` ' ~s a~•.Z t, . ~ " - ~ I * k~~~ ' ` • ~ ~ ~ _ i'_ ~ . . i\ 7 19 . . • ~ . , ~ - ~ . C tt 9 ~ 't _ ~•y : . ij' , i . ~ IW . il _ . ~ ~ ~ . f.~ ,e t`C.: ~ • ~ti^'~~ : ~VS;~ , ' , • "'•2 : j . t,r September 1996 : SHOW COUNT81 : 85 ~ ~ TH ti- ' _ ~"~a... ;a?. ° i N+-- - I ~ i i ii 'i I I . p - _ It's epic, the great American dream. And it's all true. x~'x ; With dazzling snow, superior service and j aw-dropping terrain, the North American West is the skiing world's promised land. ELCOME TO SKIING and snowboarding the way it should ; be. Limitless terrain. Endless vistas. Bottomless powder. Won- =fP i derful food. From the rugged Front Range of the Rockies to t~ ~ British Columbia's stunning Coastal mountains, the sport smiles its broadest here. Whether its 43 annual feet of pinch- yZ f ~ me-I'm-dreaming Alta, powder, a 10-month ski season at Tim- p~ ~ berline or 5,280 vertical feet at Whistler Resort, this is the sport ~ at its finest. ¶ Our 37 best-in-the-West resorts are staying ahead `of the x~ 04 ~ pack by reinvesting in their mountains with expanded terrain, new high- Z 'I speed lifts, commodious lodges and effective base villages-upgrades all focused on catering to the customer. Among the many improvements, we've _ been especially impressed by: the inaugura.tion of Telluride's new 2/2-mile- • , long gondola, which links the old town to the resorts new mountain village and its main slopes; Vail's record $150 million in capital improvements, led by the new 83,000-square-foot Golden Aeak base lodge at Vail and the z° linking of Beaver Creek and Arrowhead resorts; and the development of i z' a ~ Mornin gside Park, Steamboat's first terrain expansion in a dozen years. j But the biggest news may be what's not happening at several resorts._ ~ Namely, snowboard bans. Alpine Meadows, Keystone, and Park City now jz y~ ~ welcome riders. This leaves Alta, Aspen Mountain, Deer Valley, and Taos as the only skier-exclusive resorts among the Top 50. Meet all of the West's best over the next 57 pages. . ~ . . e'•sf x 1 8 6 : SNOW COUNTBY : September 1996 ~ • , ~ _ _ 5 G~-.,' ~ 'Yl 1 J M ~ ' ? ~ `d' ~ ~~'V ~d ~+U ~ R • ~l .~~~1 • ~ ~~tt~~ 5 i~ 'i ~ .A ~F ~ ~ 1 - .;Y,' ''r:~/~ y ~ ~Tj 4 , ~ ~},~'1~~~~ . ..f-,• •'~t+ - ~,~t ,`'~Y,~"°y~i'~y -~7' ~b9`,~ ~ ~ F~ ir a. ~ " f i .7~, r ~^::Y r~F'~~''. ~ , 3 INi t .4. _Mj ~'so- ~ ~'~i~~j.~C~S~Ifr~ c~~ r~.~ ' v -'4 Y7 : }tin<'~. ~ j L +~~J s.', ~,i.~•~'°,1~~~~~ r~£4 ^;y ~`~tti..~~~1 v s~~.~'~='}~':~~ ~ t-~~'. ,h. ' .,t~ i.• - ~ r' i~ ~ v~~. .i.8>>, -q~. :_~f~~p?p~,^ - "1~..~~ b'~1 a:" •3.~4%5V( ~~~t';~\~t~ ~.~.t,~ ~kt,. rr. 'Ei . •.sc:, -r ~ q ' f .a s . ~ ~t ~,'-c ~ . / ~ ~ ~ - •~~~i7't,ii~4~ t.~_..'n S `.1 i~'c~ u . r~ ~ . . ~ ~ ~`i ~ ,i ` 1 Z~ ~i\t~~.,~ -.'y.. T 1 f- ~r~" f ~ Y ~,~~E-~. } •i t L; ~ \ ~w~.`d-~ Ai. ~ ,...~f •4 ~ d a.X ~a ~'i~~r ~ k x ~ J~` 1`. L~~ ~ ~i, .,,a, ? ` R 3 ~ :`r, ~?~1~, - ~;~4 S~ ` ` t~ : 7`~ ` \ W. ~ 77 . . . . , ~ 1, ~ e~t ~ r~ , ~ ~ g . x• `~i"9 ~ • ~ ~~~a + s~ , ~ I ' ~,~n ' SiEAMBOAT S4uAw vALLEY VAII r . w ~ ~ ~ `3/ f r.T7~,y ~r~ . .t.. Y , a • r ~f p F;~ _ ~~f~.I. {Z'~. ~ i~ , , . . , ~ a,~.•,y . ~ . . ~ r ~i 7r _ , ...t' • ' ~ i . '~~`^..Z. s~f . . . ~-n=• . ~ s~~~ ~ " . - . . . ,~~1e ~ ? 1 ~„W43:mr.i n - ~ - ~ ' . . . •a:.? ~ . _ . . : . + . _ ' t, ~r f•. cy~ . . , . ~ . . . ~ . . . 7": . . 1 ir r • . . , ~ ~ 1-•. . _ . ' . . . J _ ~ ~ ~ . . . . ~ ' . . _ , ~i~. ~ . • _ 4-: { F~ , r~s. . ~ L ~ ~.•i ~q: ~ ~ ~~a . ~.~.~i ~BEAYER CREEK ASPEN . r:. ~p +1!/7, . ~ ~ . i ` ~ ~y' S 1` ! I.g1Y~ 4 f'UI~~ V• _ _ _ ^ ~ . ' , ~ ~ ~ 'i t7 3 j,. ..r,~s• • ~ m , ~ ~ ~ . ~ • ~ ~ ~ _~"l_ , ~ . *a . - - - .a~ i~ ~ • ;~j' . ~•_i ~1C ' . ~ . . yw ' . ~ . . ~ - . . ~ . 17. ` . ~ w . 4 : THE TOP ReSORTS REPORT CARD Slkie % Whistler/Blackcomb, BC 2. Vaii, CO 3. Aspen, CO JA - 4. Beaver Creek, CO S ea 5. Snowmass, CO 6. Steamboat, CO 7. Mammoth Mountain, CA f 8. Park City, tJT ~ g. Sun Valley, ID A TTENTION, CLASS. The grades are in. For the eighth consecu- lo. Breckenridge, c0 tive yeax, Srtow CourrrRY readers filled out the Skiers' Report 11. Keystone, CO Card bound into our December and January issues, yielding 33,000 resort reviews. ''he survey reveals what slders like-and 12• Squaw Valley, CA dislike-at North America's Top 50 resorts. Scanned horizon- 13. Crested Butte, Co ta11y, the chart shows the scope of a sld area's excellence. Scasined 14. Deer Valley, trr vertically, the chart becomes a report card on the ski industry, 15. Heavenly, CA revealing what it's doing well and where it needs to improve. 16. Big sky, MT What did we learn? In the West, slaers are most happy up on the hill. 17. Copper Mountain, Co The highest gradas they awarded are for terrain, grooming, snow quality, scenery and ski schools. Slaers tend to be more critical of mountain food, 18. Jackson Hole, vc~ apres-ski options, travel access, and around-the-resort transportation, 19• Winter Park/Mary Jane, CO the category in which grades have declined the most since last year. 20. Telluride, Co (Resort management, please take note.) And ski areas, alOng with paT- 21. Northstar-At-Tahoe, CA ents, still don't know what to do with teen-agers. 22. Sunshine Village, As On the plus side, nightlife grades have improved, showing that 23, The Big Mounta.in, MT resorts are learning how to keep customers happy after the lifts close. In a surprise move, readers feel they're getting a good ski day for their ski 24. Lake Louise, AB dollar, awarding high maxks for value despite escalating resart prices. 2~• Taos, x~ How to use the Report Card? Think colors. Red circles denote the 26. snowbird, Lrr honor roll, A or A+. Uncircled grades are commendable, B+ or A-. Blue 27. Mount Bachelor, ox circles indicate adequacy, a gentleman's B. Black is a C grade, which 28. Alpine Meadows, CA means "needs improvement" Readers didn't subxnit any failing grades. 29. Alta, UT These are, after all, the top resorts in the North America. 30. Sierra-At-Tahoe, CA The readers' grades comprise 75 percent of the score that determines the final Top 50 rankings. The other 25 percent is based on the resorts' 31. Kirkwood, CA physical attributes, which include size, expert terrain, lifts, vertical drop, ~ 32• Purgatory, CO snowfall, snow making, lodging, and season length. (See the "Biggest & m 33. Schweitzer, ID The Best, "Pages 120 and 164.) The research adds up to a comprehensive o 34. Solitude, t7'T rnpoij;card on the top resorts and the state of skiing today. ~ 35. Brighton, u'r ' I4w, about that homework ~ 36. Grand Targhee, vvY $8 : SNOIi COUNTRY : September 1996 . 37. Bridger Bowl, MT x~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ss 4 5 ~~.QS~~~~ Sr°` 5~.~~QS ~,`o`,us..~~5 O. B+ A- B+ A- A- A- A- B+ A- B+ A- A- A- B+ B+ B+ A- A- A- A- A- A- , A- B+ A- A- B+ B+ B+ A- A- A- B+ A- A- A- A- A- A- B+ B+ A- B+ A- B+ A' B+ B+ A- A- A- B+ B+ A- B+ A- B+ B+ B+ A- B+ A- A- A- A- B+ A- B+ A- A- B+ ; A- A- B+ A- B+ A- A- A- . A- B+ A- B+ B+ $r-: B+ B+ B+ B+ B+ A- ? A- A- A- 49P A- B+ A- A- B+ A- B+ B+ A- ; A- ti$B+ A- B+ B+ :A- B+ A- B+ B+ A- I A- B+ A- A- B+ A- $T.: A- B+ A- B+ B+ F B+ B+ B+ B- B+ B+ A- c A- A- B+ A- B+ A- B+ A- B+ A- B+ B+ ( A- A- A- B+ A- A- : B+ B+ I A- B+ B+ B+ B+ B+ B+ A- f A- B+ A- B+ B+ BB+ A- B+ B+ B+ - A- B+ B+ A- B+ A- CB= A- B+ B+ B+ B+ B+ B+ A- B+ A- ;B B+ A- B+ B+ ' A- B+ A- A- B+ A- B`u A- B+ A- A- B+ A- A- B+ B+ B+ B+ A_ 40 B+ B+ B+ B+ A- B+ A- B+ B+ - A- B+ 8: A- A- B+ B+ A- B+ A- Oi_ B+ A- WD 'A- A- A- A- B+ A- A- B+ A- B+ B+ 'A- B+ B+ A- B+ A- B: A- A- B+ B+ A- B+ A- B+ A- A- B+ E~ B+ 45 B+ B+ A- B+ A- A- B+ B+ A- B+ B+ B+ B+ A- B+ A- B+ A- A- B+ A- A- A- B+ B+ B+ B+ B+ B+ Op A- A- , B+ B+ B+ A- B+ A- : B=; A- B+ B+ A' A- B+ A- B+ A- LL&D A- B+ B+ B+ A- B+ B+ B+ B+ B; B+ B+ B+ A- B+ B+ B+ B+ B+ B+ A- B+ B+ B+ A- B+ B+ BA- B+ B+ A- %13 A- B± S+ B+ A- ~ A- B+ A- B'"x A- B+ B+ :B . A- A ` A- B+ A- B t`: = A- A- B+ B+ B+ _ i ' O ( THE RESO' • ~ ~ • • 1 T ~ ~ VVhistler/Blackcomb, BC A- A- A- O B+ B+ O B+ Vail, CO A- O A- A- A- A- A- B+ B+ B+ Aspen, CO A- ~ 4a O Q A- A- B+ O (K) Beaver Creek, CO A- A- A- B+ ~ A- A- A- B+ C-B -D Snowmass, CO A- A- Q A- B+ A- A- A- BO- CB-~) Steamboat, CO A- A- A- A- B+ A- B+ A- O CBD Mammoth Mountain, CA B+ B+ A- B+ ; A- B+ B+ (i- Cip Park City, LJT B+ A- B+ A- B+ A- A- B+ A- (:B--) Sun Valley, ID A- A- A- A- A- B+ A- A- ~ CB D- Breckenridge, CO A- A- A- A- A- A- A- B+ B+ B+ Keystone, C0 B+ B+ A- B+ A- B+ B+ B+ g Squaw Va11ey, CA B+ B+ B+ c,;Bp B+ B B Crested Butte, CO B+ A- B+ B+ A- A- B+ B- B Deer Valley, UT A- A- A- B+ A- A- B' A- ~ Heavenly, CA A- A- 40 A- A- B+ 4a O B+ Big Sky, MT A- op ~ O B+ ~ A- O O Copper Mountain, CO B+ ~ A- ~ A- B+ B+ B+ O Jackson Hole, WY B+ B+ qp A- B+ B+ (~D A- O C-B3- Winter Park/Mary Jane, CO B+ A- Bp B- . A- = B A- B 'j:elluride, CO A- B+ B+ B+ A- B+ Northstar-At-Tahoe, CA B+ A- B+ (B B+ wB-_ A- B+ g_ Sunshine Village, AB A- B+ B+ B+ B+ B- g- The Big Mountain, MT A- g+ O O La.ke Louise, AB A- B+ ~ B+ B+ A- O O Taos, NM B+ A- B~. A' O a O O Snowbird, UT B+ A- ~ O B+ 40 Mount Bachelor, OR A- A- B+ c$ B B- ~i B+ g- B+ Alpine Meadows, CA 40 ~ta, UT A- s+ ~ Sierra-At Tahoe, CA B+ ~ A- ~ B+ B+ B+ B- Kirkwood, CA ~ A- ~ B~) A- ~ A- qw qw Purgatory, CO B+ B+ 'B `t A- CBD (J~:) ~g- Schweitzer, ID B+ B-', (i:) O qw Solitude, iJT A- 40 ~ A- (~B-D B+ B+ 40 Brighton, LTT ~ A- A- •`B;: B~- B+ ~ Grand Targhee, WY B+ B+ B+ Bridger Bowt, MT B B+ ' B+ B+ . . . . . , , . . . . . . . . ..E-'"., : F... , . . . . . . , . . . „ . . . . . . . - . . _.'~,r.. . ` X. a` ~ ~1~f~' ' • ~ i , . - . r : ~ w. ~ _ ~ . ' ~ y *A ~ ~ t,~'"'~kSt_, yy~p.. ~ j'.~~_. ~ g • ~ ~ ~ ~ " I 1 • ~1V`~tar'~ N ~y n j . - • • . ~F fAi ly t ~ } C ~ 1 A~,+~.- ~Y ~ ' ~ _V t . ~ . a . . ~ ~ r . ` ~~~,jj(' y~ S"~~ tl i ~S+C?s9- :~F~'~ ` g 3• ~ ;ti~ ~.r.,~„ a~ ; yy.' : ~ - 1~~~11 "s •d ~~IRlI~'~ S~ ( f~ lN ~M . r-• ~y`/c~ " ~ A,l. J = /•f a= 'w {~C ~ - r~; ~ ( ~•I $ _ r i~` • r. • _ ^ ,r~;! 'J' ' 3~'• ~yC .s~~ d : r s+*=.- j.. x r~ ~ ' ,w (~~'r'y~5•+<' ~ ~~F -y~~~ ' ~ `j ~ ' .3~.~ t'~ ta, ~ ~ • y f: ~ i t ~ "J,~( h ~~.y'S ; ~ *PF?. . / ~s~ 5.• r y J • ; ; ~ ~fr I~ .A: . ~ 1~X7~ 't - : ~ • ' - $IN6UUR S,ISATION: ' I % L~goo Whd ze~Iten ~ n isztl~e,,'r,'s-, ~ oweStQaSlLGJ t in Cake Hola WHISTLER/BLACK5,COMB, B.C. 4"". ; and off VVhistler's Peak Chair is reminiscent King of the hill' dual-mountain giant of the Alps. The resort's record 5,280-foot is simply too good to be topped vertical coupled with famed double-dia- monds like Couloir Extreme give it the sec- OR THE FIFTH CONSECiJTIVE year, ond-highest score from expert sl:iers. the Whistler resort, which encompasses Whistler Mountain's major investment both Whistler and Blackcomb ski areas, this season is a$6.2 million gondola that was rated number one in North Ameri- will replace the Creekside quad, which was ca. Whv not? No other sl:i area can closed last season after a fatal accident _ ~ < ' match its virtuoso symphony of sheer size, caused by a manufacturer's faulty design. - vertical drop, and high-speed lifts, a11 of Readers award Whistler Resort third- A Size, variety of terrain ? Coastal weather which earned number one ratings in North place an North America for on-mountain A International ambience v Low elevation America. But what puts it over cuisine, no doubt influenced by • Fine dining & lodging v Accessibility the top is its immense, sweeping Blackcomb's Glacier Creek Lodge terrain, which readers rate best in and Whistler's Roundhouse. The YEATIGU:5,280feet BASE EIEYATI0N:2,214 feet the West. This majestic British resort is rated behind onlyAspen SOFIItt:4o2 inches SNOHMAKIN6:445 acres Columbia resort makes sl:iers for dining, winning praise for INIS°• 20% • 550/o ? 25% gidd}•. "It's the greatest place on exquisite restaurants like La Rua UFTS' Planned for '96 '97: 3 gondolas, 9 high-speed Earth!" one exclaims. and Il Caminetto di Umberto. 9uads, 7fixed chairs,li surface lifts A single base village connects T 0 P R E S 0 R T S Likewise, four-star hotels like the ~ILDA~S LURNIN6 AAEA: yes NI6NT SKIIN6: g acres Whistler and Blackcomb, two Chateau Whistler and Delta ~MURDIN6: 2 halfpipes; 2 parks 10WN6 AT SlBVES:17,910 visitors XC TRAftS: 281:m independently owned areas. But for skiers, Whistler helped earn the second-highest INfBRMATIUH 8 A4tERV1TI0NS: (800) 944-7853 the pair work as one vArith a single lift pass, score for lodging in North America. seamless transition between slopes, and uni- The resort's coastal weather patterns of fied international esprit. fog, rain and heary snow ca,use a storm of Vast is almost an understatement when complaints. Readers also gripe about acces- : describing the terrain-glaciers, bowls, sibility. But expanded non-stop service chutes, steeps, cruisers, a world-class ency- through the "Open Skies" policy between clopedia of alpine geography. Indeed, the Canada and the U.S. should help. Whistler is above-treeline skiing in Blackcomb Glacier 75 miles from Vancouver. September 1996 : SNOY C8UNT8Y : 93 K . . . . . "E~~ ~ -3«+'. d _ . . _ r•d;._~~ ..~l~.s~r:.e.,V..,;s;:rl;•;~[y`~'11~~.~eds+}Y~'•- - ` . ` x~"~~ . ~ ~ , _ ,~..;s BOWIED OVER: The only ~roblenz in Ilail's Back Bore~ls is deci.ding which line to ski. vAIL, Colorado ~ M Ski ginnt never sieeps, puts up the private Passport Clubhouse. (Two-tiered initiation fee: $15,000 and $50,000.) A new - $150 million to make it even better Golden Peal: quad also will help deliver skiers to the Back Bowls in two high-speed ITH ITS TIRELESS push for expan- lift rides, a needed upgrade. sion, Vail's vision is to please all of At Vail, readers say skiing is only half the skiers all of the time. Readers say the fun. The resort is rated the top apres it's working. The resort is a ski uni- scene in North America. Follow the regulars 2~ ~ - verse unto itself. Like bumps? Vail's to the Red Lion and the Hong Kong Cafe. mogul fields, such as Prima and Pronto, are Readers rate Vaii's nightlife in the West's top ? Back bowls v Crowds rated sixth in North America. Enjoy blasting three. The Hubcap Brewery and Nick's are ? Dining, nightlife ? Expense face-shots in thigh-deep powder? VaiPs sto- popular stops, with great dining at Sweet A Alternate activities ? Parking ried Back Bowls are seven miles across and Basil, Terra Bistro and the Left Bank. often bottomless from ski tip to the ground. Vail aims higher than pleasing a11 the MERTIC6L 3,330 feet 6ASE ELEYMTION: 8,120 feet Feel the need for speed? Let the boards track skiers a11 the time. Vail ranks number two in " SHDYFAIL• 361 inches SNDIiMAKIHG: 347 acres fast on Simba and Pickeroon. the West for offhill activities, which include Tluils:. io% ¦ ss% ? 54% Vail Mountain is the third largest ski balloon rides, ice skating, and snows: oe UFTS; Planned for'96-'97:1 gondola, io high-speed area in North America, and its terrain earns hikes. The ski area even offers a bobsled run• 1 lifts, 9 fixed chairs, 6 surface lifts the fifth-highest rating."Big and beautiful," The resort's PoPularity cuts both ways CHILDAEN'S LEAANIN6 AAEA: yes NIGHT SKIIAG: none u SNOMBOAAOIN6: 3 halfpipes, 2 parks a reader sa~~s. Another only laments I wish Vail alone racked up nearly 1.7 million in : 1OD61N6 AT SLOPES:12,000 Nisitors XC TRAILS:15 km the days were longer." skier visits last season. Some skiers contend INfOAHATION 8 AESERYAIIDNS: (800) 525-2257 So does Vail as it faces its most ambi- that bigger is not better. "People, people, ' tious off-season yet. Working ~Aith a$150 people, people,-you get the idea; a reader million budget, Vail's improvements this complains. Another frequent concern is season would be typical of many other major about rising costs. "It's very expensive, espe- resorts' 5-year plans. Highlights include: cially for younger couples," a reader says. Lionshead gondola: This 12-passenger, Limited, and expensive, parking; is s; heated gondola will whisk skiers to mid- problem, so cars are more hindrance than mountain Eagle's Nest in about 7 minutes. help. But valley transit is a breeze on North : Golden Peak redevelopment; This mas- America's top-rated resort bus system. sive project features a$31 million, 83,000- is travel accessible: The Eagle County aIr, square-foot base lodge, which includes a port is 35 miles to the west. Denver Interna', 300-seat bar, a garage, lwcury condos and tional Airport is 100 miles to the east. 94 : SHOW COOliTNY : September 1996 ASPEN, Colorado - Fabulous and fit at 50, ClOSSIC Colorado's longest. Riders and skiers rage down the multiple fall lines of Steepleehase - resort stil) enjoys the dolce vita or cruise the rolling front face. Novices head _ f - to Buttermilk for its confidence-building A SPEN CELEBRAT'ES its 50th anni- terrain. The valley's fourth mountain, Snow- Y versary this season, and even in mid- mass, is profiled on the next page. ` - dle age the resort earns glowing praise Regardless of where you ski, you can for its incandescent joie de vivre. Aspen always end up in North America's top party is rated number one in North America town. The beautiful people cluster apres-ski ~ Z• , for its nightlife and dining, and number two at Mezzaluna and Little Neli, followed by A Nightlife and dining ? Expensive for apres-ski and offhill diversions. No other dining at Ajax Tavern and Renaissance. Vis- • t A Medley of mountains ? Accessibility resort comes close to these social sta.ndards. iting gastronomes can enjoy a stellar restau- A Ofthill acti«ties v Glitter Gulch °It's Aspen; raves a reader. "Fabulous rant every night and still find that a two- restaurants, nightlife galore:" week stay isn't long enough. Shop 'til you j VERTICAI: 3,800 feet BISE ELEYATION: 7,945 feet Unfortunately, Aspen's world-class ski- drop is a local job classification. Haute bou- SNOMFALL• 267 inches SNOWMAKIN6: 428 acres ing often gets lost in the glare. With four tiques, such as Bulgari and Chanel, line the TAUIS:. 16% ¦ 35°!o ? 49% mountains in the valley, Aspen offers slopes downtown streets. But this glitter-gulch LIFTS: i gondola, 4 high-speed lifts, 16 fixed chairs, for every taste. Aspen Mountain, or Ajax" in atmosphere does have its detractors. "Too ~ 2 surface lifts local-speak, seduces skiers with the steep expensive and too glitzy," a reader sniffs. CNILOAEN'S LEAANIN6 ARFII: yes NI6NT SKIIN6: none pitches of The Dumps and the satisfying, if Non-ski diversions abound. The resort i SNOWBOAADINE Buttermilk: l halfpipe, i park; Aspen too short, glades on Gentleman's Ridge. The boasts everything from dog-sledding, ~ Mt: no snowboarding allowed; Aspen Highlands: mogul field under the sunny Bell chair is one paragliding and snowshoe nature walks to snowboarding allowed. ! LOD61N6 Ai SLOPES: 2,555 visitors Xt TRtlts: so km of America's finest watch-me runs. A great an opera house, health spas and mine tours. INFOAMATION 8 RESEAYATIONS: (970) 925-1220 skier's mountain," a reader praises. Access has always plagued Aspen, located Beginners should auoid Ajax, which has 220 miles from Denver. Direet flights sevve ! few easy trails. Snowboarders must: They're the Aspen airport, but at a premium. The ; banned. Aspen Highlands, however, is a Eagle County Airport, about 90 minutes boarder's paradise. Its 3,800-foot vertical is away, is the next best alternative. p ~--BEAVER CREEK, Colorado ( , ~ .•-i a.i: a ~.aa.~~ ~ ...y: the Birds of Prep bump runs can match any- y Casua{ e{egance, attentive service, : ~ y.t,~ thing at Vail. The ski school is not far -'OF~- and lots of ego-massoging terrain behind, coming in at number two in the ? , j ' ~ _ = ~:r/ • West. Beaver Creek also has "fewer people . I • z~ r EAVER CREEK rockets to its best fin- and less hype than Vail," as one reader says. ish ever in the Top 50 ranl:ings this Of course, first-class service doesn't year. What's not to like? Liftlines are come cheap. "Everything is upscale and sparse, snow conditions superb, and pricey;' a reader complains. For the money, the Colorado weather is so consistent- another reader notes, the mountain "needs ly wonderful that readers score it number more high-speed quads:' A Q,uiet charm ? Slow lifts one on the continent. That need will be addressed this season ~ ? Slopeside lodging ? High cost Nestled at the end of an alpine valley, with the Bachelor Gulch Express, a new ; A Superior senice ? Limited nightlife Beauer Creek is 10 miles and 100 decibels high-speed quad linking Beaver Creer: and - removed from its sister mega-resort, Vail. Arrowhead Mountain, which Vail purchased ~ - YERTICAL• 3,340 feet BASE ELEYATIOH: 8,100 feet Casual elegance is the prime directive here. in 1993. The lift wzll open 183 acres of ~ SNOWFALI: 347 inches SNOWMAKIN6: 375 acres Readers rate the lodging as North America's Arrowhead's moderate terrain, and is a steP~.. ~ TlUlls:. 18% ¦ 39% ? 43% finest, and they praise the friendl}; attentive toward VaiPs village-to-village ski goa1. " LIFTS: s high-speed quads, s fv;ed chairs, i surface lift senice, ranked two in the West. "Don't tell Limited but noteworthy, Beaver Creek~ CNILDAEN'S LEIANIN6lREA: yes NI6NT SKIIN6: none anyone about this gem," a reader pleads. social scene can range from a sleigh ride and ti ! SNOMBOARDIN6: i halfpipe, 2 parks The pampering continues on the slopes. gourmet dinner at Beands Cabin to a blast > LOD61N6 9 SLOPES: 4,700 visitors XC TIUIlS: 32 km The mountain offers acres of ego-massaging at the Minturn Country Club, whose name 1~ { ; IHFOAMATION 6 RESERYATIONS: (800) 525-2257 terrain that bring out the Ingemar Stenmark only a diversion. Of course, Vail's raucoW ~ in any skier. It doesn't hurt that Beaver and extensive nightlife lies just 1(- milell.'~ Creek's grooming is so meticulous that only away, with the commute eased by frequeg~x = Deer Va11ey scored higher in the West. shuttle bus service. ' But don't mistake "The Beav" for a ski Beaver Creek is about 25 miles east d' dowager. Locals flock to the mountain with the Eagle County Airport and 110 miles well1l," I' i' its 3,340-foot vertical because they know of the Denver International Airport. 96 : SNOW COUNTRV : September 1996 ! ; ~ V r ~ I'm ~v _ - - 'Cunied Fit sterproof'Barrier . -~est Storage System ~eirue has been designing atast #echno{ogy and fiinest ~e #he driest, warmest, most ~ otection for any cold weather - r Ski, Snowboard, Spring & ~t~raocal ski shop. . t your- N: - ~ orde~ ~.~e/.'S ~ , 3en DMgo, cn snn Leke c1a, ur 5NOWMASS Colora~.~o ~"IN - ~ stanc!ing 'rritant that the new Two Creeks - New snowmaking, steeps brooden a~peal of famed ~ruiser !~igh-spe~~_i quac3 has relie~~ed but not ,~C~ removed. _t ne« speeti course v,-ill debut this season, For about S15, °race7s" «1il receive NOL~SS :MOL"?~'TAIN'S 2,565 instrl;ctions, a helmet and a chance to ski up - ~~~;~y~.~~~_"'~ acres offer terrain as ti°aried as any to 63 Yn.p.}z. cn a timed course on the Slot. among the Top 50 resorts. The Big Accorr;modations at Snov,mass score Burn is arguabh• the finest cruiser in high :n our surve~~-fourth best in North the countr}, and the Cirque and Hang- America. Families especialll• ±,il:.e the abun- - ing ~'alley may contain the most underrated dance of slopeside loaging, a key conve- expert pitches around. So what's Snmvmass nienee ~~hFn traveling «~th ki3s. Readers ?N' astterrain v Chanc` snotN missing? Snow, for much of the early season. also rate :>no«7nass' child care and ski A Cruiser lcing v Accessibiliri° Af[er perenniallv strughling with limit- school in the top 10 in tiorth America. A Accommodations ? Limited nightlife ed Than}:sgi~-ing openings, Sno%N-mass has $ut onP of the best aspects of Snow- ,223 feet im ested S5 million this season to more than mass, mam° readers say, is Aspen's prosimi- YERTICAI: 3.;97 feet BaSE ELE4dTI0N: S double its sno~~making eo~~erage to 115 acres 12 miles a~~a~~-close enough to Nisit but SNOWf6il: 283 inches SNOWMANING:130 acres and eight trails. That man-made sno-,v, like easy to escape. °b7ost of the nightlife is in TNAILS:. io1,<, ¦ s?°,o ? 