The Other (Hiking) Shoe Drops
The Forest Service has marked the 100th anniversary of the national parks and forest system with a series of local forums, leading to a Centennial Congress in early January. One unexpected trend: human-powered users have had a Pogo moment—they have met the enemy, and it is themselves. Individual “dispersed users” have grown so numerous that they are beginning to have a serious impact on Wilderness areas—and their numbers threaten to double, which will only make matters worse. To prevent tree-huggers from loving the land to death, some of their leaders are thinking the unthinkable: limiting access. One partial solution could be to provide areas of more concentrated activity, which would act as a safety valve to relieve pressures elsewhere in the Wilderness. How to provide the parking, concessions, and trail management to handle the hordes? Special-use permits, just like those ski areas operate under. That’s the message that NSAA president Michael Berry, a delegate to the Congress, hopes to promote. How ironic: ski areas, long viewed as the enemy by elite users, could provide the operations template for protecting Wilderness areas from their most fervent fans. Next thing you know, global warming will go in reverse, and hell will freeze over.
Whatever Happened to Project Zero?
The SIA/VERB Project Zero Degrees did little to warm up business, for all the hype it generated. The program got a late start, and the attempt to involve 500 ski shops was only partly successful. Some of the shops that were signed on received and distributed their incentive packets for kids interested in learning to ski or ride, and some added the shops’ own goodies, such as Ski Market’s 20 percent off coupon. But most shops did not distribute anything close to their allotment of 50 goodie bags. A few shops that were allegedly involved in the program, whom we dutifully found on the VERB website, did not know they were participating when we called them. Then the website’s shop locator function went on the fritz for at least several days after the kickoff date, as did the ski-area locator. Nonetheless, SIA sees this first year’s effort as laying a foundation for a more expansive and inclusive program next year, when the aim will be to offer a “complete activation component” (read: lift ticket/gear/lesson offer).
Reassurance on Guest Insurance
Back in 2001, during negotiations on one of those Congressional reconciliation bills, the insurance industry slipped a powerful provision into law. The bill allowed insurance companies to exclude recreational activities they deem high-risk from standard individual coverage. Since then, a broad coalition of recreation industries has tried to overturn this provision. They came close in the waning days of the 208th Congress, but no cigar. A bill banning the restriction passed the Senate and had 177 sponsors in the House, but the bill never came to a vote there. The effort will resume as soon as the 209th Congress begins. While winter sports and others are anxious to overturn the measure, Congress itself is in less of a hurry, in part because no insurer has dared tell its customers that it won’t cover them when they take part in their favorite activities. Still, NSAA is hopeful that the next Congress will remove the temptation.
Chinese Ski Boom Hits the Wall
Reports from Beijing, China, suggest that the recent boom in small ski hills around the city could be set back on two fronts this winter. The dozen or so hills that have sprung up in just a few years have been hit by unusually warm temperatures. Most were unable to open by mid-December. As a result, four have shut down permanently. The long-term problem is one familiar to the capitalist West but new to the Communist East: supply has outstripped demand. The long-term solution: a combination of more capitalism and more Communism. The New Beijing Daily reports that the Beijing government is no longer going to subsidize new projects and will place existing ski areas under increased supervision. Makes one appreciate the Bush administration.
One Dope Board Tool
The McIver Driver is a clever little device. This multi-purpose pocket tool for snowboarders includes screwdriver bits, an arm that locks at 90 and 180 degrees, a lace-tightener/bottle opener combo, a magnetic double-ended wrench and a 24-inch measuring tape. The Driver has been on the market for years, but after a Seattle drug counselor pointed out an additional function–hash pipe–the product has been pulled from the shelves of some stores. The manufacturer denies that it intended for this alternative use and is retooling the Driver.
Wachusett Goes Hollywood (Again)
No, it’s not the scene of “The Mountain.” But for the second time in three years, Wachusett Mountain has scored a major motion picture. “The Legend of Lucy Keyes” (subtitled “The Lost Child of Wachusett Mountain”) shot scenes at Wachusett and in the surrounding town of Princeton, Mass., during November. The psychological thriller is inspired by a local legend about the mysterious death of a little girl (if you’re too curious for your own good, head to www.lucykeyes.com). Why allow Wachusett to be associated with ghouls and death? The movie is written, directed and produced by John Stimpson—whose wife, Carolyn, is one of Wachusett’s owners.
Big Plans for the Future
Whistler-Blackcomb has been the undisputed vertical king in North America for decades. Now, everyone, it seems, wants to top their 5,200-foot drop. Most serious of these efforts is Mount MacKenzie Resort, based in Revelstoke, B.C., where government has approved a massive expansion. This would create a ski area with more than 6,400 vertical feet, served by 25 lifts and 100 trails. That verticality would not just top W/B, it would rank fourth worldwide. The plan also includes hiking trails and the obligatory 18-hole golf course, which puts Revelstoke on track to become a four-season mecca. Initial capital investment is estimated at C$270 million, with the potential to return estimated real-estate sales of more than C$800 million, if the planners have calculated their market correctly. Construction could begin as early as next summer (remember, the B.C. government is fast-tracking projects that can take advantage of the publicity that comes with the 2010 Olympics).
Two big projects in the U.S., each of which would exceed Whistler’s 5,200 vertical, face longer timelines and less-certain support. The proposed Bitterroot Resort, 15 miles outside of Missoula, Mont., would have a total vertical of 5,342 feet. The dream of rancher Tom Maclay, the terrain below Lolo Peak has been considered prime for a resort since at least 1966. Access and base siting have been sticking points for previous proposals, but Maclay’s property solves both: he owns 2,900 acres off the main north-south road. It could be a decade or more before Maclay receives the green light from the Forest Service, and years before even an EIS gets started, but Maclay has already taken the unusual step of cutting several ski runs on the 2,400 vertical feet of property he owns. Regardless of what happens with the federal lands above his property, Maclay is committed to developing at least this terrain. This winter, access will be limited to a snowcat or foot.
The other ambitious project, for Mount Adams in Washington state, was nixed by the Yakima Nation. The tribe could not reconcile its desire to protect what it views as sacred turf with the proposed resort plan. In its decision, the tribe kept the door just slightly open for revisiting the idea at some time in the future.
Room Service: Exceeding Expectations
Used to be that a nice shampoo and conditioner set, along with a well-stocked minibar, was enough to keep guests happy. But that was so 20th century. Deer Valley Lodging offers guests staying at least three nights something extra: use of a Chevy SUV. The perk requires an advance reservation (technically, this is a test drive), but includes up to five days’ use of a 4WD equipped with satellite radio, heated seats, and backseat DVDs.
To members of the Ritz-Carlton Clubs in Colorado, SUVs are so 2004. To help fractional owners at the Aspen Highlands and Bachelor Gulch (Beaver Creek) properties take full advantage of their one-twelfth interests, the clubs can arrange for a private jet to meet members at their local airport and whisk them off to Colorado with as little as 10 hours’ notice. There’s an extra cost, to be sure, but the club makes it easy for members to purchase up to 25 hours of flying time with the exclusive NetJets per year. And once they arrive, their personal valet stocks the fridge, hangs up the ski duds, places the family photographs on the mantle, makes sure the skis are tuned and the boots warmed. At Bachelor Gulch, a Ski Nanny is even available to look after the kids. Of course, for the $170,000 to $510,000 membership fee, you might expect no less.
