SAM Magazine-Snowmass Village, Colo., Aug. 26, 2008-Snowmass Ski Area expects to start evaluating the viability of wind turbines at the resort by the end of this month. A164-foot tower equipped with four anemometers will be installed at the top of the Big Burn to gather data on wind direction and speed. The experiment is being run in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service. LeitWind, a turbine subsidiary of Leitner-Poma, will assess the data.

According to Auden Schendler, Aspen's executive director of community and environmental responsibility, the results will indicate whether there is enough wind for effective electricity generation at the site. It's possible that the installation of three or four turbines could meet two-thirds of the Aspen Skiing Company's demand for electricity.

The Big Burn site was chosen because, in addition to wind, the necessary infrastructure already exists there-including roads, power lines and other elements which would facilitate installation and energy transmission. If the test is successful, Aspen plans to get the project started as soon as possible. \

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