Summit EIS -- Impact on Nordic Pass ski routes

www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/projects/summit-at-...almie/download.shtml

Looking through alternatives 2 and 5 (the most likely)

The new lifts in the "Creek Run" area of "Summit East" will impact the traditional backcountry route over "Nordic Pass" and cut into one of the few remaining stands of old growth timber in the area.

The Forest Service will be accepting public comments until FEB 6, 2006 -- so be sure to send the FS your comments before then.

don't want to sound too opinionated here, but this may be the final nail in the coffin. As a nearly 10 yr season pass holder at Snoqualmie and regular user of the Nordic Pass area, I don't see how I can justify spending money against my own best interests. I've been looking for a good reason to end my season pass holder status - other than the old standbys of lousy snow, poor grooming, crowds, delinquent snow boarders, etc. Time to starve the beast.

Starve the Beast! Yeah, good luck. You realize they have a 50% turnover rate on season passes. Too crowded! Well yes it the only ski area that is one hour from Seattle. Crappy grooming? Personally I am amazed that they groom such a large cross-country system. I cannot imagine they are making much money on cross country passes. Personally I think the downhill grooming has been quite good. It certainly helps that we have a good base now. Snowboarders? Well I suppose we could just shoot them, but if you stick around Nordic Pass I think you have a good chance of never seeing them.

I know. None of those reasons were enough for me to give up my season pass. A proposed lift to Nordic Pass is.

good.   Snowboarders?  Well I suppose we could just shoot them, but if you stick around Nordic Pass I think you have a good chance of never seeing them.

<br><br>You might see me and my buddies heading up that way with snowboards.....please come and introduce yourself

Just to be clear, the proposed creek run chair doesn't go to Nordic Pass. It doesn't cross the mountaineers blue diamond route either. The best reason to oppose this chair is the terrain it opens up is lame,lame,lame. In other words flat. Great for Nordic skiiing, laughable for downhill. Also, for those crafting their FS letters that area is an elk calving and summer browsing area and yes, good old growth(wetlands too.). The Summit expansion plan contains a few good ideas and more lame ones. If any of this stuff happens it will happen very slowly. A new quad at Hyak? A chair to Knoll 1? A gondola? All worth discussing and prioritizing. Nordic Pass will remain accesible and quiet for many years to come.