Time Machine: 40 years ago, plans for Cascade Village Metropolitan District approved

30 years ago

Jan. 26, 1996

After a project update from Vail Associates and Forest Service officials, the Vail Town Council expressed its support of Vail Mountain’s expansion into Blue Sky Basin, a project known as “Cat III,” the Vail Trail reported. 

“The council’s verbal seal of approval came just days before the end of an extended Forest Service public comment period, which expires Friday, Jan 26,” the Trail reported. “Members were quick to point out that they had only signed off on Category III impacts specifically related to the town. Councilwoman Sybill Navas said it was important to remember they have not taken a position on on-site environmental impacts.”

The potential disturbance of wildlife and the natural setting caused a number of environmental groups and citizens to write letters of protest to the Forest Service, the Trail reported. 

“Loren Kroenke, the Forest Service’s project manager for Category III, told council the 120 letters his office has received are about half-for, half-against the expansion, which would add four lifts and 1,000 acres to Vail’s mountain portfolio,” the Trail reported. “Town manager Bob McLaurin reviewed an agreement signed last spring between Vail and VA aimed at managing peak periods (like the Christmas-New Years holidays and President’s Day weekend), and spreading tourism numbers throughout the year.” 

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McLaurin said that Vail Mountain’s commitment to limiting skier numbers to 19,900, and to managing potential town impacts associated with Category III, gave the council reason to support the expansion, the Trail reported. 

40 years ago

Jan. 24, 1986

Plans for a proposed Cascade Village Metropolitan District were approved by the Vail Town Council, the Vail Trail reported. 

The move paved the way for an election and bond sale to pay the cost of a new lift out of Cascade Village, called the Westin Ho ski lift. 

“Also included in the plans approved for the district are work on South Frontage Road to accommodate an expected increase in traffic in and out of Cascade Village,” the Vail Trail reported. “With the lift in place, it will be possible to go from just outside The Westin and up onto the slopes of Lionshead.” 

A trail linking Lions Head and Cascade Village had been completed two years prior, the Vail Trail reported, “allowing people staying in the area to ski off the mountain to near where they were staying.”

50 years ago

Jan. 23, 1976

Avalanche studies on empty lots in East Vail were presented to the Vail Town Council.  

Art Mears with the Colorado Geological Survey said a number of the undeveloped lots in the Bighorn first addition area were in a “moderate” hazard zone, which could be developed if protective structures were used, the Vail Trail reported, while Ron Halley with Hydro-Triad, Ltd., reported on the King Arthur’s Court avalanche area. 

“Considered the biggest of the 14 identified avalanche zones in the Bighorn area, Halley explained the frequency and force of this particular avalanche made it economically unfeasible to protect against,” the Vail Trail reported. “With a frequency of 30-50 years, and the 6 in 10 possibility that an avalanche will occur within the lifetime of buildings constructed in the area, Halley estimated protective structures for King Arthur’s Court and Bighorn Townhouses would cost in the neighborhood of $200,000.”

He noted the danger of the avalanche and the magnitude of its runout zone were increased by the fact that the avalanche dropped off a 25-foot cliff before starting its runout pattern on the valley floor. 

“Asked by a Bighorn townhouse owner what could be done, both Halley and Mears were without an answer,” the Trail reported.