3~°~~ the area'S 241 annual inches of riatural fluff'. Aspen;a reader laments, «~hile another UFTS: i high-speed quads, s fixed chairs, . will be pampered; readers rate Sno-winass' applauds Sr,awmass' `remoteness° from its = surtace lifts tNiIDAEN'S 1EAANiNG dAEA: yes HIGNi SRIING: none grooming a~ tliird best in the ~Z'est. glitz~~ neighbor. Either ~ea~~, a free ski shuttie SHOWBUaAOIHG. l halfpipe, l park But it.s tne resort's 3.797-foot vertical makes for an easy commute. tODGfNG AT SIOPES: 6.650 visitors XC TRpILS: So km and vast open slopes that excite skiers. Readers object to the cost of a Snnw- INFORMAiION: (g0o) 525-6200 °Great cruising. as good as it gets;' says one. mass vacation, and also dislike the \-illage's pFSERVATI0N5: (800) 598-2005 With the ]ook-out-below inciines of Rober- awl.ward layout. Arri~~ing in toNvn isn't easy, to's and Gowdy=s. another reader ap -reciates either. Direct flights serve the Spen airport, the resort's "vastly underrated ex, ~ert ter- but the premium is dear. The Eagle Counh• ~ rain ° Critics do, however, complai.i about Airport is a 90-minute drive, and Dem>er the three-lift ride to the summit, a long- International Airport is 220 miles away. ~ September 1996 : SNOW COUNTRY : 97 ~„=a~ ; i ?~f~ STEANIBOAT, Colorado ~ ;tX Morningside Park terrain opens door Morningside Park. Six new trails wend r,~`'~ through a gladed bowl on pitches suitable ~a t0 fIV@-year S team boa t expansio n for experts to lower intermediates. The new chair brings several challenging chutes into TEAMBOAT IS one big, happy family play and makes the once-arduous trek to that's getting even bigger. With its Christmas Tree Bowl and the East Face now first expansion since 1984, Steamboat ancient history. opens 179 a.cres to the north this sea- Tree skiers have always appreciated the Sson. Momingside Park kicks off an Shadows, Closet, and Twilight glades. ambitious five-year, $21 million project that Steamboat has also earned a reputa.tion for ? Children's program v Increasing crowds eventually will cover 950 acres and expand its carnivorous bumps, including Nelson's ? vast, varied terrain v Long drive from DIA - the current terrain by about one-third. Run, named for Olympic freestyle gold ? Tree skiing ? Relatively isolated Steamboat's family orienta,tion keeps medalist Nelson Carmichael. Covering it all visitors retuming: The kids' programs are is the ultralight fluffknown locally as Cham- rEATICAL• 3,668 feet BASE ELEYATION: 6,90o feet number one in the West, there's abundant pagne powder. SNOwFAU:2gs inches SNOWMIKIN6: 391 acres ski-in(ski-out lodging, plus the area offers One of Steamboat's enduring charms is Tlults:. 15% ¦ 54°Jo ? 31% a11 the pampering of a sophisticated resort its dual identity as rockin' resort and cow- IIfTS: Planned for'96-'97:1 gondola, 2 high-speed Ieavened by a cowtown's kickback feel. town. It offers an ample but decidedly unsa quads,l5 fixed chairs, Part of the love affair between Steam- phisticated nightlife at such hot spots as the 4 surface lifts boat and families is due to its Kids Ski Free Inferno, Tugboat, and Buddy's Run. The qIILDApR IEAANINS u1M yes III6Nt SKIINS: none program for children 12-and-under. Steam- town of Steambaat Springs is "delightfully SNII1190ARDIN& 1 halfpipe,l patk L8D61N6 AT SLOPR: 7:553 visitors zC TRAIts: 3o km boat also is home to one of the nation's best rustic and historic," says one reader. Non- ski schools, readers say. "The kids were skiing diversions include bobsledding on INfOAMATION:(970)879-6111 AESEAYITIONS: (800)922-2722 happy, so Daddy was happy," says a parent. Howelson Hill, the Bridgestone Ice-Driving If there was a gap in Steamboat's School and, of course, a hot spring. resume, it was the absence of steeps. No Relatively isolated, Steamboat is 160 more, though. A triple chair dropping down miles from DIA. However, the resort does the back side of Storm Peak offers access to offer a strong schedule of direct flights. ~ MAMMOTH, California _"~'"'~4"'~ is acked on weekends. Lines maY be excru- The darling of L.A. skiers prepares P 4~ ciatingly long for those who aren't familiar for massive off-mountain makeover with the helter-skelter 1ift network ana j . i VF~~ don't have the sense to ski midweek. ~ 16A M AMMOTH MOUNTAIN teamed up Insiders intimate that it's not the sheer I # with Intrawest Corporation last number but the type of customer that's net- _ - - season, and the union could finally tling. "Too many people from L.A. in their v propel this aptly named California fur coats," says one. Much of the clientele ~ resort into mass consciousness. drives six hours from L.A. or flies into Mam- Intrawest's string of success stories includes moth Lakes airport in private planes and ? Vast terrain v Weekend crowds British Columbia's Blackcomb and Quebec's charters. They bask in the California sun- ? Copious snow v Sierra cement Mont Tremblant. Mammoth, one of the shine and bob through snow that's usually ? California sunshine v Unexciting town finest ski areas on the continent without abundant, but often of the dense variety - much off-mountain personality, is among a known as "Siena cement° When they re- 4EAiICAl:3,100feet BASE EIfYATION: 7,953 feet dying breed of family-owned resorts. Dave turn home, they brag about skiing Comice SNmiFAU: 417 inches TNDWlUKIA6: 250 acres McCoy and his clan, who stil] own two- Bowl, which gets snowmaking this year. tAAiIS:+ 30°!0 ¦ 40% ? 30% thirds of the beast, will focus on the on-hill Covering Cornice with machine-made snow UFis: 2 gondolas, 2 high-speed quads, 25 fixed chairs, operation, while Intrawest plans at least means Mammoth will finally be able to offer - 2 surface lifts three of its tasteful trademark villages. top-to-bottom skiing early in the season. CNIIDREN'S LEAANIN6 AREA: yes NI6HT SRIIN6: none Mammoth's enormous collection of Many readers express dissatisfaction SNDMBOIRDIN6: Planned for'96 '97: 2 parks above-treeline bowls and ridges sits atop a with adjacent Mammoth Lakes as a host LAD61N6 AT SLOPES: 6,soo -6sitors 1C TiUIIS: 55 km behemoth of wooded trails. From the sum- town. "No quaint shops or facilities near the INFORMATION: (800) 832-7320 AESEAYATIUNS: (800) 228-4947 mit, experts drink in grand views of the east- mountain," says one reader. True, Mam' ern Sierra Nevada. Intermediates and moth's off-hill charms are more down-t0' beginners ply the wide boulevards of the earth, such as cross-country skiing to the lower mounta.in, w: ch earned Mammoth natural hot springs of the Long Va11ey a' fourth place for groo= iing in the West. dera But in coming yeazs, look for a redC Despite a11 its roc m to roam, Mammoth fined resort under Intrawest 9 8 : sNnw cnaK;RY : september 1996 , . _ . _ . . _ n~one.:Af Seirus' Patented face protecters,r a, or the'patent pending Combo Clava°".y_ The Original patented ~ ~e ; Neoprene therma!' ~ ~ F face protection. ~ I ava 4 Closed-cell Neoprene rM j insufation is the best E;~f E WARMTH FROM ~ ~0~~~`,. defense again~ po Tw_ ne ~Id.TheMasque'" NE UP •S C A R F+ is waterproof, - fPi F- or The u~ mb windproof, h nd . . . of e c~ysoft fe ~ reversib{e and Ir m flee r kin washable. Also - a` of the availabie with t P~ ' filee Neofleece'" tining~ C0~ ° I cheeks, an When the weathertums ,eofieece , bad, The Masque'" willa Masque' es ~NT youtotalpr tection , e.i1}limate 0, 240 save your day. from the,pold. Th fn Face P ~ f aceT 'he Cold' iVonfidence! U.S.PA7ENT#5;~74, AaV _ _ t ~ r; ection ~ ate - - . 1 . , ~~US ~ b. ea~e1' Y111 ther protectioni ~7_ ; _ . . . ~ PARK CITY, Utah `'y; • ` , Utah's busiest ski area prepares for empty into one flatter trail.° Complaints 2~~2 b lcomin snowboarders about the lift system will be partly answered y we 9 this season by a nem high-speed, six-passen- ger chair plunked down in place of the old OLLOWING THE WISE adage that if Prospector quad. • ~ you can't beat 'em, join 'em, Park City Part of the resort's allure is its proaimity t leyhas finall~• jettisoned its controversial to other destinations, including Deer Val , ~Y41:• z ( snowboard ban. "Snowboarding is fun, Snowbird, and Solitude. Parl: City has one and our business is seiling fun," ex- thing they don't, however: extensive snow- ~'`f~ _ plains John Cumming, president of Powdr making, which alloNA~s it to host America's Corp., Park Cifi's parent company. That opening 'A'orld Cup races in November. A Cruiser paradise v Trail layout Park City wAll host snowboard events at the But what sets Park City apart is the A Snappy social scene v Slow lifts ~ 2002 Winter Oltimpics no doubt also played town. While most of Utah slumbers, Park A Easy access ? I.ong haul to bowls a part in its turn-about embrace of the sport. City jumps. The historic Main Street district Park City's size and terrain variety are retains the architecture of the Old West, YEAiICAl3,l0o feet BASE ELE96TION:6,9oo feet both highly rated by readers. "Can't ski it all with dozens of buildings on the National SHOYFALL• 405 inches SNOWMARING: 420 acres in a week," confesses one worn-out warrior. Register of Historic Places. Eighty restau- Tlulls:. 16% ¦ 45% ? 39% ~ Most runs favor the casual cruiser, which rants and 15 ciubs and bars occupy those UFTS: Planned for'96-'97: 1 gondola,l6-passenger i, "makes it easier to sl:i «~ith vour whole fami- buildings, making Park City a perennial lift, 2 high-speed quads, 70 fixed chairs 1};" says a parent. Eaperts can find a fair reader pick as the best party towm in Utah. CNILOREN'SLEAANIAGIAEA:yes NI6fITSRi{N6:35 acres selection of bumps, open bowls, and tree One comments: "There's enough here to SNOYIBOARDIN6:snowboardingallowed ~ s'ing in and around Jupiter Botivl. The only keep everyone entertained"-including 1OD61NGATSIOPES:2,000 visitors XCtAAILS:1S l:m p: oblem Nvith Jupiter is that it's almost as far shoppers, .N~ho can squander cash in more INFOAMAiION: (801) 649-8111 RESERYATIONS: (800) 222-; 275 dway as the planet, requiring four poky than 100 stores, boutiques, and galleries. chairs to reach the slopes. Connecting town and mountain is one ~ Park City catches a]ot of flack for its of the best shuttle-bus systains in any U.S. trail layout, garnering gripes such as "bottle- ski resort. Park City is conveniently located neck at base area" and °too many trails only 35 minutes from Salt Lake Citt. September 1996 : SNOW COUNTRY : 99 i I i SLTN VALLEY, Idaho Grand dame of U.S. resorts delivers only'7,000 pillows for visitors and an hourly uphill capacity of more than 28,000 skiers, both great skung, great serwce the mountain seems crowded only when F poor natural snow limits skiers to the 630 . S iTN VALLEY has always basked in the acres covered by a computerized snowmak- _ ~ golden hues of its Hollvwood pedi- ing system. Like any Western area, Sun Val- ' gree. These days, the resort earns its ]ey needs natural snow to shine, and super- P reputation by pampering guests abundant powder years are not frequent with new lifts and lodges, yet it re- enough. "This place needs more snow and tains the attitude of skiing's elegant past. less glitz," one reader grouses. A Day lodges v Unreliable snow But strip a11 this away and it's still one of But when the mountain is covered 3- ,i On-hill food ? Poor access North America's great mountains. The runs feet deep, all glitz is forgiven. The high- A Superlative terrain v Pricey are long and flowing, the grooming first- speed cruising here is superb, particulazly rate, and the lift system is fast and efficient. on the Warm Springs side. And for genera- VEImCAL 3,400 feet BASE ELEYATION: 5,75o feet . The resort's reputaxion for glamour and tions, Exhibition has set the standazd for SNOMFALL• 184 inches SNOWMIKIN6: 630 acres luxury stems from its roots 60 years ago, mogul runs, while Easter Bowl is a blueprint TAIIILS: • 37% ¦ 46% ? 17% when founder W. Averell Harriman lured for glorious wide-open skiing. UFis: 7 high-speed quads, io fixed chairs,l surface lift Hollywood stars to America's first destina- The resort's highest rating is for on- qIILDAEN'S LEAANIN6 AAEA: yes NtWfi SK8N6: none tion ski resort. Today, the area.'s sophisticat- mountain food, behind only Deer Va11ey. SNONBOARDIR6: allowed LOD61N6 9 SLOPES:1,400 visitors ed image is reflected in three specta.cular The resort and neazby Ketchum score con- u TRAIIS: iso km log-and-glass day lodges.. The first two won sistently in the top 10 for apres-ski and ~ INPoRMADON 8 RESERVATIONS: (800) 786-8259 Sxow CourrrRY Ski Area Design Awards; the nightlife, although some readers complain ; newest is the 30,000-square-foot River Run about the costs of living the Sun Va11ey life. . Day Lodge. The new, four-building River Getting to Sun Va11ey is never easy. Pla:t Run complex provides a much-needed sec- to fly into nearby Hailey, but don't be sur- ond base area that will relieve skier traffic prised if you end up in a rental car from on the Warm Springs side. Twin Fa11s or Boise after your flighYs been Not that congestion is a problem. With rerouted due to bad weather. BRECKENRIDGE, Colorado M-~'O-.~ Expert terrain adds missing piece off-hill activities. Graced with 1890s Victori- •.r--=~ ~'~'~'~`~wb:-~ ~3 an charm, it's a wonderful stew of old 2::d to classic mountain communit y new, from the seedy Gold Pan baz and ti'•~ scruffy Shamus O'Toole's saloon to the W~ith its recently opened pastiche of gleaming new Breckenridge Brewery and powdery, plummeting chutes, Breck- the swank Hilton at the base of Peak 9• enridge has earned a reputaxion for "What a great, friendly town,° a reader says. _ ~ expert terrain. Last year alone, the Breckenridge's natural beauty has been sprawling area officially opened the boosted by the completion of the Blue River North Chutes, a tree-skiing zone dubbed the Restoration Project. The mining tailings ?Youngpartytown ?Crowds Doors, the bowls between Peaks 8 and g, that have long marred the town's main • Varied terrain v Flats at base and the aptly named Way-Out Chutes. Peak entrance have been replaced with the ::lue ? Public transportation v Intra-peal: access 7, a hike-to area at its best on powder days, River Walkway, winner of the 1996 Srow also appeals to adventure skiers. "There's Courrrxr Ski Area Design Awazd for Com- - IERTICAL• 2,583 feet BASE EIEYATION: 9,60o feet lots of chances to hike up and go wild when muniTy Planning. SNOMFALL• 241 inches SNOWMAHIN6: 369 acres it's crowded," crows a trekker. The construction this yeaz of a new TlUlts:. 14% ¦ 26% ? so% The tame terrain of Breck's lower fixed-grip double between Peaks 8 and 9wi» llifS: Planned for'96-'97: 4 high-speed quads, mountains suits thousands of skiing and permit more condos to be called ski-in, ski- io fixed chairs, 4 surface lifts boarding families just fine, as the area's out. The chair will rise high enough to con- CNILDREN'S LEARNIN6IRFA yes NI6NT SKIIN6: none annual 1.2 million Nisits attest. Yet the dark nect with existing base lifts for either peak, SNONBOARDIN6:1 halfpipe, i park side of popularity is "crowded liftlines a11 the which should help ease readers' complaints LOD61N6 AT SIOPES: 7,000 visitors XC TIUIIS: 50 km time," a reader laments. Other readers cite of "It's not easy to get across the mou: rain . INFOAMATION: (970) 453-5000 the "long runoff at the base" as an irritant. A midway staxion will allow skiers ta hoP' AEiERYATIONS: (800) 800-BREC The town outshines the hill in our read- scotch between the base areas. ers' eyes. "Opening the old out-of-bounds The local transit system works well, and terrain was great," says one, "but it's still the iYs free. Only 90 miles from ! enver, Breck' best party town:' Readers give it top-notch enridge offers frequent shuole service to scores for apres-ski, dining, nightlife, and Denver International Airport. 102 : SHOW COUNTRY : September 1996 ~ - - - • - • - • • • 50 TOP RESORTS , ~ How to . . . Interpret Skl ~ i t~ ~ ~7 ` t ` s: .,.J4 '~+~i... -~•'"~~."""r+yak Area Scores The final Top 50 resort rankings are based 75 percent on readers' responses (Reader Rating score) and 25 percent on a resort's physical characteristics (Ski Size Score). Here°s wnac ~on- ~ The most comfortable, Weattierproof sack tributes to a resort°s s~ siZe score: made. WEATHER SHIELDT"" Lycra Ezpertocreage outer, Fieece inner provides drjr liftcapacity warmth with breathable, Nntural snowfall (S-season auerage] Wirtdproof, water resistant Night-skiingacres Patrol{ed skioble acres membrane. Great for all " Percentage af ezpert terroin COId WeBthef BCtlVitiBS. Season length (5-season average) ' U.S. PaTErT e5,020.164 ~5e/j'us Slopeside lodging capacity ~ Snowmaking acres 1-800-447-3787 ~ Vertical drop On a sca.le of A+ to F, SNOw CouNrxY readers graded their experience on the slopes ang around th ~resort. The followin are the cate ories that contribute to a resor['s Reader Rating: ~ AT TNE MOUNTAiN apres-Ski Bump Skiiog Children's Progroms f Ibow floom ~ EmpluyeeService ~~~~:~1-)~~~ . , , • • ~ ~ ~ ' ~ food Grooming Unmatched Comfort, Ski Schoal snawouol+tr ; Support & Flexibility Snow Reports SteePs ' -The HYPERFLEX'v - terrain comfort zone, made of Value thin Lycra, eliminates AROUND TNE RESORT ' uncomfortable bunching Access antl allows unrestricted Cross-countryfacilities Dining fieXibilit~. . lodgin~ ' ? Breathable Neoprene - Nighdi Dff-hifleactiuicies ; gives drier warmth Scenery afld SUppott. ; ieen octiuities ' Transportatian; U.S. PAfENT #5,474,524 Weather =5e%lU5 1-800-447-3787 ~ " KEYSTONE' Colorado N resort continues to remake itself. Unfortu- ~ `t Vitalit is restored with y nately, those who cited "no snowboarding" snowboardmg and radical face_!ift as a plus may be disappointed b} the lifting of the ban. But one of Keystone's selling K~~~,~~~;; . EYSTONE IS no longer a snowboard- points is its diversity of geography; among free zone. After yeazs of banning rid- its 1,739 acres spilling over three mountains, ers from its slopes, the resort will wel- there's enough room to spread out. "Ski ter- come them this season with $2.5 rain for everyone," a reader crows. million in improvements, including a Beginners have always felt at home on halfpipe and terrain garden in Packsaddle trails like Paymaster and Flying Dutchman. A Snowmaking ? Crowds Bowl, a ski school snowboarding area, and And whether it's rolling a carpet on Sta.r Fire ? Night skiing v Little nightlife an equipment shop. or leveling half the mogul field on Mozart so ? River Run Village ? Lack of pazking But that's not the onIy big news from skiers can bail out, Keystone banks on its Keystone. With partner Intrawest, the grooming. Readers rate it among the West's rERTICAI 2,s4o feet au[ MAnex: 9,300 feet resort plans to reshape its village over the top 10. "Corduroy forever," says a happy fan. SNOMfALL• 265 inches SNOMMAKIN6: 851 acres next 20 years into six distinct "neighbor- Beca.use of the resort's lingering reputa- Tlults:. 13% ¦ 36% ? si% hoods; adding lodging, townhouses, shops, tion as an intermediate haven, expert skiers IIFTt: 2 gondolas, 3 high-speed quads,lo fixed chairs, restaurants, and other amenities to the tune can find powder a1i day in the Outback. s surface lifts of $700 million. Construction is well under- Another plus is Keystone's lift ticket options, CNUDSEN'S 1EAANIN6 AAEI: yes NI6HT SKIIN6: 205 acres way at River Run, a ski-in/ski-out pedestri- which include day, twilight, and night pass- SNE116o1RDtN6: i halfpipe an "neighborhood" that's intended to be es. (Providing the perfect excuse to sleep in.) LOD61N6 AT SLOPES:1,000 visitors KC TIUILS:18 km Keystone , INFUANATIAN i RESEAYIITIUNS: (800) 222-0188 s new foca,l point Last season, two Keystone's weekend crowds and lack of buildings opened with upper-story condos convenient parking are common reader and ground-floor shops and restaurants; complaints. But snowmaking scores high; this fa11, another will join them. "T'his resort the resort's ea.rly opening is guaranteed by gets better every yeaz; says a reader. the biggest snow system in the U.S. Rockies. Reader complaints about Keystone's Keystone is locaxed g0 miles from Den- dull nightlife should be remedied as the ver Internationat Airport. - SQUAW VALLEY, California New lights extend skiing A massive mountain with 33 lifts, , Squaw is always a work in progress. i ' at West Coast s roucous giant Improvements this season: Skiers and t*~ . i . ° F q, snowboarders can ride a new platter li~ t QUAW VALLEY is a mountain where under the lights at the mid-mounta.in half- ; skiers confront the difference between pipe and terrain park. Additional lights also z - the myth and reality of their skitls. wiIl be added to Squaw's longest trail, the 3- Signatnre lifts-such as KT-22, Head- mile top-to-bottom Mountain Run. Non- < wa11, and Siberia-access multiple a1pinists can try cross-country skung, ice fall-line runs with enough cliffs, steeps, and skating and even swimming and bungee A Super steeps v Weekend crowds mogul-choked chutes to force Warren Miller jumping at High Camp, Squaw's unique A Terrific, varied terrain v Limited pazking back to Truckee for more film. high mountain lodge and recreation centez ; A Off-snow options ? Confusing layout Carved from six peaks spread over With as many as 14,000 California day- j 4,000 acres, Squaw is the fifth largest ski trippers piling in on weekends, base, r~~a, YEA11CAl•.2,85o feet B~SE EtE~~iloN: 6,20o feet area in North America. The resort's impos- and parking congestion remain a headache. _ SN~IFAIL• 455 inches SNOWMNUNS: 25o acres ing geography makes first-time visitors feeI "T7raffic was like the Santa, Monica Freeway," Ttu~ls: • 30% ¦ 4s% ? 2s% like they're Iooking through the wrong end a reader snipes. uFTS:1 tram, i gondola, 4 high-speed quads, 22 fixed chairs, 5 surface lifts of a telescope. "The very best ski area in the Apres-ski options are spirited. High ; qIIIDAENT LEARNIN6 AREA: yes NI6NT SRIIN6: 270 acres country for terrain; says a reader. Camp, Plump Jack's in the Squaw Valley Inn SNOM80AAOIN6: I haifpipe; i park While Squaw continues to act as a hom- and Graham's, located in the original home- tOD6IN6 Ai SIOPES: 2,400 visitors lIC TAAllS:14 km ing beacon for adrenaline junkies (readers stead of Squaw co-founder Wayne Poulsen, INFOAUTION 6 RESERYATIONS: (800) 545-4350 rate it in the West's top 10 for steeps, bumps, offer elegant dining. Or revelers can aJwaYs and terrain), the sprawling resort ca.n still burnish their edges in Truckee and Tahoe cradle the novice. Atop the mountain, easy City, about 10 minutes away, which ir-eans - rolling shoulders and plateaus offer the Naughty Dog is always within reach. groomed slopes with calming views of La.ke A short drive off Interstate 80, Sqnaw is - Tahoe. "My five-yeas-old could ski with us," a 45 miles from the Reno-Tahoe International pleased parent says. Airport and 100 miles east of Sacramento. 104 : SNOM COUNTRII : September 1996 CRESTED BUTTE, Colorado A true skiers' mountain dishes it out Peak, it's no surprise that Crested Butte is ' ta those who con take it home to the annual U.S. Extreme Skiing • ' '-,-T and Snowboarding Championships. A ' ' . ~ ` , small ski area but big skiing," one reader RESTED BLTTTE residents proclaim says. `Sick chutes," notes another. ~ ~,r,~,,•~= their turf "The Last Great Colorado Bargain hunters find it can't get much Ski Town." A stroll down Elk Avenue cheaper than Ski Free, a widely successful supports the boast. Mountain bikes program that will again punctuate both Coutfitted with makeshift ski racks ends of the season. But the gratis Iift-pass tZ~ seem to outnumber vehicles in the Victorian policy, which lasts four weel:s during No- downtown. And the population includes a vember and December and tcvo weeks in ? Lift-serviced steeps v Not for the cautious classic mix of old-timers and good-timing April, has its detractors. A typical reader ? Ski-Free promotion ? Ski-Free crowds ski bums, the kind of folks who've made ski- rails about the "crowds during free ski ° ? Fun, funky town v Difficult access ing naked a closing-day tradition. Guests frequently gripe that Crested Readers love the Butte's "down-to- Butte needs "more terrain for a ski-week 1EATICAL• 2,775 feet BASE ELEYATIOH: 9,375 feet earth friendliness" and "quaint VVestern am- stay" and "long, uninterrupted intermediate SNOMFIU: 241 inches SNOiiMAKIN6: 300 acres bience." Indeed, the atmosphere is more slopes:' In response, the resort is seeking tAAlls:• 1s°!o •30% ? 57°l0 genuine here than at other Rocky Mountain approval for a long-awaited expansion onto UFTS: 2 high-speed quads, 7 fixed chairs, resorts that trumpet similar chamber-of- Snodgrass Mountain as a way of developing 4 surface lifts commerce claims. additional blue-square trails. GIIlDREN'SlfARNIN61&EA: yes Nt6Ht SKNN6: none But there's nothing quaint about the ski Lively buses painted with dogs and fish SNOYIBAAADiM& 1 park terrain. Three miles from town, the resort is seamlessly connect town to mountain, but 1U061N6 AT SIUPES: 3,000 visitors Xc Tiulls: ao km carved out of a crested mountain in the getting there from far away remains one of INPoAMATION 8 AESERYATIONS: (soo) 544-8448 spectacular Elk range, and nearly 60 per- the resort's bugaboos. Some visitors fly into cent of the slopes are black diamond or Gunnison on the nonstops from Dallas and tougher. With the stomach-churning Ba- Atlanta or the commuter flights from DIA. nana Funnel and a necklace of extreme For others, though, it's a five-hour chug bowls strung around the top of the great from Denver on mostly two-lane roa(Is. iMand Momrola are vademarks o1 Motorofa, Inc 01996 Motorola, Inc Krazy Glue is a trademark of Toagosei C. , lTD ~ t ~ 3 A^"' , . y 0 KR'GLUE -.S K I . ' . ':.