Three-phase approach to Hatcher Ski Area

MAT-SU –  This week Assembly Members for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough heard a proposal on the Hatcher Pass Ski Area that lays out a three-phase approach and a timeline for making it happen.

"There's major decision points along the way," said consultant Ron Swanson. "But it does set out a timeline rather than getting another report to gather dust and sit somewhere on a shelf."

The proposal is online at the project website http://www.hatcherpass.com under documents. Some $5.6 million was acquired in federal funds and formally accepted recently, reducing the overall cost of the $24.8 million project for phase I.

The ski area project consists of 11,000 acres in the Talkeetna Mountains. The ski project is scaled back from previous proposals with development of Alpine and Nordic ski areas over three phases that respond to market demands.

Phase I Alpine: includes two chair lifts, a day lodge, night lighting and snowmaking. The 13,000-foot lodge would host the essentials: a snow sport school, snow sport equipment rentals, modest food and beverage service, ski patrol and immediate care medical facilities, along with necessary administrative and maintenance facilities.

Phase I Nordic: Includes, on the south side of the mountains, north of Edgerton Park Road, 10-15 km of Nordic trails, both recreational and Olympic level, and an access road and parking.

Phase II Alpine: adds a third lift from mid-mountain to Peak 4068 that more than doubles the combined ski terrain of the first two lifts.
Phase II Nordic: add 5 km more of Nordic trails and a 4,500-square foot day lodge and a sledding hill.

Phase III Alpine: the mid-mountain quad lift would be converted to a high speed detachable quad lift. The lodge would be expanded.

Phase III Nordic: adds night lighting to all trails and a biathlon range.

DOWL Engineering is doing an environmental study. Swanson expects that an Environmental Impact Statement will be required. The environmental impact statement is expected to be completed in a 12-to-18-month timeframe.

A work session/special meeting for the proposed Hatcher Ski Area is set for Sept. 18 at 6 p.m.

—End—