Guidelines Published for Vail's Summer Activities Proposal

News Search

25 August 2014

Push to The Latest: No

SAM Magazine--Vail, Colo., August 25, 2014--The U.S. Forest Service has published a draft record of decision regarding the Vail Resorts, Inc.'s summer activities proposal—Epic Discovery, a Summer Mountain Adventure—at Vail Mountain.

The primary activities and enhancements included in the draft record of decision are as follows:

Micro-Interpretive Centers for Education: Integrated with trails and activities around the mountain, these interpretive experiential centers will provide guests with hands-on information and activities about forest health, wildlife and the mountain geography of the White River National Forest.

Game Creek and Front Side Zip Line Tours: These guided tours will immerse guests in the forest habitat with an array of ziplines and aerial bridges. Guests will learn about the mountain ecosystem while working their way through each course's challenges.

More Hiking and Mountain Biking Trails: Comprehensive interpretive and directional signage will be integrated to encourage more hiking and mountain biking across Vail Mountain and descending into the villages below.

Family Forest Adventure Park: A playground of rope challenges and bridges to introduce young children to the wonders of the forest.

Forest Flyer: An alpine coaster that runs on raised rails, the Forest Flyer winds its way down the mountain, following the natural contours of the landscape through the forest.

Wildwood Observation Deck: A panoramic viewing balcony.

The proposal, which was submitted in July 2012 and has undergone a comprehensive environmental review, followed the passage of the Ski Area Recreational Opportunities Enhancement Act, championed by U.S. Senator Mark Udall of Colorado. Following a 45-day objection period, Vail Resorts expects the final record of decision to be published this fall and to begin construction of trails, activities and the interpretive program in summer 2015.

Through a partnership with a conservation non-profit organization, The Nature Conservancy, Epic Discovery will bring scientific content to the eco-discovery experiences. Vail Resorts plans to contribute one percent of all summer lift ticket and activity revenue to The Nature Conservancy for forest restoration projects on national forest lands through a new program called “1% For The Forest.”

Epic Discovery at Vail Mountain is the first installment of summer mountain adventure plans that Vail Resorts has for several of its resorts, including Breckenridge and Heavenly.