Forest Service seeking public comment on proposed improvements at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Deadline for comments Dec. 19
by Bridger-Teton National Forest
November 23, 2016
The Bridger-Teton National Forest is seeking comments from the public on Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s (JHMR) proposed improvements and activities at the resort which would require National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review. JHMR’s proposal includes several projects that were previously reviewed and authorized but were never constructed. The previous NEPA review will be updated at this time as appropriate. The Forest anticipates preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA).
The proposal is for three new lifts including a covered conveyor or handle tow for Solitude #2; a covered conveyor for Pooh Bear run and a handle tow for St. John’s Race Arena.
Nine terrain construction or enhancement projects are proposed. Those include 1) revamping the Amphitheatre Run and 2) modifying the St. John’s Race Arena. Additionally, four new traverses would be created: Easy-Does-It Bypass, Upper Après Vous Traverse, Solitude Station Traverse, and Ashley Ridge Traverse/run. Two areas would be improved including the Casper Bowl Traverse and the Moran Run and finally, a new Solitude Trail (Terrain Park) is proposed to be created.
Additionally, there are facilities improvements in the proposal. Those include a new facility called Solitude Station Mountain Sports School to replace the existing Solitude tent and the abandoned Solitude Cabin Site. Corbet’s Cabin at the top of the Tram is proposed to be expanded/replaced. Bear Flats café is proposed to be located just slightly north of the base of the Sublette Chair lift. The last facility improvement proposed is to construct a small restroom located near the Aerial Adventure Course and Drop Tower on the edge Antelope Flats run. JHMR is also proposing to expand snowmaking to cover 15 different runs or traverses including : Amphitheatre , St. John’s Race Arena, Croakie Point, Solitude Facility Traverse, Easy-Does-It Bypass Traverse, Sleeping Indian, Upper Gros Ventre, Sundog (Formally Lift Line), Slalom, Upper Sundance, Amphitheatre Travers, Way Home, Kemmerer, Crags Run and South Pass Traverse at the bottom of the Thunder Chair.
JHMR has also included in this proposal a new canopy/rope tour/zip line course to be installed near the With increased demand for guided back country skiing the resort proposed several years ago to increase its annual allotment of priority service days from 1,200 to 2,400. These additional guided activities would only be authorized in the Rock Springs and Green River Bowl areas.
A copy of the proposed action is available at http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=50616. Comments should be addressed before December 19, 2016 to: Bridger-Teton National Forest - Jackson Ranger District, P.O. Box 1689, Jackson, WY 83001 – attention Ray Spencer. Electronic comments must be submitted to comments-intermtn-bridger-teton-jackson@fs.fed.us.
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