Crested Butte Mountain Resort Ski Area Projects - Final Environmental Impact Statement Issued

The overall purpose of the approved projects is to address the existing constraints and conditions and further improve the skiing and mountain biking experience at CBMR. The projects will meet the following needs:

• Meet increased public demand for developed intermediate and expert ski terrain by developing the Main Mountain at CBMR;

• Increase the total amount of developed and undeveloped terrain and ski pods, with an emphasis on intermediate, advanced, and expert ability levels in order to improve the skiing opportunities for guests, and thereby extend their length of stay;

• Provide an expanded offering of additional recreational activities for year-round utilization of existing facilities, consistent with summer use impact zones in the 2013 MDP;

• Continue to increase the quality of the facilities to meet the ever-increasing expectations of the local, regional, and destination skier markets; and

• Improve skier circulation and opportunities by realigning the North Face chairlift, improving access to the North Face and Spellbound Bowl, and adding snowmaking infrastructure.

Proposed Action includes an adjustment of CBMR’s existing SUP boundary by approximately 500 acres, which will require converting areas identified as Management Area 2A – Semi-primitive Motorized Recreation and 6B – Livestock Grazing, Maintain Forage Composition in the Forest Plan, to 1B – Downhill Skiing and Winter Sports. As a result, the  decision will trigger a Forest-wide Forest Plan amendment.

The Selected Alternative includes adjustment of the SUP boundary; construction of two new chairlifts; replacement and realignment of one chairlift;

development of additional ski terrain, including developed ski trails and glades; expansion of ski patrol operations, including construction of a ski patrol/skier services building; terrain access improvement projects, additional snowmaking coverage; and additional mountain biking trails.

More https://www.fs.usda.gov/nfs/11558/www/nepa/101600_FSPLT3_4616524.pdf