August 2000
Ski Area Expansions Hurts Nordic Skiing at Telluride
In July 1999, the Forest Service's approved a sizable expansion of the Telluride Ski Area including Prospect Basin. This basin, located above the existing ski area and just north of Alta Lakes, was one of the few areas near Telluride suitable for cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
Because Telluride lies in a box canyon and is surrounded by high, steep mountain peaks, trails get too much sun or have a high avalanche danger making them unreliable and unsafe for winter non-motorized use. Prospect Basin was one place where slopes were gentle and retained sufficient snow for skiing and snowshoeing terrain.
In addition, the terrain in much of the expansion area is not suited for good downhill skiing. The lower portion of Prospect Basin is nearly flat. Several of the proposed ski runs have short UPHILL approaches to the lifts. This will be especially difficult for snowboarders. Also, to get skiers out at the end of the day, a long egress route will have to be constructed. This route has extremely steep side slopes; thus expensive construction techniques, including retaining walls, will have to be used to prevent severe erosion and slope failure. In spite of the steep side slopes, this route is relatively flat in places making it difficult for snowboarders to exit the area.
There are also potentially severe environmental impacts associated with the expansion. One of the very few old growth forests in the area will be destroyed for ski runs and a lift line. Several wetlands are likely to be damaged, or very expensive construction will be needed to avoid such damage.
The expansion of the Telluride ski area takes away cross country ski and snowshoe terrain and will create seemingly adverse conditions for skiers and snowboarders in Prospect Basin. The BSA does not know why this expansion was approved by the Forest Service; thus, we will watch expansion efforts more closely in the future and provide information that will allow the non-motorized voice to speak.