-rV.• ~K . _ _ . ~ ~ t . . . • . . - Motorota Sport Radios give you up to two miles of group communication pow , en ing. miles with our most powerful models.) Stay tinked on the slope. For the dealer nearest y I ou~s . ' ' _ ; 4 . . . . . . : : '.':i.. - ' : , . . + H Mntnrola Sport nadios. Have fun. S#ay in tauch, , , . . y.;' . . _ .I , DEER vALLEY, Utah . • ' _ - ~ x~' Pampered playground teaches glade skiing on Ba1d and Flagstaff moun- ta.ins, and adding six new snowcaxs, in case true meaning of customer service the odd snowflake might fa11 out of place. Deer Valley is cruising country, no T HREE SPECIAL WORDS separate apologies needed. Still, expert skiers car the Deer Va11ey eacperience from all milk an adrenaline squirt in the trees alonL others: service oomin , and cuisine. the Ruins of Pom eii• Better et, for $5 ho , SI' g P Y P . z Our readers give the ritzy resort the aboard a DV snowcat to nail 1,200 vertical- A' highest marks in North America in all feet down the back side's Empire Canyon. three categories, and one visit reveals why. Lifts are planned for this expert paradise ? Service earns an A v Expensive Nowhere else does a guest feel as fawned next winter. For now, DV is hauling skiers to ~ ? Superlative food v Snowboard ban over. A reader's remark of "excellent groom- the canyon as a form of polite introduction. ? Flawless grooming v Party is in Park City ing and excellent service" may have been an Deer Valley is one of the few major appraisal of either the staff or the mountain. resorts that still bans snowboarding. YEATICAL• 2,200 feet 8A5E ELEYATION:'7.200 feet The on-hill food is so scrumptious even die- Remaining the exclusive province of skier, SNONFUL• 205 inches SNONMIIKIN6:2g0 acres hard skiers look forward to lunch, and the somehow only adds to its air of moneyee TRiUIS:• 15% ¦ so% ? 35% grooming is so immaculate the snow looks exclusivity. While the lodging and dining LIffS: Planned for'96= g7: 3 high-speed quads, like it was cut by Cartier. at Deer Va11ey rate among the nation's elite, io fixed chairs Naturall}; luxury has its price, and skiers seeking after-hours fun often head p11lDREN'S LEIRNIN6 ARFA: yes NI6HT SKIIN6: none accommodations and amenities at Deer 2 miles downhill to Park City. This incon- SNOYBOAADIN6: not allowed Valley are appropriately dear. But the quali- venience irks some who comp]ain "there LBDSIN6 AT SIOPES: 2,500 visitors Xc TlUlls: 1s km ty backs up the cost, and the value gets bet- isn't any nightlife, and Park City is too faz° INFORMATION 8 AESERYATIONS: (soo) 424-DEER ter every year. Last season saw a$10 million DV earns one more superiative: best overhaul of the Snow park Lodge base facil- access in the West. Most major airlines fly ity and a 50-percent increase in snowmak- into Salt Lake City. Less than an hour late:ing capacity. This yeaz, the Wasatch lift has guests can be greeted at Deer Va11ey's doo~. been upgraded to a high-speed quad. Other pon't expect porters to ca,rry you into your improvements include opening 200 acres of room-but then again, they just might. 'rHEAVENLY, California Ni; f yf y a~ Heauenl 's hi h marks for scene are Nevada casinos add night glitter y g ~ due to the stunning view of America's pre- ~ to big mountain steeps and glades mier a1Pne lake, but the eerie sight of t} - ~ i arid Carson Valley spreading out below ti: t •t EAVENLY VALLEY straddles the Nevada slopes casts its own haunting spell. a I~ • I~i border of California and Nevada, Fewer bodies also bustle about the Nevada encompassing so much terrain (4,800 side, offering moments of tranquil seclusion. acres) that it's almost big enough to be DesPite a wide-ranS'ng lift sYstem, nav- ~ ~ . ~ a state unto itself. The largest U.S. ski igating the mountain often forces newcom- resort when it comes to sheer acreage, Heav- ers to traverse. A first-time sl:ier wastes ~ A Great glade skiing v Cat-track city enly is a land of alpine opportunity. time on cat tracks," a frustrated reader says. ' A Immense acreage v California-side crowds The trails on top of the California side Another reader pegs the "indifferent atti- A High-octaine nightlife v Slack worker attitude tend to be long boulevards with unobstruct- tudes" of the workers as a problem. ~ ~ ed views of majestic Lake Tahoe. The lower Heavenly earns high marks overall i•ir YERTICAL• 3,320 feet BASE ElEY1TIDN: 6,540 feet mountain ends abruptly in leg-thrashing nightlife, just behind Aspen, the Colorado sNOiIAU:26s inches SNONMARINS: 242 acres , bumps. On the Nevada side lie the dicey glitter-queen. Guess why? Just down the Tlults:o 12% 0 48% ? 40% dmps of Killebrew and Mott canyons. And road is a cluster of casinos, bursting with IIFTS: I tram, 3 high-speed lifts, 15 fixed chairs, below their pine-lined chutes stretch sweep- high-risk amusements. But "the resort has 6 surface lifts ing, blue-square cruisers. "Gigantic area and something for a11 ages and interests," says qIILDREN'S IEARNIN6 AAEA: yes NI6NT S[IIN6: none variety," an awed skier says. one skier. It rates tops in the West for teen SNONBOARDIN6:1 halfpipe; i park An added inducement for experts are activities and third for off-hill diversions. 1OD61N6 ATSIOPES:3,ooo visitors 1cC TAAIlS:2oo km the huge, forested areas on the California South Lake Tahoe is packed NNith ' INPoRlUTION 8 AESEAYIiIONS: (800) 2HEAVEN side. The pitch is fairly modest, and several resta,urants and lodging options for a-.6de shots are open enough for less-advanced range of budgets. Vacationers can fly ti:_:'e skiers to safely thread their way through. directly, but the local airport can only han- There's even more boffo tree skiing on the dle small planes. Most skiers reach the Nevada side, giving Heavenly by far the f':•avenly gates by passing through Reno, most gladed acreage in the Sierra n ighly'70 minutes away. 106 : SNOW COUNTRY : September 1996 ' ~~.~,~x~`~ . 0 50 . TDP RESO : ~ P4E C~IRRIER" RTS Popularity Contest SINGLES' FAVORITES ` aspen, CO Whistler/Blackcom6, BC . ~ Voil, CO _V 1 ; 8eouer Creek. CO Snowmoss, CO WOMEN'S FAVORITES :.Ttie~~s~ReiayTMisth~campactaedei Aspen, CO cientwa to;~getyourskis and poles to th` WnistlerlBlockcomb. BC Yi~o ~ aiile enohgh to fit in a car ra Vail, CO u m o A to er Snowmass, CO 1a s f ~ Steomboat, CO MEN'S FAVORITES uail. cO osn,479 " - ` Deer Valley, UT Beaver Creek, CO Steambuat, CU WhistledBlackcomb. BC + ? , E%PERTS' FAVORITES Beaver Creek. CO WhistlerlBlackcom6. BC ~ Deer Vaiiey, UT Vail, CD Steomboat, CD PARENTS' FAVORITES ~ ~ ~ ~ • ~ Snowmass, CO Uail. CO ~ Deer Yalley, IIT Aspen, CO Mammath Mountain, CA - } OK wa king soles help prevent ~ Fina1]}; readers were asked: "Of the ~resorts you've skied in the West, which malfiunctions caused by wear and I are your three favorites?" Resorts vel on your boot soles. Poeket sizetl named first received 3 points, secona at Tracks° improve traction and give received 2 and third received 1. The . winners are: OU CUShI0f1Bd Wa{{(ffl9 comfort. Cat Tracksg . Y ears of life to your boots, are worn b FAVORITES Y yail, co ~ rs and recommended b: U.S. PATENT y al10.UT 15.094.479 Steambont, CO Snowbird, UT ~--Jackson Hole, WY TYROLtA I - !.%lllS16 s~.DWw.C. S.nwucM,trt 1'800-447-3787 PHOTO: JAME$ KAY I BIG SKY, Montana - - + quad, the resort's third. This should appease U.S. s biggest vertical and least ~ • . readers who criticize "antiquated lifts:" Culi- . ~f ' crowded slopes equal perfection nary critics will find a new on-mountain ~ resta.urant at the bottom of'The Bowl. IG SKY NOT ONLY got bigger when The snow is usually deep and drier thar. ` it claimed the crown for the most ver- James Bond's martinis. And the "impecca- ~ tical feet in the United Staxes last sea- bly groomed" conditions on the resort's leg- son. It got badder. "New Lone Peak endary Elk Park Ridge cruiser runs and second to broad beginner boulevards rate high. Btram has Big Sky `extreme none," raves a reader. Above-timberline Endless views of bold, white peaks in ' ? Beautiful V Remote screamers, 30-degree bowls, and big-gulp every direction grace the 11,500-foot Lone ~ • Uncrowded v Inadequate dining couloirs like the notorious Dictator Chutes Mountain summit. One reader sums up the • Big v Sleepy nightlife have electrified Big Slcy's expert appeal. area as possessing "unspoiled beauty." But the new tram did more than pump The resident human population is rERTICAt: 4,180 feet BASE EtEYAT10N: 6,970 feet up the testosterone. It also substantially highly regarded, too. "Excellent local flavor; SNUWEALI• 392 inches SMUWMAKINE 220 acres boosted the acreage of an area once again is how one reader describes the friendly, un- iRUts:• io% •47% ? 43% rated the best of the Top 50 resorts for el- pretentious atmosphere provided by a big- LIFiS: Planned for'96-'97:1 tram, i gondola, bow room. While slder numbers soazed by time ski area that still manages to convey a 3 high-speed quads, 7 fixed chairs, 3 surface lifts 25 percent last season to nearly 300,000, down-home attitude. ppLDRENS LEAAAIN61REk yes NI6N1 SIIIIRS: none skiers also enjoyed 1,200 more acres to rip Though many go to Big Sky precisely SNOMBOAADIN6:1 halfpipe and "zero liftlines; except on the tram. One because it is remote, others continue to loDSIRS AT StoPES: 2,526 visitors u iAlulS: 6s km reader praises Big Sky's "vast amount of ter- complain about getting there. "Poor access INfBAMATION 8 RESEAYADONS: (800) 548-4486 rain," echoing those legions who love the on poor roads; says one reader. T'he closest resort's high, wide, and lonesome skiing. airport is in Bozeman, an hour away by This season-as part of an ongoing, ag- shuttle, taxi or rental car. There are mw gressive upgrade-one of two aging gondo- flights than ever, with daily service from las on the front of Lone Mountain has been Minneapolis and Sa1t Lake and nonstops yanked in favor of a zippy new high-speed from Seattle. Y 1 S COPPER MOL:rNTAIN, Colorado Resort mines skier loyalty with spread out,° a reader says. Beginners not only enjoy long runs of delicate pitch and major terrain expansion impeccable smoothness, but the two ml%:,l novice lifts, K and L, are free'most of the -ye,~ ' OPPER ALWAYS earns kudos for its season. Intermediates still get their fill of mountain layout, which keeps begin- rolling, satisfying cruisers. But advanced • , ~i~~i~1~ ners on the gentle western side and skiers and experts are the most spoiled of y.~`~''~ advanced skiers and boazders on the a11, with four bowls to romp in-Resolution, -~eastern flank. For years, the azea had Spaulding, Copper, and Union. a reputation as an intermediate haven, with The improvements at Copper haue not r ? Mountain layout V Limited base activities broad, loping slopes flowing down the main gone unnoticed, as weekend crowds attest. ~ A Expert bowl skiing v Minimal nightlife face of the mountain. Last season, the ba1- Despite its size, Copper is an easy mountain ? Friendly, family feel ? weekend crowds ance-of-terrain scales shifted in favor of ex- to get around, making it "great for fam;',:es -r - perts with the arrival of the Extreme Access and a great place to start out," according to - _1EmICAL• 2,601 feet BASE QEYATION:9,7i2 feet lift. The chair opened the doors to Copper one reader. The resort's highly regarded sld SNmrFAIl: 2so inches SNOYMIKIN6:270 acres Bowl and Western Union, 900 wondrous school includes a"friendly staff and cazy ~ TNllts: • 22% ¦ 27% ? 5i°k acres of above-treeline chutes, rock bands, atmosphere; a reader notes. ~ l1FfS: Planned for'96-'97: 3 high-speed quads, knolls, and pitches. All the ]odging is near the lifts, a defi- 14 fixed chairs, 4 surface lifts And it's only getting better. Access will nite plus, but restaurant options are limited• qIIlOREN'S LEAANIN6 ARFA yes NI6NT SKIIN6: none be further improved this season with the "There's no town, no local charm," pouts SNOYB0IRAIN6: snowboarding allowed installation of a second double chair drop- one visitor. The closest town is Frisco, about ~ IBDSINS A1 SIOPES: 2,800 visitors XC TAIILS: 25 km ping to the bottom of Copper Bow] valley. 5 miles to the east. The other Summit Coun- INFOAMADON 8 AESERYI110NS: (800) 458-8386 This improvement will offer experts steep, Ty ski azeas-Breckenridge, Keystone, and wind-protected tree-skiing. A-Basin-are a 40-minute shuttle ride aw'ay, Big-bowl skiing has changed Cop- and Vail is a 20-minute drive. per's flavor from vanilla to thrilla. Now ski- Visitors are best advised to fly into DIA+ ers of every ability have made-to-order ter- then take an hour-and-a-half commercial rain, "with blacks, blues, and greens well van ride to Copper. 108 : SNOY COUNTRIf : September 1996 = o 50 ~ TOP RESORTS ~ . . . : - ~ ~ : F ~ ti, , : ` r - ~ _ ~ Resorts at ~ ~ a Glance OWAN ~ A sta.ts box on each Top 50 resort NEOSOCKSO hrii ~ accompanies the ski area's profile. ''Y ; Highlighted are the resort's "Peaks," U{t1f118t@ W8C ' Your feet fior ~ or strengths and "Flats; or weaknesses. to Sxow CourrrRy readers were the critics - g"' - ~ when they filled out Skiers' Report ~ Cards, bound into the January and _ March issues mailed to subscribers % ~ ]ast winter. - - ~ Each staxs box contains informa- • ~ tion about the resort's size, lifts, snow- ~ boarding facilities and other key ameni- " - - ties. It also lists a central phone number _3 for questions or reservations. • " K Here's abrief explanation ofthe information they contain. ~ BAS E ELEVAY 10 N: Not counted in the y- - score, but useful for sl:iers who are sen- sitive to altitude. The elevation also can provide insights into an area's tempera- ture and weather patterns. Add the ver- tical to it to figure summit elevation. ' • iNFORMATIONIRESERVATIONS: ~ What numbers to ca11. LI FTS: Based on ]ast season's informa- 0 ' tion; this season's plans are included i0 . . E as we1L IODGING AT SIOPES: Numberof ~ visitors who can sleep within 400 yards ~ of the lifts. SHOWBOARDING: Availability ofhalf- Y' pipes or parks. SNOWFALL: Five-vearseasonaverage. ~ • - S N 0 W M a K I N G: Acres covered by , snowmaking equipment. N TRAIIS: Beginner, Intermediate, ~om s s u o~ f e v ea u, Expert. , • s..`:, , . , Glaci n ; Montan~. ~ v , call~.`. V E B T I C a l: Elevation difference from ~ . ~ the base of the resort's 3owest lift to the 38-50 7 , w~te to: G lacier Co top of its highest. ' 7 r ' ' ` ' 96,.Depr: Kalispell, M X C T R A I LS: Kilometers of cross-coun- , try trails in the vicinity. ow3#o,±t~e~4s deliie r dos spc1~CC1aSs,postage~ tit'yi,~.,~'7, • ~Y. f I+~{ ;t M O N T A N A ~ JACKSON HOLE, Wyoming . training ground for fans of the glades. The U.S. sultan of steeps is more to The litany of off-hill activities is as var- ust another orettV face. ied as the mountaids slopes. NearbyYellow- ~ s n~ •r.. than jr / r i; rc~,l~` stone National Park is open to cross-country KIERS WORSHIP Jackson Hole for sl:iers and snowmobile riders. Other trans- ? s: v its eye-boggling, knee-knocking, grin- porta.tion for hire inc lu des dog s le d s, he li- _ inducing inclines, which is as it should copters, horse-drawn sleighs, hot-air ba1- > be. No other North American area can loons and gliders. match the selection of expert terrain While one of the resort's charms is the found in-bounds at Jackson, the top rated nearby town of Jackson, one of its draw- ?.Taw-dropping scenery ? Brutal weather resort for steeps. The out-of-bounds turf- backs is the 12 miles between the two, which ? Terrific terrain variety ? Crowded tram which is street-lega] when conditions per- is serviced by a reliable if insufficiently fre- ? Best steeps around V Commute to town mit-puts the Eeeeek! back in extreme ski- quent shuttle that readers continue to find ing. "Killer terrain," a reader notes. But irrita.ting. Happily, the nightlife in both YERTICAL• 4,139 feet BISE ElEY1TI0N: 6,311 feet what's often overlooked are the thrills avail- locations is a hoot, whether skiers are rock- SNOWFALI• 326 inches SNOUMIKIN6: so acres able to beginners, intermediates and even ing at the Mang,y Moose or two-stepping in ilults:* io% ¦4o% ? 50% non-skiers. Jackson ranks in the West's top town at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. UFl3: Planned for'96-'97: 1 tram, l high-speed quad, five for scenery and terrain, and in the top The two main detenents to Jackson 6 fixed chairs, 2 surface lifts 10 for off-hill activities. "Vast mountain, Hole are the brutal weather and the 63-pas- dIILDREN'S LEAANIN6 AREA: yes NI6HT SKIIN6: none beautiful scenery, great town," an enchanted senger tram, which scales Jackson's storied SNOYBOARDIN6:1 halfpipe reader gushes enthusiastically. 4,139-foot vertical, the third highest in WD61N6ATSLOPES:l,isi -6sitors XCTRAIIS: i7km The old Teewinot chair is being North America. Even though it's the center- iNi'OAMATION 6 AESEAYATIONS: (800) 443-6931 scrapped this season for Jackson's first high- piece of the lift system, the tram is invariably speed quad, which will service an easy-as- crammed and increasingly balky: she-goes instruction park. Moderate skiers Easier transportation can be found at also will enjoy the cruisers in Casper Bowl the Jackson airport, which receives direct and Apres Vous, while the tree-speckled flights from Chica,go, Denver, Da11as, Sa1t slopes of the,Moran Woods form a perfect La,ke City, and Seattle. ~ lw -e. , - WINTER PARK, Colorado Response to readers ' common com- you-droP types or apres-ski trendoids. That is a real plus for some guests, like the reader plaint will be ambitious village, ShOpS who wrote, "the no-nonsense ski experience keeps us coming back:' OME SEASONS the storms never A paucity of on-mounta.in lodging and ~seem to cease at Winter Park, which °terrible parking" are reader concerns that boasts one of the highest average could be satisfied by a planned $200 million annual snowfalls in the state at 350 base-area development that may break " inches. Readers consistently praise ground by 1997 The project will be handled the "ideal snow conditions" and "great pow- by Gerald Hines, the high-octane Houston • Lots of snow v Busy weekends der; which stays high and dry thanks to the real-estate developer who's also overhauling ; ? Classic bump runs v Poor parking resort's 9,000-foot base elevation. The Aspen Highlands. His firm's ambitious blue- ? Good value V Soporific nightlife downside of the weather patterns that fun- print includes a hotel, condos, townhouses , nel moisture into the Fraser Va11ey is an shops and restaurants clustered around a YEAi1CAL• 3,060 feet BATE EIEMATIUN: g,ooo feet abundance of cold and cloudy days. pedestrian mall. It also ca11s for recreational SNOWFALL• 352 inches SNOYMIKIN6: 274 acres You say you want moguls? Mary Jane- trails a.long the Fraser River and a new ice- TlUlls:. 19% ¦ si% ? 20% Winter Pazk's sister resort that shares a skating rink, welcome amenities for visitors tIFTS: Planned for'96-'97: 7 high-speed quads, common ridge-offers "the best bumps in who complain that "there's not a lot to do 13 fixed chairs Colorado," says one reader. "The bumps are other than ski:' CHIIDAEN'S LEAANIN6IRG: yes NI6NT SKIIN6: none why we GO!" says another about the consis- Winter Park is a 90-minute drive from SNOYBUADIN6: 2 parks tent lines found on classic runs such as Out- Denver International Airport, but some 1A061N6 AT SLUPES:1,2so ,6Sitors XC TR61ls: 22o km house and Brakeman. Others rave about readers would rather arrive by rail. On win- INFOAMITION 8 AESERYITIONS: (800) 453-2525 Parsenn Bowl, 200 acres of wide-open, ter weekends, a ski train departs Denv- 's above-timberline skiing with thinned glades Union Station at 7:15 n.M. and transports on its eastern ridge. daytrippers directly to the slopes. Amtrak's Price-sensitive readers say the resort California Zephyr also arrives daily from stretches their vr -:ation dollar, but warn that Chicago and the West Coast, stopping in the Winter Park is not a destinatioh for shop-til- nearby town of Fraser. 112 : SNOW COUNTRY : September 1996 . ~ ~ TELLURIDE, Colorado ~ best in the West and second-best in the Community looks for a tift from nation. For some, this is a drawback: "You new town-to-villo e ondo(a ~ 9 9 must be an excellent mogul skier to enjoy ~ . the mountain,° says one reader. "Split T HIS NOVEMBER, Telluride, will grooming" does, however, help those who launch into its future with a shiky new are not. On some north-facing trails, $16 million gondola Connecting the groomers leave one side untouched and buff former mining town to Mountain Vil- the other smooth for the weak-kneed. +I~lage-the resort's slopeside hub-the Telluride also offers "heart-stopping gondola will eliminate a problem frequently tree skiing" ofF Chair 6 and in the glades ? Moguls and steeps ? Gettingthere cited by readers: "It's difficult to get from between Kant-Mak-M and Mammoth. • Beautiful views ? Steep prices one side of the mounta.in to the other:' Some readers continue to pine for a lift up to ? Real town v Glitz-blitz From the Oak Street terminus, eight- Gold Hill's double diamonds. "You have to passenger gondola cars wiil climb to the walk 20 minutes to the best skiing," one fan YEATICAL• 3,165 feet BASE EIEVADON: 8,725 feet mountain in about 10 minutes, haif the time of the steeps grouses. SNONFALL• 305 inches SNOYMAKIN6:155 acres it takes to drive. Designed as a transporta- While readers rave about Telluride's TaUls: • 21% ¦ 47°,6 0 32°k tion system, not a ski lift, the gondola will exquisite cuisine, they object to too much LIFTS: Planned for'96-'97: i gondola, 2 high-speed please those who feel the sedate Mountain glitz. "Too many movie stars and poseurs," quads, 7 fixed chairs, 2 surface lifts Village just doesn't cut it after dark. "You complains one. "The town is getting too qittDREN'S LEA(tNIN61REA: yes NI6NT SKItN6: none must stay in town for a nightlife," says one expensive," says another. Sensitive to these SNOH80AAOIN6: I pazk reader. That's no longer the case. This sea- concems, Telluride continues to push half- lOD6lN6 At SIQPES: 3,075 visitors IC TR!llS: 30 km son, the gondola will run until 7:30 P.M.; price lift tickets paired with bargain lodging INPoRMITIBN & RESERYITIONS: (800) 525-3455 next season, it will close neas midnight. ~ in towns like sleepy Rico, 25 miles south. Once on board, look out the window. Telluride's out-of-the-way reputation Readers perennialIy rate Telluride's scenery persists. The tocal airport, however, is as some of North .Americas finest. "It's the served by turboprop planes from Denver, most beautiful ski mountain," one raues. Colorado Springs and Phoenix. Jets fly daily Telluride also scores As in the bumps- into Montrose, 65 miles away. NORTHSTAR-AT TAHOE, Calif. Groamed for success, Tahoe beauty isn't good news to everyone. "The biack dia- monds are really blues; huffs one reader. has family-friendly cruiser appeal The back side is Northstar's best-kept secret, with bolt-straight runs of moderatel}> , N A NEIGHBORHOOD famous for challenging pitch that plummet 1,800 verti- : . " yahoo-yelling cornice jumpers, North- cal feet. It's also home to superb tree-skiing z•; 'f ,q. star-at-Tahoe is taking a quieter road to on powder days and great cruising all the success. Family friendly, the resort ranks time. "This is the best intermediate moun- sixth in North America for its children's tain in the USA," a reader gushes. , programs. Last season it added a Magic Car- An electronic trail map at the top of Mt. A Great familv resort v No real expert terrain pet lift-a moving sidewalk on snow-to its P1uLo lets skiers study trail and lift status A Fast lifts v Lift ride to base children's ski school area. This year, the mid- before they push off. It's a big help to those A Back side runs v Inadequate parking mountain school site will be eacpanded to unfamiliar with the area. _ further remove young students from intimi- Readers rate Northstar's service tops in r YERTICAL• 2,280 feet BASE EtfYaTION: 6,330 feet dating skier traffic. California One of its most popular cus- ~ SNOWfAIL 341 inches SNDMMAKIN6: 200 acres Northstar also understands that fami- tomer-friendly moves is a frequent-skier TIUILS:* 25°ro ¦ 50% ? 