Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Mountain Town News


Vail joins Aspen, others, in welcoming gay skiers

VAIL, Colo.—Vail has joined the resorts with dedicated efforts to attract gay skiers. The Vail Gay Ski Week will be held Jan. 27-31, immediately after Aspen hosts its 33rd annual Gay Ski Week. Telluride hosts a similar affair in February, and Whistler also has long had a gathering of gay skiers.

Aspen's affair attracted 1,500 to 2,000 people last year, mostly from out of state. Vail's event aims for 500 to 1,000, mostly from Denver and other Front Range communities. Organizers for both events tell The Aspen Times that they see no particular competition.

November temps rise in Aspen over decades

ASPEN, Colo.—Novembers continue to warm in Aspen. City officials say that the high temperature this year was about 7 degrees warmer than the average since temperature recording began in 1976 at the water-treatment plant. Average daily high temperatures have been steadily increasing, as have been the low temperatures.

No easy alternatives to Tahoes in Jackson Hole

JACKSON, Wyo.—Two years ago, Teton County and the town of Jackson combined efforts with the stated goal of reducing their use of carbon fuels 10 percent by 2010. But the sheriff's department has increased fuel use 6 percent.

What can be done? In the short term, maybe very little. Sheriff's deputies currently use Chevrolet Tahoes, which get 14 to 17 miles per gallon, and all other potential vehicles have some sort of drawback. Electric hybrids get better mileage, but their batteries may not be beefy enough to handle the multiple light systems, radios, and other electrical needs of deputies.

The Jackson Hole News&Guide reports that officials are investigating the potential to use a 10 percent component of ethanol in the fuel used in the Tahoes. Larry Pardee, Jackson's public works director, says the fuel should not reduce the ability of deputies to giddy-up in cases of emergencies.

Cold but not enough to kill many beetles

BANFF, Alberta—The cold snaps of October and again in early December were fit for neither man nor beast, reports the Rocky Mountain Outlook. Bark beetles, however, seemed to survive well enough.

Temperatures dripped to 51 below in northern Alberta, but didn't stay there, but instead rose to daytime highways of 22 below, too warm to kill many of the bugs. In Banff, the lowest temperature was only 28 degrees.

Crested Butte continues debate about ski plans

CRESTED BUTTE, Colo.—The U.S. Forest Service has reversed course and decided that a decision regarding a potential expansion of the Crested Butte ski area can be appealed to the regional forester.

Supporters of the expansion were indignant after Charlie Richmond, a forest supervisor, announced in early November that he would not accept the proposal for consideration. He said that part of his decision was because the Crested Butte community remained divided about whether the expansion onto Snodgrass Mountain should occur.

But Crested Butte itself seems to remain much divided. The matter is of such perceived significance that a recent meeting of the town council drew 250 people. The Crested Butte News reports that people spoke for and against, but the council members came to no resolution about what their stance will be regarding the process, let alone whether the council supports the expansion.

Not so Colorado Ski Country USA. The trade organization adopted a position urging the Forest Service review the process under the strictures of the National Environmental Policy Act, warning that the failure to do so would sent a chilling message to other ski area operators in Colorado.




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