SNOWBIRD SKI RESORT EXPANSION

	Photo by Gavin Noyes
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	Map of visibility of proposed structure on Hidden Peak (click for larger version)
	Related Topics American Fork Canyon Little Cottonwood Canyon Resorts Salt Lake City watershed Salt Lake County Uinta National Forest Wasatch-Cache National Forest topo map
	Related Web Sites The web sites linked to below are not part of the Save Our Canyons web site. Utah Ski Area Environmental Ratings

Snowbird ski resort is in the process of expanding its operation on both public and private land. Snowbird has constructed two high speed quads on land it owns in the Mineral Basin area of American Fork Canyon. Snowbird applied to the Wasatch-Cache National Forest (WCNF) for permission to construct additional lifts and buildings on National Forest lands in Little Cottonwood Canyon. The WCNF has written a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), a document intended to analyze the environmental impacts of the proposed construction, and has permitted some but not all of Snowbird's requests. SAVE OUR CANYONS and the Wasatch Mountain Club sued the USFS over this decision in April, 2000.

Appeals Court sides against Save Our Canyons

On Tuesday July 23rd, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals dealt a blow to the Wasatch mountains by clearing the way for construction of a 50,000 square foot building on public land atop Hidden Peak. This is a tragedy for the Wasatch that will be felt for generations and a frightening omen for the future of mountain terrain in the U.S. Preliminary plans for this structure show conference space, two restaurants, a bar, and a theater, in addition to the admittedly necessary skier service facilities, which are currently housed in a 1,600 square foot building. This structure is positioned to capitalize on one of the most incredible views of the Wasatch, but has the detriment that it will forever degrade the views of this magnificent skyline from 250,000 acres of undeveloped public lands from which it is visible.

The judges' decision is disheartening but instructive. Our suit against the Wasatch-Cache and Uinta National Forests was based on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). NEPA is weak since it does nothing more than establish a procedure by which federal agencies are required to involve the public in major federal environmental decisions. To challenge such decisions one can only challenge the procedure by which they are reached, not the decisions themselves. The Catch 22 in this is the fact that courts frequently "defer to the agency". What this means is that the Forest Service is deemed to be right simply because they said they were right. This constitutes unchecked and uncheckable power, beyond the reach of representative elected government.

An astonishing example of "deferring to the agency" is the court's acceptance of the Forest Service's preposterous argument that placing the proposed structure at the base of the mountain or in the mid-mountain region could create "additional negative visual impacts". Certainly a 50,000 square foot structure on Hidden Peak is the worst possible visual intrusion you can have. But, the Forest Service said this, so out of deference it is true.

Much of the ski industry is expanding its emphasis beyond skiing, which has been stagnant for more than 20 years, into real estate and event hosting. Snowbird is limited by its small acreage of private land located at its base (formerly USFS land), but has a well-established niche in hosting conferences. Save Our Canyons continues to assert, despite denials from the Forest Service, that the approved Hidden Peak structure is primarily driven by projected profits from conferences, weddings, and dinners. The Forest Service claims that skier needs dictated its decision, but ignored the fact that 11 of Snowbird's 15 existing restaurants are closed to skiers during lunchtime.

Save Our Canyons has been fighting the Hidden Peak structure for more than six years. While losing the final battle over the structure and development in Mineral Basin, we also won some important victories in the process. In 1999, the Forest Service decided in our favor to, once again, spare White Pine Canyon from Snowbird's desires to develop it for skiing. They also overturned language in the 1984 Forest Plan which instructed future USFS managers to allow Snowbird permission to expand into an area known as Scotties Bowl. Unfortunately, these victories are temporary, which is why we are pushing to expand wilderness in the Wasatch, most especially in White Pine Canyon.

In a 2000, Ski Magazine article, Michael Beaudry quotes Dick Bass saying that he, "wants to install a summit-to-summit tram that would link the new lodge (50,000 sq. foot structure on Hidden Peak) to neighboring American Fork Twin Peaks! `It's going to happen,' he says. `I've got it worked out. It's just a matter of time'."

Why Sue?

Read this letter from SOC President Gale Dick explaining why we filed suit.

Articles

Snowbird tries to build rep as fun in the sun
The Salt Lake Tribune August 14, 2003.  Big-building Snowbird announces pair of new Alpine slides; Salt Lake City watershed manager says he thinks Snowbird will avoid allowing water supply to become contaminated; Save Our Canyons President charges visitors with destructive ORV behavior observed after Snowbird grants ORV use.

