Taos decision provokes questions about Hades
TAOS, N.M. -- Taos Ski Valley has finally decided to drop the ropes for snowboarders. A memo to employees distributed by Mickey Blake, the ski area president, said the change will occur on March 19.
"I guess hell finally froze over ... " said one blogger on the Web site of the Taos Daily News, where the news was reported.
In the West, the only other major ski area where snowboards remain banned is at Deer Valley.
"For several seasons the debate has been more directed as to 'when' rather than 'if' snowboarding would be permitted at Taos Ski Valley," the memo continued.
The Taos Ski Valley Web site blogsite revealed great enthusiasm. "On behalf of about every tourist-related business in town, I want to thank TSV for lifting the ban," wrote Marc Coan.
One unidentified grandparent lauded it as a way to renew family inclusiveness. "I am happy to say that once again we can be a 'snow sport family' in one area ... hurray!"
As well, there was disappointment. More than one writer was sure that Taos Ski Valley founder Ernie Blake, who died in 1989, must be needing Tums.
One writer, while embracing the need for snowboards, called for a skis-only policy for some runs, to retain good moguls.
Several Aspen winters snowless into January
ASPEN, Colo. -- The lack of snow during November this year caused some apprehension -- and some looks back into history. In Colorado, autumn-like weather has lingered into January in some memorable years, reports The Aspen Times. For example, Independence Pass was open to motorists until Jan. 20 during one winter immediately prior to World War II. Normally, it closes in November due to snow. But even in the mid-1960s, there was a winter when it didn't snow until mid-January.
But the dry winter of more recent memory --and the driest of the 20th century, according to record-keeping—was in 1976-77. This was when snowmaking, at least in the West, was still in its infancy. There were snow dances, some tears, but also lots of beer drinking. Rents then, say those who paid them, were still cheap enough that a couple of bad months were not a disaster -- although, in fact, a U.S. senator from Colorado was considering seeking disaster relief for the state's ski areas.
Aspen suburb to get a big box of organics
BASALT, Colo. -- After a year of wrangling about terms of development, organic-food purveyor Whole Foods Market now has permission to build a 40,000-square-foot store in Basalt, a mid-valley town in the Aspen-dominated Roaring Fork Valley.
The valley has a large number of people with high incomes and high education levels. Such people tend to be buyers of organic and natural food products, explains The Aspen Times.
As well, the valley's residents have discerning tastes and active lifestyles, according to psychographic studies conducted by the retailer.
The store is expected to take nearly two years to build. If all goes as Whole Foods hopes, the store will have success similar to one in Santa Fe, a place with similar demographics.
Home Depot hoping to get into Summit County
SUMMIT COUNTY, Colo. -- Home Depot has submitted an application for a 100,000-square-foot The Home Depot store in Silverthorne. The application was incomplete, but it's possible that the project could be presented to planning commissioners in January or February, reports the Summit Daily News. The newspaper also notes immediate questions from the existing business community about whether the chain franchise will be a good addition to the community.
Study finds cheap digs lag commercial projects
JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. -- A study by the Teton County Housing Authority firmly draws the conclusion that new development isn't paying its way when it comes to generating employee housing.
Since 2000, the Jackson Town Council has approved more than 752,000 square feet of commercial development. That's the equivalent of more than 15 large grocery stories.
Existing regulations, adopted in 1994, have yielded far less housing than what is actually needed to staff that many stores, restaurant and offices. The housing authority's study found developers had built the equivalent of 45 apartments (at 400 square feet each) and paid another $94,000 in cash to meet requirements. On their own, they built another 127 small apartments.
The agency presents evidence that the formula adopted by the town during the 1990s vastly underestimated how many employees a busy bar and restaurant will generate.
A proposal now being reviewed by the town government would increase the mitigation rate, now at 15 percent, to 25 percent. But the housing authority recommends 40 percent.
There is some fear that even 25 percent will stall development, but the evidence from Aspen suggests it won't even slow it. There, existing regulations require developers to provide housing for 60 percent of employees, and the formula used in Aspen assumes more employees will be generated per 1,000 feet of commercial space, than are assumed in Jackson.