25% lies mean kids, and kids just want to have program called Club Vertical. A watch-like uFTS:1 gondola, 4 high-speed quads, 4 fixed chairs, fun. The resort is an industry leader in ter- device records vertical feet skied, enabling 3 surface lifts rain parks, which feature snowcat-sculpted skiers to earn discounts on lift tickets. A$49 CNILDNff('SIfARNfN6tRG:yes N16NPSktfN6: none spines, rolls, and mini jvmps on designated initiation fee buys the privilege of inembers- " SNDYBOAADIN6: snowboarding a]]owed trails for both snowboarders and skiers to only liftlines for the season, which is a neces- 1AD61N6 AT SIOPEb:'750 visitors lIC Tiutls; 65 km hoot and holler on. sary perk during crowded weekends. INFORMATION: (916) 562-1010 RESEAYATIONS: (soo) GO-NORTH Northstar lacks the lure of the precipi- Northsta.r's approval rating slips in • tous steeps of nearby Squaw or Alpine regard to getting onto the slopes. Readers Meadows, but it does pamper guests with grouse that parking is inadequate and that it grooming rated among the West's top five. ta.kes a gondola ride to reach the base of the Most of the front face is meticulously iAIed skiing terrain. The resort is an easy 45 min- by an expanding fleet of snowcats, wizich utes west of Reno International Airport. 114 : SNOW COUNTRI( : September 1996 . SLTNSHINE VILLAGE, Alberta . i_ • ' like Free Fall and HeII's Kitchen, Sunshine With a new mountain, Conodion no Ionger earns readers' scorn. "The classic lands some serioas steeps steeps! Goat's Eye is a great addition," a • reader exclaims. W HEN IT COMES to stunning scen- Goat's Eye adds another much-needed ery and heaven-sent snow, Sunshine dimension: treeline skiing. A,s a welcome Yltage can stand ski-to-ski with any side effect, the trees offer shelter when high of its more famous Canadian rivals. winc3s and flat light render much of the Locaxed within Banff National Park above-timberline acreage unskiable. in British Columbia, the resort has the A new high-speed quad debuts this sea- A Fabulous snow quality ? Gondolato village Canadian Rockies-and the Matterhorn- son. Sunshine is investing $2.5 million to A Spectacular scenery ? Poor weather like Mt. Assiniboine-as a spectacular back-, replace a double chair and T-bar, which A Good value V Few slopeside lodges drop. Readers noticed, ranking Sunshine should alleviate morning crowds and reduce ~ second in North America for scenery, be- ride-time to the top by ha1f. But getting to YEATIM 3,410 feet BASE EIftATION: 5,440 feet hind rival Lake Louise, 35 miles north on the slopes continues to annoy skiers. It's jnst •SNONFAIL• 328 inches SNOMMAKINE none the Trans-Canadian Highway. Readers cite 20 minutes from Banff to Sunshine's pazk- Tlul[s: • 2o9'a 9 ss% ? 25% the area's "breathtaking beauty" as reason ing lot. But it's another long 20 minutes by a UFiS: Planned for'96 '9'7:1 gondola, 3 high-speed alone for a return trip. six-passenger gondola up to the on-moun- quads, 4 fixed chairs, 5 sarface lifts Sunshine also owns bragging rights to tain resort vilIage. ' CNIt6AEN'S tEAANIN6 A1E1-yes N16NT SIUIN6: none the ninth-longest season in the West and the Although its accommodatians aren't SNBMBOARDINf~ 1 halfpipe; I pazk fourth-best snow quaiity in North America,. regal, Sunshine offers the only slopeside taDStNS Ai TIePES: 22e visitors xc iluils: ioo km The 5,440-foot base elevation and fortunate lodging in the national park, and readers INFDRMADON 6 AESEAYIQIONS: (800) 661-1676 weather patterns ensure 300-plus-inches of rate the resort sixth for value in the West_ feather-light snow. But the bad news is that Top-notch lodging like the renowned Banff it can become crusty and wind-packed from Springs Hotel and the elegant Rimrock are the strong winds of the high peaks. located in the lively mountain town of Banff. ~ With the opening of Goat's Eye Moun- Sunshine is a 90-minute scenic drive from tain last year and its look-out-below runs Calgary and its airport. ~i ~ THE BIG MOI:rNTAIN, Montana - ydeclares. But the fronts often brin snow, an - - Big runs, big v' ~ews, and big value: g ~ ~ average of 306 inches a yea.r. And after the This far-north resort offers it all weather blows over, guests savor "big, beau- ~ tiful views" of Glacier National Park and the ~ W ITH 50 MILES of rolling trails on Flathead Valley, placing the resort in the top 3,000 acres, The $ig Mounta.in IO natianally for scenery. ~ lives up to its nazne. "Big terrain, The Big Mountain aiso scores high on groomed runs. How fast can I go? T vaiue. Wednesdays through Sundays, regu- found out here; a reader says. In our lar lift tickets ase valid until 9 p.m. on 52 survey The Big Mountain ranks ninth acres of night skiing. For a real deat, vouch- A Empty slopes • Unexciting nightlife nationa.lly for acreage and fourth for "eIbow ers purchased from the mountain in Octo- ? Apres-ski values ? Foggyweather room"-a combination that whets the ber and early November drop the lift-ticket A Night sl;iing V Limited restaurants downhill appetite. "No crowds, even at price to $23. - Christmas," a skier says. Apres-ski can be kind to the walIet, too. - rERTtcAI• 2,296 feet BASf EIfY1TIAA: 4,700 feet Tucked into the northwest comer of Free beer is poured at Moguts during "Pow- SNDMhILIL• 306 inches S1811MhIlIN6: 90 acres Montana, outside the growing town of der Hour" Mondays and on Wednesdays at Tiults: • 25% ¦ 55% ? 20% Whitefish and about 70 miles from the Ca- the Bierstube, a hoot 'n' holIer type of joint tIFIS: I gondola, 6 fixed c},airs, 2 surface lifts nadian border, The Big Mountain boasts Readers complain "there's not much CHILDREN'S IfARNiN61AfA yes NI6HT SKIINfi: 52 acres both well-groomed cruisers and "beautiful nightlife on the mountain." But eight wind- Sx01160AItDIN&: i park off-piste skiing," says a reader. "Tust take a ing miles downhili, 4Vhitefish provides 1DDWM6 Ai SLOPES: 1,500 visitors XC Tluus: io km line and go.° Snowboarders make the most diversion. At the popular Great Narthem ii INFORFIATIOA: (406) 862-2900 RESERYATIBNS: (800) 558-5439 of the Ptarmigan and North bowls, but a Brewing Company, the "Black Star" double- rider points oat that long runouts and "flat hop lager comes highly recommended. cat tracks are difficult for boarders." Resort vans shuttle between the moun- ' When western fronts back up against tain and Glacier Park International Airport, ~I the Rockies, they can cloak The Big Moun- a half hour away. Northwest artd Delta offer i: tain in thick clouds-a definite negative nonstops from Minneipolis and Sa1t Lake, i readers say. "Foggy days are not fun; one and Horizon flies non: Ap from Seattle. , x ! 118 : SHOY C6UMTRY : September 1996 a ~ ii IIIW ,Y ly ~a.~M" ~Il~~llb' ~ y il ~ II y I~JI I I~ I ~I ~ t~ o i ~ . ~ i ~~I~ • ~ 1OD61N6 SCENERY I I I Bemer Creek CO [ake lomse, AB ~ WhistledBlackco C Sunshine Vil . , AB mb B la9e ~ - . - Oeer Valley, , Ui tellunde, CO . . , Snowmass, CO Heavenly, CA lake louise, AB Jackson Hole. WY ~ UPSIZfD: With.7ackson h,ome to tlie third- DININ6 AROUND TOWH OFF-NILL ACTIVITIES - Zvngest verti,ca,4 rnltat ASpen. CO ASpen, CO ' . . are ttie most fedred ~ WhisdedBlackcom6. BC Voil. CO - words on the hill? "Ra.ce you dozarc." . VoiG CO Neavenly, CA j Deer Valley, Ui Breckenridge, C0 „ Sun Valley, ID WhistierlBlackcom6. BC THE V'CTEST'S : ]?)iggel • st: Best Ain't no mountain high enough? Ain't - ~ ALLOW ME Beaver c no mountain fun enough? ~ reek s vaulted We measure service h,cznds out t the Biggest. Readers measure the Best. ` along ~skis ~ at a slopeside ~ courtesy corraL SUPER IIfTS' SKIABLE ACRES acres SEASON LENGTN` days , WhistledBlackcomb, BC 12 WhistledBlackcomb, BC.... 6,998 Timbedine, UR ................29$ 0 1 Yail CO io Heavenly, CA............... 4,SOO Mammoth Mountain. CA .......244 Sun Valley, ID 7 Vail. CO..................... 4,ii2 WhistlerlBlackcom6, BC 244 : ` Snowmas& CU 7 Lake louise, AB ............4,000 Ampahoe Basin. CO........... 221 Mt Bachelor.Ofl 6 Squaw Valley, G1........... 4,00o Mount Bachelor, Ofl........... 219 SquowValley.Cl1 ................6 '5-yearmremgedaysinoperotion : TERRIIN EMPlOYEE SERVICE SKI SCHOOL WinterPorkCO ..................6 SNOYMAKIN6 acres WhistledBlackcomb,BC DeerValley.Ui ioos,NM 'Includesiraas.gondainsand lokelouise,A8 .............1,60o SNOWfAII` inches ; Mammoth Mountain, CA BeaverCreekCO BemerCreek.CO higMspeed quads Mount Baker, Wd 703 Keystone, CO 851 : Jackson Nole, WP Grond iarghee. WP Steamboat, CO KIfkWOOd, CA .................523 YERTICAL DROP feet PonoramaBC 700 : YaiL Cc WhistledBlackcomb,BC WinterPnrk.CO Sun Valley, ID _63o IIltO, lR 513 ~ AItO, UT Steamboat, CO WhistlerlBlockcomL. BC WhisledBlackcomb.6C.... s,28o Su arbow~C~ ................509 : Nhistled9lackcomb, BC...... _445 9 Big Sky, Mi .................4,iso SieRa-At-Tahoe. CA ..........500 - : EIBOW ROOM VALUE STEEPS , JacksnnHole.W9........... 4,i39 SLOPESIDE LOD6ING' pillows ~`'~°f0~109eininclces : Snowbosin,UT uta,UT JocksonNole.WP- Panorama, BC ..............4,042 Whistled8lackcomb, BC... i7,91o Wolf Creek, CO Wolf Creek. CO Taos. NM ASpenHighlonds,CO....... a,soo yoil CU ...................i2,ooo : BigSky,MT Snowbasin,UT SnowbirdUi ` Steomboat CO 7,553 The Big Mountain, MT Grand lorghee, WY Crested Butte, CO EIIPERT ACBES ocres Breckenridge,CO........... 7,00o Telluride.CO BridgerBowl,MT SquowValley,CA YaiL CO ....................2,22o MommothMountain,Ck ....6,soo Heavenly.CA ................i,92o 'Numberofpillowswithinshonrnalldng SHOW QUAIITY FOOD WhistledBluckcomb.BC.... 1,749 distance oflihs Ak ul BeerValley,U1 Big Sky. MT 1,505 Wolf Creek, CO Sun Valley.lU &eckenridge, CO.........., 1,214 ' 6rand iarghee. WY Wh+stledBlockcomb. BC ` Sunshine rllage. AB ASpen. CO Snowbird, UT Beaver Creek, CU 120 : SNOM COURTBY : September 1996 _ . . LAKE LOUISE, Alberta 0 i' • t 7 w;-- bowls and the moguls, gulleys, and ego- Beau ~s more than snow dee at >>y;f~ . p boosters of Pta.rmigan and Paradise will sate picture perfect Canadian resort any slder's neeas. "Endless terrain; a reader iiv,~ c r o w s. B u t o t h e r s a r e n' t s o h a p p y w i t h t h e T HE TRAIIS and the exquisite glade transportation around the mountain. "Old, skring at Lake Louise are first-class, slow lifts° seems to be a common refrain. but on a clear day, it's the scenery Lake Louise doesn't leave the snow to that takes your breath away. From the quirkiness of Mother Nature. The resort < the summit of Mt. Whitehorn, the si- has spent $6 million on its snowmaking sys- lent call of glaciated peaks against a bold tem in five years. Snowguns now cover ? Spectaculaz scenery v Slow lifrs blue sky commands attention. 1,600 acres, tops in North America. ? Huge, varied terrain ? Unsatisfactory food Loca.ted in Banff Nationa] Park, I.a1ce The same can't be said for Louise's base ? World-class hotels v Crowded base Louise is regulated by tight development lodge and cuisine. "Mickey Mouse food ser- restrictions that have left untouched much vice, day lodge way too crowded; a rea.der 1EATICIL• 3,250 feet BASE ElF1ATI0N: 5>40o feet of the portrait nature first painted. "I could says bluntly. La.ke Louise management is SNOYFGtL• 223 inches SNrONfN6: i,60o acres sit on top of the mountain and just sta,re,° moving toward a solution. Plans ca11 to dou- TAiuli • 25% ¦ 45% ? 30% eacc]aims an enthusiast. So enamored aze ble the size of the base lodge for next season, uFTS: 2 high-speed quads, 6 fixed chairs, readers with Louise's beauty that they rate it pending Pazks Canada approval. 3 surface lifts the most scenic resort in North America. Nearby accommodations, however, are plriDRpi3 LEAMIN61dEA: yes NI6NT Sx11N& none $ut La.ke Louise is more than nature's superlative, and readers rank lodging fifth- N0M80AM 1 halfpipe;l pazk answer to Claudia Schiffer. With 4,000 ski- . best in North America. Just 10 minutes M61N6 AT StoPES: none C TBAIIS: so km able acres, the resort is the fourth largest in from the ski area axe two of snow country's INFORNATIBN & AESERY1TroNS: (soo) 258-7669 North America. (tied with Squaw Va11ey). Its premiere hotels: the Chateau Lake Louise . 1,200 acres of expert acreage rank sixth. and the smaller, luxury Post Hotel. Lake Louise's slopes are a skier's smor- Lake Louise is 40 minutes from Banff gasbord. Long cruisers snake down the and a two-hour drive from Calgary Intema- south-facing Whitehom. Expert glades dot tional Airport, serviced by direct flights Larch Mountain. The north-faeing baclc from U.S. and Canadian cities. r,- TAOS, New Mexico v ` !'`'•i '"n , . , ~ Steeped in tradition, baked in the West that still bans snowboarding. As Pro- , ~ l vincial as that may seem these days, the ab- St111, with a side of salsa to go sence of riders enhances the resort's slopes- + that-time-forgot asnbience. ~ ~ 'y F THERE WERE a double-crown award Adding to that feeling is Taos' sma11 ~ for the best steeps and bumps in North base area, which is Euro-charming, if limit- America, Taos would ski away with it. The ed. The waiting list is always long at the jewel of New Mexico skiing ranks right elegant St. Bemard Hotel, operated with a < behind Jackson Hole for top-rated steeps sense of alpine community by ski school and is next in line to Telluride for the tech director Jean Mayer. Still, the frequent A Superb steeps, bumps V Remote highest-raxed bumps. complaint remains: "Nothing happens at A Great ski school v Minimal nightlife A combination of the resort's one-two night-and it's a long drive to town: ? Charmingbase _V Limited base area punch is Al's Run, Taos' signature slope. It's Despite the 19-mile trip to the resort, a pitched casca.de of edge-to-edge moguls many readers recommend staying in the YEBDCL-2,612 feet BISE ELEIIAIIUN: 9,206 feet that drops 1,700 feet to the valley floor. rustic town of Taos to enjoy its robust ' SNOYfAIL• 351 inches SNOMMAIIINE 391 acres First-time visitors have been known to ta.ke nightlife and cultural diversions. The com- ' ilults: • 24% ¦ 25% ? si% one long ]ook at Al's from the parking ]ot, mute is a hassle, but a public shuttle bus , uFR: io fixed chairs, i surface lift get back in their cars, and drive off-utterly helps ease the burden. - qI1tDREN'S tEaRNIM618Etc yes NISHi SIIiIN6: none intimidated. "It's a tough mountain. I was New Mexico ca11s itself "The Land of ` SNOYBOARDIN& none pushed to new levels," a reader admits. Enchantment," and indeed the resort has a„ LOU61N6 AT SLOPES: 798 visitors XC TBAIIS: none Ironically, this adrenaline-rich experts' magical feel. Part of this sensation m^y ~ INFOAMAiION: (505) 776-2291 AESERIATIONS: (800) 776-1111 pazadise also boasts the top-rated education derive from the altitude (the base elevatios+ is program in the West. The Ernie Blake Ski 9,206 feet), the sun'shine (more than 300 ~ School manages to mix technical artistry, annual days) or the resort's remoteness, for Southwestern hospitality and European tra- Taos is on a direct route to nowhere. The dition. A fabulous school; a reader says. nearest major airport is in Albuquerque, Despite a11 that learning, Taos is one of three hours by car. Limited direct-flight ser- = four major destination ski resorts in the vice is available into Taos Municipal Airport. ' 122 : SNOIi COUNTRIf : September 1996 SNOWB I RD, Utah Utah gem soars high on steeps line to follow. Few flats interrupt a top-to- - ' E v bottom journey, and powder-choked preci- and heaven-sent powder pices abound. The terrain is vast and rug- ged, and the few warning signs should be NOWBIRD AND ALTA shaxe the end respected. Crossing into a closed area here of Little Cottonwood Canyon and its isn't just stupid, it's downright dangerous. ~ bounty of praise-the-lord Wasatch Snowbird's season is as long as the snow „ i• .s.~ ~ powder. The two neighboring resorts is deep, averaging six months. Blessed with also enjoy roughly the same remaxk- more than 40 feet of snow annually, Snow- able quantity and quality of expert acreage, bird ranks fifth in the West for snow quality , A Plentifui powder v Uneventful nightlife but that's where the similarities end. Alta is and ninth for snowfall. Diligent slders can A Super steeps v Long tram line duct tape and dungarees, Snowbird is Mas- find "hidden stashes of chest-high powder; ! ? Easy access v No high-speed chairs mot and merlot. And thanks to the tram, a reader vows. But not a11 is idyllic. Weekend which travels to the summit, Snowbird visitors lament Iengthy Iiftlines both at the ' IlflmcU: 3,240 feet BUE EtEYATION: 7,760 feet stands a thousand vertical feet higher than tram and the resort's eight double chairs. SNBNFALL- 487 inches SNOiIIUKIN6: 35 acres its neighborhood rival. While there's more apres-ski activity TAUts:. 25% ¦ 30°k ? 45% Once there, the fun really starts. Read- here than at Alta, that's not saying much. uFTt: i tram, s fixed chairs ers rate The 'Bird's bumps, from the wicked "There's no nightlife; grumbles a reader. But qIIIDREMS LEARNIN6 OREA: yes NISHT SKIUis: none pitches of STH to the multi-moguled faces others commend the comfortable Cliff tNm160utDIN6: snowboarding allowed accessed by the Peruvian lift, as fifth best in Lodge, where guests ca.n tumble out of bed LBO6 AT SOPES: l,soo visitors u TRUIS: none the West. The freefall drop-ins offthe Upper into the tram line. The convenience contin- INFOAMAneN: (soo) 882-4766 Cirque are legendary, earning Snowbird ues with a number of good restaurants in AESERIATIONS: (800) 337-0393 fourth-place behind Jackson Hole, Taos, both the hotel and village center. and Vermont's Mad River Glen for the best Snowbird's location is a plus. Only 29 steeps in North America. Awesome extreme miles from Salt La.ke City, guests can go to terrain," a reader says. town for dinner and dancing or better still, The nicest surprise about Snowbird's ski right up to the last moment before catch- slopes is that there always seems to be a fall ing a plane back home. MT. BACHELOR, Oregon New ocres, seventh high-speed quad skiers after a day or two," a reader critiques. Steep options are especially lunrted improve skiing under the volcono when the weather turns ugly. Blustery winds and chilling storms plague the slopes of the T HE REASON MANY destination extinct 9,065-foot volcano. Though these skiers shun Mt. Bachelor is the same storms produce some of the Casca.des' light- " reason that attracts so many others to est snow, they also can shut down Summit its slopes. The resort operates in the Fxpress and above-treeline expert runs like Deschutes National Forest with a per- Cow's Face and the Cirque. "Summit is mit that prohibits construction of on-moun- ALWAYS CLOSED!!° fiunes a reader. ? Reliable snow ? Poor accessibility tain lodging and stores. That's perfectly fine Management hopes to quiet some of ? Grooming v Absence of lodging with devotees of this remote and uncrowded those gripes this year by adding the resori"s • Children's programs v Uneventful terrain cruiser haven. seventh and longest high-speed quad, whicit Forced to forego such slder amenities as serves wind-sheltered terrain. The North- - tEATICAL• 3,365 feet USE ELEIATION: 5,700 feet shopping and slopeside condos, the resort west Express opens 458 acres on a previous- SNOMFUL• 373 inches sNOM1ulIINr. none instead has focused on its children's pro- ly isolated face known for receiving Bach- TAAIts:.4o% ¦ 35% ? 25% gram and ca.rpet-quality grooming, both of elor's biggest dumps. As a bonus, the lift UfTS: Planned for '96 '97: 7 high-speed lifts, 4 fixed which rank among the West's top 10. A good extends the area's boundary, giving west- chairs, 2 surface lifts family hill," a pleased skier says. Readers ward venturers longer runs through the CNIL9REN'S LEAANIN6 AREA yes N16NT SKIIN& none SNOMBOAAOINS: ~ halfpipe; i park a1so enjoy Bachelor's 56 kilometers of cross- hemlocks before catching the next chair up• LUD61N6 AT SLOPES: none tc itulls: 56 km country ski trails that begin near the base- Accessibility is always an issue at Bach- INFOAtUITIQN & AESERMIiIONS: (800) 829-2442 an option that would haue disappeared long elor. Lodging is 20 miles east down the ago if deveIopment had been allowed. access road to Bend, America.'s hip outdaor While intermediates enjoy cruising ca.pital for young, multisport types-a.nd DSQ and other blue runs on the "very user- just a fun place to hang out friend' mountain;' experienced skiers may Air access is improving, with direct-ser- becomr too familiar too quickly with Bach- vice to Redmond, 16 miles north of Bend. elor's •.4,228 acres. "Boring for expert Portland, and its airport is 163 miles away 124 : SNOW COUNTRI : September 1996 ALPINE MEADOWS, California with," may be in for a bit of an adjustment: States lost skiers-only bastion ~ The other change in Alpine's character welcomes baarders and a six pack is the arrival of a high-speed °six-pack" lift, the first in the Sierra Nevada. Mounted on T HE HEADLINE INSIDE the Alpine the towers of the deceased Summit chair, Meadows trail map reads, "Go the new lift can ca.rry 400 more passengers g ~-h Explore" This invitation to push the per hour than its predecessor. It whisks boundaries reflects the mountain's skiers to the top in 5 minutes. ; - roguish character. The best skiing at But what truly sets Alpine apart is its Alpine is tucked around a tree-lined comer harmonious biend of off-piste, wilderness A Terraia v No lodging or spread below a distant cornice. The area skiing and flawlessly groomed cruising runs. ; A Down-home feel v Slopeside amenities rewards the urge to trudge across a long tra- "It makes for laid-back skiing," says one con- ; A Sierra scenery v Old and slow lifcs verse to see what lies over the next ridge. tented reader. Most of the trails adjacent to ~ And days after a storm, freshies can still be the main lifts are tilled to perfeetion every i PEImcAl:l,soo feet BASE EtFrAiION: 7,000 feet found in Alpine's glades and open bowls. night, so on clear days one can ski forever SNO11FAU: 388 inches SMONMAIUII& 1so acres "Endless powder for those who know where and never encounter a bump. More adven- TNUts: • 25 ¦ 40% ? 35% to find it; gloats one pIugged-in reader. turous souls can hike five to 15 minutes and UFR: Planned for'96-'97:1 high-speed 6-passenger One of Alpine's longstanding charms savor untouched terrain. Readers compli- lift,1 high-speed quad, 9 fixed chairs, i surface lift has been its skiing-that-time-forgot feel. But ment Alpine for its natural beauty, great pIIlHAEN's LFAANlNSAREI: yes lu6HTSKIIM& none a major change will send ripples through snow and, quite simply, the mountain. A i SNAWUMN& snowboarding allowed this purist paradise: the admission of snow- plus for sun-lovers, the resort averages the ~ 1OB61N6 AT uBPES: none u rnuls: none boarders. Alpine had been the last skiers- West's sixth-longest season. ; INfOBMATWN: (800) 441-4423 I{RERIUIONS: (800) 949-3296 only holdout in California, but the resort Although Alpine has little to offer in finally joined the modern world. Manage- slopeside amenities, there still is fun to be ment claims its boarder-policy shift won't found. The area is only 10 miles from'IYuck- i change the resort's ambience. But tradi- ee and 5 from Tahoe City, a town that never tionalists, who lauded the fact that there seems to sleep. The most convenient airport aze "no pesky snowboazders to contend is in Reno, less than an hour away. ALTA, Utah ouL those who chose cheaper lodging in Salt True ski enthusiosts area offers . Lake and makes the modest premium paid ~ best snow in North America to sleep at the base of the lifts worthwhile. Not only does Alta benefit from th, ~ HE TRIP from the Salt Lake Ci t y best snow in North America, the terrain i - - . ~ n~ airport to the top of Little Cotton- blankets is spectacular. From huge open wood Canyon takes a mere 45 min- bowls to chutes basely a ski-length wide, t6 . utes, but it feels like you've traveled Alta.'s raw features aze a skier's playground. back in time some 30 years. Lift tick- One hitch for experts is that the best ets are still $27-a flashback price that terrain requires long traverses. While L-hese ` A Best snow anywhere ? No nightlife makes Alta the best value in the West. - treks can be fairly precipitous, they keep the ~ ~ Greax value ? Slow lifts There's hardly a snowmaking gun on the traffic down, preserving more of that glori- ° A Awesome terrain ? Road closures premises, not a single detachable quad, and ous powder for those willing to earn it ~ ~ snowboarders aren't a,ilowed. The cozy While experts cavort down Alta's pitch=s, tERMAt:2,100 feet 9ASEELf9AiMN:8,sso feet lodges sprinkled about tlie base are decades intermediates and beginners can cruise t..e ~ SNONFALL• 513 inches SNONMIqN6: 30 acres old, built in a genteel era when guests were resort's acres of rolling groomed terrain. ' TAUIS:. 