Over the past year, I've quietly been doing some research on each local ski area's plan for the future. Here is what I've discovered about the future of Mt. Hood's ski areas:
Timberline
With the completion of the new Jeff Flood Express chairlift and expansion into Still Creek Basin, the Timberline ski area is essentially built-out now. The area has no plans for any further terrain expansion. However, Timberline has ambitious plans to improve access by constructing a gondola connecting Timberline Lodge with central Government Camp. Given that the proposed alignment would be along a path previously used by the 1950s-era "SkiWay" areal transport lift (a suspended city bus!), there are relatively few environmental concerns. And the benefits would be huge: dramatically reduced traffic along Timberline road and an environmentally-friendly solution to Timberline's current parking shortage. Timberline is working with Skibowl on this project, and it's on pace to get underway within 5 years. The primary obstacle is funding; the project could cost $15-20 million.
Another project on Timberline's horizon is a new Operations building near the top of Molly's Express. This new building would be larger and more "Timberline-esqe" than the current Operations building in the same location. It would also include a new Patrol Headquarters, allowing that space in the Wy'East Day Lodge to be used for a new Day Care center.
Other projects include underground parking and land restoration in front of Timberline Lodge and a new beginner's complex in the area below the Day Lodge. Farther down the road (and further ahead in time), Timberline would also like to explore the possibility of building parking, a lodge, and overnight accommodations near the bottom of Molly's Express.
Mt. Hood Meadows
First, some history. In the late 1980s, Mt. Hood Meadows announced its intention to create a very ambitious new Master Plan for the future. Lots of new lifts, new terrain, new lodges and overnight accommodations were part of that plan. In response, a group of local environmental protectionists formed the Friends of Mt. Hood, a group dedicated to opposing further development at Mt. Hood Meadows. While the Forest Service approved Meadows' proposed Master Plan in 1991, the Friends of Mt. Hood appealed that decision -- and the appeal was successful. Mt. Hood Meadows then modified its plan, reducing the scope of development and eliminating plans for overnight accommodations. This revised plan was approved (with a couple exclusions -- mainly a rejection of terrain expansion into the White River Canyon) by the Forest Service in 1997. The Friends of Mt. Hood, together with other environmental groups, again challenged the approval -- this time in court. In 2001, the court upheld the Plan's approval, but denied permission for parking expansion, pending further study of parking alternatives. In 2004, Mt. Hood Meadows finished the first major project included in the Master Plan: the Vista Express chairlift.
Despite the approval of Meadows' overall Master Plan, each individual project will require specific approval by the Forest Service -- and that approval can only occur after extensive and satisfactory environmental analysis. The public, including environmental groups, will have the opportunity to comment and potentially challenge each major project.
Now, on to the projects. Several new chairlifts are possible:
- A high-speed quad to replace the Stadium (Yellow) chair, with a possible extension to the top of the Heather lift... which would allow easy access to Shooting Star & HRM
- A high-speed quad to replace the Daisy chair in a similar alignment
- A new high-speed quad that would begin somewhere near the North Canyon run and would roughly follow the Upper Elevator run to the top of the Cascade Express lift
- A new lift connecting the Annex parking area to Buttercup
- A new lift above Cascade Express servicing Dallas Bowl and providing access to Superbowl and upper Heather Canyon
Also, a mid-mountain lodge is proposed near the top of the Heather and new Stadium chairlifts. This lodge could be open year-round with lift access from the new Stadium quad. Additional night skiing expansion is possible as well. Meadows is also pursuing parking expansion possibilities, permanent snowmaking, and permission to open gates into the backcountry.
The full Mt. Hood Meadows 1997 Master Plan, with additional details about what is listed above, is published and available for public review. While I've not seen it online, there are hard copies out there. The copy I read is kept at the Portland State University library.
In replies to comments on Mt. Hood Meadows' blog, Meadows President Matt Drake has repeatedly indicated that discussions concerning Meadows' future plans are "in a sensitive place". In other words, Meadows executives are privately meeting with representatives from the Friends of Mt. Hood to see if any common ground and/or compromises can be reached concerning future expansion. Both sides would prefer to avoid costly and time-consuming lawsuits, and both sides have agreed to keep the meeting notes confidential. I expect some information about the next couple projects in Meadows' future to be released sometime this year -- most likely by Matt Drake in Meadows' blog.
Mt. Hood Skibowl
Most of Skibowl's future plans center around creating a destination resort in and around Government Camp. Skibowl's parent company owns, operates, and is expanding the Collins Lake Resort, and the company also has plans to add a new lodging complex next to the Skibowl East (Multorpor) parking lot. A central village core in Goverment Camp (as part of Collins Lake Resort) is also in the works. The gondola to Timberline will originate in this village core, with an extension of the gondola connecting Skibowl with Goverment Camp proposed as well. When complete, Government Camp will be a significant bedbase and transportation hub. The number of shops, restaurants, and bars is also expected to increase. It should be a fun little village when all is said and done.
On the mountain, Skibowl's plans are less ambitious. An old Skibowl Master Plan indicates that future projects could include a couple short chairlifts in the novice terrain off the southwest (backside) of the Upper Bowl. A bottom-to-top chairlift is also possible down the road. In the short term, Skibowl is attempting to get permission to cut a run run off the Multorpor chair that would become home to the area's terrain park.
Summary
The future plans I've discussed above, for all three areas, are little more than wish lists by our local resort operators and owners. It's probable that at least some of the projects outlined will eventually become reality... but it's also likely that many of the projects will never get beyond paper plans & dreams. I look forward to seeing how things turn out down the road.
As many of you noticed, there was a big weather pattern change a couple weeks ago... the result being a lack of new snow recently. Indeed, as the above graphic shows, 175" of new snow fell at Mt. Hood Meadows during a 2-3 week period from late January through early February. But since mid-February -- just 17" total.
