By George Schissler
(February 2013) Colorado’s Crested Butte Mountain Resort has submitted a new Master Development Plan to the U.S. forest Service. The plan incorporates previous approvals at the main mountain, along with adjacent private land development projects, new proposals for terrain outside the resorts existing permit area on Crested Butte, and a much reduced proposal for Snodgrass Mountain, which has been the source of controversy and rejected proposals in the past.
The plan proposes study for different levels of low-impact winter and summer activities on Snodgrass but there are no plans for lift service here. The new proposal focuses on expanding terrain and lift capacity on Crested Butte itself, including expanding the amount of intermediate terrain which has long been a goal of previous plans.
The new plan would add 14 new trails and 4 previously approved trails for 133 acres of developed terrain. If approved and implemented CBMR would have 101 trails on 771 acres; a 2 percent increase. It would also add more than 300 acres of undeveloped side-country style intermediate and expert terrain; a 33 percent increase. The resort is also a seeking a 440-acre expansion of the current Special Use Permit boundary to make all this possible.
Expanded on-mountain restaurant space, snowmaking, and summer operations, primarily expanded mountain biking and hiking trails, including some on Snodgrass Mountain are also being sought. The plan is now subject to Forest Service review. www.skicb.com
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