25% ¦ 40°k ? 35°k expected to mingle and share the bonhomie Alta is every inch a ski enthusiasts' ` llF1S: 8 fixed chairs, 4 surface lifts of apres-ski. "It's old-time skiing, the way area, and not just because it bans snow- p11tDAENS tEAANINS AAEA: yes NI6HT SIUIN6: none it ought to be," muses one nostalgic reader. boarders. There is virtually nothing eise to SNOMBOAROINrx not allowed Alta earned the best marks in North do there. At dusk, the day-trippers disap- ~ MNi AT SLOPES: 865 visitors R iIUItS: none America for snow quality. The resort aver- pear, and most lodge guests retire shortly ; INfOAfUT10N: (SOI) 742-3333 AESERYATtQNS: (80I) 942-0404 ages more than 500 inches of natural snow after dinner, exhausted after running up ' each year, and it tends to fall in 3- to 4-foot one side of Alta and flying down the other. ~ deluges. "It's the greatest snow on earth; is Alta skiers also seem to be early risers. Tdst a common refrain from Alta fans. Occa- check out the lifts at the start of the day. sionaily it can be too much of a good thing: Destination skiers jet into Salt Lake. avalanches and avalanche-control crews fre- Shuttle buses work the 30-mile drive up ; quently close the canyon road. This fre -7;es Little Cottonwood Canyon. 128 : SNOif COUNIRY : September 1996 i ~ : ~ • SIERRA-AT-TAHOE, California ~ FrI@ndllll@SS, great snow, value make ular views of emerald-hued La.ke Tahoe. ; . Most of the terrain has modest, cruiser for out-Of-the-way fovorite pitches, which are well-groomed but offer littie challenge. "An intermediate mountain R EVEREND BRUCE Crawford of near- unless you stay out of bounds," critiques a by Placerville carved so many turns reader. The area does boast a 300-foot down a narrow, steep-sided gully that halfpipe and three terrain gardens for riders f Sierra-at-Tahoe management finally and skiers to share. o named the run "Preacher's Passion:" The area also boasts valuable price ~ Not every skier's favorite shot will be breaks. Teens age 13-19 can get $10 off the • Loads of snow V Lack of challenge renamed, but much of Sierra-at-Tahoe's price of a regular a11-day adult ticket, which • Tree-skiing ? No slopeside lodging appeal stems from treating visitors more like was $39 last season. And a11 customers can • Friendly service V Snoozer apres-ski pals than customers. "People are friendly and take advanta.ge of the "Sunday Solution° helpfuI" is a common reader response. ticket, which comes with a$lo refund if IEATICAL• 2,212 feet BASE QEYATION: 6,640 feet The resort has more than friendliness returned by 2:30 r.M. SNONfAIL• 500 inches SNOMlUKIN6: 6o acres in its favor. Rising above a high Sierra va1- The resort's weakness is its relative iso- TAIUIS: • 25% ¦ 50% ? 25% ley, it auerages 500 inches of snow annually, lation. "No off-hill activity, no lodging," UFTT: 3 high-speed quads, 6 fixed chairs,l surface lift fifth in the nation, according to Srrow warns a reader. Apres-ski activities are dIILDREN'S LEARNIN6 AREA: yes NI6NT SIIIIN& none CocnvTxr's rankings. When Pacific storms pretty quiet:' In fact, the area has just one SNmieWIA01M6: I halfpipe; 3 parks hit, locals head for the trees off Huckle- bar, the Sierra Pub. The closest towns are uD6INS AT SIOPES: none zc miUls: so km berry Mountain and down the steeps of Placerville to the west and South La.ke Ta- INFOANATIAN: (916) 659-7453 Dynamite and Castle. The mantled geogra- hoe to the east, both at least 30 minutes RESERYATIONS: (800) AT-TAHOE phy, dominated by thick forests of pon- away. Echo Summit, the pass that leads to derosa pine and fir, shields fresh snow from Lake Tahoe, can be a bear to drive during a , harsh winter winds. "It's a great mountain winter storm. - during storms due to the tree pmtection; The most convenient airport is Reno, a reader comments. On clear days at the about an hour-and-a-half drive from the re- 8,852-foot summit, skiers can enjoy spectac- sort. Round-trip shuttle buses are available. 'KIRKWOOD, California Nardcore ski haven adds a few In a11, 805 expert acres will test a skier's legs ` jand lungs. "There's a lot of isolated, pristine ; frills to its bountiful thrills terrain" saYs one admirer. Confides anothe ~ chastened visitor: "It will bring you down a o'' IRKWOOD HAS yet to assemble a11 few pegs if you think you're a good skier.° the ingredients it needs to become a Complaints about Kirkwoods anti- - world-class resort, but it has the two quated lifts" wiil be addressed next season most important criteria nailed down: when the area's first deta.chable quad will < Kabundant natural snow and richly replace the Sunrise lift. In the meantime, varied terrain. And with $15 million in current outlay has gone to construction in • Natural snowfall V Slow, old lifts improvements, it's adding the standard the base area, including the $9 million • Advanced ski terrain ? Limited nightlife requirements for today's skier: a comfy base Lodge at Kirkwood. Due to open next • Uncrowded ? Isolated lodge, better on-mounta.in restaurants and March, the Lodge will house 19 condom:-:i- _ shops, a bigger children's area, and an ums and several stores. 1EImCAI• 2,000 feet BISE ELEIIATION: 7,800 feet expanded instruction program. Elcpansion also is underway at the Tim- SNONFAU: 52s inches SNOMMAKIN6: none For skiers willing to forego a few luxu- ber Creek Learn-to-Ski azea, where a new TRAitS: • is% ¦ 50% ? 35% ries, Kirkwood is an answered prayer. Rank- children's center has been built and two new UFTS: Planned for'96-'97:10 fixed chairs, ing fourth nationally for snowfall, the area surface tows installed. A kids-only terrain 3 surface lifts averages 523 inches a year. Nevertheless, park will debut this season, as will a new , CHIIDAEN'S IEARNIN6 AREA: yes NI6Hf SIIIIM6: none Kirkwood installed its first snowguns this snowboard center. SNONBOARDIN& Planned for'96-'97:1 halfpipe; 3 pazks year for early-season snow insurance. Kirkwood's 2,300 acres aze usua]1Y tA061N6 AT StOPES: 500 visitors XC TIUIIS: s5 km Kirkwood's snow adorns bevies of uncrowded, partly because the resort is fairly INFOANATION: (209) 258-6000 bumps and some of the most rugged off- out of the way. From Rends airport, o:~:-of- ° RESEAYAiIDNS: (soo) 967-7500 piste terrain in the Sta,tes. Readers rave over sta.te visitors can expect a 90-minute urive. "the variety of hardball skiing." Daunting Califomians staying in South Lake Tahoe can drops off The Wa11, the cornice called The find that their 35-minute trip to Kirkwood - Wave, and the daring descent down Two- becomes an eternity when blowing blizzas'a. Man Chute can thrill the eacperienced skier. close Carson Pass. 130: SNOY COUNTRI : September 1996 ~ - ` - PURGATORY, Colorado uad it's infinitel easier to The sun shines 300 days a year on q~ Y get to the • mountaids challenging back side. w Colorados,Coppertone slopes ~ More than half of Purgatory's official trails are rated blue square, and the resort's ID PURGATORY STRIKE a deal with grooming regimen could put Cindy the devil. If not, sunstruck skiers Crawford to shame. Readers unilaterally a J~'~ a~%S~ ~ want to know how this Colorado agree that "its a great intermediate moun- t z, ~,,~s,,,~t' '°•`t~. resort manages to have "great weather tain. The easiest terrain is on the front side, almost all the time:" Readers rate it along with a NASTAA racecourse and a fourth in North America for blue-sky days. kiddie terrain park. ,L Sunny days T Short season With a fair share of north-facing ter- The cheerful staff garners high marks ? Friendly staff V Few food options rain and a 8,793-foot base elevation, higher from readers, but its base-area restaurants ? Great grooming V Low-watt nightlife than both Aspen and Vail, the slopes are don't. "Not much variety; few veggie or saved from solar-powered meltdown healthy choices;" a reader says. Apres-ski is YERTICX 2,029 feet BAsE EtEYATION: 8,793 feet usually. Readers say snow quality can be another bust "There's nothing to do at the SNmIFAl4• 267 inches SNOMMAKIN6: 200 acres problematic, especially in high-traffic areas. resort after skiing" and "You must go to TIUUS: • 22% ¦ 51% ? 27% Fortunately, the snowmaking system covers town for entertainment" are typical social- UFiS: i high-speed quad, 8 fixed chairs trails served by seven of the nine chairlifts, life pans. "Town° is 30 minutes away in Du- CNIIDRqi'S LEARNIN6 AAEA: yes NI6HT SKIIN6: none including an additiona145 acres this season. rango. Brewpubs, wild west bars, steak SNONBOARDIN6:1 halfpipe, i park The rap on Purgatory is that the sun joints and pizza parlors abound in the re- 1OD61N6 AT SLOPES: 2,120,visitors zc ilUUls: 26 km may make you sweat, but the terrain cer- laxed college town, which also offers plenty ~ INFOAlUTION i RESERYAlIONS: (800) 525-0892 tainly won't A reader laments that "you of affordable lodging options. have to seek out the best stuff," which may Daily nonstop flights to the Durango- or may not be marked on the trail map. LaPlata airport are available from Advanced skiers head to the glades in Paul's Da11as/Ft. Worth. Commuter flights to Du- Park and to short, steep runs like Bottom's rango connect through Denver and Phoe- Chute. With the insta.llation last season of nix. Southwest Airlines connects through the Hermosa Park Fxpress, a high-speed Albuquerque Intemational. SCHWEITZER, Idaho " ~ f One of Idaho's best-kept secrets mountain has no shorta,ge of terrain for experts. Its 940 black-diamond acres even ~ boasts vast acreage and few crowds sxceed Jackson Hole's, though Schweitze=s pitches aren,t as harrowing. •'`C: ~ SK PEOPLE which resort boasts the From its ridgeline summit in the south- most acreage in Idaho, and few would em Selkirks, three states and Ca.nada are guess Schweitzer Mounta.in. Located visible. Lake Pend Oreille, the state's biggest in the state's northern Panhandle, body of water, glimmers like a sapphire. It's ; Schweitzer claims 2,350 patrolled ski- reminiscent of the views of Lake Tahoe from able acres, 994 more than Idaho's vaunted the slopes of Heavenly. • Lake views V Heavy snow Sun Valley. Only 10 U.S. resorts exceed On the lake's western shore, il miles ? Ample elbow room v Getting there Schweitzer's in-bounds territory. from Schweitzer, lies the old logging and ? Great expert skiing v Dull apres-ski The fact that Schweitzer isn't recogniz- railroad town of Sandpoint, where Amt ^ak ~ able by most people beyond a 500-mile ra- trains stop in the middle of the night. Last ~ IEImCIL• 2,40o feet BASE ELEYATION: 4,000 feet dius means skiers have plenty of room to year, SNOw CovrrrxY picked Sandpoint, pop- sNmIFAU: 295 inches SNOMMAIIIN6:4'7 acres move. This mountain is one of skiing's best- ulation 5,500, as one of the Northem Rock- TlGlls: • 20% ¦ 40% ? 40% kept secrets. "Not spoiled," says one reader. ies' best places to live. UFTS:1 high-speed quad, s fixed chairs Schweitzer's snowfall is generally reli- Skiers who want to be near the slopes ; CNILDREN'S LEAANIN6 AAEA: yes NI6HT SKIIN6: 36 acres able and deep (nearly 300 inches a year). stay at the Green Gables, an 82-room ski-in, ' SNOMBOAADIN6:1 halfpipe; 1 park But the base area is only 4,000 feet above ski-out hotel. Last season, the inn installed a. ' LOD61N6 Ai SIOPES: 500 visitors xC Tlults: s km sea level, and the climate is more reminis- heated outdoor pool, three hot tubs, heated _ INFORIUITION 8 AESERYADONS: (800) 831-8810 cent of the Pacific Northwest than the Rock- decks and a cabana That's the extent of the - ies. Fog frequently engulfs the mountain, base action, unless you count the ]?».vry i and snowfall can be wet and heav}: homes crawling up the mountainside. The ski area is composed primarily of T'he closest commercial airport is above-timberline bowls, ideal for strong Spokane, Washington, 75 miles away. 1h` intermediate and advanced skiers. Glades rect flights arrive- daily from a variety, ~ and cruising runs fan out below. But the West Coast cities. 13S : SNOW COUNTR? : September 1996 - ~ SOLITUDE, Utah ~~r ~OCQ~S' favorite gets makeover with hotels, restaurants, and ski shops to be w added to the Nillage. ~~$162 million village complex Unfortunately for skiers who lament ;f:? the resort's "old lifts" and °difficult-to-get-to ~'~i ONSIDER SOLITUDE a work in expert terrain," there are no remedies in progress. Twenty-eight miles from Sa1t sight. Among the area's seven lifts, only one Lake City up Big Cottonwood Canyon, is a high-speed quad, and no new lifts or Solitude arouses both energetic enthu- upgrades are planned this winter. Instead, c~4- - ' e siasm as well as uriabashed criticism the off-season activity for this year-in addi- E from its growing clientele. "Great trail tion to building the inn-was the creation of k A Utah snow v Limited nightlife design," "diNine powder," and "no liftlines!" a children's terrain park and the burial of the ( & No crowds ? Dated lifts say readers. Yet out-of-state skiers in search snowmal:ing pipelines. A Scenery v No base area of a new, uncrowded destination area Still, Solitude offers an environment protest: "Needs more apres-ski activitv° and many other resorts emy. Located in the tlERTIICU: 2,030 feet BASE EtEVAnoN: s,ooo feet "can't stay there overnight." heart of the Wasatch Range, with craggy ~ SNmIFAII• 440 inches SNONMAItIN6:144 acres Such criticisms may soon be silenced as granite backdrops, the area is lauded by TIUIIS~. 30% ¦ so% ? 20% the resort spruces up slopeside. Envisioned readers for its bountiful 440-inch annua] ~ tIFTS: I high-speed quad, 6 fixed chairs is "The Village at Solitude; a$162 million snowfall and uncrowded slopes. Although F pIIIDAEM'S LEARNIN6IAEA yes NI6HT SKIIN6: none alpine hamlet designed to cure Solitude's the expert-rated Honeycomb Canyon is SNmiBOAROIMG snowboarding allowed reputa.tion as hauing nothing to offer after hard to access, its steeply pitched flanks tODSINS AT StBPES: none C TRiuls: 20 km dark beside a 23-mile drive back to Salt promise face-shot after face-shot of famous INfOAMITIDN i AESERYATIONS: (800) 748-4754 Lake City. The first component arrived last Utah powder. Somewhat more sedate runs winter when the copper-roofed Creekside at can be found off the Eagle Express, Apex, Solitude opened with 36 rooms and a and Sunrise lifts. restaurant that offers fine dining. Backcountry skiing is a short sNving off This January, the new Inn at Solitude the Summit Chair, and cross-country laps will add 46 more rooms. And in the years can be rung up at the adjacent Solitude ahead, plans call for more condominiums, Nordic Center. BRIGHTON, Utah Families love this doy resort, Wlth the hill for night riding (and skiing) on Brightods 200 illuminated acres, one of the . +e ual arts of skiers and riders q p largest night-skiing sites in the Rocl:ies. Skiers ~Nill avoid boarder crunch by HIERS AND BOARDERS keep com- concentrating on forest-lined runs like ~ - ' ing back for what they almost unani- Wrangler, Thor, and Doyle's Dive that fa11 mously praise: "great snow and great below Clayton Peak and Snake Creek Pass. ~ value:'Sure, most of the expert runs Riders tend to flow to the flanks of Mount < - -`are short swings and the crowds run Millicent to zig and zag across the bowls, deep on weekends. But Brighton's average pausing at times to launch off one of the out- ? Unpretentious v Weekend crowds annual snowfall of 437 inches as well as croppings. Both skiers and boarders look for • Inexpensive ? Lack of lodging cheap lift tickets (about $30) and family fresh tracks down Scree Slope, Lone Pine, ? Dependable snow ? Limited expert terrain packages (kids lo and younger ski free) and Little Milly da}Is after a storm. - make this area a bargain-hunter's dream. The lack of slopeside lodging is a sore _ YEImcAI: 1,745 feet BASE EIEYATION: 8,755 feet Not surprisingl}; Brighton finds that its spot for readers. The Brighton Lodge does SNONFAt1:437 inches SNOtlMAKINC: 200 acres most effective advertising is word-of- have 20 cozy rooms, and you'll be happy ! TAluls:. 21% ¦ 40% ? 39% mouth: 76 percent of the resort's Nisitors being there if an avalanche closes Big Cot- ~ UFTS: 2 high-speed quads, s fixed chairs learned about the area from a friend. tonwood Canyon to other skiers. But the ` dIIIUAEN'S LEAANINS IREA: no NI6NT SRIIN6: 200 acres Located 25 miles southeast of Salt Lake accommodations are too sparse to qualify SNOWBOAADIN6: 2 halfpipes; 1 park City at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon, Brighton as a destination resort. Visitors ~ 10061N6ATSlOPES:l00Nisitors XCtAAlls:iskm Brighton attracts legions of school-aged often drop in for a day during vacations to ; IMFDANADON 8 RESERYATIORS: (800) 873-5512 boarders, especially on weekends. Their the Salt Lake area's more famous resorts. ~ exnberance provokes many skier com- Brighton has succeeded as a day Tea ~ plaints. "Too many snowboarders, too many where guests hit the slopes, rather than ciim•- ~ RUDE snowboarders," a reader sniffs. But dle over lunch or worry about grabbing the many families enjoy the alpine diversity: first apres-ski bar stool. One skier sums up Parents can ski as their kids board and bonk the Brighton experience as "Little to offer , the day away. Families also send their kids to other than great skiing." 140 : SNOY COUNTRY : Septeinber 1996 s GRuAND TARGHEE, Wyoming ;~;~,~;ZL ~ ° - ` ` " resort's antiquated lift system, a drawback Bottomiess snow and empty slopes addressed this summer with the installation provide powder to the people of Targhee's first high-speed detachable ~ r I r. a.c r uad, uDreamcatcher.° The lift replaces the q ~-"~;r~,~~.-~ F d-`~ `j~'''_,,,,°s~`~:~ F JAMES CARVILLE were asked to con- old Bannock chair, cutting the base-to- coct a campaign slogan for Grand summit commute in half, to 7 minutes. The Targhee, he'd probably fa11 back on, "It's Shoshone chair, which serves primarily be- . the powder, stupid:" Sitting on the west- ginner terrain, has been upgraded to a fixed- - ern edge of the Tetons, Tasghee is grip quad and extended down the mountain slathered with fresh, featherlight snow that below a new parking area. vsitors can now 'A P Iwder v Hard to get to frequently fa11s thigh-deep. "It's the best ski from their cars to the lift. In addition, A No crowds V Few base facilities powder in North America; says a reader. three new trails covering 25 acres have been A Low-key ambience v No nightlife Better yet, Targhee is sa remote that added to the Shoshone zone. skiing there midweek is like belonging to a There aze two simple reasons Targhee YEAitCAL• 2,200 BASE ELEYADON: s,ooo feet powder-skiing country club. There's almost is rarely overrun by customers: It's secluded SNmifAtt• 472 inches SNOWMANIN6: none nobody eise on the hill. Says one exuberant and has moderate, though improved, lift ca- TRAIIS:• i2 /o a 63% ? 25% skier, "The lack of crowds had me laughing" pacit}: The only access is along a 12-mile uFTS: Planned for'96-'97:1 high-speed quad, 2 fixed On some powder days, the "crowd° density road from inert Driggs, Idaho. True, it's only chairs, i surface lift fAlls to about 3 acres per skier. an hour from Jacksan Hole and shuttle bus- CHILOAEN'S LEi1ANIN6 AAEiI: yes NI6NT SKIIN6: none If that seems too hectic, adjacent to es run the route, but the passage over Teton SNOMBOIADIN& 1 halfpipe Targhee's lift-served terrain is a 1,500-acre Pass can be perilous during a winter blow. 1OD61N6 AI SLOPES: 396 visitors XC TIUILS:15 km powder piayground, accessed by two 10- The slopeside lodging holds about 400 INFOAMATION 8 RESEAYATION& (800) TARGHEE passenger snowcats. For $185, you get to visitors and there isn't much apres-ski. And ~ play. Chances are when the powder is fa11- without powder, experts have little terrain. ing hard and fast, skiers on either mountain Skiers who want steeps are better off holing ' will be able to cut fresh tracks all day, as up in Jackson. Plan to fly in and out of Jack- several of our readers joyously discovered. son, which enjoys regular jet service from Readers' biggest gripe was with the several major cities. BRIDGER BOWL, Montana ~ Cold smoke, serious steeps and smallness. Complaints about slow lifts _ - s Z have been partially addressed with the addi- ~i~;~.,rs,~ homey feel served on a budget tion last year of a new fixed-grip quad run- ning out of the base area ~ RIDGER BOWL burst into the Top 50 Bridger's snow, on the other hand-230 . this year for two good reasons: It's inches last year-can inspire devotion. _ ' cheap and steep. "Great value," When fresh, deep, and undisturbed, it's rev- declares one reader, reflecting the erently called "cold smoke." "Excellent pow- ? resort's seventh-place ranking in that der!° crows a reader. category in North America. Skiers appreci- With no base development beyond a a• A Value ? Slow lifts ate $28 tickets and three-day lift-and-lodg- day lodge and ski shop, Bridger is applaud- A Access to Bozeman VLimited base facilities ing packages that start at $140 for two. ed by readers for its "homey feel.° It also A The Kidge ~ Short runs The resort's highly regarded steeps in- draws high scores for staff service. On- - clude an area called The Kidge, which runs mountain dining options will expand this YEATICAL• 2,000 feet BASE ELEY6TI0H: 6,ioo feet along the top of the 8,600-foot mountain. year with the new Deer Park Chalet, a 290- SNOWFILL• 259 inches SNOWMAKIN6:1o acres It offers 35-plus-degree snowfields rid- seat restaurant crafted with massive wood TRAILS: • 2s% ¦ ss% ?4o% dled with cliffs and goat chutes. This posts and beams. UFis: 6 fixed chairs unmaintained, hike-to terrain can yield 900 Readers lament that most lodging and CHILDAEN'S IEAANIN611AEA: yes NI6NT SKIIN6: none very vertical feet of hallowed shots like the a11 nightlife is in Bozeman, about a half hour : SNOYIBUAADING: snowboarding allowed Nose and the Apron. The Ski Patrol requires away. But as Yellowstone's gateway, Boze- 1OD61NG Ai SIOPES: i 5 visitors XC TAAIIS: 30 acres each Ridge skier to have an avalanche beep- man offers abundant value-priced rooms in INFORMAiION 8 RESEAYATIOHS: (800) 223-9609 er, a shovel, and company, winter, and the fact that it's a college town . -Mai The lift-served slopes feature challeng- insures good nightlife and music. Further- ing bowls and bump fieids, along with gen- more, Bozeman has a well-serviced air- tle beginner havet. s and a slick selection of port=Delta, Northwest, and Horizon fly in cascading blue cn#isers. "Family-oriented, regularly from Salt Lake, Minneapolis, and a11-round mountaa i" is how one reader Seattle-ranking Bridger among the more sums it up. Others criticize Bridger for its accessible resorts in the West. . 144 : SNOW COUNTRY : September 1996 , rondirion, unless we've had a long period of really ~ awful weather." Webster says the pipe was in great shape by December 1 last year, which is unusual, because early in the sea- son most resorts tend to ~ concentrate their snow- making on the ski runs, - not the snowboarder facilities. But riding the pipe .'fr~~~?