Soon visitors can slide at Snowbird
Deseret News August 11, 2003.  As Snowbird announces a new summer-time Alpine slide attraction-- thankfully, this time it's on private land--Save Our Canyons comments on increased canyon traffic.

Decision in SOC vs. Snowbird
United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit July 23, 2002.  

Snowbird Resort wins suit dismissal
Deseret News July 25, 2002.  A federal appeals court on Tuesday upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit that sought to halt a proposed expansion at Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort in Utah.

Court: Snowbird Can Build Expansion link removed*
The Salt Lake Tribune July 24, 2002.  An appeals court Tuesday ruled against environmentalists trying to block a proposed major expansion of Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort.

Supplemental Arguments Submitted in Response to Questions From Oral Arguments Heard on November 9, 2001
Save Our Canyons .  

Snowbird to Construct New Lift link removed*
The Salt Lake Tribune June 8, 2001.  Both sides are claiming victory in the latest round of legal sparring between the Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort and Save Our Canyons, a local environmental group.

Snowbird Suit Seeks to Stop Lift, Peak Building link removed*
The Ski Press Daily News May 3, 2001.  A recent appeal filed by Save Our Canyons against the U.S. Forest Service in Denver in the 10th Court of Appeals, however, could threaten the area's ability to complete its Master Plan.

CANYON APPEAL link removed*
The Salt Lake Tribune April 27, 2001.  The environmental group Save Our Canyons announced Thursday it is appealing a federal judge's ruling on expansion at the Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort.

Judge OKs Snowbird building
Deseret News April 12, 2001.  Canyons group said mountaintop site inappropriate

Snowbird Expansion Gets Nod link removed*
The Salt Lake Tribune April 12, 2001.  Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort has received the judicial green light to build an enormous mountaintop facility that will be visible for miles in every direction.

Lawsuit Over Snowbird Lodge Is Argued in Federal Court link removed*
The Salt Lake Tribune March 22, 2001.  Wasatch forest officials should be forced to rethink their approval of a mountaintop lodge and new ski bowl at Snowbird, an environmental group argued in federal court Wednesday.

Tours Help Visitors Connect With Forest link removed*
The Salt Lake Tribune January 2, 2001.  Volunteers wearing bright yellow Tour With a Ranger jackets can be seen each weekend at Alta, Snowbird and Brighton offering 1:30 p.m. tours on beginner runs that explain such things as tree identification.

Save Our Canyons vs. US Forest Service Case No. 2:00CV - 0374 B
November 13, 2000 PLANTIFFS' MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF THEIR APPEAL OF AND MOTION TO REMAND AN AGENCY DECISION.  

Facility won't be worth the price
Deseret News June 18, 2000.  Little Cottonwood Canyon doesn't really need more restaurants, it needs more mountains.

Forest Boss Got Free Lift Ticket Before OK'ing Snowbird Plans link removed*
The Salt Lake Tribune May 23, 2000.  The national forest boss who approved an expansion of Snowbird ski area discussed the proposal while skiing on Thanksgiving Day 1997 with a resort executive who gave him a free lift ticket, according to a federal investigation.

Snowbird takes heat, then wins a zone change
Deseret News May 4, 2000.  S.L. County gives resort flexibility in its expansion

Groups Sue to Block Snowbird Structure link removed*
The Salt Lake Tribune May 4, 2000.  Two environmental groups on Wednesday filed a federal lawsuit to stop construction of a proposed 50,000-square-foot structure atop the 11,000-foot Hidden Peak at Snowbird ski resort.

Activists file suit vs. Snowbird plan
Deseret News May 1, 2000.  Groups to seek further delay in zoning decision

Snowbird expansion is still on track
Deseret News April 2, 2000.  The regional office of the U.S. Forest Service has rejected one appeal of its decision on the Snowbird resort expansion and is expected to act soon on another appeal, this one by the resort itself.

Opponents of peak plan show style
Deseret News March 31, 2000.  The response to last week's column calling for environmentalists to back off in their opposition of development that's been approved atop Hidden Peak in Little Cottonwood Canyon was extensive, loud and . . . intelligent.

Activists go too far on canyon
Deseret News March 27, 2000.  HIDDEN PEAK - Maybe one day it was hidden, but not any more, not when hundreds of skiers and snowboarders are let out daily atop Hidden Peak, where on a good day you can see . . . everything.

Bid by Save Our Canyons Is Rejected link removed*
The Salt Lake Tribune March 14, 2000.  An attempt by members of the Save Our Canyons group to block Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort's development plans was rejected Monday by the regional office of the U.S. Forest Service.

