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Crystal Parking Lot
21 Dec 2007 21:01 - 21 Dec 2007 21:21 #179937
by cochise
Replied by cochise on topic Re: Crystal Parking Lot
Mountain redevelopment
Following the acquisition by Boyne USA, Crystal Mountain submitted a Master Development Plan (MDP) to the US Forest Service, which included six alternatives for redevelopment of the mountain. A Draft Environmental Impact Study was issued in 2001 and finalized in August 2004. John Phipps, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Supervisor, selected Alternative Six with modifications from the Final Environmental Impact Statement. It approves new facilities including an aerial tram to the summit, a new chairlift in Northback, a surface lift, existing chairlift upgrades, base facility renovations, employee housing and wastewater facilities. The plan is the largest in Washington’s history, costing Boyne an estimated $40 million.
The new developments will include the expansion of the base area, including a new base area to be known as the Bullion Basin base area located at the north end of Parking Lot B. The new area is intended to relieve congestion of the current base and reduce walking distances from parking lots to the lifts. The new base area will include new lifts, as well as a lodge and parking structure.
New lifts include:
* Summit Tram (T1) will provide direct access from the current base area to the summit, which will provide a larger function during the summer months than during winter months, while allowing guests on foot summit access in winter (to meet demands for viewing Mt. Rainier while avoiding further development of Rainier National Park). The tram will be a European-style gondola lift and have only two intermediate towers. To facilitate the construction of the tram terminus, the top terminal of Rainier Express will be move downhill approximately 100 yards, discontinuing access to Snorking Elk bowl directly from Rex.
* Kelly's Gap Express (C13) will rise westwards from the new Bullion Base and terminating above and to the north of Green Valley Express.
* Northway (C14) opens up Northback with a double chairlift. In a press release, general manager John Kircher stated, "The new lift in the Northback is designed to provide access but keep the snow quality higher." [www.skicrystal.com/1729.html] Presumably this hopes to address concerns (mostly from expert skiers) that the backcountry of Crystal will be ruined by much higher traffic by limiting capacity. The new lift will be a double chairlift from Doppelmayr CTEC, installed summer 2007. It will access terrain currently in Northback and connect the Lower Northway run to the top of Northway Peak.
* Bullion Basin Express (C15) would rise eastwards on the other side of valley from the Bullion Base to an area that previously had a lift abandoned in 1983 (the footprint of a lift and trails can be viewed from the top of Rex). This lift will also allow access to East Peak backcountry area for expert skiers. Rumors suggest that although this lift was included in the Record of Decision, the lift may not actually be built. As of July 2007, Crystal has received the former Millicent double chair from Brighton Ski Resort (Utah) to be installed as the Bullion Basin chair. This lift will not be high speed as previously announced.
* Park N' Ride (C12) will provide access between the new Bullion Base and the current base area.
* Two new surface tows at the old base area (Ptarmagin, S1) and new Bullion Base (Pika, S2)
The Quicksilver and Discovery chairs at the base area will be replaced by high-speed lifts, with no additional trail development. Despite requests to build lifts in both backcountry areas, the Forest Service refused permission to build lifts in Southback. Additional changes include expansion or new construction of hotels, rebuilding of the Summit House restaurant, and possible expansion of parking lots. Finalization of the current Master Plan is expected to be completed in the next 10-20 years.
At least you should not need to pay a toll since it is public property. Crystal also operates under a special use permit. I don't think they can charge to park either. That is if you are heading to somewhere other than their resort within their boundaries. Looks like some big changes are on the way.
Interesting link www.skiareacitizens.com/index.php?nav=worst_ten
Following the acquisition by Boyne USA, Crystal Mountain submitted a Master Development Plan (MDP) to the US Forest Service, which included six alternatives for redevelopment of the mountain. A Draft Environmental Impact Study was issued in 2001 and finalized in August 2004. John Phipps, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Supervisor, selected Alternative Six with modifications from the Final Environmental Impact Statement. It approves new facilities including an aerial tram to the summit, a new chairlift in Northback, a surface lift, existing chairlift upgrades, base facility renovations, employee housing and wastewater facilities. The plan is the largest in Washington’s history, costing Boyne an estimated $40 million.
The new developments will include the expansion of the base area, including a new base area to be known as the Bullion Basin base area located at the north end of Parking Lot B. The new area is intended to relieve congestion of the current base and reduce walking distances from parking lots to the lifts. The new base area will include new lifts, as well as a lodge and parking structure.
New lifts include:
* Summit Tram (T1) will provide direct access from the current base area to the summit, which will provide a larger function during the summer months than during winter months, while allowing guests on foot summit access in winter (to meet demands for viewing Mt. Rainier while avoiding further development of Rainier National Park). The tram will be a European-style gondola lift and have only two intermediate towers. To facilitate the construction of the tram terminus, the top terminal of Rainier Express will be move downhill approximately 100 yards, discontinuing access to Snorking Elk bowl directly from Rex.
* Kelly's Gap Express (C13) will rise westwards from the new Bullion Base and terminating above and to the north of Green Valley Express.
* Northway (C14) opens up Northback with a double chairlift. In a press release, general manager John Kircher stated, "The new lift in the Northback is designed to provide access but keep the snow quality higher." [www.skicrystal.com/1729.html] Presumably this hopes to address concerns (mostly from expert skiers) that the backcountry of Crystal will be ruined by much higher traffic by limiting capacity. The new lift will be a double chairlift from Doppelmayr CTEC, installed summer 2007. It will access terrain currently in Northback and connect the Lower Northway run to the top of Northway Peak.
* Bullion Basin Express (C15) would rise eastwards on the other side of valley from the Bullion Base to an area that previously had a lift abandoned in 1983 (the footprint of a lift and trails can be viewed from the top of Rex). This lift will also allow access to East Peak backcountry area for expert skiers. Rumors suggest that although this lift was included in the Record of Decision, the lift may not actually be built. As of July 2007, Crystal has received the former Millicent double chair from Brighton Ski Resort (Utah) to be installed as the Bullion Basin chair. This lift will not be high speed as previously announced.
* Park N' Ride (C12) will provide access between the new Bullion Base and the current base area.
* Two new surface tows at the old base area (Ptarmagin, S1) and new Bullion Base (Pika, S2)
The Quicksilver and Discovery chairs at the base area will be replaced by high-speed lifts, with no additional trail development. Despite requests to build lifts in both backcountry areas, the Forest Service refused permission to build lifts in Southback. Additional changes include expansion or new construction of hotels, rebuilding of the Summit House restaurant, and possible expansion of parking lots. Finalization of the current Master Plan is expected to be completed in the next 10-20 years.
At least you should not need to pay a toll since it is public property. Crystal also operates under a special use permit. I don't think they can charge to park either. That is if you are heading to somewhere other than their resort within their boundaries. Looks like some big changes are on the way.
Interesting link www.skiareacitizens.com/index.php?nav=worst_ten
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