Tupper Lake, NY – The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) on Friday voted nearly unanimously to approve a 6,200 ski resort development at Big Tupper, near Tupper Lake.

By a vote of 10 to 1 the agency approved the proposal by Preserve Associates to rebuild the ski resort with replacements for the ski area’s existing lifts as well as new lifts and trails. It also calls for construction a new marina on Tupper Lake and housing at the resort that would consist of up to 206 single-family and 125 multiple-family residences as well as a 40-unit inn and 15 new single-family Great Camps.

“The Adirondack Park Agency decision to approve this application represents responsible regulation resulting in a project with strong environmental protection while still providing a great opportunity for significant economic benefits to the community of Tupper Lake and the Adirondack Park,” said APA Chairwoman Leilani Ulrich. “This multi-year undertaking was an immense task and I applaud APA staff and the Agency Board for their diligence and professionalism. I also extend my congratulations to the project sponsor, community leaders, advocacy groups and the hundreds of citizens involved in this monumental review process.”

The project sponsors must strictly comply with the NYS Wild, Scenic and Recreational Rivers Act for any activities in the Raquette River recreational river area. Deed restrictions will preserve approximately 4,600 acres of Resource Management lands on the project site, protecting open space and wildlife resources. Water and wastewater treatment elements of the proposal still require approval from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).

The project would be implemented in four phases over an estimated 15 years, depending on sales.