new resort in Washington

[elex]

http://www.hoodrivernews.com/News%20stories/077%20high%20stakes.htm

Interesting story about a new ski area proposal. By Mt Hood Meadows of course. The area would be on Mt Adams, Washington's 2nd highest & little known peak. I don't see it or want it to happen, would be a good area though. 5700' vertical,top at 11,100 feet, tons of snow. There is another area call Early Winters in the N. Cascades, that one was proprosed probably 10 or 12 years ago,they're still fighting that one. That area is even sicker. That's where N Cascade Heli is. Year round riding 600 to 700" of Utah style of snow & something around 4000-5000' vertical.Wondering if the time has finally arrived where Washington gets a destination resort.
e

[NoKnees]

Yah, I had heard about that a while back on Couloir Mag or one of those other sites... The area looks great... Interesting concept though. It's Native American land and the local tribe would be a big part of the operations there. Just with today's enviromental laws, etc, I don't see it moving forward very quickly, if at all..

Just have to wait and see what develops there...

[canuck]

ya, I agree it will be slow and painful and then it will die. :p


On the other hand, the new BC resort is a go. Will have more vertical than Whistler and better snow. Kindof remote from Vancouver however.

B.C. approves controversial scheme for new ski resort
Last Updated Thu, 14 Oct 2004 22:03:04 EDT
INVERMERE, B.C. - The British Columbia government has given approval to a controversial $450-million ski resort on Jumbo Glacier in southeastern B.C. near the Alberta border.

The resort would have 23 ski-lifts, beds for more than 5,000 tourists and access to four separate glaciers.



Right now the only access to the area is by helicopter. Developer Grant Costello says it's time for that to change.

"What we're trying to do here is provide Canadians with something they've never had before and that is year-round skiing on four spectacular glaciers with a sight-seeing gondola to the top of the mountain."

It may be the ideal home for a ski resort, but it is also home to thousands of grizzly bears, and many people in the nearby community of Invermere are bitterly opposed to the project.

Meredith Hampstead, of the Jumbo Creek Conservation Society, says the provincial government has shown "complete disregard ... for public input into the process. The minister just said he appreciated hearing from people, apparently he didn't hear very well."

But the provincial approval is just the beginning of a long process. The final decision on this project will be made by the East Kootenay Regional District, which is a board of local mayors.

Hampstead says people in the area have been clear about how they want those elected officials to vote.


Written by CBC News Online staff

[elex]

Yah, I had heard about that a while back on Couloir Mag or one of those other sites... The area looks great... Interesting concept though. It's Native American land and the local tribe would be a big part of the operations there. Just with today's enviromental laws, etc, I don't see it moving forward very quickly, if at all..

Just have to wait and see what develops there...
The Native Americans are very much against it. Meadows has been trying expand for years. They tried on Mt Hood, but the locals fought it & won. It's very tough to do a ski area on these style of mountains. Usually when a developer comes in, they talk of the local economy, but rarely is that the case. During the housing boom in Washington, developers did nothing for the local sewer, transportation & environment. By law, they don't have to. The result is grid lock, big chain stores that wipe out the local shops, streets have to be maintained by local tax $( big trucks do wonders for the roads & traffic), sewage/water is a major problem, run off from developement, destruction of wet lands, local habitat & so on. The developers are not responsible for any of it & skirt away free & clear, plus richer.
Just look at Tahoe. Great area for the rich, but the working class doesn't have a shot at a house or providing housing & shelter for a family. I do fine since I don't depend on the local economy & I'm single. I can afford a $300k house in the Sierra track, but who wants a piece of crap house on a postage stamp lot. In short what I'm saying is that a influx of people, $8/hr jobs & rising housing is the reality for the locals.
I'm not against development, quite the opposite. I just wish it could be done smarter & I think the developers should share the cost & respect the locals & environmen.
e

[HomerSimpson]

Let the Natives open a casino next door and call it Lake Tahoe North. ;)