Banff tourism group wants car-free zone
BANFF, Alberta—A trade group called Banff Lake Louise Tourism is calling for a car-free pedestrian zone on the main drag in Banff similar to what is found in Whistler and Boulder, Colo., or for that matter, Aspen and Vail.
Council members don't necessarily disagree, reports the Rocky Mountain Outlook, but first want to see the results of the $22 million that was spent this year to gussy-up the strip.
Silverton wonders about value of Telluride skiers
SILVERTON, Colo.—A proposal to ferry helicopters skiers from Telluride to ski the backcountry in nearby San Juan County doesn't set well with some folks in Silverton.
"They are coming in from Telluride, paying $950 a day to ski on San Juan County snow, and they never really touch the ground," said local resident Julie Singer.
The Silverton Standard notes that Helitrax wants authority to ferry 600 skiers a year on public land around Silverton. County commissioners believe the U.S. Bureau of Land Management has forged a good compromise, but think Helitrax should also pay an impact fee to San Juan County.
Aspen hospital to start $100 million expansion
ASPEN, Colo.—The hospital in Aspen will soon embark on a $100 million, seven-year expansion. That plan is to expand the 70,000-square-feet hospital to 200,000 square feet.
The hospital opened in the 1970s with 49 patient beds, but then downsized to 25 as medical care shifted to outpatient treatment. The resulting 25 beds allowed the Aspen hospital to qualify as a small, rural facility under federal standards, making it eligible for $1 million per year in Medicaid payments. With plans to expand, this time to 39 beds, the hospital will no longer be small enough to qualify for that funding, explains The Aspen Times.
Parks Canada report notes shrinking glacier
BANFF, Alberta—Pyeto, one of the glaciers in Banff National Park, has shrunk by 70 percent since it was observed in 1896. That statistic is contained in a report about the park by Parks Canada. The report notes greater changes underway and likely to accelerate. "Obviously, we are looking at managing climate change, but adapting to it, and mitigating the effects of climate change," said Mike Murtha, senior park planner.
The report notes that, as predicted by global warming theory, minimum temperatures at Banff have been increasing faster than maximum temperatures, and winter temperatures have increased faster than spring and summer temperatures. For unexplained reasons, an exception has been noted at Lake Louise.
Travelers to get tool to trace carbon footprint
WHISTLER, B.C.—People traveling to Whistler will soon be able to consult a Web site that tells them the cost, in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, of their trips. Included will be comparisons of travel by jet, train, and car.
As well, the new Web site will allow travelers to buy carbon offsets for their travel.
The Web site is being constructed in a partnership between Tourism Whistler, the resort's community promotional organization, and the city government.
The provincial government in British Columbia, which has set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 33 percent by 2020, is paying for a bulk of the work through a grant designed to promote energy efficiency.
The purchase of carbon offsets has been criticized broadly in the last year as ineffectual, accomplishing little more than absolving the guilt of those responsible for the pollution.
Ted Battiston, who oversees sustainability planning for Whistler, concedes that they are a second-best measure. "We've got to try to make emission reduction on the ground at the same time," he says.
But Battiston also says that the credibility of carbon offsets has been bolstered as more third-party verification and auditing procedures have been adopted.
What slogan describes your mountain valley?
JACKSON HOLE, Wyo.—Those crossing Teton Pass from the west are greeted with a sign that says: "Howdy stranger, yonder is Jackson Hole, the last of the Old West."
That slogan is perhaps outdated. After all, this is a place from which people commute to Manhattan, are armored in Lycra and Gore-Tex, and can claim one of the highest per capita incomes in the United States.
The Jackson Hole News & Guide is sponsoring a contest to see what people might say that might be more appropriate. To get the ball rolling it offers several ideas of its own: "Our chai complements your chi."
Or perhaps, "Jackson Hole, where California plays and Mexico works."
A local pundit in 1999 suggested yet another: "Welcome to Jackson Hole, where men remain boys and women work three jobs."
Aspen Skiing Co. hopes to grow foreign business
ASPEN, Colo.—The Aspen Skiing Co. is looking to gains this year in its all-important business among international visitors.
Two years ago 15 percent of Aspen's skier days came from international visitors, and last year it was 18 percent. But this year it may become larger yet, says David Perry, the No. 2 executive in the company. Aspen has 4 ski areas. Snowmass being the largest.
Aspen is becoming less expensive to foreign visitors because of the flagging strength of the U.S. dollar. For example, when Perry arrived in Colorado from Whistler five years ago, the Canadian was worth $0.62 compared to the U.S. dollar. Now, it trades at $1.08.
Top markets for Aspen are Australia/New Zealand, United Kingdom, Brazil, Mexico, Germany and Canada.
But Aspen's skier days have actually declined in the last decade, even as other ski areas in Colorado have grown. Perry discounts the comparison to the growing resorts along the I-70 corridor. "We have a pure long-haul destination resort and have achieved our results without the frustration of weekend crowds," he said.
About 39 percent of skiers at Aspen-Snowmass fly into Aspen. Another 36 percent fly into the Denver airport and take ground transportation to Aspen, and 11 percent use the Eagle County Regional Airport near Vail.
Aspen, more than many other resorts, suffered last year as a result of disruptions in airline service. However, offered airline seats are up 12 percent for this winter.
Steamboat group honors new community pioneers
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. (MTN)—Many towns recognize their pioneers, meaning the town's first inhabitants. In Steamboat Springs, the Community Alliance of the Yampa Valley recognizes that town- and community-building is an ongoing affair. The group conducts something called the New Pioneers Gala. Among those so honored this year was the Strawberry Park Elementary School Great Team, a collection of parents and teachers committed to making the new school as environmentally friendly as possible, notes The Steamboat Pilot & Today.
Marines see Leadville as an icon of America
LEADVILLE, Colo. (MTN)—A drill platoon from the U.S. Marine Corps stopped in Leadville to shoot a commercial against the backdrop of the Sawatch Range, Colorado's loftiest. The marines had also shot commercials at other "iconic sites, including the Golden Gate Bridge and the Grand Canyon, as well as New York's Time Square and the Independence Mall in Philadelphia."
A spokesman, Sgt. Brian Griffith, told the Leadville Chronicle that the Marines hope to deepen their connection with Americans. "You look around you and you see America -- the snow-capped mountains we all hear about. You see people who live the American lifestyle. You live the American dream. We're here to protect it."
About a third of Leadville residents commute an hour to two hours a day across the Continental Divide to work in Summit and Eagle counties, where Vail, Breckenridge and 4 other ski resorts are located.
High town goes deep to secure water pipes
MONTEZUMA, Colo. (MTN)—It may not be the sort of thing that a town would put on its "Hello Visitors" welcoming sign, but for the record, Montezuma has water pipes that go 11 feet into the ground.
The one-time mining town, located in Summit County, near the Keystone and Arapaho Basin ski areas, is at more than 10,200 feet in elevation. Engineer Joe Kracum of Glenwood Springs says the frost line in most mountain towns goes only 3 to 4 feet deep, but it's wise to put water lines down 8 to 10 feet. In Montezuma, they're going just a bit deeper.
