Letters of Support, Recommendation, and an Article from the Klamath Falls Herald & News

Klamath Falls Herald & News Clipping

SKI AREA PROPOSED
Downhill facility would be in Siskiyou County California

This article is reprinted courtesy of the Klamath Falls Herald News, Klamath Falls Oregon.

Star Route, Box 551
Hilt/Hornbrook, CA. 96044
March 31, 1985


Mr. Richard Cowardin
Cascade World Four Season Resort
P.O. Box 231
Yreka, CA. 96097


Dear Richard:
As per your request, here is my letter of endorsement regarding your proposed development of the Filson Springs Ski Area (Now called Alder Creek Divide Recreational Area).

Historically, since the mid 60's there has been continual "talk" about the development of other ski facilities in the area of Southern Oregon and Northern California, such as Bailey, Pelican Butte, Mt. Eddy, Shasta, Whaleback, and Haight, just to mention a few.

The fundamental questions are: Is there adequate climate & terrain for a ski area? Does the region need another downhill ski facility? Can the area economically support another facility?

Prior to 1978 there were two ski areas serving Southern Oregon & Northern California: Mt. Ashland and Mt. Shasta, both of which have been handicapped by severe weather conditions and unbalanced ski terrain.

Mt. Ashland Ski Area, located on the northern exposure of Mt. Ashland, on the Oregon/California border, at an elevation of 6,000 to 7,200 feet, enjoys the questionably unique position of being located on the highest peak west of the Cascades, in the Siskiyou Mountains. This mountain chain is in itself unique, as it is one of the few chains that run in an east/west direction. This geologic fact creates unusual and dramatic weather effects as Pacific born storms are "channeled" inland and their first contact beyond the low lying Coastal Range is Mt. Ashland. Consequently, weather conditions on Mt. Ashland are frequently severe. Annually, winds are recorded at 100+ mph and in years of normal precipitation, there is usually an "overabundance' of snow, up to 20 feet. The quality of this snow-pack may generally be politely referred to as "Pacific Maritime." Usually (80%), in stormy condition, the main chair lift, Ariel, is not operable due to high westerly & southwesterly winds (40+ mph); the predominant direction in the Pacific Storm Track. The geologic and climatic conditions are similar to those of Mt. Washington in New Hampshire, reputed to have the worst weather in the world. Expeditions train and test equipment there. The highest recorded winds in the world were measured there at 215+ mph. Mt. Washington, (elev. 6,000'), is the highest peak on the East Coast and is therefore, analogous to Mt. Ashland & Shasta. It is the first major land-mass to interact with the predominate winter storm track. In this case, the northeasterly lies form the Atlantic Ocean.

The ski terrain at Mt. Ashland is mostly advanced and beginner/novice slopes are limited. The quality of intermediate skiing has recently been improved by grooming with a power tiller.

Mt. Shasta Ski Area, was located in Northern California, on the southern exposure of Mt. Shasta (elev. 14,162'), in central Siskiyou County. In 1978 an avalanche destroyed the main chair-lift and the management, at that time, decided to 'close up shop'. The Mt. Shasta Ski Area was also subject to fundamental climatic and terrain inadequacies. Being such a massive intrusion into atmospheric weather patterns aloft, the south & south/west exposures feel the full effect of the predominantly west & south/westerly storm patterns. Mt. Shasta also has the ability to often create it's own weather; particularly on the southern exposures. Local residents will readily attest to this fact and it is common local knowledge that the southern exposures have dramatically greater snow-fall and severity of winter storms. Additionally, the location of the old Shasta Ski Area is diametrically opposed to one of the fundamental precepts of ski area development; to locate the site on a north/northeast exposure.

Terrain at Mt. Shasta was predominantly beginner and novice. There was no lift serviced advanced terrain. Incidentally, there is a school of thought that suggest Volcanoes and Volcanic slopes are not ideally suited for ski area development. Lower elevations usually do not have necessary slope requirements for balanced ski terrain. Upper elevations are usually above timber line and thus subject skiers and lift facilities to increased weather exposure.

What we essentially have in our region are two ski areas, both of which have questionable climatic and balanced terrain environs.

The next two questions are associated, but distinct. Does this locality need an additional ski area, and can the locality economically support another Ski Area? The Dorrington Corporation must have thought so! It has been rumored they spent over two million dollars in research, preliminary plan development, EIRs, snow surveys and acquisition of property adjoining their proposed development on Mt. Eddy. They were, however, forced to abandon the project in the late 70's as a result of irreconcilable differences with the U.S. Government's administration of the RARE II policies.

With the closure of the Mt. Shasta Ski Area in 1978, the resort and resort service economy of the town of Mt. Shasta was adversely affected. Presently, the local business community of Mt. Shasta feels that it desperately needs more ski facilities to help its tourist economy and is willing to aid, where possible, in the development of a facility solely on the perceived economic advantage.

With the closure of Mt. Shasta Ski Area, was there a proportional increase in the number of skier visits to Mt. Ashland? Initially, I do not believe so! I do know that, time, parking lot surveys were being made by Mt. Ashland, in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service, Ashland Ranger District, and if I recall correctly, it was several years after the closure of Mt. Shasta before a noticeable increase in California cars was evident. The speculative suggestion here is that; most ex-Shasta skiers did not come to Mt. Ashland, excepting the proximal Yreka Community and a dedicated few. It is believed that they reduced the frequency of their skiing and went to other areas for more suitable terrain; most notably, Mt. Bachelor and the Sierra/Tahoe Area. It has only been within the last few years that there has been a noticeable increase in skiers from further south; ie. Redding and Chico, California. (Note: Mt. Ashland's current estimate of 'California License Plates' in their parking area is about 20%).

