Crystal Mtn Environment Report Card: F

Mt. Baker ski area got a B on the "report card". Crystal mtn. an F. Mt. Baker had a fuel spill that ran DIRECTLY into the creek, leaking out all of chair 6's fuel. Mt. Baker's lifts spew black smoke every day of operation. Crystal want's to expand the current ski area to give the growing population a place to ski lift served runs. This is the difference between a B and an F. P.S.- So, lets say tree-huggers get their wish and no ski area is able to expand. Guess who will be poaching you backcountry lines in the future? The lift served skier that was fed up with the small, overcrowded resorts in the good ol USA!

Crystal want's to expand the current ski area to give the growing population a place to ski lift served runs.

<br>How do people here know the demand for lift skiing is growing? Is there any hard data on this?<br><br>Some make the argument that ski area expansion is an "arms race". Resort A expands to try to attract skiers that are visiting Resort B. So Resort B now has to expand to compete with Resort A. Crystal's expansion is probably more targeted at trying to prevent Seattle skiers from going to other resorts, like Whistler or Stevens or Snoqualmie. Stevens and Snoqualmie will now need to expand to compete. It's the same deal with Snowmaking. If Meadows gets a large Snowmaking system, will Timberline beg for one next?

<br>How do people here know the demand for lift skiing is growing? Is there any hard data on this?

<br><br>Here's one link: saminfo.propelled.com/news/article.php?tid=484

SAM Magazine--Scottsdale, Ariz., May 25, 2005--<br><br>The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) estimates 56.4 million skier/snowboarder visits at U.S. ski resorts for the 2004/05 season, based on preliminary results of the Kottke National End of Season Survey. If these figures hold up in the final Kottke report, 2004-05 would be the fourth best season on record.<br><br>The results reinforce the notion that the ski industry has sustained a growth spurt during the past five seasons. The four highest-visit seasons, and five of the best six seasons, all occurred during the past five years. Visits are roughly 3 million higher than during the 1990s.<br><br>With a preliminary estimate of 19.33 million visits, the Rocky Mountain region may have set a new all-time record. The Rockies were up 2.4 percent from last season. The Northeast region also gained, up 6.3 percent, while losses occurred in the Southeast (-0.7 percent), Midwest (-3.3 percent), and Pacific West (-13.9 percent). Each region except the Pacific West performed above its ten-year average.<br><br>Benefiting from the weakness of the U.S. dollar, international visits grew. The proportion of international visitors rose to 6.1 percent, up from 5.5 percent the season before.<br><br>Snowboarding participation was flat nationally, at 28.7 percent, perhaps reflecting the poor season in the Pacific Northwest, which is home to a high proportion of riders. Visits by season&#8217;s passholders were also flat, at 29.5 percent, despite 7 percent growth in the number of passes sold.<br><br>The Kottke End of Season Survey is based upon participation by 221 of the nation's 491 operating ski resorts. These 221 resorts accounted for approximately 45.9 million skier visits this season.<br><br><br>More articles and data can be found via your favorite search engine. The skiing industry has seen steady growth since 1999. Consolidation of resort ownership means bad things in the same way that Starbucks proliferation means bad things for little coffee shop owners, but it doesn't necessarily mean stunted growth for the industry. I am not in the ski industry, but my guess is that technological advances (i.e., shaped skis) have spurred a bit of a renaissance for two-plankers. I'll let you find the links yourself with your favorite Internet search engine, but I have read in many places that snowboard sales are flat and both alpine and telemark sales are up. Telemark sales are up exponentially year-over-year for the past three years. <br><br>Revenues are up too, across the board: lodging, ticket sales, and equipment and clothing.<br><br>Anecdotally, I have had a Summit pass for the past four years, and it seems to get more crowded every year. But maybe that's just my perception, and it's really my tolerence level for crowds further declining. <br><br>I love getting lift-served runs in. I love the backcountry more, and I would hate to see growth in what are now "wild" areas. I would rather see current areas expand, then lose unspoiled areas. <br><br>Thus, my original point: I am suspect of the ski area citizens report, and I think it is too uncompromising when rating resorts based on boundary growth. Growth is demonstrated and inevitable, and it should be dealt with, not resisted. We are all better off as a community when we have a progressive attitude and plan for growth rather than adopt a reactionary attitude and ignore growth.<br><br>My two-cents. That and a $1.53 will get you a cup of coffee.<br> <br><br>-cm<br><br><br><br><br>