Stevens Pass Building Mountain Bike Park, New Water Treatment System

The American Alpine Institute just received the following email from Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest:

Everett, Wash., April 13, 2010--Stevens Pass Ski Resort will start construction on a new mountain bike park and water treatment system this summer. The Forest Service announced the decision approving the proposed plan April 13. The resort will also build a new water treatment system.

The mountain bike park includes seven miles of downhill-mountain biking trails just south of the Granite Peaks ski lodge. The resort is building trails between five- and eight-feet wide with natural berms and jumps, two miles of single-track trails and developing three areas to teach technical skills and safe riding techniques.

Stevens Pass management saw the park as an opportunity to use the area in the summer and meet a growing demand for mountain biking.

The Forest Service requires ski area permit holders prepare a master development plan that describes future improvements and changes in the upcoming years. The plan must include an environmental assessment with a comment period for the public to review and comment on activities that might affect the environment.

"Public response to this proposal was mostly supportive,” said Sean Wetterberg, winter sports and special uses specialist. “The development of a bike park will provide a great recreation opportunity up at the pass ," he said.

The environmental assessment can be viewed at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/projects/nepa-projects.shtml.

For more information or interviews, contact Sean Wetterberg at 425-783-6022, swetterberg@fs.fed.us or Joel Martinez, Stevens Pass director of operations, 206-812-7374, joel.martinez@stevenspass.com