ASPEN PITCHES NEW TERRAIN, MORE SNOWMAKING

Aspen Skiing Co. would like to add terrain to Aspen Mountain and enlarge the snowmaking system at the mountain top, but the public gets its chance to comment on the plan first.

The U.S. Forest Service announced this week it will hold a public open house to discuss the project Wednesday. The agency is urging interested parties to educate themselves about the proposal and submit comments by June 15.

Aspen Skiing proposed adding 148 acres of terrain in the Pandora area on the eastern, upper half of the mountain. The proposal is for 77 acres on 15 traditional ski trails and 71 acres of gladed trails. It would be a mix of intermediate and expert terrain.

A chairlift would be added to serve the terrain, but Aspen Skiing hasn’t determined yet if it should be a fixed-grip or detachable lift. The upper terminal would be south of the upper Silver Queen Gondola terminal.

The Forest Service acknowledged Aspen Skiing’s proposal deals with three issues the agency feels need to be addressed at Aspen Mountain.

“There is a need for enhanced terrain variety, skier circulation and snowmaking coverage that would collectively address the skier recreation experience at Aspen Mountain,” said a letter from White River National Forest Supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams to interested parties.