Forest Service Approves Vail Epic Discovery Plan

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20 October 2014

Push to The Latest: No

SAM Magazine—Vail, Colo., Oct. 20, 2014—The U.S. Forest Service has published a final record of decision regarding Vail's comprehensive summer activities proposal, "Epic Discovery, a Summer Mountain." The decision is the first to stem from passage of the Ski Area Recreational Opportunities Act in 2011.

Epic Discovery encourages “learning through play,” promoting environmental education and conservation through a variety of experiences. The main approved activities include zipline tours, mountain biking, a mountain coaster, and an observation deck. Construction will begin in summer 2015; all the activities are expected to be operational by summer 2016. A few particulars:

• Micro-interpretive centers for education, integrated into trails and activities around the mountain, provide guests with hands-on information and activities about forest health, wildlife and mountain geography.

• Game Creek and Front Side guided zipline tours incorporate zips, aerial bridges, and forest education.

• Expanded hiking and mountain biking trails will offer comprehensive interpretive and directional signage.

• Family Forest Adventure Park, a playground of rope challenges and bridges, introduces young children to the forest.

• Wildwood Observation Deck provides a panoramic view over the Back Bowls.

Both the new Epic Discovery activities and interpretive programming will be compatible with existing on-mountain infrastructure of lifts and trails.

Following passage of the Ski Area Recreational Opportunities Act in 2011, a bill authored by Senator Mark Udall of Colorado, the Epic Discovery proposal was submitted in July 2012, and underwent a comprehensive environmental review. “We are grateful for our continued partnership with the U.S. Forest Service leading to this positive change that will benefit our economy and our mountains,” said Vail Mountain COO Chris Jarnot.

The Nature Conservancy is providing the scientific content for Epic Discovery's educational program. In return, Vail will contribute one percent of all summer lift ticket and activity revenue to the Conservancy for forest restoration projects on national forest lands.

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