Whiteface Plans 39% Increase in Ski Terrain

[Patrick]

http://www.firsttracksonline.com/index. ... le&sid=472

I just read the news today, oh boy.

Although I love Whiteface, there's a few disturbing things in their Proposed Plan.

As proposed, the Tree Island Pod would consist of several new intermediate and expert ski and snowboard trails, ranging from 40 to 110 feet in width, that would be served by a triple chairlift north of the Summit Quad area and the ski resort's famed Slides. Snowmaking and grooming activities would be conducted on this new terrain, both essential due to the terrain's southeast exposure. A 52-acre expert glade is also proposed for the forest east of the Tree Island Pod. ORDA and Whiteface Mountain officials cite the need to enhance the ski area's intermediate skiing experience in petitioning for this terrain expansion.

New terrain with snowmaking due to exposure. :? Let's try not to make too much impact on the environment guys?

ORDA is focusing on bringing its trail network into compliance with the new FIS standards. The Niagara section of Cloudspin is proposed to be widened from 120 to 170 feet, and a portion of Excelsior would be bypassed by a short new trail, as would a section of Lower Skyward by another new bypass trail.

Niagara is a fun shot. Excelsior was an amazing intermediate run before the last widening. Wasn't as fun anymore, however they didn't have any choice once you increase capacity.:roll:

On Little Whiteface, work is already underway to selectively widen portions of the Empire, Upper MacKenzie, Upper Wilderness, Upper and Lower Parkway and Upper Thruway trails as approved in Whiteface's 1996 Unit Management Plan.

](*,) ](*,) ](*,) :x :x :x #-o #-o

Mackenzie and Empire. Good grief.

Taken from one of my No-Bull reports from Whiteface last April.

Other fun runs were off Little Whiteface. Mountain Run, Thruway and Wilderness were fun. However the best run of the day was Mackenzie from the top. This is a fun run that is often overlooked. The top part turns and twist against the fall-line. This part was firm, but not icy like Essex and Northway.

http://www.firsttracksonline.com/boards ... =whiteface

calls for an additional intermediate trail from the summit of Little Whiteface.

Weren't talking small changes here. New terrain, new runs widening and lifts. How much are they going to charge for this New Improved Whiteface? I still remember the huge increase in lift tickets after the gondola was installed.

After all this, will Whiteface still be my #3 favorite ski area in the East? I'm skeptical. :evil:

Nice going WF!!!

 

[Lucky Luke]

To my opinion, the expansion area seems acceptable. Remember Pat, this spring, we were looking at this part of the mouintain and tough there used to be a trail there. It looks like it's a nice place for cutting glades, there's a huge drainage for outlaw glades :twisted: . But I think that they should keep the few narrow twisting trails the way they are right now. It's becoming pretty rare these days. But heck! You can't stop the progress (read money talks :evil: ) even if we don't agree; unless we create a coop and buy the place???? I think i'm a genius (Am I the first one to have that kind of revelations :?: )

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Hey everybody, this is my first post and I'm glad it's about WF. It's my favorite mountain, I'm there every weekend.

When the expansion is complete the new terrain that will be opened up will be awesome. As far as protecting the enviroment I don't see how much more careful they could be short of not expanding. They spent years studying the impact on a little bidie (B-thrush).

As Patrick mentioned I'm not crazy about making Empire and Upper Mac wider.

On another note I'm glad to see my old forum buddy JimmyG is a mod here. If you want to get along with him never suggest that Hunta gets crowded, he gets really, really mad. :wink:

 

[Patrick]

Hey everybody, this is my first post and I'm glad it's about WF. It's my favorite mountain, I'm there every weekend.

Welcome aboard.

When the expansion is complete the new terrain that will be opened up will be awesome. As far as protecting the enviroment I don't see how much more careful they could be short of not expanding.

I've download the proposal (available on the WF website). It doesn't look to bad for the expansion, however what I'm really worried about is that one of the advantages of Whiteface is the prices. The last time they did a major improvement (see Gondola), the cost of weekend lift-tickets increased by something like 18% (even greater on weekdays because they got ride of midweek rates).

How much more will they be charging if their changes are done? Price increase risk becoming much more inline with what major Vermont areas are charging. Personally, I don't even think that WF should try to imitate these areas.

As Patrick mentioned I'm not crazy about making Empire and Upper Mac wider.

I would go even further as saying it's sucks big time!!!:evil:

But I think that they should keep the few narrow twisting trails the way they are right now. It's becoming pretty rare these days. But heck! You can't stop the progress (read money talks ) even if we don't agree; unless we create a coop and buy the place???? I think i'm a genius (Am I the first one to have that kind of revelations )

Or ski Mad River Glen more often. :roll:

 

[Phineas]

The new expansion included significant modifications to ensure no undue adverse impacts. check out http://www.apa.state.ny.us/Press/pressr ... easeID=236

for info. They went so far as to reduce width of trails in the new expansion area and relocate a proposed glade to an area not used by Bicknells Thrush.

On the snowmaking side we have a gauge on the river which cuts off intake as soon as the water level drops to a designated level. this ensures no anchor ice which would result in trout and other water crittiers freezing to death..

so the expansion is heavy on the prevention and will create outstanding terrian!