Irwin snowcat ski plan gets initial approval

IBG gets smaller permit area

A new ski area could be opening up this winter in the valley. The U.S. Forest Service this week issued a decision of “no significant impact” for a snowcat ski operation proposed for the Irwin basin.

Irwin Backcountry Guides (IBG) submitted the proposal this past summer. The Forest Service decision scales back what was originally proposed by IBG, but the company feels the plan could work. The permit area would drop from the requested 2,003 acres to 1,051 acres and eliminates “Independence Basin, areas near Lake Irwin, Irwin Townsite and other areas” due to public concerns regarding commercial use in those areas.
If the permit is ultimately issued, other reductions include going from 2,300 skier days to 2,000 in the winter, “reducing the miles of snowcat trails from 11.5 to 5.6, excluding the Avalauncher and corresponding access trail into Owen Basin, reducing the number of summer service days from 350 to 170,” and keeping all the summer activities in the Lake Irwin/Scarp Ridge area, according to the USFS decision notice.
The permit would allow the operation of a ski area from December 1 to April 30.
Up to 24 clients at one time could be guided within the permit area, using up to two snowcats.
Explosives would be allowed “for slope stability testing and avalanche mitigation activities.”
“Obviously I’m really excited with the decision and I think the project will be good for the community,” said IBG Mountain Manager Alan Bernholtz. “I think the overall project came out better after the environmental assessment process and mitigating the points that were brought up from the public. After working with the public, I think we have a better project.”
The decision, made by District Ranger Roy Mask and written by Forest Service Recreation Manager for the Gunnison Ranger District Bill Jackson, states that “Snowcat skiing in the Scarp Ridge area has a long history…. based on 15 years of snowcat skiing and other commercial recreation activities in the area, I believe there is public demand for such activities and that this is a viable business opportunity that will provide the opportunity for local economic growth.”
Bernholtz is a believer in the potential for local growth. “Locals will have jobs. Locals will be able to ski here. That area has incredible ski terrain,” he said. “The permit boundary we have allows us to access some of the finest cat ski terrain in the country. This is good,” he said.
The decision notice states, “While the permit area is substantially smaller than the previous 15-year operation and the original proposal, it does contain the core areas that were most frequently used by the previous permit holder. This includes Barkmarker Basin, Ridge 70 and the east side of Robinson Basin. Having a range of areas under permit will allow IBG flexibility to take clients where conditions are safer and most desirable.”
“The process worked well,” said Jackson. “It worked how it was designed to work. The public made comments and the plan was modified as a result.”
IBG will be allowed to use explosives to control the snow safety. “The use of explosives for testing the snow pack will be used on a limited basis and will greatly help IBG verify stability assessments,” the notice says. “IBG personnel have extensive experience with avalanche forecasting and control work in the Crested Butte area and are intimately familiar with the Scarp Ridge terrain.”
Bernholtz says explosives might be used to help control snow pack, but are not the first choice. “Billy Rankin and myself are avalanche professionals and there are many steps to avalanche mitigation before explosives are needed,” Bernholtz said.
Overall, IBG would like to be running a snowcat ski resort this winter. “We have a permit to start December 1,” explained Bernholtz. “But this winter we want to try to get the bugs worked out. Among other things, we’ve designed a really good locals’ program. What better way to show us how to run a good operation than to have some of the best skiers in the world up there skiing?”
Bernholtz said details weren’t finalized but locals would get approximately a 30 percent discount from the rack rate. “We really want to give the locals an opportunity to use a great amenity in the valley,” he said, “but we are still working out the details.”
IBG hopes to start marketing the new resort soon but wants to have a big “word-of-mouth and Internet presence. We waited for this decision before any marketing efforts, so we hope to launch a website in October,” Bernholtz said.
The Forest Service stated in the decision document that “no closures will be implemented on National Forest System lands within the permit area.” Jackson explained that the snowmobile riding and backcountry skiing public would continue to have access to the Irwin backcountry, including the area inside the permit that is comprised of Forest Service land.
As part of the permit, summer activity is also being allowed for IBG between June and October. Guided hikes are allowed on several trails and peaks in the area with the permit approval.
“The bottom line is we know there is more to the process to come but we want this to work for everyone,” Bernholtz said. “It’s being run by two guys who love skiing as much as anything.”
Jackson explained that while a decision has been rendered regarding the scope of the project, a permit wouldn’t be issued until the appeals process runs its course. The appeal period started September 24 and will run 45 days until November 9.
The Forest Service has 45 days to issue a decision on any appeal received. Once an appeal decision is made, there is a 15-day waiting period before a permit could be issued to IBG.
So, if no appeals are made, IBG could get the Forest Service permit by mid-November. If the appeal process takes as long as possible and the Forest Service ultimately decides to award IBG a permit, it could be January 8 before the document is officially granted.
A copy of the decision document can be seen here .