Conference bgsdev::skiing

    Hi All,
    
    The Loon Mtn Ski Patrol is restarting their "Skier Safety" program.  
    This program was moved to the "Ambassador Program" a number of years
    ago, but they have been given so many other duties, they can't do
    Skier Safety any more!!
    
    Anyways, we are looking for about 12 people.  Their primary function
    will be skier education and policing in slow skiing areas.  They will
    also have the opportunity to assist the patrol in various other 
    functions such as morning and afternoon "trail checks".
    
    This is an excellent way to get your foot in the door.  If this group
    is interested, they may be trained in first aid and sled handling.  But
    that is not a requirement.  We would like to have strong intermediate
    skiers (or above).
    
    For each day that you work, you get to ski free, plus you get a voucher
    for another day (or for someone else that day).
    
    If you are interested, send email to [email protected] or call
    Dan Healy at 603-745-6281 ext 5635, or let me know!
    
    I'll try to answer any questions you might have!
    
    Cheers,
    jeff
    

    Oh, this is not limited to skiers...   Snowboarders are also welcome
    and needed!!
    
    Cheers,
    jeff
    

    Somebody mentioned there being a newspaper article last week about Loon not
    being able to make snow because of an injunction sought by environmental 
    groups. Something about dumping water from snow making into the reservoir.
    
    Is this fact or fiction? If true, are ski conditions deteriorating and
    and early close predicted?
    
    Jonathan

Yes, they are prevented from drawing water from the local river.
Don't know the details but I did hear from some irate stockholder
friends of mine that they did not have a backup plan and it will
probably affect next year's now making capabilities.

Bob...

    Closing date is currently set at 4-May-1997.  Loon received 5' of snow
    in January.  Only 1 trail had to be closed after last week's thaw - the
    all natural snow trail, triple trouble. 
    
    Snowmaking operations resumed on Sunday night and will continue to
    support the 4-May date.
    
    The facts about water:
    
    - Loon is still allowed to make snow using water from Loon pond.  The
    town has set a minimum water level in the pond, after which Loon can
    not draw it down any further.  Currently, the pond is well above that 
    level and Loon can use the pond for snowmaking.  The pond is used 
    primarily for making snow on North Peak and the upper mountain.  It 
    was planned to be the source of water for "South Mountain" as well.
    
    - Loon also has the ability to pull water out of the river.  Water from
    the river is used to make snow on the lower half of the mountain.  They
    draw enough water to support 2 "areas" (pipelines) of snowmaking on the 
    lower mountain at a time.
    
    None of the above 2 points will change as a result of the recent lawsuit.
    
    - Loon also had permission to "refill" Loon Pond from the river.  So,
    during warm days when they couldn't make snow, they used the pumps to
    move water into the pond.  The issue is that Loon Pond is "Class A"
    water, but the River is "Class B".   (sorry, I don't know all of the
    parameters that determine this).  So, even though Loon was doing 
    *daily* testing of the water in Loon Pond to insure that it met the
    parameters of "Class A" water, the opponents filed suit to stop Loon
    from this practice until a full study could be conducted.
    
    As a result, Loon snowmaking *may* be hampered when/if they draw the
    pond down to the preset level.  If they drop to that level, Loon will
    have to use one of the lower pipelines to supply water to the upper
    mountain.  Thus, they would only be able to make snow in 2 areas at 
    once, not 3.  
    
    This does, however, significantly effect the expansion to South
    Mountain.  They will not make the capital expenditures unless they can 
    be sure to make snow over there.  So, South Mountain is again on hold
    (which is the real goal of the opponents).
    
    If there are more questions, I will be happy to try to answer them.
    
    Cheers,
    jeff
    

From:	US2RMC::"[email protected]" "MAIL-11 Daemon" 24-FEB-1997 15:12:25.25
To:	Multiple recipients of list <[email protected]>
CC:	
Subj:	Loon Spring Activities On Track - Press Release

>    [Loon logo]
> 
> Loon Mountain's Spring Activities On Track
> 
> Loon Mountain, New Hampshire's most popular ski resort, intends to
> continue skiing and snowboarding operations into May this year just as
> it has during the past two years, according to Sam Adams, President.
> Furthermore, the resort will continue to make snow as necessary,
> weather permitting. Although the impact of recent court actions on the
> company's plans and future operations has yet to be fully resolved,
> Adams emphasized that operations during the balance of this winter
> will continue as originally planned with respect to mountain
> activities, snowmaking and staffing. "In fact, skiing and snowboarding
> conditions are so good with our 5-8 feet of natural and man-made snow
> depth that we have scheduled eight weeks of unique events, music, fun
> and special values which we are calling "Spring Fling '97". That will
> carry us into May with more spring action than this Mountain has ever
> seen!"
> 
> An opinion released by the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals on December
> 19, 1996, in response to a suit brought against the U.S. Forest
> Service and Loon Mountain by Roland Dubois and RESTORE: the North
> Woods, instructs Loon to obtain an NPDES permit before making any
> further transfer of water from the East Branch of the Pemigewasset
> River to Loon Pond. Unless appealed, this ruling will take effect when
> the case is transferred to the District Court in Concord, New
> Hampshire, later this month. For the rest of the season, Loon should
> be able to continue snowmaking as necessary. During this period the
> company will apply to the Environmental Protection Agency for the
> required permit. The Appellate Court opinion also requires that the
> U.S. Forest Service and Loon conduct a supplemental environmental
> impact statement with respect to Loon's proposed expansion, and that
> manmade holding ponds be considered as an alternative to the use of
> Loon Pond for snowmaking water. Loon will work with the Forest Service
> to respond to these orders, even though holding ponds were considered
> in the mid-1980's and rejected by government agencies.
> 
> "Loon has consistently promoted protection of the environment, which
> includes maintenance of water quality in all of our water resources
> including Loon Pond and the river. Continued protection of these water
> resources, including routine testing, will play a major role in any
> future expansion plans of the ski area," commented Ted Sutton,
> Director of Environmental and Government Relations. "Ski areas can
> effectively co-exist with the environment."
> 
> Ted Sutton further added, "Expansion plans for South Mountain,
> including two lifts, trail construction and snowmaking facilities,
> will be on hold until the supplemental EIS has been completed by the
> Forest Service. This process is expected to take at least a year.
> Winter operations for the 1997 - 1998 season will continue to use the
> same facilities that have been available during the current season,
> and we are confident that our snowmaking requirements will be worked
> out with the courts and government agencies, particularly the EPA,
> before our next ski season."http://www.loonmtn.com/winter/9697/water.html

-- 
Loon Mountain recreation Corporation
http://www.loonmtn.com
mailto:[email protected]

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% X-Comment: Loon Mountain Information List

    re: .119
    
    Sorry Bob, that is not true.  The irate stockholder is not properly
    informed (which is a "Loon problem").
    
    The effect on next year's snowmaking is not clear.  They may have the
    new permits by then, and/or there may be enough water in the pond
    (it is spring fed, so it does refill on its own) to not seriously
    impact snowmaking.  If we have a dry summer/fall, then there may be
    some impact.  But remember, they are still looking at alternatives, 
    maybe they will put in more water capacity from the river this summer.
    
    Cheers,
    jeff