~ ' and board park are only w- _ half the fun at Sugarloaf. - i With its high, treeless snowfields, the mountain ~ r" - ; ~ ? is one of the few in the East where you can do genuine fall-line powder pipE DREAMS: iVatt Beck, a pro-am rider, takesflight on the WATCH OUT BELOW: Boarders love IT¢il's Back boarding with enough world-class ha~pe at OkeTrzo in Vermont. Bowls for natural, awesome terrain. pitch to let you really rip. Other favorite runs include Bubble Cuffer, wiil also have hits of varying sizes and styles cut through the trees to open up terrain. Narrow Gauge, and Widowmaker, a classic suitable for all levels of air-inclined riders. "Vail is totally proactive for boarders now," New England run, winding, steep, and When boarders emerge from the park says Arn Menconi, a prominent local rider. banked on either hand. And off the back to free-ride, they find a great cruising Riders flock to the famous Back Bowis side you can ride anywhere; free-riders like mountain. The steepest run, Defiance, has a for fall-Iine powder riding and natura.l ter- it because they have to hike and traverse to 100-yard section full of natural hits, and rain. Ghengis, in China Bowl, is one of get to the good stuff. Sapphire has eamed the name Crazy Air Menconi's favorites. Meanwhile, riders LAST RUN: Webster tries to catch tempted to hike beyond the bowls to areas ' day's last gondola to the summit, wher such as W.F.O. (Way the F... Out) are cau- j waits for the crowds to thin before ripj tioned to respect the severity of Vail's down the Narrow Gauge, Sugarloaf's extremes. The Pipe, near chair 6, is a mier racing traii, to the halfpipe for a 1 favored hangout, and everybody likes the session. Afterward, he and other boan terrain under chair 2, called the Jib Line, settle their accounts with the local C.P_ which has great rollers for spins. Vlore big Carrabassett Pa1e Ale-at the Carraba; ~ rollers can be found on chair 26, one of the Brewing Company. slopes where groomers build tabletops. Vail is not an extreme mountain, but it has more Okemo, Vermont than enough variety to make up for the lack of heart-stopping steeps. "There's a lot of 0 KE:VIO IS COMb1ITTED to sn whatever you like," Menconi says. boarding. As local pro-am rider D Vail's attitude, riding, and overall scene Beck says, "Nothing there is d have convinced pro riders to roost there, half-assed' Known for having s( including Barret Christy, Rhonda Doyle, of the best terrain in New Englz and Hoyt Hottel. The resort also hosts Okemo boasts both wide, rolling ten numerous major competitions each season. and a world-class halfpipe and snowbc LAST RUN: Menconi offers an insider's park. "The management at Okemo is c ~Y tip but suggests finding a local guide to stantly improving things," says Beck. °Every keep it safe: Ride chair 3 and hike up to the year they learn more about what snow- Vall, Colorado out-of-bounds access gate west of the chair. boarders want. They're really plugged in." This leads to a beautiful section of the To prove it, this season Okemo invest- AIL IS ONE OF the biggest, most mountain that drops into a creek-turned- ed in a Pipe Dragon and installed a J-bar to successful resorts in North America. natural-halfpipe called the Luge. Ride the service the park so boarders can ride it all But the mounta.in isn't counting on its Luge down to the Minturn Saloon in day long. Encouraged by that kind of atti- natural rrterits when it comes to Minturn, southwest of Vail. By evening's tude, there's now a strong core of locals, Vsnowboarding. From having almost end, you should have made enough friends including instructors and competitors. no boarding facilities in 1993, Vail now to catch a ride back to town. V While many mountains ta1:e a one- boasts two halfpipes with a third-perhaps size-fits-a11 approach to building hits in under the lights-planned for this season. SF.AN WAGSTAFF, a freelance writer based their board parks, Okemo makes sure The resort also sports a major board pazk i, San Francisco,writes for a nurrzber of there's something for everybody. The park and builds tabletop hits along many of its n•~stional publication.s. He is co-author of tlte usually includes a few huge tabletops, but it cruisers. Dozens of new trails also are being bc )k, Boarderlands. ~ TOWN OF VAIL MEMORANDUM T0: Robert McLaurin Council Members FROM: Judy Popeck DATE: August 15, 1996 RE: Investment Report Enclosed is the investment report with balances as of July 31, 1996. A$500,000.00 FNMA was purchased on July 12, 1996 with a yield of 5.492% maturing on October 15, 1998. A$600,000.00 FNMA was purchased on July 15, 1996 with a yield of 5.230% maturing on August 22, 1996. The estimated average yield for the debt service fund was 6.87% and 5.76% for the pooled cash fund. Currently the yield curve for 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year are 5.20%, 5.29%, and 5.55% respectively. Please call me if you have any questions. r Town of Vail, Colorado ~ Investment Report Summary of Accounts and Investments For the Month Ending July 31, 1996 Balances Percentage 7/31 /96 of Total Money Market Accounts (see page 1) Commercial Banks $2,533,662 14.75% Local Government Investment Pools $1,531,074 8.91% Money Market Funds $44,748 0.26% Total $4,109,484 23.92% Commercial Savings Banks & Loans Certificates of Deposit (see page 2) Eagle County Institutions 0.00% Other Colorado Institutions $198,000 $198,000 1.15% National Institutions 0.00% Total $198,000 $198,000 1.15% Percentage of Portfolio in Savings & Loans 0.00% U.S. Government Securities (see page 3) Treasury Notes & Bills $5,968,029 34.74% NMA,s $63,513 0.37% U.S. Savings Bonds $30,000 0.17% Federal Agency Discount Notes & Bonds $6,809,252 39.64% Total $12,870,794 74.92% Total Portfolio $17,178,278 100.00% Maturing Within 12 Months $14,435,333 84.03% Maturing Within 24 Months $1,581,032 9.20% Maturing After 24 Months $1,161,913 6.75% $17,178,278 100.00% 8/15/96 invsmjlp Page 2 Money Market Accounts as of July 31, 1996 --For the Month of July-- Institution ~ Balances Type of Accounts High Low Average 7/31/96 COMMERCIAL BANK ACCOUNTS First Bank of Vail - Operating interest 5.610% 4.850% 5.120% $3,231,522 $2,324,975 $2,901,303 Balance $2,581,653 First Bank of Vail - Insurance Interest 5.610% 4.850% 5.120% • Balance $1,112 Colorado National Bank Super Now Account Interest 3.000% General Operating Account ~ Balance ($49,103) Total Commercial Bank Accounts $2,533,662 LOCAL GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT POOLS Colorado Trust Capital Projects Proceeds Interest 5.050% Balance $1,531,074 Total Local Government Investment Pool Accounts $1,531,074 MONEY MARKET FUNDS Bank One Money Market Fund - Dana Investments Interest 3.945% Balance $38, 645 Fidelity Investment Government Money Market Accounts Interest 4.940% Bond Issue Reserve Account Balance $6,103 Total Money Market Funds $44,748 Total all accounts $4,109,484 "Bank error corrected next day in August. 8/15/96 invmmjlp Page 3 Certificates of Deposit as of July 31, 1996 Bank Name, Location ~ Days to Rates Purchase Maturity Maturity Maturity Ins Coupon Yield Date Date at Purchase Value BestBank, Thomton Colorado FDIC 7.250% 16-Feb-95 16-Feb-97 200 $99,000 Firstbank of Vail, Vail Colorado FDIC 6.000% 5.830% 26-Jun-95 26-Jun-98 695 $99,000 Avg Yield 6.540% $198,000 8/15/96 invcdjlp Page 4 M Government Sewrities ' as of Juiy 31, 1996 ""Treasury Notes & Bills"` Days to Days Interest Rate Purchase Maturity Maturity to Book Par Type Fund Coupon Yield Date Date at Purchase Maturity Value Value TNote Pooled 6.880% 5.333% 21-Mar-96 31-Oct-96 224 123 $3,011,150 $3,000,000 TNote Pooled 7.500% 5.513% 17-Apr-96 31-1an-97 289 215 $1,009,614 $1,000,000 TStrip Pooled 5.970% 5.970% 26-Apr-96 15-May-97 384 319 $957,386 $1,000,000 TNote Pooled 5250% 6.370% 11Jun-96 31-Ju1-98 780 761 $489,921 $500,000 TNote Pooled 6.500% 6.5539/6 13-Oct-94 30-Sep-96 718 92 $499,958 $500,000 Average Yield 5.65% $5,968,029 $6,000,000 Average Days to Maturity 302 '"'GNMA'S"" Years to Estimated Imerest Rate Purchase Maturity Maturity Years to Principal Pool Coupon Yieid Date Date at Purchase Maturity Outstanding 5803 8.000% 8.480% 14-Nov-86 15-Oct-05 19.10 11.00 y22209 13003 8.000% 9.500% 24-Oct-86 15-Oct-06 2020 12.00 $19,051 14659 8.00096 9.2009'0 24-Oct-86 15Jan-07 2120 13.00 $22,253 Avg Yeld 9.038% $63,513 "'U.S. Savings Bonds""' Years to Issue Maturity Maturiry Years to Book Maturity Series Yield Date Date at Purchase Maturity Value Value EE 7.170% 01-Oct-86 01-Oct-96 10.00 025 $30,000 $30,000 "'Federal Agency Discount Notes & Bonds"" Days/Years DaysJYears to Interest Rate Purchase Maturity to Maturity Maturity at Book Maturity Agency Fund Coupon Yield Date Date at Purchase Month End Value Value - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ° - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SBA Pooled - Dana 8.975% 26-May-94 25-Mar-2008 13.8 11.7 $84,714 $109,734 FHLM Pooled - Dana 8.390% 28Jun-94 01-Mar-2019 24.7 22.7 $43,164 $66,355 FNMA Pooled - Dana 7.541% 28Jun-94 01-Oct-2017 23.3 21.3 $78,176 $97,572 FNMA Pooled - Dana 6.9840/6 29Jun-94 01-.Jun-2014 19.9 17.9 $62,113 $110,531 SBA Pooled - Dana 9.475% 29Jun-94 25-Feb-2008 13.7 11.7 $55,501 $82,749 SBA Pooled - Dana 8.725% 29Jun-94 25.1un-2019 25.0 23.0 $101,512 $108,523 SBA Pooled - Dana 9.475% 18-Aug-94 25Ju1-2008 13.9 12.1 $67,297 $109,875 FHLMC Pooled - Dana 6.366% 22-May-96 01-Feb-2036 39.7 39.6 $59,153 $60,185 FNMA Pooled - Dana 7.615% 27-May-94 01-May-2020 25.9 23.9 $67,040 $100,577 FNMA Pooled - Dana 6.6879% 01-Ju1-96 01-May-2026 29.9 29.9 $55,069 $55,304 FNMA Pooled - Dana 6.003% 24Jun-96 01Jun-2026 30.0 29.9 $70,987 $71,318 FHLMC Pooled - Dana 7.851% 28-Aug-94 01-Aug-2018 23.9 22.1 $66,186 $74,245 SBA Pooled - Dana 8.975% 12-Jui-94 25Jun-2019 25.0 23.0 $62,096 $108,744 SBA Pooled - Dana 8.725% 08-May-95 25-Dec-2019 24.6 23.5 $98,661 $99,391 FHLMC Pooted - Dana 5.865% 28-Mar-96 01-Mar-2026 29.9 29.7 $62,764 $66,341 FNMA Pooled - Dana 7.1400/. 24Jan-96 01-Oct-2023 27.7 27.3 $63,967 $75,722 Average Yield 7.87% Subtotal $1,098,400 $1,397,166 Average Years to Maturity 23 FNMA Debt Service 6.9129% 27-Feb-95 17Jan-97 1.9 201.0 $281,194 $280,000 FHLB Pooled 5.998% 26-Apr-96 10-Nov-97 1.5 1.4 $992,111 $1,000,000 FNMA Pooled 5230% 15-Ju1-96 22-Aug-96 38.0 53.0 $598,175 $600,000 FNMA Pooled 5.356% 04Jun-96 06-Aug-96 63.0 37.0 $499,629 $500,000 FWMA Pooled 5.396% 26-Mar-96 27-Sep-96 185.0 89.0 $694,251 $1,500,000 FHLB Pooled 6.749% 02-Mar-95 02-Aug-96 1.4 33.0 $750,013 $750,000 FHLMC Pooled 6.789% 27-Mar-95 23-Aug-96 1.4 54.0 $749,251 $750,000 FNMA Pooled 5.492% 12-Ju1-96 15-Oct-96 95.0 107.0 $494,344 $500,000 FFC Pooled 5.794% 27-Jun-95 28-Apr-97 1.8 302.0 $651,884 $650,000 Subtotal $5,710,852 $5,380,000 Average Yield 5.97% Average Days/Yeazs to Maturity 67 Total $12,870,794 8/15/96 invtrjlp Page 5 Y 9 L~ ~r' 9s a tl Aw is i••m ..a 8r +id RJ~$ IqSL OF CSTATE DE PARTMfNT OF TRANSPORTATION OT 4201 East Mkansas Avenue Oenver. Colorado 80222 (303) 757-9011 40 . August 1996 TO: Mayors, Town Managers and Public Officials FROM: Gay Page CDOT Bicycle/Pedestrian Planner 4201 E. Arkansas Ave., Room 212 Denver, CO 80222 303-757-9982 RE: 1997 Bike Week, Share the Road Campaign, and Map Request BIKE WEEK • June 21- 29, 1997 BIxE To Woxx DAY • wednesday, June 25, 1997 Bike Week is America's national celebration of bicycling which encourages cycling novices and enthusiasts to ride their bikes for fun, transportation and health during a week long series of festivities. The Colorado Depanment of Transportation (CDO"I) Bicycle/Pedestrian Program asks communities throughout the state to promote Bike Week events for their citizens and encourages businesses to sponsor an employee Bike To Work Day. The 1996 promotional poster is enclosed and we would like your city represented on 1997's! Yes, you missed the `96 event, but your community has the opportunity to start planning now for 1997 and the CDOT Birycle/Pedestrian Program would like to help. Please appoint a Bike Week Coordinator for your community and have that person call me as soon as possible for information on planning a successful Bike Week and Bike To Work Day. By working together, we can improve our air quality, environment, and the health of Colorado citizens by promoting the use of bicycles for everyday transQortation. I look farwaid to hearing from you! . ' ~ page 2 Colorado Department of Transportation Bike Week, Share the R,oad, Map request SHARE THE ROAD Also enclosed are brochures promoting Colorado's new Share the Road campaign. Our state is the number one cycling destination in the United States and the birycle industry in Colorado generates over 700 million dollars in revenue annually. Therefore, it is economically.prudent to keep Colorado bicycle friendly by providing citizens and visitors with safe, pleasant journeys when traveling throughout our beautiful state. You are encouraged to develop a local educational effort using these materials. In addition, we are promoting the following messages in all press releases and public announcements: Motorists: • Be patient and pass with care when overtaking bicyclists • Leave at least three feet berween your vehicle and the bicyclist Bicyclists: • Ride with the flow of traffic as far to the right hand side of the roadway as practical • Ride single file to allow motorists to pass • Foilow rhe rules of the road Also enclosed is a copy of Birycling in Colorado, the Colorado Bicycle Manual which contains the rules of the road for rycling in our state. Multiple copies of all publications are available upon request. MAP REQUEST The CDOT Bicycle/Pedestrian Program is currendy revising the state bicycle map as well as the Bicycle/Pedestrian Modal Plan, which is a component of the state transportarion plan. We need your assistance in providing accurate information regarding bicycle facilities in your communiry. If your have any of the following information, please forward it to us at the address above: • Maps identifying bike routes, lanes, paved shoulders or off-street multi-use paths • TransporCation pians identifying eacisting bicycle facilities • Transportation plans identifying proposed bicycle facilities. Thank you, we look forward to working with you and your communiry! Have you - ~ ~ 5HAKEL THE KOAL pi ~ ll ~,.tkt V O dav t J SHARP ~ h q,J ~ x ~f' F' bf~p 't~ 1 2 a, ~ }n ^Z~ ~ 'e ' t ~ tt & ~~"~s~ h •e , . , .L:~~.# ' ~n ~"ck..arM'_au„ I pid you know that Colorado law give5 motori5to and bicycli5t5 equal right5 and re5pon5ibilitie5 when 5haring roadway5? Well it doe5, according to Colorado 5tatute 42-4-106.5, "Every per5on riding a bicycle ~ 5hall have alf of the right5 and dutie5 applicable to tMe driver of any other vehicle." Therefore, bicycli5t5 and motori5t5 have equal right5 and re5ponoibilitie5 on Colorado road5 and 5hould be con5iderate of one another when 5haring the roadway 5o that the driving or bicyc(ing experience i5 a5 5afe and enjoyable a5 po55ible. ThiS i5 eSpeGially apparent where the roadway i5 narrow and ha5 little or no 5houlder. The Colorado Department of TranSportation (CDOT) ha5 received federal approval to 5tudy a new "Share the 12oad" 5ign. The purpo5e of the new 5ign i5 to graphically 5how the correct behavior of a motori5t and bicycli5t 5haring the roadway and empha5ize the me55age with the 5tatement "5HA1ZE THE KOAD" ! written beneath the graphic. Input from Colorado ref~ident5 and vi5itor5 during the two-year 5tudy will provide the nece55ary information for GDOT and the Federal Highway Admini5tration (FHWA) to determine ~ whether the 5ign clearly communicate5 the me5oage of bicyc1i5t5 and motori5t5 5haring the road and if the 5ion actuafly fo5ter5 better cooperation on the roadway. lf the 5tudy indicate5 the 5ign i5 5ucce55fu! : it may be recommended a5 the 5tandard 5hare the Road 5ign in the United 5tate5. CDOT ha5 in5talled 64 5ign5 along 5ectiono of 5tate Highway5 6, 40, 72, 93, and 105. TheSe particufar ; roacl5 were cho5en for the initial 5tudy becau5e they have littfe or no 5houlder. 5ince thi5 require5 cycli5t5 - to 5hare the driving lane with motori5t5, 5haring the road cooperatively io imperative for everyone' S 5afety. ; Every per5on' S tran5portation choice count5 and we all need to be conociou5 of and courteou5 to other form5 of tran5portation when 5haring the roadway. Remember, 5treet5 are for everyone, and 5haring i5 more than ju5t good manner5! Motorist5 5hould: . • pao5 with care, leaving at lea5t three feet between your vehicle and the bicycli5t • Not hara5o or endanger a bicycli5t through threat6 or int+midation. Hara55ment and reckle55 endangerment are mi5demeanor offen5e5 and 5hould be reported to the pofice. 61cyci5t.e Mould: • Ride with the flow of the traffic a5 far to the right-hand 5ide of the. roadway a5 practicable and on ° the paved 5houlder whenever po55ible. • Ride 5ingle file if there i5 motor vehicle traff ic clo5er than 300 feet or if 5i0ht di5tance i5 limited within 300 feet in front or behind you. . ~ ' ~ ; TOWN OF VAIL . . . ~ • Input/Inquiry Respvnse Record • The attached comments were recently received by the Town of VaiL We encourage Vail " residents and guests to give us such input and we strive for timely responses. PLEASE ADDRESS THESE CONCERNS WITHIN FNE WORKIIVG DAYS AND R.ETURN TF-IIS COMPLEI~D FORM TO PAM BRANDNZEYER. ' DEPA.R 1=,TO HA1~IDLE INQUIlZY ' INDIVIDliAL TO HAl~tDLE INQtTIRY u - DATE TOV IZECENED INPUT/INQUIlZY , ZYPE OF INPUT/ L\TOU~RY: PHONE CALL (indicate date) ~ . LE'I'I ER (attached) ~Y~-~-~ X C ~ ~%4"t,~u,- ~~6"~ Ul'~ ~ j .'`~~.0~-?~~2.~ . l RESPONSE CARD (attached) 7 TYPE OF RESPONSE (check one): LETTER (attach copy) ~ ; PHQNE CALL (indicate date) . BRTFr SLN/LIARY OF RESPONSF OR A?VSWEIZ TO INOtTIFZY: " DAc OF RESPONSE FOIZ:IiI RENRiVT") BY DEPAR 1 i T TO PAM BRr'NDIN=- • 1l copy oi this inquirv and Eorm witl rrmain on Esle at the TOV Community Rrlations offite. As soon as lhis focm is trtumed !o pssn . H n ndmeyer, this inqui ry wiil be mnsideced c.+ased. • T: sA,':C'CCli FL R YCUR ;L~tEI.Y F{Aa~DI.~'\G QF r'.LS ~'ue. IFYOU N.A~'E ANY QCJESiIOI~lS. PLtASE Fc=?. ~ COi~?.~C' PA`[ 9RA\DML,.Y-'_Z AT 4i9-2225. ir j ~ . . . . RECEIVED AUC p 1996 August 6, 1996, . . BELL TOWER Editor . PARTNERS, LTD. V811 D81IV . 143 E. Meadow Drive . . Vail, Colorado 81657 - , Dear Editor: . A number of years ago, owners of the Bell Tower Building were pleased to join Vaii ciiizens in contributing funds -ta assist in ihe acquisiiion vT s#atuary for the Chiidren's Fountain. We felt ttie graceful forms of chitdren poised in . characteristic childrenesque modes were artistic, conveying a compelling innocence both arresting .and endeating. _ With winter's snow adoming their heads and acros, they appeared chetubic. As the white snow melted and yielded to icicles, a . metamorphosis transformed those cherubs into impish little elves so _ typical of small ones who have played too long in the cold. With each . season, nature.added its charm to the gallery. . These statues are- no more. . We must ask, "where have all -the children gone?" and "when will they ever retum"? : Sincerely, ~ Wales ItAadden, Jr. . cc: JCity Council of Vail Mr. Hermanri Staufer Mr.*and Mrs. Pepi Gramshamner Mr. Clark Willingham , 3838 Oak Lawn Avenue. Suite 400 • Dallas, Texas 75219. 214-559-4599 • FAX 214-559-4606 201 E. Gore Creek Drive. 3rd Floor • Vail, Colorado 81657 . 970-d76-2125 • FAX 970-479-0499 P.O. Box 15288 • Am:irillo, Texas 79105-5288 • Physical Address: 724 S. Polk • Amarillo. Texas 79101 • 806-374-2422 . FAX 806-379-7049 ~ S vail Alpine Garden Foundation A uore Creek Wildf voLuNtE 10 Summer o 1996 NUMBER 4 Board Approves Long Range Ed Plan ~ Plants are essenhal to all life on Earth. They provide oxygen, food, medicines... and Uail"s Ford Park Study beauty. Human beings are one of 10 million Dela s EdCenter Plans - species, yet we consume 40`0 of all the y planet's photosynthctic productivity. Last fall our plans to build an Education The Rocky Motmtain region has bcen hard Centcr in the final phase of Betty Ford Alpine ~ hit by the growth of human populations. gardcns precipitated a management study of Increasing numbers strain precious water Ford Park by the Town of Vail. Park use is resources and destroy native alpine and diverse and often conflicting- concerts, subalpine plant communities. With "growth" sports, naturc trails, community events, play a major issue facing Colorado today, our and picnic areas, as well as our alpine garden. educational agenda has focused on teaching The Town Council formed a task force, about fragile high altitude ecosystems and made up of user groups and interested how to conserve the environmeiit. neighborhood citizens, and hired a consultant Over the past eight months, thc Vail to review park needs and offer Alpine Garden Foundation has devcloped and recommendations for futum use. adoptcd a Long Range Education Plan for The two primary issues identified by the accomplishing that goal by focusing on the task force are lack of parking within the park following priorities: and access to the "lower bench" for deliveries Please see Education on page 3 and for handicapped and elderty visitors. It is , I the desire of the Town to remove all vehicles, insofar as possible, from the Pearl Tnylor, iower benc h, a l t houg h no approac h Grand Prize to the Gardens or Amphitheater is I; i = winner nf currently ADA accessible without Vail 1/alley some form of assisted transportation. Festival of ~ The study process has been a , A Flowers lively onc, proposing parking receives her ~ tro~~hy frorn structures in alternate locations, bus I3etty Ford. ~ drop-off points, a back door' delivery route, and several "front ~ ~ ~J ~ A list o f all the winners doors" into Ford Park. An oPen appears on ~ house on June 12 invited public input pnge 4. into the process. While the Town has been thorough in its approach, the process has been slower than expected. The net cffect has been at least a year's ! 1~li lI Please see Park Study on page 2 ~ President's Notes While We Wait _ _ _ _ by Helen Fritch parking structures will be placed, we have no We have certainly been frustrated this choice but to flow with the process. summer by the lengthy delay in plans for the Our vision for Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is Education Center, but we have not been idle. a place of beauty that will educate mountain "While the Ford Park study seems to go on (and residents and visitors about our high country We have on), we have been busy with a lot of other work, environment and how we can tive in harmony nOt been much of which better prepares us for "life after with it. Both the Gardens and planned idle. the study": Education Center are important in carrying out We have . Actively participated in the study, influencing this mission. foCUSed on available choices where we can. what we can . Reviewed and reaffirmed our mission and . achieve our need to locate the Education Center now.~within the Gardens, looking at alternative locations for possibie future expansion. _ • Focused on long range planning and other priorities of our educational program that Park Study from page 1 we can achieve now. delay in our plans to build the Center. • Carried all our plans-building, educational The Town Staff estimates that task force design, and programing-as far as we can, recommendations will be sent to the Council in positioning the organization to move when October at the earliest. Originally, the process movement is possible. was to be completed in February. While our use • Served as good stewards of money already of the site is legally protected by a license entrusted to us for the Education Center. agreement in effect "until a new lease is Funds invested in the Gardens are still negotiated,"approval of a new lease for the working for the Gardens through a special Gardens and construction of the Education money market account at FirstBank of Vail. Center are tied to completion of the study. But, until we can continue architectural plans with assurance that we know exactly Plant Sale Sets Pro fit Record ~ whem our building and Ford Park's potential This year's june plant sale broke profit ' records for the third straight year, netting over ~ VAIL ALPINE GARDEN FOLJNDATION Newsletter $7,500 for the gardens. This represents almost f Published quarterly by Vail Alpine Garden Foundation, 783 Gorc Geck Drivc, Vail, double the net proEit of just two years ago. ; Colorado 87657, the newsletter is a benefit of inembership in Vail Alpine Gardcn What contributed to the success? Results ~ Foundation, a nonprotit Cotorado corporatson. from a member survey of what people wanted Helen Fritch (Editor), Deane Hall, Karen Kalabany, Sammye Meadows held the key. This year's plant sale featured a ~ - greater selection of alpine and native plants, a _ BOARD OF DIRECTORS ]0%o member discount on all plant purchases, HONORARY DIRECTOR Betty Ford free workshops on "How to Build a Trough" i OFFICERS Helen S. Fritch, President and "Container Gardenin$," and exPert advice ~ _ Katherine S. Borgen, Vice President to answer customers' gardening questions. Lynda Goldstein, Vice President Loretta Shea, Liz Matthews, and Sydney Kathryn Haber, Vice President Summers pulled it all together. Our sincere Andrew Pierce, Secretary thanks to them for their leadership and to all the Robert Kenney, Treasurer other volunteers who made this record-breaking DIRECTORS: Barbara DeVoe Patty Kaplan Maureen Shapiro event such a success! ~ Jeanne Bailey Adele Douglas Seth Manc Ellen Waterman Special thanks also go to K-TUN radio, who provided the live remote broadcast, sponsor Dr. STAFF: Ex^cutive Dimctor, Sammye Meadows Julie Martin of Avon Chiropractic Life Center, Marketing, Karen Kalabany; Ed,ication, Nicola Ripley; Office Manager, Jennifer Brower Wh0 pTOV1dCd fTee mdSSBgfS, dtlC1 SpOiISOi Alpine Garden Director, Marty Jones Director of Garden Volunters, Barbara DeVoe Sedona Pottery, who donated 5% of their pottery sales of the day to the Gardens. 