I may be wrong, but I think late season at Silverton already is unguided. I also think it is BLM who is setting the rules there, not the Forest Service, which is weird because BLM is usually pretty lax with what they let happen on their land.
With the speed this company moves, I wouldn't expect any new lifts at Alpental anytime soon, even if they do get the permit. I actually think the summit lodge is more likely to get built than the lifts, since it could grant them some cash flow in the off season. Facility improvements at Summit, Ski Acres, and Hyak are probably higher on the priority list since that's where the big money comes in. Better beginner lifts at Central and West will make them more money than a HSQ to Knoll 1 will. Most of the Alpental regulars worried about crowds seem to be blissfully ignorant of the chaos that is the Holiday lift corral on any given Sunday. The accidents and general misery of learning to ski on that lift must turn so many people off to skiing at Summit. Hopefully, situations like that get the focus.
