The Basin Expansion is currently underway and scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2010. The expansion includes:

·    Chairlift 5.  Fixed grip quad chairlift approximately 3,700 feet in length with a top terminal elevation of 6,200’.  Chairlift 5 would include 4 ski trails and one lodge access trail along with an access trail from the existing Holiday Trail and an egress trail to the existing Quail Trail. 

·    Chairlift 6.  Detachable quad chairlift approximately 4,200 feet in length with a top terminal elevation of 6,541’.  Chairlift 6 would include seven ski trails and and an egress trail from the Mid-mountain lodge.   

·    Terrain.  All developed and undeveloped trails and facilities are in a sub-alpine area of naturally open vegetative terrain necessitating very little tree removal and almost no ground disturbance. 

·    Mid-Mountain Lodge.  The Mid-Mountain Lodge is proposed to be located on a slight ridgeline between chairlifts 5 & 6.  This structure is a critical component in the development of this basin, by allowing the White Pass guest to enjoy the two upper chairlifts without returning to the base area for services. 

It is important to remember some of the reasons this expansion has been approved

·    1984 Washington Wilderness Act removed 800 acres for ski development at White Pass in exchange for 23,000 acres of wilderness.  The acres set aside for wilderness were immediately included into the wilderness system, yet 20 years later the skiing public is still waiting for the agreed upon increase in developed ski terrain.

·    The Congress of the United States provided for this action and would expect completion of their legislation.

·    White Pass has experienced an increase of 36% in visits over the past four years highlighting the need to provide additional terrain to reduce skier/boarder density within the area.

·    The expansion area is in an inventoried roadless area and, therefore the necessary facilities will be constructed without the use of roads.  Helicopters, over snow travel and pathways will be used for all construction.

·    The area is naturally gladed and open necessitating a maximum of 15 acres of tree removal over a 767 acre area.