Snowmass Town Council approves SkiCo plans for Snowmass lifts, on-mountain dining, and more
The PUD amendment approval is not a blanket approval for all projects, but a guide
Credit Aspen Skiing Company
With a firm commitment to address connectivity between the Snowmass Mall and Base Village, Snowmass Town Council approved Aspen Skiing Company’s (SkiCo) infrastructure and activity expansion plans for the ski area.
The revised language states SkiCo understands the importance of the Sky Cab gondola, also known as Skittles, and will engage the town in discussions over improvement/replacement plans by the end of 2024.
“I personally think it should say the applicant and the town understand the importance of the Sky Cab gondola as a vital transit connection,” said Mayor Pro Tem Alyssa Shenk. “It’s in the connectivity plan. We’ve said it’s the connection from the base to the mall, and I think it needs to be recognized as such.”
SkiCo sought updates to their Planned Unit Development — the planning document that governs their agreement with the town over the development of the ski area — for new lifts, new trails and glading, expanding on-mountain dining options, and more summer recreation options.
Public comment on the plan centered around impact — both environmental and nuisance-related like noise.
Environmental impacts to the ski area will all be reviewed by the U.S. Forest Service, as SkiCo leases the land from the White River National Forest. Different levels of environmental review fall under the National Environmental Policy Act.
Mayor Bill Madsen called out the plan for a quad lift at Burnt Mountain as an area of particular environmental concern.
“I think that that’s a really unique and special place, and I want to make sure we’re keeping that in consideration, as it’s a very sensitive area,” he said.
Burnt Mountain plans would trigger a special review process with the town, he said, but years away with likely a totally different council.
“Any project that’s in the Burnt Mountain area would be reviewed at a very high environmental threshold is what (the White River National Forest) basically told us,” said Mak Keeling, vice president of mountain planning for SkiCo. “We should come prepared for a multi-year process.”
For concerns over noise and other nuisance impacts to town residents, SkiCo would have to comply with the town code, according to Town Manager Clint Kinney.
The council approved the amendment 4-0 at their Monday meeting. Councilmember Susan Marolt was absent.
“We firmly believe that this actually strengthens the 2017 PUD and makes it very clear on the requirements moving forward,” said Kinney.
The timeline varies from project to project, but expanding capacity at existing mountain dining and extending Coney Express are priorities, SkiCo representatives said at past meetings.