2 F ~ Education from page 1 Nicola Ripley, and Hudson Gardens' Director of Horticultum (and VAG Board member) 1. The Gardens as an educational tool Andrew Pierce. Workshops focused on 2. A planned, 6900 sq. ft. Education Center buttcrfly gardening, kids' gardening, which will house exhibits and classroom vegetables for high altitude, and container space gardening. OuY goal: 3. School programs to educate young people EazthFest 1996. ln collaboration with the educated mountain about the mountain environment ardners who use Partnership for Environmental Education g 4. Lectures, workshops, and classes Programming, the inaugural EarthFest was water-wise 5. Publications to educate our visiting public held on June 21-23 at Ford Park. It included landscaping and 6. Alpine plant conservation and research information booths for the Nature Conservancy, conserve 7.. A computer database of our plant collection Pocky Mountain Institute, Denver Botanic 8. Outreach to serve diversc rou s native plant ~ P Gardens, Trout Unlimited, and others, great 9. Community beautification through Vail food by Vail Associates, and a bluegrass band. COmmurittles. Valley Festival of Flowers Approximately 500 people attended, even in 10. Study tours the rain. 11. A horticultural library 12. A museum shop for books and educational Monograph Series. We will begin materials development of an initial series of three monographs in the fall of 1996 for distribution In an important first step toward our future to our gardening public next summer. The as a teaching instituHon, we have hired Nicola booklets will be sized to fit in a hip pocket and Ripley as Education Associate to begin be carried into the garden for practical implementation of this long range plan. The reference. Each will focus on a topic of high delay of the Education Center has given us the altifude gardening, about which written opportunity to enhance/accelerate priorities of information is scarce: the plan: a. Environmentally Sensitive Gardening at Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. We are taking High Altitudes Our thanks to the inventory and labelling every plant in the b. Native Plants and Their Cultivated Relatives Education Committee, Gardens, adding species, and replacing others for High Altitude Gardens whose hard workand that have not survived. We will publish a series c Perennials and Bulbs Appropriate for High practical ideas created the of Garden-specific plant lists, as well as a native Altitudc, Water-Wise Gardening P1an: EI1en Waterman, Chair, Kathryn Haber, plant list for Shrine Ridge. In two cooperative The goal of the Long Range Education Plan Deane Hall, Marty Jones, experiments with the U.S. Department of is more eclucated mountain gardeners who Seth Marx, Ken Slump, Agricultum at Colorado State University, and actively apply the principles of water-wise ICnren Kalabany, and Denver Botanic Gardens, we have planted landscaping and conservation of native plant Sammye Meadows. special hybrid sunflowers and will be planting a communities. succession of hybrid maple trees to see how both species fare at this altitude. We also will plant an area of the Gardens with Colorado Nieala Ripley and native plants, including the endangered jennifer Brower Join Staff Penstemon harringtonii. Nicola Pipley, plant ecologist, joins the School Programs. To build on the success staff as Education Associate. Nicki's of the Children's Butterfly Launch, we are specialty is alpine plants, and her mcent ~ planning several new programs for kids. In Work has included ram species collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service and identification and environmental Vail Associates, we will create a wildflower restoration in mountain communities. check list with information about wildflowers Nicki has been a volunteer for several ~i and illustrations for children to color. We also years, taking charge of our annual seed plan an autumn bird feeder contest to teach students about habitat conservation, the exchange. importance of native flowers, and about Jennifer Brower, new Office Manager, represents us to the public with her ecological webs. friendlv voice in the office. She hails from ~ Lectures and Workshops. An expandcd Massachusetts and, after college in Rhode ~ 1996 summer lectum serics included renowned Island, arrived in Vail last October. botanical illustrator Angela Overy, wildFlower Jennifcr assists the rest of the staff and expert Don Eversoll, award winning landscape alrcady has a rcput.-,tion as a designer Glen Ellison, nativc plant expert "ncatnik"-good to have in any office! ' 3 i ~ L"P.OKING AHEAP-.. ~ ~ A regular section, Looking Ahead will feature selecfed digging and potting. "This is a very special upcoming events. Get set and mark your calendars now! program to raise money for eare of the August 10,1996, Art at the Gazden FamLly gardens," says Barbara DeVoe, volunteer director. W°rlcshov: Join art instructor Wendy Satsky Sg~tember 2~26 and 30 and October 3, Fall from 10 a.m. to noon in creating art inspired by Clean U12 Days: Before you know it will be nature. No previous art experience is necessary. time to get the gardens ready for winter. If you Participants will be guided through visual would like to help this year please join us in the exercises of careful observation, drawing and gardens on Mondays, September 23 & 30 and coloring of plants and flowers and will Thursdays, September 26 and October 3rd. complete an artwork. Prices of $25 for adults, $20 for children, $85 for family (2 adults & 2 Fa11199 "Home Matters" Preview• Look for children) includes all materials. Minimum age us on the Discovery Channel on their "Home for children is 8 years of age. For information Matters" series. We will be featured in a five and reservations, call Wendy Satsky at 827-4278. minute segment of Hobbies, Crafts & Enrollment will be limited. Collectibles. Betty Ford and Helen Fritch Sgptember 2. Adopt A Planr The Vail Alpine showcase our gardens and education programs Garden Foundation will hold its 4th Annual nationwide with host Mark Koebrich. "Adopt A Plant" program on Labor Day, December 27,1996,_Winter Interlude: Mark Monday, September 2 from 10 a.m-noon at the your calendar now for Winter Interlude as we Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. Residents and again feature the sounds of the big bands, with visitors can receive a plant from Betty Ford dancing, hors d'hoeuvres and more! Winter Alpine Gardens in exchange for a nominal Interlude will be held from 6-9 p.m. at the donation. Plants for this event are provided by Marriott's Vail Mountain Resort in the grand garden volunteers who spend many hours ballroom. ' ardener's Leaming Corner . ~ 1 f you are always looking for new ways to increase updated aur web site to include information on yourgardening knowledge, this section is for you! xeriscaping: http://cissus.mobot.org If you have a suggestion you'd like to share in our /aabga/member.pages/ford/ next newsletter, please call us at (970) 476-0103 • To learn more about about Flora of Europe with ideas on books, classes, web sites, and visit: http://www.knoware.nl/flora/ gardening tips. • To learn more about plants deer don't like, MAGAZINES visit this web site: gopher:l/sunsite.unc.edu: - Rocky Mountain Gardener magazine is 70 /00 /.pub /academic /agriculture /sustainable available for 1/2 price to all Vail Alpine Garden AT DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS Foundation Members. Enjoy quarterly issues Learn about environmental gardening and that provide rnformative articles on high- design by attending the Bonfils Stanton lecture altitude gardening for only $7.50 per year. scries with featured speaker Holly Shimizu on Please send a check payable to Rocky Mountain Wednesday, October 23, 1996 at 10 a.m. and Gardener, c/o Vail Alpine Garden Foundation again at 7 p.m. Lectures will be held at the John 183 Gom Geek Drive Vail, CO 81657. Your C. Mitcheil II Hall at Denver Botanic Gardens. membership status must be current in order to Price is $8 for members and $12 for non- receive this benefit. members. Holly is chief horticulturalist and assistant Executive Director of the United SWtes ON THE INTERNET Botanic Garden in Washington D.C. and • Don't forget to visit Bc~ty Fc :d Alpinc frequent host of the Victory Garden. Gardens on the intcrnet! We'vc rccendy 4 • Vail Valley Festival vf Flowers The Search for the Best Gardens in the Vail Valley Grand Prize ~ Pearl Taylor ~r= ~~i. ,t lst Prize Residential IlLarge Garden Mary Pownati ° . . ~ , . lst Prize Residentia] I jSmal] Garden Minh Boyle 1stPrize ResidentialII/SmallGarden rErica Springstead ~ . a . , lst Prize Commercial/Large Garden The Lodge at Vail lst Prize Professional Class Earthtones Lawn & Garden: Forbes Residence Special Award Helen Edwards Pearl TayIor's grand prize-winning garden in Wildridge blends with the S12ecial Award sunounding mountains. Use of native and drought tolerant plants makes this Mel Harrington & David May garden truly water wise. Pearl designed, planted, and cares for the garden herself white also finding time to votunteer at F3etty Forc1 Atpine Gardens. Honor Roll of Gardens Gasthof Gramshammer Ann Repetti With Special Honor: Town of Vail Gemini Gardens: 38 Greystone Court Roats Design: Fred & Rainey Green Goiden Bear Residence Julia Barnett Kathryn Haber Sylvia Shapiro Helen Bird Hyatt Regency The Sitzmark Lodge Mindy Brill & Louise McGaughey Intermountain Landscape: Sonnenalp Hotel, Bavaria Haus Steve & Jackie Clark 67 Aspen Ridge Lane, Sonnenalp Golf Club Cordillera Ranch Ciubhouse 40 Holden Place, 742 Holden IZoad, Howard & Cathy Stone Leslie Demy 825 Holden IZoad Strawberry Park Earthtones Lawn & Garden: Marty Jones Vail Valley Medical Center Bailey Residence, Hawkins/Johnson Residence Marnie Jump Village Center Condominium Ass'n Barbara & Kent Erickson Dawn Mullin Gary & Lucy Zimmerman Kim Fields & June Steilingwert Dan & Wallis Penton Thanks to Our Summer Volunteers and Sponsors Vail Valley Festival of Flowers (May 31-July 7) Sponsors: K-TUN radio and Norwest [ianks was our most successfu] ever! The support of many voluntecrs made ea~h event a triumph, A Midsummer Night Benefit: ~~As an elementary Sallie Christian, Chair teacher, l was struck b _ and we thank eacti and every one who hclped. y Very special thanks go to the committee chairs Sponsors and In-Kind Supporters: the quQlity IeaYnitlg who, through their dedication and leadership, K-TUN radio, Norwest Banks, Sitzmark ex eriences afforded to the truly made it atl possible. Lodge, Johnson & Wales University, West Vail p Liquor Mart, National Distributing Company, children by this (butterfly Plant Sale: Scharfenbcrgcr Cellars, Life Of The Party, launch) and the obvious Loretta Shea, Plant Sale Chair and Bcaver Framing. Coopef'atioYl betZVeeYI Liz Matthews, Plant Selection Chair Sydney Summers, Plant Sale Volunteer Chair Children's Butterfly Launch: community and educatiorT Sponsors: K-TUN radio, Kidstuff, Eagle gyoups that made it Sponsors and In-Kind Supporters: River lnteractive, Vail Valley Foundation, Sedona Pottery, Avon Chiropractic Life Center-Julie 1 stBank possible." Martin, Beaver Creek Resort Company, Jitters-n- Shakes, and Roots Garden Design Workshops & Lectures: - ChaYlOtte Slac:. Sponsors: Beauty Beyond Belief, Re/Max-Bill College Station, Texas Festival of Flowers Garden Judging: Wilto, Broker, Jpper Eagle Regional Water Barba:a DeVoe, Co-Chair Authority, and Vail Valley Consolidated Helen Mclntyre, Co-Chair Watcr District. 5 So You Wan t to Be in the CSU Master Gardener program $50, and handouts and notebooks are ~ is a wonderful way for beginners or included. Ali classes are held at the A Master Gardener.... experts to lcarn mom about CSU Extension Office in Eagle. horticulture from university If you have thought about authorities. You will also make new Memorials & Tributes becoming a Master Gardener, now is friends who share your love for ~COWIit~ p18ntS, comments Steve In honor of Mr. & Mrs. Mazvin Goldman the time to enroll. What's involved? Carcatena, C.S.U. Extension Agent for on thcir 45th Anniversary For eight hours every Wednesday, Pat & Ralph Silversmith from mid-January through mid- Eagle County. In memory of ]oseph B. Montgomery March, students study a wide range of UPon completion of the class Alice Muft7y work, students give 40 hours of [n memory of Henry Gross horticultural topics, including soils, Eva Otjen volunteer time to horticultural ?n memory of Rose Reed plant nutrition, pest management, education ro ects to receive full disease identification, turfgrass, care P~ Ann Mazie Sanders certification. The ability to have Polly i2ing of woody plants, and elective topics master gardeners volunteer in the Jn memory of Alice Cartwright selected by each Master Gardener Betty Ford Garden or on education Don & June Simonton class. No previous garder+ing in memory of Louise Rosenbaum experience is required, just the programs is a wonderful benefit for )ohn & Linda Galvin willin ess to learn! Man students the Foundation, says Sammye Kacla & David Berman ~ Y Meadows, VAGF ExeCUtive DireCtor. ln memory of )oan Slump participate because they have moved Upon certification, Master Gardeners Kathy Borgen to the area from another climate, and also have opportunities for advanced D ane Hall Goldstein Lynda want to learn about our high-altitude trainin~. Helen Fritch gardening environment. For more information or for an ]n memory of Mary Agnus Hungate Sponsored by the Colorado Statc Helen Mclntyre application, plcase give Steve University Horticulture Department, In memory of Dorothy deLambert Towle Carcarterra a call at the CSU ~ faculty members and extension agents In memory of Fenwick C. Atwill conduct the class sessions. "Enrolling Extension Office in Eagle at 328-8875. rtoberc & tvtariuyn sacer The enrollment fce for the class is only yajl Non-Profit lpine U.S. Postage A PAID ('iClY(~Bit Permit No. 31 • TIT, OllIICIaZl0i1 1 Vail, Colorado 183 Gore Creek Drive Vaii, Coiorado 8165- - - Town of Vail • Att: Bob McLaurin 0 75 S. Frontage Road Vail, CO 81657 Summer Is HERE!!! Enjoy Betty Ford CJardens, Dig in the Dirt, Relish Mountain Wild flowers ~ MtEIVFI) CML Colorado Munidpal League 1660 Lincoln Street, Suite 2100 • Denver, Colorado 80264-2101 • Phone (303) 831-6411, FAX (303) 860,8175 MEMORANDUM TO: Managers or Clerks, Finance Directors, Budget Directors FROM: Samuel D. Mamet, Associate Director SiJBJECT: Current State-Shazed Revenue Projections DATE: August 7, 1996 INTRODUCTION The purpose of this memorandum is to present you with background on the state budget and economy, and current information on significant state revenue sources which are shared with municipalities based on the best estimates we can give at this time. In every case, we urge caution in budgeting and estimating state-shared revenue. We encourage you to distribute this memorandum to other appropriate individuals in your municipality, especially pazk and recreation directors as it. relates to the lottery discussion. HiJTF revenue estimates were mailed to you via a July 5, 1996 memorandum prepared by Jan Gerstenberger, who can be reached at the League office regarding HUTF questions. GENERAL BACKGROUND Colorado Economy, Our econorny remains vibrant in the first half of 1996, consistent with the strongest three-year period (1993-1995) of economic growth for the state since World War II. Nonfarm employment increased 4.6 % through April, about the same pace as a year ago. The state unemployment rate remains one of the lowest in the country, at 3. 8%, which makes the state's labor rnarket still very dght. Colorado's unemployment rate was nearly 2 percentage points below the national unemployment rate for the first four months of 1996. Reflecting this strength in the job market, personal income growth will be healthy, increasing nearly 8% in 1996, and 7% next year. Colorado ranks sixth nationally in personal income growth. Wage and salary income, which matces up about 60% of total personal income, increased over 7% last year. The same is expected during the next two years. , Population growth is expected to taper off from 2.2 % this year down to 1.7 % by the end of 1998. Lower levels of in-migration are the reason. The state's population increased at an average annual rate of 2.5 °!o between 1990 and 1995. 1 State Budget ed by revenues accruing from . The state generat fund, which is mainly support sales and income tax receipts, remains on solid footing. ~ A June report from the Legislative Council staff indicates that the state budget surplus will grow , substantially every year for the near term, and should reach nearly $1 billion by 2001. The Governor's budget staff expects state surpluses to remain around the cunent $160 million ' for the next four years. Colorado's revenue picture remains one of the best in the country. For example, for the first six months of this year, state sales taxes were nearly 7°% higher than a year ago. While the average annual growth rate of state revenues nationally has been azound 4%, our state revenue growth has been between 6 % and 7 % over the past few years. On the TABOR front, lawmakers next session could face giving voters a refund of around $23 million. Also, the state budget may hit a legal brick wall as the state may find itself over TABOR and statutory spending limits (set at $250 million next year) by azound $20 million. These two issues could dominate state budget discussions over the coming months when the Joint Budget Committee begins to write the FY 1997-1998 budget starting in mid-November. Polic,y Issues. There aze at least two emerging state fiscal policy issues facing lawmakers looking at the large state budget surplus. • With increasing reserves in the state general fund, this could generate pressure upon legislators to consider a major state tax refund next session, or to appropriate addidonal money for significant capital expenditures, like state and local highways, or maybe do a combination of both approaches. The League will continue to advocate sharing increased highway revenues with local government to meet the needs of counties and municipalities. Recently, a report issued by a special committee appointed by Governor Roy Romer identified a state and local funding shortfall in the highway and transportation azea of $13 billion over a twenty year period. • Efforts in Congress to develop federal block grant legislation this year and next could have major implications for the state budget, as well as any major changes in federal tax law, to which the state income tax code is coupled. For example, if Congress caps the growth of Medicaid this could have major budget implications for Colorado. SEVERANCE TAX EMPLOYEE DISTRIBUTION Distribution and Use. By the end of August, a portion of the state's severance tax revenues will be returned to municipalities and coundes based -upon the residence of employees connected with oil and gas, metallic minerals, and coal production and development activity j39-29-110(1)(c)(d), C.R.S.] The state Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) makes the distribution. Money received by municipatities and counties can be used for both capital and general operating expenses [39-29-110(1)(e), C.R.S.] and no report must be filed with the state on how such revenue is expended. f Tr n. Over the past decade, $1 million to $2 million has been distributed annually by the state on average to around half of the cides and towns, and over half of the counties in the state. In 2 M ' 1995, $1.4 million was distnbuted by Local Affairs. Here is a break-out of how much revenue per employee has been generated the last five years: 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 # $ # $ # $ # $ # $ 1,148 678 1,024 985 1,055 461 1,077 702 11102 686 2,421 146 1,870 292 1,983 188 2,306 244 2,361 238 1,093 27 892 27 829 20 886 25 886 25 The 1996 distribution is expected to drop to around $1.1 million due to refunds and credits. Because of this, your direct distribution check may be lower. Over a four year period through the year 2000, distributions are expected to rise to around the $1 million level. Distribution checks should be mailed within the next several weeks. 1997 BudQet. At least three major variables influence the amount of revenue accruing to a particulaz city or town: the reported producdon level which determines the severance tax revenue available for distribution; the continued refinement in differentiating between administrative and production workers in employer report forms which energy companies file with the state; and, the actual residence (municipality or unincorporated county) of the employee. Because these factors can change significantly on an annual basis, we continue to advise officials to exercise budgetary caution with severance tax direct distribution payments. For example, if your municipality has experienced a major energy company lay-off during the past year, then this could have a significant effect upon your direct distribution revenues. Though not required, we advise budgedng this revenue as a separate line item. Doing this will provide you with an effective way to track this revenue on a yearly basis. Municipal officials aze encouraged to work with affected companies, neighboring municipalities, and your county in helping energy companies complete the employee report forms. The forms must be filed with the state Revenue Department next spring for credit to the August, 1997 distribution to counties and municipalities. The League staff contact on this issue is Sam Mamet. The DOLA contact is Bill Verbeten at 303-866-3573. Energy Impact Assistance Fund. This grant and loan program assists local governments socially or economically impacted by the development and processing of minerals and mineral fuels [34- 63-102(5)(b)(I)(II) and 39-29-110, C.R.S.]. The program receives a portion of the state's severance tax and a portion of federal mineral lease revenue. Competition is always very intense. Municipalities are advised to work with appropriate DOLA field representatives around ' the state. Further information on the program can be secured by contacting Bill Timmermeyer at DOLA at 303-866-2771, your own Council of Governments staff, DOLA field reps, or Sam Mamet at the League. 3 ~ r NIINERAL LEASE • B k n. The federal Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 provides that half of the revenues resulting from federal mineral leasing activity within a state are to be returned to that state. In 1995, nearly 40 states, including Colorado, received over $500 million. Colorado receivetl $31.8 million--ranking in the top tier of states receiving this federal revenue. Tr n. In 1995, almost $900,000 was distributed to about a dozen cities and towns (primarily on the West Slope); down about $100,000 from the previous year. State law directs any county receiving over $250,000 in mineral lease funds to share at least 37.5 % of such revenues with its municipalities [34-63-102(3)(c), C.R.S.]. This is known as the second-tier payment schedule. While counties are not legally required to share any revenue below $250,000 with their municipalities, nothing in state law prohibits such sharing. Each county area total for the county, its school districts and municipalities is limited to a maximum of $800,000 per year in the second-tier distribution mechanism. The municipal distribution of second-tier payments in each county is done according to the percentage each municipality's population in the county bears to the population of all cities and towns in the county. The most cunent lottery population estimates are utilized for the calculation. The population calculation and revenue distribution is done directly by and through the State Treasurer's Office with the assistance of DOLA. Counties have no involvement in these calculations or in the actual distribution of funds. By state law, the State Treasurer may not distribute funds to any affectetl county or its municipalities until the State Treasurer receives a notification from the county as to the municipal distribution percentage it has established. It is important for potentially affected municipalities to remind their county officials of this notification requirement [34-63-102(3)(c), C.R.S.]