BROOMFIELD, Colo. Vail Resorts (NYSE: MTN) the owner of Breckenridge, has received approval from the US Forest Service (USFS) for a 543-acre terrain expansion in the Peak 6 area of Breckenridge Ski Resort. 
Peak 6 will include 400 acres of lift-served terrain and 143 acres of terrain that skiers and boarders can hike-to. The Company expects to open the new terrain for the 2013-2014 ski season, including adding a new high-speed, six person chairlift and a new fixed-grip chairlift to access the Peak 6 area. A ski patrol warming hut with bathrooms is also planned.
According to Rob Katz, chairman and CEO of Vail Resorts, “Peak 6 will be a tremendous addition to Breckenridge, significantly improving the guest experience by adding both new terrain and lift capacity. In addition, the new terrain provides access to intermediate runs and high alpine bowl skiing that will be enjoyed by a wide variety of our guests.”
The USFS made its “Record of Decision” after completing a Final Environmental Impact Statement, a process that began with project scoping in 2007. The decision remains subject to appeal for 45 days.
Peak 6 is the first ski terrain expansion on US Forest Service land in Colorado since 2008, and the first at Breckenridge since the Peak 7 expansion in 2002.
About Breckenridge Ski Resort
With four huge peaks, 2,358 acres, five terrain parks, two halfpipes, eight bowls, the highest chairlift in North America, family-friendly terrain, and a world-class ski school, all situated above an authentic, hip mountain town with awe-inspiring views, there are good reasons why “Breck” is one of the most popular ski resorts in the Western Hemisphere. Renowned for the welcoming spirit and friendly character of their locals, with over 200 restaurants, bars, and shops, and numerous year-round activities and events, Breck embodies more than just a destination, inspiring a way of life. www.snowusa.com or www.breckenridge.com.
About Vail Resorts
Vail Resorts, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the leading mountain resort operator in the United States. The company’s subsidiaries operate the mountain resorts of Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado, and Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada, and the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The Company’s subsidiary, RockResorts, a luxury resort hotel company, manages casually elegant properties. Vail Resorts Development Company is the real estate planning, development and construction subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc. Vail Resorts is a publicly held company traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MTN). The Vail Resorts company website is www.vailresorts.com and international consumer website is www.snowusa.com.
*** 12 August 2012 Update ***
The US Forest Service decision to approve the Peak 6 expansion project received two appeals by the 9 October deadline. One of those appeals was signed by 45 entities, that included Breckenridge residents and a number of local, state and regional conservation groups. While the large number of signers on the appeal is very unusual, that will not necessarily affect the outcome.
That appeal is based on 4 grounds, claiming the project:
- Violates the Forest Plan and the Endangered Species Act with regard to protection of lynx;
- Does not meet the purpose and need for the project;
- Violates the National Environmental Policy Act; and
- Violates Forest Plan direction on scenery.
The Forest Service has 45 days from 9 October to respond to those appeals. According to the appeals process, the project implementation may begin on, but not before, the 15th business day following the date of the last appeal disposition.
Full text of the appeal filed by 45 people and organizations
