US Forest Service seeks public comment on proposed improvements on Vail Mountain
Plan includes replacing Orient Express, removing Lift 24
John LaConte/Vail Daily
The White River National Forest is seeking public comments on a proposal from Vail Resorts to replace several aging chairlifts on Vail Mountain and make additional upgrades to improve skier circulation and operational access.
“The White River National Forest provides world-class winter recreation opportunities, including 11 permitted ski resorts,” said Eagle-Holy Cross District Ranger Leanne Veldhuis in a news release. “As we review this proposal for Vail Mountain, we want to hear any comments or concerns from the public.”
The proposed changes are within Vail Mountain’s existing permit boundary and were included in the resort’s 2023 Master Development Plan.
Vail Mountain proposes to replace the existing Chair 21 (Orient Express), a quad chairlift that has a capacity of 2,400 people per hour, with a six-person chairlift with a capacity of 3,600 people per hour. The replacement is planned to improve reliable access to the Back Bowls, reduce wait times, and improve circulation.
Among the improvements proposed for the Eagle’s Nest Beginner’s Experience are replacing Chair 15 with a quad chairlift that would increase the current 1,400 people per hour capacity to 2,400, and improving snowmaking infrastructure to extend the length of Chair 15.
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Vail also proposes to grade approximately 6 acres of terrain along the Two Elk ridgeline between the top terminal of Chair 21 and the Two Elk Lodge to improve skier flow and circulation. The grading would eliminate flat and inconsistent pitches in this area as well as allow Lift 24 to be removed.
The proposal includes a new 890-foot alignment of the access road at Mountain Top to provide more reliable late-season access for summer construction, maintenance, and operations.
More details about the proposal, as well as information about how to comment, are available at FS.USDA.gov/r02/whiteriver/projects/68128. Comments will be most helpful if received by June 6.
