Will Snodgrass Ultralight fly?

We are apparently moving to Snodgrass Ultralight.
After Monday’s meeting between the ski area and the Forest Service, the old wooden frame around the Snodgrass picture is being replaced with a sleek metal replacement. In this case, changing the frame changes the attitude toward the piece of work as much as the paint on the canvas. It is time for a new discussion and the parameters have changed. In fact, the canvas is once again looking almost blank and ready for a fresh coat of paint.
The idea of a Snodgrass ski expansion is way different today than it was last week. In theory, the new, prevailing idea has become lighter and cheaper. This change comes with buy-in from the ski resort. The expansion is dead as far as something that looks even remotely like Breckenridge. No one will be getting off the Snodgrass lift and choosing which of the typical half-dozen 100-foot wide ski runs to ride. That was the idea on the table, with more than a dozen lifts, when I rolled into town more than two decades ago. Now, it might mean using a snowcat or climbing skins, or perhaps some sort of lift to access intermediate tree skiing and some of the island meadows skiing up there.
Whatever ultimately happens, it will be lower impact than even Snodgrass Light and if nothing else, it gives this community a chance to positively look toward an interesting future and help shape it, instead of just arguing about old school ski expansion.
CBMR seems to have suddenly embraced the idea of “non-traditional” skiing as part of a resort expansion. No one yet knows what that really means, but Ken Stone says he is excited with the idea of exploring something different and unique over on Snodgrass. He also wants to broaden the ski boundaries on the current mountain. The attitude this week from ski resort executives appeared to be one of that it was time to suck it up, deal with what is there and make the best of it…in a positive and sincere fashion.
Cheers.

So the Snodgrass attitude on the fault line between the Axtel building and the Forest office in Delta took a seismic shift Monday and I for one am hoping we can all move forward.
It is time to define Plan B. Let’s not dwell on what could have been but focus on what will be. I am sure there will be concerns, especially if extended boundaries begin poaching into new valleys like say, Brush Creek. But let’s see what ideas get tossed against the wall. Let’s all keep the knives sheathed until there is something “non-traditional” and new to react to.
Get your mind around this people. It’s sort of like the kids watching their separated parents get back together and have a good time on a date. No one is moving back into the shared bedroom yet, but they are talking and even smiling a little.
With Monday’s meeting between the ski resort and Forest Service, a huge weight seems to be lifting off the shoulders of the valley. The ski area is ready to move forward and not backward. So is the Forest Service.
Much of the animosity seems to have dissipated. The relationship appears back on track. I swear I could feel the attitudinal change during my conversations with Ken and Charlie.
Looking ahead for something different is exciting. Can it bring needed volume and be a good business move? The resort says it will be looking closely at that aspect of the future. Are lifts off-limits on Snodgrass? Not necessarily, but they may not be needed. Maybe it’s a lift to service more mountain bikers than snowboarders. Are we moving to Snodgrass Ultralight and a main mountain on steroids? If it works and both sides of the old debate can agree on a new paradigm… why not move it ahead? And hey, if it doesn’t gel, Plan C anyone?
The discussion isn’t over, but it sure looks like it might have moved to a place where it will be much more interesting.
We are at a new point where a window that was closed is now open. Look outside. It is a fantastic Indian Summer that doesn’t happen every year. These windows don’t stay open forever. I get the feeling CBMR wants to grasp the opportunity to engage the community and really listen to any idea, no matter how “out-of-the-box” it might seem. It might behoove them to hold a community forum or open up a special email account to receive any and all comments. How ‘bout a blog on their website…A Snodblog? The community has a real chance to respectfully add something of substance to discussions concerning the future.
Like this gorgeous autumn, these conditions don’t come along every day, so let’s not let this one slip away. Let’s see if this Ultralight has wings….