The San Juan National Forest Columbine Ranger District is seeking public input about Purgatory Resort’s Gelandé chairlift, Terrain Project and boundary adjustment proposal.
Purgatory Resort submitted an application to realign and construct the Gelandé ski lift, which, approved in the 2008 Durango Mountain Resort Improvement Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement, would create five new ski runs.
The change in alignment would meet the demand for advanced terrain on the front side of the mountain and help reduce skier traffic in the Demon-trail area.
The chairlift would be 4,200 feet in length, which is about 300 feet shorter than first proposed, and located 250 to 900 feet south of the previously approved lift in the Mountain Master Plan.
A top-to-bottom trail at the Gelandé lift and connection from the lower Styx trail to the bottom of the Gelande lift is also proposed. The plan is to eventually build a new lodge at the base of the Gelande trail, Project Manager Gary Derck said in a previous interview.
The lift-alignment would construct improvements outside the current ski-area boundary. The proposal would adjust the ski-area boundary accordingly and amend the Forest Plan to allow all improvements to be included within the boundary.
The lift was previously approved as a transfer lift to the top of the mountain but would not provide top-to-bottom skiable terrain.
If the Forest Service approves the project, plans are set to complete the chairlift by the 2018-19 ski season.
The realignment and new ski runs were not assessed in the 2008 FEIS and record of decision.
To view the Environmental Assessment, visit http://bit.ly/2ATQYwJ.
The deadline for comments is Jan. 12. Comments, including names and addresses, are public record and will be available for review.
An open house may be scheduled for a later date.
Email comments to: comments-rocky-mountain-san-juan-columbine@fs.fed.us.
Mail comments to: Columbine Ranger District, Purgatory Gelande Comments, PO Box 439, 367 Pearl St., Bayfield, CO 81122.
For more information, call Jed Botsford at 884-1436.
fstone@durangoherald.com
