Thread: Court lifts injunction blocking Oregon ski expansion: Mt. Ashland

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-no..._river_default

MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) -- A federal judge in Oregon has lifted an injunction blocking the expansion of the Mt. Ashland Ski Area in Southern Oregon.

The Medford Mail-Tribune says District Judge Owen M. Panner in his Friday ruling concluded the U.S. Forest Service had fixed violations of environmental laws in the process of approving the expansion.

Opponents including the Rogue Group Sierra Club say they plan to appeal the decision.

Agency and ski area officials say they're pleased with the latest legal decision in battle over expansion that has gone on for years.

The expansion calls for 71 acres of new ski runs, two additional chairlifts, three buildings, more parking, a tubing facility and other improvements.

It is amazing how much shit environmental groups will flip over a measly 71 acre expansion, while thousands upon thousands of acres are cut each year for timber.

71 acres! What kind of a percentage of forested land in Oregon is that? .000000000000001% or something?
It's retarded shit like that, which turns public opinion against conservation groups.

Also, wanted to add, that I have had a couple super fun random pow days at that little hill. Not much to speak of terrain wise, but the vibe was wonderful. A lot of super friendly locals that love slashing pow.

Originally Posted by doughboyshredder

It is amazing how much shit environmental groups will flip over a measly 71 acre expansion, while thousands upon thousands of acres are cut each year for timber.

71 acres! What kind of a percentage of forested land in Oregon is that? .000000000000001% or something?
It's retarded shit like that, which turns public opinion against conservation groups.

Also, wanted to add, that I have had a couple super fun random pow days at that little hill. Not much to speak of terrain wise, but the vibe was wonderful. A lot of super friendly locals that love slashing pow.

QFT^^^^.
Sierra Club is bought off by timber, petroleum and and mining interests so they can get all jiggy about freaking 71 acre expansion.

I grew up skiing on Mt. A (1978). I still manage to hit it about once a year. It's a great scrappy little ski area, with some steeps and great backside laps.

That said, the problem with the expansion is the current management not the Forest Service. They do not manage to get their current lifts running on time and have all sorts of technical and power difficulties as it is. Their finances are drained, in part due to their campaign to expand, to the point where one off year will bankrupt them and close the place. Ariel chair is not something that beginners want to ride and lack of beginner terrain is a problem. But an expensive expansion with terrain down to 5K is not going to fix things. This is in an area that does not have good snow coverage on a mountain with uneven conditions. A much more obvious strategy would be to improve what they have, especially customer service and lift ops, and forget about new terrain.

that's whack, every area has corpo. fucktards and delayed lift operations is normal. more terrain options and increased uphill service will be a wonderful bonus to the hill. positive customer service and lift op. improvements will follow as the hill upgrades into this century.