Topics of Interest about the Bitterroot Resort


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TOPICS OF INTEREST

We want to know what issues are important to you. That's one of the reasons we continue to invite various individuals and groups to take personal tours of the property. We've also conducted public meetings for the Missoula community, the Lolo community, the Florence community, the Lolo Creek Watershed Council and many civic and fraternal organizations over the past two years. We welcome the opportunity to speak with you firsthand. If you are unable to take a tour, please invite us to speak at your next meeting or event. Simply contact us to schedule a date for your organization or group of interested individuals.

Important themes and issues have emerged as a result of these meetings. We find there is great enthusiasm for the recreational opportunities - most importantly, the ability to ski, hike and ride on a tremendous mountain! We also find that many people have concerns about the local economy and see the Resort as a 'shot in the arm' for the tourism industry, particularly during the traditionally slow winter months.

Still others want assurance that the Resort will be appropriate for the region, that natural resources will be protected, and that it will be a place that locals - our families, children and friends - can enjoy and feel welcome.

While we can't address every question or concern at this point, there are some recurrent areas of interest:

FAMILY FRIENDLY RECREATION

We believe Bitterroot Resort will be a place that Montana families will want to enjoy. Here are a few ideas we're considering to reinforce that vision:

• All 5th grade students will receive free alpine and Nordic skiing for that season.

• Any student carrying a 3.0 grade point average or higher will be offered a season pass at half the price of the regular student pass.

• We will model our school program after other resorts where ski lessons, lift tickets and equipment are provided at cost to the students.

• Full time employees and their immediate family will receive season passes as a benefit of their employment.

• We've included space for a variety of family-friendly activities, like ice skating, swimming and mountain biking. These could be community facilities, with pricing and administration appropriate for open, public use.

AFFORDABILITY

Bitterroot Resort will have competitive pricing for day ski passes, similar to Whitefish Mountain ($56.00) and Big Sky ($75.00). We will also offer season and multi-day pass programs, specifically aimed at local skiers and snowboarders to reduce costs over a season of use.

ACCESS TO PUBLIC LANDS

We continue to hear from a variety of recreational users such as hikers, mountain bikers, hunters and motorized users about access to the ground between the Ranch and the Carlton Ridge/Lolo Peak area. We expect to provide enhanced opportunities to a broad range of people, as anyone will be able to ride a lift to the ridge and begin their hike. Certainly existing roads and trailheads will remain, although the experience would be different than what it is today.

We expect to work with various user groups through the environmental review and decision-making process to define measures that protect full public enjoyment of these lands.

PROTECTING WILDERNESS

One of the very special assets Bitterroot Resort has to offer is the close proximity to the 1.3 million acre Selway Bitterroot Wilderness. This area was set aside by Congress in 1964 as a part of its policy to "secure for the American people of present and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of wilderness." The Bitterroot Resort respects the wild character and integrity of this Wilderness. We pledge to work with the Forest Service to ensure that everyone on our staff has a full understanding of the meaning and value of Wilderness, in order to help share this understanding with our guests.

POSSIBLE SCENARIOS

A venture of the size and complexity of Bitterroot Resort does not happen overnight. Because the Resort will be located on both private and National Forest lands, it requires approvals and permits from a variety of state and federal agencies. Missoula County also requires permits and approvals for development.

We're finding significant public support for our vision. We have applied to the Forest Service for a special-use permit to allow alpine and Nordic skiing on the north-facing slopes of Carlton Ridge and in the Carlton Lake Basin area below Lolo Peak. This permit will offer the resort the unique advantage of the greatest vertical drop in North America at 5, 555 feet. The lift system for Phase I of the development (approximately the first ten years) will include seven - four-seat chair lifts, four of which will be high-speed quads. At the 6,000 foot level, a trail system will originate from Resort's Nordic Lodge to take advantage of approximately 40 miles of existing logging roads, joined by a few segments of new trail construction.

A master plan is in preparation for the private land portion of the project. For the public land portion of the project, Forest Service approval of the special use application is subject to the various laws and regulations pertaining to the use of National Forest lands.