Posted by: thepinetree on 04/20/2008 08:00 AM
Updated by: thepinetree on 04/20/2008 10:13 PM
Expires: 01/01/2013 12:00 AM
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Big Plans for the Future At Bear Valley Mountain Resort~By John Hamilton....Video Replay of the Broadcast is Enclosed
Bear Valley, CA...We attended a the first of two scoping sessions on the plans for improvements to Bear Valley Mountain Resort. The Short List...A new High Speed Quad to replace Super Cub and lower the loading area, A new Dining Facility at Bear Top, Run Enhancements to Home and Lunch Runs, The new High Speed Quad Village Lift, 600 new acres of novice to intermediate terrain on the new "Front Side". They held a public meeting yesterday and there will be a second one next Sunday. BVMR has been working closely with the Forest Service to get their plans solidified and ready for public comment. The plans will go under review after the 30 day public comment period and analyzing the feedback from the public. If everything goes well construction on some of these projects could begin as soon as next summer...
Bear Valley CEO Martin Wegenstein led the presentations while BV GM and COO Jim Gentling did the heavy lifting on the specifics. The Forest Service service was also present to answer questions about the process.
It was apparent that BVMR and the Forest Service have been working long and hard on these plans. You could tell that the Forest Service would like to see the best outcome for the area. BVMR and the USFS have tried to plan for as many variables as possible. The Environmental impacts have been studied at great lengths as well.
This process is in someways a parallel process to the path the New Bear Valley Village is following with Alpine County. The Forest Service process is expected to be easier as many of these improvements have been in long range planning for many years. In some ways it is just polishing them up and making adjustments before they go into implementation.
The new High Speed Quad to replace Super Cub will be a huge functional improvement to the hill. It will offer much easier loading and unloading for beginner and novice skiers while offering higher skier capacity than Cub and Super Cub combined. The loading area will be lower as well. Veteran Bear Valley Skiers will understand the significance of this as this will make the beginning terrain accessible right below the lodge and eliminate the "Hike" to the base of Cub or Super Cub. This is huge if you have ever tried to get kids, beginners, gear, etc, on the lift for the first time.
The new "Front Side" or Village side will add a completely new dimension to Bear Valley. There will be over 600 acres of new ski able terrain. This will be targeted at the novice to intermediate skiers. It will also have the benefit of being close to the new Dining, Shopping, Lodging and Service amenities planned in the Village.
The next phase of the Bear Valley Village development will take place when the Draft EIR is released next month. This will start the process towards permitting with Alpine County. We will cover this process as well.
Thanks to those of you who watched the feed yesterday and we hope you find these informative. BVMR is also looking for feedback on their plans. If you have questions or comments please email them to Martin Wegenstein or Jim Gentling. The webcast replay is below.
