The Summit At Snoqualmie’s Master Development Plan Approved By Forest Service
Snoqualmie Pass, Wash. - The United States Forest Service has publicly announced approval of The Summit at Snoqualmie’s Master Development Plan (MDP), making way for a variety of improvements and additions at the ski area over the next several years.
“Our goal has always been to continue to improve our resort while striking a balance between what best benefits both people and the alpine environment,” said Trevor Kostanich, director of planning and development for The Summit. “Ten years and countless hours of collaboration and hard work by the Forest Service, consultants, local conservation groups and The Summit, as well as comments by the public, have lead to this decision. This truly is an exciting time for us and our guests.”
Major improvements included in the MDP include construction of six new chairlifts, three new surface lifts, realignment and/or replacement of many existing lifts, night lighting on 25 new trails, additional parking and a mountain-top restaurant at Summit East. As part of the agreement, The Summit will be donating approximately 390 acres of land near Summit East to the Forest Service to be used for conservation. Another 100 acres of land near Cave Ridge at Alpental will be donated to the Forest Service to be added to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area.
After original submission of the MDP in August of 1998, The Forest Service embarked on an extensive environmental impact study spanning 10 years. Throughout this process, The Summit worked closely with environmental groups including The Sierra Club, The Mountains to Sound Greenway, The Alpine Lakes Wilderness Society, The Mountaineers and Conservation NW to recommend alternatives that would be most beneficial to the environment and visitors to the ski resort.
“We are thrilled to have the go-ahead to implement many of these improvements and additions in the next several years,” said Dan Brewster, general manager. “This decision, along with this season’s new Silver Fir Express Chair, will help usher in an era of remarkable improvements to our resort.”
Complete documentation of the Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision for The Summit at Snoqualmie Master Development Plan proposal can be found here
Press Release
- November 25 2008 | 52 views
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