Lookout Pass Ski expansion raises objections

SUPERIOR – The Lookout Pass Ski Expansion received some stiff opposition at the Mineral County Commissioners meeting on April 30.

Concerned citizens and members of the Montana Nightriders Snowmobile Club felt that a proposed parking lot as part of the expansion would negatively affect snowmobile riders and ATV users.

Brooke Lincoln, a member of the club, said there would be too many safety issues if the parking lot were put in.

“The parking lot is a problem for the new sleds, groomer and safety,” Lincoln said. “The club would like to sit at the table now and work out the safety problems with the parking lot.”

A trail that leads from Lookout to the St. Regis Basin would also be closed once the new parking lot is implemented. Once the trail is closed, it will be gated for administration use only.

The ATV Club is also concerned about roads that may be closed during and after construction.

Both the snowmobilers and ATV users believe a safety trail should be created around the parking lot so these enthusiasts wouldn’t have to cross over the proposed parking lot to get from one end to another.

The Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation area proposal seeks to expand upgrade and develop new lifts, ski terrain, parking, access roads, and guest service facilities.

“Obviously one of the concerns the county has had for quite some time is where the true boundary lies between Idaho and Montana,” said Tim Read, Mineral County Planner. “Right now we are headed to a formal request for property determination.”

Lookout Pass specifically identifies three reasons for the need to upgrade.

First, skier experiences have been diminished because of overcrowding at the resort, inefficient skier transportation and trail use on low-visitation days.

Secondly, the current ski terrain doesn’t match market demand.

Lastly, the concern of future economic viability of the resort, and contributions to the local economy are reasons for the project.

Expansion of Lookout Pass would address these needs by providing more skiable terrain and more efficient lift systems.

Representatives from Lookout Pass were not in attendance to talk about the proposed project.

Under the proposed action, the existing Lookout Pass boundary would be expanded through a new special use permit to include an additional 653.4 acres of Forest Service lands.

If approved, Lookout would construct 15 new ski trails, and all would be located below tree line and provide a total of 84.6 new acres of traditional terrain.

Construction of traditional terrain ski trails would require the removal of all trees within the ski trail corridor.

Proposed lifts five and six would provide visitors with access to 8.7 acres of new terrain. Trees with beetle infestation damage in this area would be removed, and wood waste would be chipped and used accordingly, or cut for firewood, and could be piled and burned according to Forest Service standards and air quality controls, according to the Lookout proposal.

There would also be an additional 6.6 acres of parking to accommodate an additional 130 vehicles and buses.

At the original presentation earlier in April, those in attendance received very little information regarding the project and didn’t get to ask any follow-up questions.

“We were expecting a formal presentation from the contractors and the opportunity for people to ask questions for clarification,” said Carole Johnson, from the Forest Service’s Superior Ranger District. “It was more of an open house.”

Parking would be extended to the north of the overflow parking lot to permit parking on both sides of the railroad grade while a 20-foot-wide roadbed would be established for incoming and outgoing traffic including snowmobilers accessing the Northern Pacific Railroad Trail.

“The snowmobile club isn’t interested in shutting down the project,” Lincoln said.

Lincoln argues that the new parking lot is more of a safety issue.

“You have to go slow or you’re going to run over someone’s kid, or they are going to back over you,” Lincoln said. “We would propose to come to an agreement with Lookout or the contractors on how to get our trail off to the edge.”