New ski center to open near Silverton

New ski center to open near Silverton

Dec. 9, 2000

By Tom Sluis
Durango Herald Staff Writer

A high-altitude ski and recreation center near Silverton on Storm Peak will partially open for business this winter while the developer finishes building a chairlift and navigates some legal moguls.

"We will be open on a limited basis," said Silverton resident Aaron Brill.

Brill, doing business as Core Mountain Enterprises, plans to build a double chairlift on 260 acres of private land, and is negotiating with the BLM for access to 1,000 acres of BLM land next door.

While negotiations continue, the Silverton Outdoor Learning and Recreation Center will offer backcountry tours and educational programs on avalanche awareness and backcountry survival.

"We should have a schedule by Jan. 1 on how and when these classes will take place," Brill said.

Brill had hoped to open this winter, but negotiations with the BLM have taken longer than expected.

Charlie Higby, a BLM realty specialist, is processing the paperwork and hopes to have a public notice stating Core Mountain’s proposal in the next few weeks.

After the proposal is reviewed and public notice is given, Core Mountain can submit an application to use the public land for the ski area.

BLM has to review the proposal on its overall feasibility and standards under the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA.

Part of the environmental review includes potential lynx habitat and avalanche dangers. The review could range from an Environmental Assessment or the more strict Environmental Impact Statement, which could take years to complete.

If an application is approved, the land would be leased to Core Mountain by BLM. The value of the potential lease will be determined through an appraisal of comparable uses.

Most ski areas are on U.S. Forest Service land. Few are managed by the BLM. Typically the Forest Service receives a percentage of tickets sold, but the BLM may take a flat rate.

Higby said all of these issues will have to be addressed over the next few months.

San Juan County commissioners have unanimously approved the plan, and Silverton Town Manager Dave Erickson said the town fully supports Brill’s efforts.

Erickson said the town has written letters of support for Brill, and that his proposal will not compete with the town’s ski area, Kendall Mountain.

"It will provide a package deal for people who want to spend quality time here for a minimal costs," Erickson said. The town sees an economic boon from new jobs and visitors who will stay in hotels, eat in restaurants and give a boost to the typically flagging winter tourism.

Some residents aren’t so convinced. Nicole Barr said the 12,300-foot center with 50-degree slopes is an avalanche accident waiting to happen.

"I think someone’s going to die from an avalanche," Barr said. "The San Juan Mountains are known for being an extremely high avalanche danger."