S.L. Commission Temporarily Ices Snowbird's Proposed Design Plans link removed*
The Salt Lake Tribune March 2, 2000.  Snowbird wants to proceed right away with design plans for its proposed restaurant and retail facility atop Hidden Peak. The Salt Lake County Commission isn't in that much of a hurry.

6th-graders speak out against Snowbird lodge
Deseret News March 1, 2000.  Snowbird's proposed mega-building atop Hidden Peak will turn Little Cottonwood Canyon into a suburb, said Camey Yeh.

Snowbird project faces appeals
Deseret News February 2, 2000.  Environmentalists have appealed a U.S. Forest Service decision to allow Snowbird resort to build a big restaurant and retail center atop Hidden Peak in Little Cottonwood Canyon.

Foes of Hidden Peak Strike Back link removed*
The Salt Lake Tribune February 2, 2000.  Utah environmental groups have appealed a U.S. Forest Service decision that allows Snowbird to erect a 50,000-square-foot building atop Hidden Peak in Little Cottonwood Canyon.

Save Our Canyons Appeal of Decision on Snowbird MDP
January 27, 2000.  

Snowbird Gets OK for Smaller 'Wish List' link removed*
The Salt Lake Tribune December 11, 1999.  Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort's plan to put a 78,000-square-foot structure atop Hidden Peak has been scaled back by more than a third.

Snowbird to build scaled-down center
Deseret News December 10, 1999.  Conservationists flay Forest Service for its OK on peak facility

Protesters target plans for Snowbird expansion
Deseret News November 27, 1999.  Backcountry skiers wave signs at canyon mouth

Mineral Basin Land Exchange Is Questioned link removed*
The Salt Lake Tribune November 11, 1999.  The U.S. Forest Service "secretly" negotiated a land exchange with Snowbird Ski Resort that environmentalists say helped facilitate a new ski lift in Mineral Basin.

Forest Trashing link removed*
The Salt Lake Tribune September 10, 1999.  Public Forum article by Chris Biltoft commenting on the construction debris piled on Hidden Peak.

Fully Complied link removed*
The Salt Lake Tribune September 10, 1999.  Public Forum article by Bob Bonar, president of Snowbird, describes planning associated with the Mineral Basin expansion. What Bonar says doesn't tell the whole story. The fact that the Mineral Basin expansion may have been part of Snowbird's plans for 25 years is not the point. It is mentioned in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement but, disappointingly, not analyzed there. There is not yet any Forest Service approval of the current Snowbird Master Development Plan. Save Our Canyons has been concerned that Snowbird has been jumping the gun on this, as yet to be given, decision. Significant projects in the Snowbird Plan, projects to take place on federal lands, depend in crucial ways on whether the Mineral Basin facilities are in place. Since any questions about the Mineral Basin project are now moot, we worry that this jumping of the gun may skew some of the controversial issues yet to be resolved.

Snowbird Puts New Towers In Mineral Basin Area link removed*
The Salt Lake Tribune August 26, 1999.  At the break of dawn Wednesday, a jet-powered helicopter whirred in the stillness of the 11,000-foot peaks above Snowbird to help build a controversial new ski lift that will boost the resort's skiable territory by 25 percent.

Snowbird Moves Machines To Mineral Basin link removed*
The Salt Lake Tribune May 13, 1999.  Snowbird moved equipment across Forest Service land to their property in Mineral Basin before receiving approval from the Forest Service.

Comments on Snowbird MDP DEIS
Save Our Canyons comments in reponse to the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Snowbird Master Development Plan November 30, 1998.  

Snowbird story 'fact-free'
Deseret News November 28, 1998.  Letter to the editor from Gale Dick.

Snowbird Proposes Huge 'Glass hat' On Little Cottonwood's Hidden Peak link removed*
The Salt Lake Tribune October 18, 1998.  

Save Our Canyons' Concerns Regarding the DEIS for the Snowbird Master Development Plan
October 1998.  Where to send your comments; some issues and concerns.

DEIS for the Snowbird Master Development Plan link removed*
October 1998 The Forest Service Draft Environmental Impact Statement on Snowbird's proposed expansion.  

Snowbird Water Dispute
September 8, 1997.  Letter from Save Our Canyons to the State Engineer

Snowbird Expansion into Mineral Fork
June 12, 1997.  Letter from Save Our Canyons to the Salt Lake District Ranger

Baby Thunder Chairlift
February 21, 1995.  Letter from Save Our Canyons to the Salt Lake District Ranger

*Link removed:   The original URL link for this article has been removed, as the article is either no longer available free of charge to public view (but may still be found by headline and/or date in a for-fee publisher website archive), or has been permanently removed from Internet access.