Terrain Capacity Analysis
We have analyzed the natural terrain within the study area which possesses good ski/snowboard potential, to accurately establish the area's overall development potential. The Terrain Capacity Analysis Map (Figure 10a (JPG | PDF) ) graphically illustrates major terrain "pods" within the study area on the mountain which possess good potential for development. The pods were selected by consulting the Slope Analysis Map and observing the following criteria:
- continuous fall line skiing/snowboarding from top to bottom
- suitable upper and lower lift terminal locations (e.g., 0.5 acres less than 25 percent slope)
- good slope continuity to allow interesting sliding from top to bottom for one or more slider ability levels
- natural slope gradients primarily greater than eight percent and less than 70 percent
Within each terrain pod, the upper and lower points are joined to establish the total vertical rise, horizontal distance, straight line slope and steepest 100-foot vertical pitch. The total pod area was calculated. The above data comprises the inputs to our ski terrain capacity computer program. The final program input is a judgment which identifies the "primary" slider skill classification for each terrain pod. The program outputs are as follows:
SKI/BOARD TERRAIN - net developable terrain within the pod. Set at 35 percent of the useable terrain within the pod to maintain USFS Visual Quality Objectives (VQO). It should be noted that Pods E, F, G and H are currently developed at higher percentages.
TOTAL SLIDERS - in pod at acceptable slider densities for a regional winter sports facility.
DEMAND VTF (000) - vertical transport feet required to service the total sliders.
LIFT CAPACITY/HR. - the net hourly lift capacity necessary to maximize the development of each pod.
The Terrain Capacity Analysis Map and program printouts provide a reliable indication of the maximum development potential of each pod and the lift capacity necessary to balance with the terrain.
The terrain within the study area (inside the existing Permit Area) is comprised of 10 pods suitable for ski development, covering 322 acres or 45.8 percent. These pods have a potential of supporting approximately 3,150 sliders on 166.5 acres (23.7 percent of the Special Use Permit) of developed terrain at the design densities previously shown in Table III.1. Table III.2 lists the technical specifications for the pods within the existing ski/snowboard facility Special Use Permit area. These 10 pods will require a total of just over 29,000 square feet of service floor area to service the guests.
Based on a gross area of 400 square feet per parking stall, including circulation and snow dump (approximately 140 cars per acre), approximately 5.6 acres will be required for parking to service the sliders. Pay parking will be required to control the non-skiing guests that will frequent the resort.
Existing Overflow Parking Area
TABLE III.2
TERRAIN CAPACITY ANALYSIS
| Terrain Pod | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Elevation ft. | 9,485 | 10,255 | 9,400 | 8,902 | 8,671 | 8,800 | 8,835 | 9,350 | 9,590 | 10,200 | |
| Bottom Elevation ft. | 8,605 | 9,045 | 8,575 | 8,612 | 8,580 | 8,655 | 8,656 | 8,821 | 8,905 | 9,232 | |
| Total Vertical ft. | 880 | 1,210 | 825 | 290 | 91 | 145 | 179 | 529 | 685 | 968 | 5,802 |
| Horizontal Distance ft. | 2,530 | 2,643 | 2,760 | 1,557 | 888 | 778 | 1,026 | 2,115 | 2,372 | 2,230 | |
| Slope Distance ft. | 2,679 | 2,907 | 2,881 | 1,584 | 893 | 791 | 1,041 | 2,180 | 2,469 | 2,431 | 19,856 |
| Average Slope % | 35% | 46% | 30% | 19% | 10% | 19% | 17% | 25% | 29% | 43% | |
| Skill Class | 6 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 7 | |
| Slider Density/ac. | 9 | 12 | 24 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 24 | 24 | 12 | |
| VTF Demand/Day | 19,460 | 27,800 | 12,360 | 6,950 | 3,090 | 6,950 | 6,950 | 9,270 | 9,270 | 27,800 | |
| Total Area ac. | 49.8 | 55.6 | 50.8 | 13.9 | 5.0 | 3.8 | 5.4 | 28.9 | 54.1 | 54.7 | 322.1 |
| % Slider Terrain Available | 52% | 34% | 49% | 72% | 64% | 60% | 55% | 85% | 47% | 52% | |
| Available Slider Terrain | 26.0 | 19.1 | 24.7 | 10.0 | 3.2 | 2.3 | 3.0 | 24.6 | 25.3 | 28.4 | 166.5 |
| Total Sliders | 230 | 230 | 590 | 300 | 100 | 70 | 90 | 590 | 610 | 340 | 3,150 |
| Demand VTF (000) | 710 | 1,015 | 1,158 | 331 | 49 | 77 | 99 | 868 | 898 | 1,500 | |
| Lift Capacity.Hr. | 807 | 839 | 1,403 | 1,141 | 539 | 533 | 555 | 1,641 | 1,310 | 1,550 | 10,318 |
| Shelter sq. ft. | 3,360 | 3,360 | 8,610 | 4,380 | 1,460 | 1,020 | 1,310 | 8,610 | 8,910 | 4,960 | 45,980 |
| Parking Area ac. | 0.64 | 0.64 | 1.65 | 0.84 | 0.28 | 0.20 | 0.25 | 1.65 | 1.71 | 0.95 | 8.8 |
| Staging Area ac. | 1.32 | 1.32 | 3.37 | 1.72 | 0.57 | 0.40 | 0.51 | 3.37 | 3.49 | 1.94 | 18.0 |
| Cumulative Total | 1.3 | 2.6 | 6.0 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 8.7 | 9.2 | 12.6 | 16.1 | 18.0 |
The Terrain Pod Balance Statement for the terrain within the existing Special Use Permit area is shown in Table III.3. The ten pods (A-J) contained within the permit area cover total of 322 acres and have the potential to service approximately 3,150 sliders on 166.5 acres of trails. Plate III.1 illustrates that the skill level distribution of the natural terrain is fairly moderately balanced with a shortage of high intermediate terrain and a surplus of low intermediate terrain. We are confident that during the detailed design process it will be possible to improve the skill level balance of the existing facilities.
TABLE III.3
TERRAIN POD BALANCE STATEMENT
| Skill Classification | Acres | Sliders | Balance | Ideal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Beginner | 3.2 | 100 | 3.2% | 5% |
| 2 Novice | 15.2 | 460 | 14.6% | 10% |
| 3 Low Intermediate | 49.9 | 1,200 | 38.1% | 20% |
| 4 Intermediate | 24.7 | 590 | 18.7% | 30% |
| 5 High Intermediate | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0% | 20% |
| 6 Advanced | 26.0 | 230 | 7.3% | 10% |
| 7 Expert | 47.4 | 570 | 18.1% | 5% |
| Total | 166.5 | 3,150 | 100% | 100% |
Optimum Density = 21.8 Sliders/Acre
Weighted Demand = 13,411 VTF/Slider/Day
TERRAIN POD BALANCE
PLATE III.1