A Gondola to the top of Alpental?

This may be a little off-topic, but why exactly are there no "destination resorts" in WA?

<br><br>Here's one explanation--from a 1989 magazine article on this subject:<br><br>

Pacific Northwest Magazine, Nov 1989, p. 34, Halstead, Jeff, "Destination Washington?"<br><br>From 1968-71, nearly 18 percent of all skiers from 11 Western states visited Washington's ski resorts. By the 1986-87 season, that share had dropped to 7.5 percent--this during a time when skier visits to Western resorts in general grew by 174 percent. Other Northwest areas like Oregon's Mt Bachelor and B.C.'s Whistler Mountain have grown considerably as destination resorts in recent years. Why hasn't Washington kept up with these nearby competitors? <br><br>According to Mel Borgersen, president of the Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association and a founder of Crystal Mountain resort, "Washington has been severely hampered because of restrictions on base-area development." For more than two decades, construction of additional overnight lodging at Crystal has been stifled by Forest Service policy. Development at Bachelor and Idaho's Sun Valley has not been hampered because skier housing sits on nearby private land. Another impediment is a Forest Service moratorium on condominum construction. Hotels, which provide equal access to the public, are approved, but condominiums, which are much easier to finance, are viewed as a form of private privilege. As a result, Crystal and other Washington ski areas rely heavily on one-day skiers for their livelihood. <br><br>The author discusses the controversial Early Winters resort, which would have base facilities on private land and is expected to be developed similarly to B.C.'s Whistler Village. At Snoqualime Pass, a just-finished 81-room hotel and a forthcoming condominium annex, located on private land next to Interstate 90, are expected to make this area more attractive to destination skiers.

Times have changed. In 1995, The Forest Service was very much in favor of Crystal's expansion. It was the radical left wing , granola munchers and tree huggers who halted most of the progress. <br><br>That is one reason why the Yakima Indian Tribe is looking at putting a Whistler type resort on Mt. Adams. I know you guys will be crying about that project. But, in my opinion would be sweet. And much needed.

I thought the last word on that project was the tribe canned it. And the story I read was that the project was being pitched to them by the company that runs Hood Meadows, not that they were looking into it themselves. <br><br>One resort that I personally was glad to see thwarted was the proposed Cooper Spur resort. It would have sucked in many ways, not the least of which being that all of its terrain would have been below a low intermediate pitch. The terrain on Adams could be better, but IMO volcanoes dont make the best ski resorts -- their terrain is so homogenous compared to many non-volcanic peaks in the Cascades. Unfortunately for fans of lift-served skiing, the Early Winters project was probably Washington's last best shot at a large ski resort with varied terrain and good snow. With the way things are going in Canada, maybe there will be some kind of resort built just over the border in/near Manning Park?

The Yakima Tribal Council voted down the first proposal. The deal is back on the table for further consideration. Knowing how the Native Americans think business wise, this resort will eventually be a go. <br><br>I'd like to see people try and stop this project. On Native American Indian Reservation property? Nope. They are a sovereign nation. They make the rules. <br><br>I hope it goes. They plan on having a world class golf resort and a first class ski resort. East side of Adams equals qaulity dry snow. NICE!! I can hardly wait.<br><br>Look out Whistler.

The only downside folks might have to a Resort/Casino/Golf, etc. at Adams on the Yakama reservation is no drinking (alcohol). It doesn't bother me any since I don't drink, but it is a big deal to some. (The Yakama's do not allow any alcohol, its a dry reservation). <br><br>Personally I'd like to see the resort happen, but as with most big hopeful ski plans in WA they generally disappear for various reasons.

To quote bandit, "I'm a pragmatic guy." So back to Alpental, I like joedabaker's practical advice on taking part in the process. Thanks, Joe, for that bit of experience and help in thinking out how to respond. <br><br>As a pragmatic guy, I'm glad that I live in a democracy where we have process to ensure the public voice is part of the review this sort of project. Dictatorships might silence the much-feared wollypog huggers, but they might silence bandit too! I'm also glad I live in a capitalist system, where the ski area owners have a fair shake at making a profit. But given that a hefty chunk of the public (owners of the national forest) doesn't ski, it makes sense to not simply trust ski area owners to "do the right thing for the public" since their clientele is not the whole story, and like any good business they're pragmatic about serving their paying customers. Given the FS track record, I think we can count on the their review favoring the ski area owners' control over the area w/in their boundaries, barring clear problems that YOU may discover in the plans...<br><br>So if you really care, read up and react thoughtfully, as jasonsalvo and joedabaker suggest!