. The sta.te statute does not restrict a county from sharing with its municipalities an amount greater than 37.5 percent. Remind your county officials of this fact. The League suggests that you work with officials from other cities and towns in your county on the percentage allocation question, and then approach your county commissioners on this matter as a group of municipalities if you desire a higher percentage. Once the municipal percentage is set, it won't be changed unless the county requests a change to the State Treasurer. If your county does make a change during the year, make sure the State Treasurer's Office is notified promptly. Anticigate receiving your 1996 municipal receipts by early 1997. We do not yet know what the figure will be. 1997 Budget. For affected municipalities we advise either of the following budgeting approaches for second-tier payments: • Do not budget any mineral lease revenues in your 1997 budget now being prepared. Instead, treat any mineral lease revenue you may receive as a supplemental budget item. OR, • If your municipality received less than $50,000 in mineral lease revenue during the past year, budget no receipts for the 1997 budget; if your municipality received more than $50,000, cut your total in half and budget this amount in your 1997 budget. 4 ' Either of these approaches should provide a cushion to deal with this revenue source. . Certain counties and their municipalities may also receive an additional amount of mineral lease revenue early next year because of extensive mineral leasing activity taking place within the county [see 34-63-102(3)(b)(III), C.R.S.]. 1'hese aze known as third-tier payments. Under such circumstances, this extra revenue will be distributed back on an employee residence basis for those employees connected with such mineral leasing operations. In 1995, this totaled $48,325 to four municipalities: Craig, Dinosaur, Meeker, and Rangely. VK. The statute directs that money received by cities and towns shall be used "for planning, construction and maintenance of public facilities and for public services." There is no requirement that a report be filed with the state regarding the use of these funds. Though not required, we advise this revenue be accounted as a separate line item within the budget. The line item could be called "unanticipated revenue--mineral lease" or simply "mineral lease revenuee " We suggest this as an effective means for keeping track of this revenue on a yearly basis. Contacts on mineral lease questions aze Bill Verbeten at DOLA, 303-866-3573; Tom Hancock, State Treasurer's Office. 303-866-5649; and Sam Mamet at the League. LOTTERY Municipal Distribution. Municipal lottery proceeds as based upon the most current population estimates prepared by the state Division of Local Government. If a municipality overlaps with a special district which gets lottery funds, the municipal distribution reflects a sharing of these proceeds with the district. This sharing allocation is done automatically by DOLA. V,T. The Conservation Trust Fund statute (29-21-101, C.R.S.) governs how a municipality can expend lottery proceeds. The money can only be used for the acquisition, development, and maintenance of "new conservation sites" (which is defined in the statute), or for capital improvements to or maintenance of recreational purposes on any public site. Lottery funds must be accounted for separately and cannot be used to acquire property through condemnadon. The statute does allow for intergovernmental contracting in expending lottery funds. This cooperation extends to the joint acquisition, development, and maintenance of new conservation sites. The state Division of Local Government will be sending a status report form out later this year to indicate how much lottery money a city or town has received and expended, with a recertification form to fill out in order for a municipality to continue in the program. A prompt response is always appreciated both by the Division and the League. If these forms are not completed, a municipality becomes ineligible to receive future lottery funds. Care should always be taken in completi.ng the status report form given the continuing media scrutiny, public awareness, and legislative interest in the way lottery funds are expended by local governments. Distribudon. Lottery checks are sent quarterly on December l, March 1, June 1, and September 1. They are also distributed electronically. After placing each of the distribution checks in your budget's Conservation Trust Fund line item, please consider appropriating out the funds only annually. 5 Projections. Since its 1983 start, $ 255.4 million has been distributed in net lottery proceeds ' to local governments through the Conservation Trust Fund. Here's a summary of how the distribution has occuned over the past twelve fiscal years: . FY Conservation Trust Fund Ca ital Construction\GOCO State Parks 1983 $16.7 million $20. 8 million $4.2 million 1984 $16.6 $20.7 $4.1 1985 $12.8 $16.0 $3.2 1986 $11.7 $14.6 $2.9 1987 $14.0 $17.5 $3.5 1988 $13.2 $16.5 $3.3 1989 $7.4 $9.3 $1.9 1990 $11.5 $26.4 $2.9 1991 $16.2 $38.7 $4.0 1992 $23.2 $47.0 $5.8 1993 $21.9 $35.2 $5.5 1994 $22.7 $45.7 $5,7 1995 $34.3 $57.7 $$•5 1996 $33.2 $49.9 $8.3 TOTAL $255.4 million $426.9 million $63.8 million GRAND TOTAL BETWEEN FY 1983 AND 1996: $746.1 million (57 % to Capital Construction\GOCO, 34 % to Conservation Trust Fund, 9% to State Parks) In calendar year 1997, we anticipate $33.4 million being distributed through the Conservation Trust Fund to eligible local governments (or $9.14 per capita), and for calendar year 1998 we anticipate $33.4 million to be the amount (or $9.14 per capita). 6 ` Here are the most recent quarterly distribution estimates for local governments in 1996, 1997, and 1998: t September 1, 1996 $8.5 million December 1, 1996 $9.2 million March 1, 1997 $5.8 million 7une 1, 1997 $9.2 million September 1, 1997 $9.2 million December 1, 1997 $9.2 million March 1, 1998 $5.8 million June 1, 1998 $9.2 millIon September 1, 1998 $9.2 million December 1, 1998 $9.2 million State Trails Program. The Colorado Greenway Project continues to be a highly successful state- local trails development program, with funding from several different sources. The State Trails Committee reviews the grant applications during the year. For further information on the Colorado Greenway Project, and questions about trails funding and development, contact Stuart Macdonald at the state Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation at 303-866-3203. Ask to receive a copy of the Division's State Trails News, which contains excellent trails information. Great Outdoors Colorado Prograin (GOCO). It is anticipated that several million dollars annually for the next severai years will be available to this program for general distribution to four "substantially equal" areas: wildlife resources through the state Wildlife Division; outdoor recreation resources through the state Parks Division; compedtive grants to state and local agencies for open space projects; competitive matching grants to local governments to acquire, manage, or develop open space lands and parks. The League closely monitors the program's implementation and will keep municipal officials aware of future developments. Grant cycles are continually being made for local governments. GOCO staff contact is Will Shafroth, at (303) 863-7522. League staff contact is Sam Mamet. If you have any lottery or Conservation Trust Fund questions, contact either Dave Metsch, state Division of Local Government, at 303-866-2156; Mike Saucedo, Colorado State Lottery, at 719-546-2400 or 800-999-2959; or Sam Mamet at the League. • CIGARETTE TAX , Distribution. Since 1973, Colorado has levied a state-collected, locally shared cigazette tax with a portion of the proceeds distributed to municipalities and counties which do not levy a local cigarette tax. Currently, no local cigarette tax is levied by any county or municipality in the 7 state. Municipalities and counties receive 27 % of the proceeds from the current 20 cents per ~ pack tax. Each municipality and county receives a percentage share of state-collected cigarette taaces based on the amount of state sales tax revenues collected by the state Department of ~ Revenue in the local jurisdiction as compared to the total state sales tax collections that aze allocated to all political subdivisions. Coundes receive credit for unincorporated area sales tax collections. This percentage is certified at least annually and is based on the previous 12-month total sales tax collection figure for each jurisdiction. The state must pay local governments by the 15th of each month. Projections. 1'he local government shareback for the next four years is anticipated to be azound $16 million. Municipalities are always advised to budget this revenue source very conservatively. Your share may fluctuate from year-to-year depending upon any increase or decrease in the percentage of state sales collection activity within your city or town. The change in relative shares of distributed cigarette talc revenue is normally anticigated with the September payments made by the state. For further information, contact the Office of Tax Analysis of the state Revenue Department at 303-866-3089, or Sam Mamet at the League Office. CONCLUSION , Should the contents of this memorandum raise any questions, please do not hesitate to c,ontact us. Please let us know about ways we can improve upon or add information to this memorandum. Thank you! ~ 8 . . . ~ r . TO WN OF VAIL • Input/Inquiry R,espvnse Rezord • The attached comments were retentiy received by the Town of VaiI. We encourage Va.il ' residents and guests to give us such input and we strive for timely responses. PLEASE ADDRESS THESE CONCERNS VMM4 FIVE WORFC3NG DAYS AND RETURN THIS CONII'LETED FORM TO PAM BRANDNfEYER. ' DII'AR 1 =,TO HANDLE IlVQUIRY ' IlvDNIDUAL TO HAiNDLE INQUIRY r- Iu • DATE TOV RECENFD INPUT/IlVQUIRY q , TYPE OF IlVPUT/LN4OUIIZY: PHONc CALL (indicate date) . ~ LEZTER (attac.hed) IZFSPONSE CARD (attached) TYPE OF RESPONSE (chetk one~. : LETTER (attach copy) ` ; PHQNE CALL (indicate date) . BRTEr SLIZj6RY OF RESPON OR ANSWEFZ TO IlVOQT,jIRY: . , " DATc OF RESPONSE FOILId RENKN-ED BY DEPARTMEvT TO PAM B~ ~NDZ; • .4 cooy of this inquiry and Eorm witl rtmain ort File at the TOV Cammtunity Relations offier. As sooe aa this focm ia retnr.ted b Psta . 8rsndmever, this inquiry .vill be mesidered closed. i:4A,v <'fCU FL'R YCLc~ :L~.T..Y I-i~tiDL.'~;C ~F i c3S ~SUE IFYOU f-iAVE ANY QUESCIONS. PLEA.SE .Fd'-"-. FRE..._-. TICCOtii.IC' Pn M AT 479.2I I3. - RECEIVED AUG ~1199& ~ SUSAN M. SMITHSON 1E204 EAST BELLEVIEW DRNE AURORA, CO 80015 (303) 690-8473 PxoNE/FAx August 1, 1996 The Town of Vail The Town Council ATTN: Mayor Bob Armour 75 South Frontage Road Vail, CO 81657-2200 Dear Mayor Armour: Last weekend I was in Vail to inspect my condominium located in Lion's Mane Phase II, when I heard from other tenant-owners that the Town of Vaff in its infinite wisdom has unilaterally decided to discontinue parking along Vail Drive this winter. I further have been lead to believe that no proyision has been made for the people who would normally park along this road during the corning skiing season of 1996-1997. Tell me this is not true. I have owned unit Nr. 27 since it was built in 1972 (as I best recollect). This unit has three bedrooms in addition to a lock-off unit (27A) which is a one bedroom efficiency apartment. The builder only made provision for one parking space for both units 27 and 27A, and this is true for a number of units in this building. We rent out this lock-off unit long term and rent the larger unit on a short time basis prirnarily during the ski season. Because of the parking situation, the lock-off renter has to park on the street and if there is more than one car for the larger unit, they have to park on the street as well. As is well lrnown, the pazking situation has not been easy for the past several years since alternate side parking was instituted (just like New York City!). This measure requires someone to get up early and run out to switch sides. We and our renters have stoically endured this musical chairs. By the by, when was the Town of Vail going to inform me of this change? or at least our - condominium association? and why did I have to learn of this chicanery only via word of mouth? Your present solution, however, is just not viable. If we are unable to provide adequate pazking, then I will loose income this winter, suffer a loss in an investment, equity, etc. Yet, a solution is needed and sheer bitching will solve nothing. There are four possible alternative solutions: 1) widen the present road (desirable but unrealistic); ...1'.'' - 2) the owners of Lion's Mane Phase II could dig past the current retaining wall in the rear of the complex to provide more pazking space. This effort could only add four to six parking slots. The cost would be prohibitive, not to say an engineering nightmare for the structures immediately above. Thus, relying on the owners to come up with additional spaces is unrealistic. 3) make permanent and defined parking spaces on the upslope side. This will solve the occasion of double parking on both sides during the eazly morning scramble while people are trying to alternate; 4) Since the Town of Vail allowed parking along Vail Drive when the Lion's Mane Phase II was originally built, I suggest that there should be a grandfather clause which would allow people to continue to park on the street, but only those with verifiable, transferable, pazking placards placed on the dash identifying the car to a specific unit nurnber. This would deny parking to anyone parking on the street just for the day and taking the bus into town. Autocratically eliminating parking along Vail Drive altogether will not do away with the parking problem (unless of course the true reason for this draconian measure is that the Town of Vail's treasury is so bereft of funds that it needs a massive infusion of pazking fines). Perhaps we should next look forwazd to an invasion of Chicago's Lincoln Pirates. In sum, we need the parking spaces along Vail Drive. Further, this problem will not go away just because you have made the decision that you will not allow parking. All the cazs, which provide my cash flow, and need I remind you yours, have to go someplace. Sincerely yours, ~ Susan M. Smithson cc: James E. Rein President, Lion's Mane Condominium Association RECEIVED AUG 1 2 1996 . enn2s , C uendet D.D.S., M.S., Inc. • ORTHODONTICS 2314 Weymouth Dr.ive • Baton Rouge, La. 70809-1484 • (504) 926-7977 August 5, 1996 The Town of Vail The Town Council ATTN: Mayor Bob Armour 75 South Frontage Road Vail, Co 81657-2200 RE: Parking oa Vail View Drive . Dear Mayor Armour: We recently received a very disturbing letter from the President of our homeowner association, Mr. James Rein, concerning your decision to discontinue parking along Vail View Drive. A couple of years back we bought two 3 bedrooms condominiums in Lion's Mane Phase II. Each one of the units came with one reserved parking space. If you have extra cars (a stronr possibility with this size condomimium) or if you have guests or friends coming over, you would park on Vail View Drive. If this restriction is inacted we couldn't even have guests over, nor could we own more than one car. Your decision to eliminate the parking will be disastrous for us and all other residents of the few condominiums in this particular area. Not to say anything about what it will do to the valae of our investment. As Mr. Rein points out in his letter to you (a copy of which is attached), parking along this street has been allowed for more than 25 years. I could see where you might require some sort of permit for the residents and/or guests and limit the parking to them. A solution that is very widespread in Europe in cities' historical centers. After all we do pay taxes in the community and should have some rights as opposed to day skiers who park in the street to avoid parking fees. The town after all did allow construction of these complexes without requiring adequate parking. It appears to me that grandfathering in some of the streets, i.e. Vail View Drive would do wond~s to correct short sightness on the part of the town and to fos.~e~t good relationships between the town and its residents and gpests. i I wduld appreciate a reply to my concern. Sincerely, . , AI~is~. Cuen e Member American Association of Orthodontists ` . _ . LIUN'S MANE PHASE II CONllOMINIUM ASSOCIATION Vail, CO. July 3, 1996 The Town of Vail The Town Council Attn: Mayor Bob Armour 75 South Frontage Road Vail, CO. 81657-2200 Dear Mayor Armour: It seams as if the Towii of Vail has once again made a decision without taking into consideration the impact that decision may have on the general public. The above comment is in regard to the tcwn's decision to discontinue allowing parking along Vail , View Drive. Parking along tliis st'reet has hcen allowed for more then 25 years. The decision to arbitrarily discontinue parking in ±iiis area already creating extensive inconvenience for the . owners, residents and guests eiiat live an(i rc.nc alang this street. As you know, parking in Vail and the surrounding areas is at a premium and eliminating any parking, anywhere, without considering aiternatives is foolish at best. This is particularly concerning as most of our parking problems are due to Vail short sightedness, in the early days, . when they allowed developers to build complexes and not provide sufficient parking. Regardless, eliminating any parking for any reason is not addressing the public's problems. I would challenge any towji official to cuttie by our cotz3o connplex and :el! _our visitors aiid rent paying guests where to park, when their assigned parking spaces are taken. Solution toany problems causeci by the E,,.,)iie parking along this street could have taken several - forms if any thouglit would have been givcn to the problem. For example, a parking ramp could have been excavated to accommodate vehicles or the street could have been easily widened to provide easier parking atid more room to accomenodate snow plowing needs. At least, before a • decision was made to close the street to a(1 parking, the town should have presented their plan to the people in the Sandstone area Regardless, the decision was a bad one and is umacceptable to most the owners and residents in this area of Vail. Therefore, we must. insis: that parking along this street be immediately rcinstated. After which, a detaiicd c eviev: ::n(i analysis of the parking problem and potential solutioli be prepared and presenled foi- pil!)iic discussion. We expect an immediate response and if it is not received, we will have to take matter-s into our own vands. a i Iy TOWN OF YAIL 75 South Frontage Road Yail, Colorado 81657 970-479-2100 FAX 970-479-2157 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 20, 1996 Contact: Larry Grafel, 479-2173 Greg Hall, 479-2160 Public Works Director Town Engineer WEST VAIL INTERCHANGE SOLUTIONS NARROWED TO THREE PUBLIC ASKED TO HELP RECOMMEND FINAL ALTERNATIVE THIS WEEK AT OPEN HOUSE SERIES • (Vail)--The Town of Vail will sponsor the last in a series of open house forums on Wednesday (8-21) and Thursday (8-22) this week to help nail down a final recommendation for improvements to the West Vail interchange. The list of citizen- suggested possibilities has now been narrowed from 24 alternatives to three possibilities: traffic lights, relocation of the off-ramps and roundabouts. The three concepts wiil be displayed during an open house forum from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday (8-21) and from 12 noon to 2 p.m. Thursday (8-22) at the West Vail Lodge. Representatives from MK Centennia! Engineering will make a brief presentation during the forums (6:30 p.m. Wednesday and 12:30 p.m. Thursday) to present the three afternatives in more detaii and to soiicit ideas for additional improvements, based on evaluation criteria established in previous public forums. The three alternatives offer a range of possibilities and some important distinctions, according to Public Works Director Larry Grafel. Traffic lights with intersection improvements, for example, is a lower cost alternative; however, the ability to handle future growth is limited by its design. Another possibili±y, relocating the off-ramps to (more) RECYCLEDPAPER ~ , ~ West Vail interchange/Add 1 include intersection improvements and signals, would improve the capacity of the intersection for some future growth; however, the cost of improvements would exceed the cost of roundabouts, whife producing less capacity. Significant grading and retaining walls would•also be required. Roundabouts, similar to those at the Main Vail interchange, would provide higher capacity than the other two solutions and would cost slightly less than the relocation of off-ramps; however, roundabouts would require a widened bridge on Gore Creek. The town has been using a new public involvement process to draw upon citizen ideas and suggestions for improvements to the interchange. Public Works Director Larry Grafel says the process--involving surveys, focus groups, open houses and other citizen meetings--has been beneficial in identifying problems associated with the interchange and development of the evaluation criteria used to rank the alternatives. "We'll never get complete consensus on any one of these alternatives," Grafel said. "However, the approach we've used has been open to anyone who has wanted to offer an idea. We've been especially diligent in evaluating every alternative brought forward in fhis process, regardless of its cost or practicality." Based on this week's citizen review, Grafel said the project team will select a preferred alternative to be presented to the Vail Town Council at its Sept. 3 meeting. If the Town Council concurs, the project team will be asked to prepare preliminary plans of the preferred alternative to be presented at a public meeting Sept. 24. Again, if the Town Counci{ continues to concur with the alternative, the staff will be directed to finalize the preliminary design after consideration of additional refinements suggested by the public. (more) 4 R West Vail interchange/Add 2 , Respondents to the town's 1996 citizen survey identified improvements to the West Vail interchange as the town's top priority. For more information, contact Grafel at 479-2173. # # # C 1V1~.\V M. Kathy Vieih 1664 Matterhom Circle Voii, Colorado 81657 303-479-0723 July 26, 1996 Vail Town Council • Attn: Holly McCutcheon, Town Clerk 75 South Frontage Road Vail, CO 81657 Dear Ms. McCutcheon: I recently learned about an opening on the Town of Vail Liquor Board and I would like you to accept this letter as my application for that board seat. My interest in the board is two fold. First, I want to be involved in the community and have already submitted an application for the Planning Board, but was not selected. It ~ seems to me that the amount of time one ha.s lived in Vail cames a lot of weightan the selection process for the ma}or boards and since I have only lived here for three years, I thought I might ha.ve a better chance on a minor board. In any case, I want to contribute some of my time to community service. Second, as an Entertainment Manager of hoth local and national talent, I am very interested in how our local establishments conduct their liquor business, because these are the venues in which my artists will perform. We need to insure that the environment is conducive to a positive experience for all involved. I look forward to discussing this further with the Town Council. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to call me. Thanks is advance for your help. Best regazds, M. Kathy Vieth