© 2024 Aspen Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Forest Service gives green light to Aspen Mtn master plan

Elizabeth Stewart-Severy
/
Aspen Public Radio

The U.S. Forest Service has accepted Aspen Skiing Company’s long-term vision for Aspen Mountain. This means some changes could be imminent.

The conceptual plan outlines future developments and improvements that SkiCo would like to make. SkiCo officials say the two priorities are extending snowmaking to the top of the mountain and adding acreage by expanding terrain into the Pandora’s area.

SkiCo will still need to go through environmental analysis from the Forest Service and permitting from Pitkin County to get approval of each individual project.

The plan lays out a long-term wishlist for Aspen Mountain.SkiCo is also looking at replacing or removing Gent’s Ridge and Bell Mountain chairlifts, upgrading cell towers and renovating Ruthie’s Restaurant, the patrol facility and the gondola terminal. Possible projects for summer visitors include new hiking and mountain biking trails.  

The last master plan for Aspen Mountain was completed in 1997. Some portions of that plan that have not yet been completed — like replacing lift 1A — will carry over.

 

Aspen native Elizabeth Stewart-Severy is excited to be making a return to both the Red Brick, where she attended kindergarten, and the field of journalism. She has spent her entire life playing in the mountains and rivers around Aspen, and is thrilled to be reporting about all things environmental in this special place. She attended the University of Colorado with a Boettcher Scholarship, and graduated as the top student from the School of Journalism in 2006. Her lifelong love of hockey lead to a stint working for the Colorado Avalanche, and she still plays in local leagues and coaches the Aspen Junior Hockey U-19 girls.
Related Content