It's Almost Official, TSV Expansion Approved

It's almost official, the Taos Ski Valley 2010 Development Plan has been approved by the U.S. Forest Service. Specifically, Alternative 2 has been approved which includes the Main Street lift on Kachina Peak and Ridge lift on the West Basin Ridge. The official Record of Decision was published and a 45 day Appeal Period began on August 23rd, 2012. Information on who can appeal and how to appeal is described in the Record of Decision.

However you feel about the expansion plans at Taos Ski Valley, the mountain will likely remain the same this season. With a 45 day appeal period and a 45 day response to those appeals it will be snowing before the paperwork is final. While we wait for the snow to fall you can read the Response to Comments and see how your concerns were addressed. If you're looking for more light reading, try the Final Environmental Impact Statement to see how air quality, environmental issues and climate change were considered in the development plan.

Then, when the lifts are running and The Ridge is white you can hike up to your favorite chute and say "I skied (rode) it back when..."

More Info:

TaosNews.com - Carson Forest gives Taos Ski Valley upgrade go-ahead

USFS - Record of Decision Taos Ski Valley’s 2010 Master Development Plan — Phase 1 Projects

USFS - Taos Ski Valley's 2010 Master Development Plan - Phase 1 Proposed Projects

USFS - Response to Comments for TSV's Master Development Plan - Phase 1 Projects Draft EIS

USFS - Final Environmental Impact Statement for Taos Ski Valley’s 2010 Master Development Plan — Phase 1 Projects

Operators are Standing By (for comments on TSV Master Plan)