Assumptions as to this recent increase in more southerly skier visits are:

1) Mt. Bachelor & the Sierra/Tahoe Areas have become more crowed. This concept is validated, I feel, by the continued expansion of existing ski areas and the proposed development and construction of new facilities. Availability of skier visit and gross income statistics will surely support this supposition.

2) The ability and experiential levels of skiers has, as matter of natural evolution and growth, increased. Thus, to avoid increasingly more congested areas, the local intermediate and advanced skiers are returning to Mt. Ashland.

It appears, then, that the Southern Oregon/Northern California region both has a need for, and can economically support the addition of another winter recreation facility. The question is, where is the most suitable location for this development?

Mt. Ashland is an existing facility. The two current proposals for development on Mt. Shasta, in my opinion, cannot possibly offer the best quality of ski experience in the area, because of the terrain and climate considerations as outlined above.

Mt. Eddy, although exposure, orientation (N/NE) and snow conditions are more favorable, is still 'locked up' by RARE II and Environmentalists. Additionally, the terrain is a bit too "broken' and is weighted more towards the advanced skier. Access to the site is also an expensive and problematic consideration.

In my opinion, the proposed Filson Springs Ski Area, (Now called the Alder Creek Divide Recreational Area) in the area of West Haight Mountain, offers a most suitable site for the development of a winter recreation and ski facility in this region. The site offers balanced terrain, proper orientation, exposure, snow quality and climate; all superior to other proposals.

Proposed ski terrain at the Alder Creek Divide site is even and unbroken, with slopes varying from 0% at the Lodge site to 60% in the areas of advanced skiing. Approximately 15% to 20% is beginner, 15% to 20% advanced and 60 to 70% intermediate. The area can provide a vertical drop of 1,500 -2,200 feet. with intermediate runs in excess of a mile in length. This balance of slope and percentages of terrain should be an economically attractive feature to any prospective developer.

Orientation is N/NE and exposure is away from the general direction of incoming winter storms. Additionally, Mt. Shasta, which lies to the west, acts as a blocking influence to these storms. My visit to the site in January of 1985, showed the absence of wind problems and NO potential avalanche problems.

Climate in the proposed area is more 'east-side' and much less Pacific Maritime. This is due to the influence of the Modoc and Tulelake Air Basins/thus the moisture content of the snow is less and the quality of 'Power' is better. Additionally, depth of snowfall is slightly less than the surrounding areas and reduces the problem of an overabundance of snow. The site is well timbered with good spacing and the powder tree skiing should be excellent; definitely superior to other existing or proposed areas in the region.

In comparison with Mt. Ashland & the Mt. Shasta proposals, total average snowfall is slightly less, and wind and storm exposure are less. These factors should be considered as significant economic advantages. Operational overhead would be reduced as a result of less associated costs in snow removal, maintenance and grooming. Income would be increased as a result of more days in full operation.

Additional considerations for the Alder Creek proposal are: AMTRAK rails are within seven miles of the proposed development site. A small siding presently exists and the possibility of construction of an embarkation point seems reasonable. Average travel time, for California skiers, would be 30 minutes less as compared with Mt. Ashland, and less then an additional 30 minutes as compared with Mt. Shasta Ski Park and the Mt. Shasta Ski Area proposal. Private land near the proposed site could be developed for support facilities. There appears to be no adverse environmental impacts to the area and the Forest Service has indeed recognized the site for its recreational potential.

Also, it should be noted, that the panorama to the west from the summit areas of the proposed Alder Creek Divide area offer an absolutely spectacular view of the east slopes of Mt. Shasta Wilderness and Ash Creek Butte. The aesthetic and photographic value of the views from this vantage point are priceless. I was truly inspired, and panorama crates a very definite sense of 'being in the mountains'

In conclusion, it appears to me, that the Southern Oregon/Northern California region has a definite need for an additional winter recreational facility and the area can, most probably, economically support the addition of such a facility. The Alder Creek Divide Ski Area proposal appears to be the most desirable site in the region under consideration, and offers an economically logical alternative.

I've been an avid skier for over 30 years and have skied a large majority of the major and medium sized areas in the U.S.. I've skied the headwalls and chutes at Tuckerman's Ravine on Mt. Washington, the west face of Mt. Shasta form the summit, and the "Glory Bowls" in the Grand Tetons.

I have been actively involved in the 'Ski Business' for over 20 years; having had nearly every conceivable job within the business. I was present for the first three years during the initial construction and expansion of Great Gorge in McAfee, NJ; the ski facility for Playboy Club East. I've taught skiing, full and part time, at a variety of areas for over ten years. I was a National Ski Patroller for over five years. I have been a groomer, a lift operator, a lift maintenance foreman, a lift supervisor, an assistance rental shop manager, an assistant ski school director, and was once the 'Mountain Manager' at Mt. Ashland.

Richard, I sincerely hope that this letter of endorsement will, in some small way, help you to realize your dream for the development of a quality ski area in our region. You have my full support and I do sincerely believe that your proposal for the Alder Creek Divide Ski Area is the most logical alternative to date.

Thank you for asking and allowing me this opportunity!

Sincerely

Charles Hickman

Copyright 1996, Cascade World