26

4.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS of the RESORT

Situated in Wyoming's majestic Teton Mountain Range, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort attracts

visitors from throughout the world. With one of the greatest vertical drops of any U.S. ski area (4,139

feet), and a wide variety of usable ski terrain encompassing approximately 2,200 acres1 of challenging

slopes, snowfields, and powder bowls, Jackson Hole is recognized by experienced skiers as one of the

top ski resorts in the United States.

The resort receives over 400 inches of snow fall annually and often has some of the best powder skiing

and snowboard riding in North America. With an open boundary access policy in place, the resort also

offers some of the best back country and side country skiing available anywhere.

The following evaluation of the existing resort facilities at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR)

involves an inventory and analysis of the current resort operation. The inventory of infrastructure used

during the winter operation is the first step in the evaluation and consists of a compilation of data

pertaining to the existing ski area facilities, including the ski lifts, on mountain facilities, infrastructure,

ski terrain, snowmaking equipment, snow grooming equipment, utilities and any additional facilities

that are directly related to the ski area operation. The analysis of this data involves the application of

ski industry standards to the existing facilities at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. This process

enables JHMR to compare the existing ski area to similar resorts throughout the United States.

The overall balance of the resort facilities is evaluated by calculating the skier capacities of the various

components of the ski operation and comparing them with the area's current Comfortable Carrying

Capacity (CCC)2. This analysis identifies the strengths and weaknesses (surpluses and deficits) of the

ski area operation, which provides an indication of what modifications are necessary to bring the

existing ski area more into balance with the needs of the skier marketplace and move the resort toward

greater success by satisfying these demands.

EXISTING ON-MOUNTAIN SKIING INFRASTRUCTURE

Existing on-mountain infrastructure is in place for the primary reason of supporting alpine skiing

activities. Infrastructure is assumed to be all ski lifts, buildings, miscellaneous support infrastructure

and formalized ski terrain. But with the recent passage of new forest service regulations allowing more

types of summer activities, this plan has a greater focus on summer uses than any plan approved in the

past. The foldout on the next page (Figure 4.1) shows the existing conditions of the resort during the

2012/2013 ski season.

1 Includes both formalized terrain and off-trail and hike-to terrain within the resort boundary.

2 Resort design capacity formula created by S.E. Group Inc.

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FIGURE 4.1 EXISTING CONDITIONS

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4.1 EXISTING LIFTS

The skiable terrain at Jackson Hole is currently served by an aerial tram, one gondola, three detachable

chair lifts, seven fixed grip chair lifts, three handle tows, and one conveyor (carpet) lift for a total of 16

lifts. Table 4.1: Existing Lift Specifications provides statistics for the existing lifts at Jackson Hole for

the 2012/2013 ski season.

TABLE 4.1 EXISTING LIFT SPECIFICATIONS

Aerial Tram

This lift is the flagship of the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. The Tram has the largest vertical rise of

any ski lift in North America. With a vertical rise of approximately 4,100 feet and a total length of

almost two and one half miles, the Tram offers a diverse array of skiing opportunities. It has the

highest utilization rate out of all the lifts at the resort during busy periods of the year. Being a jig-back

style lift system, the uphill capacity of the Tram is limited by its length. The maximum uphill capacity

of the Tram is 650 skiers per hour under ideal loading conditions and operating at a rope speed of

2,000 feet/minute. All skiers riding the Tram must ski the expert caliber slopes of Rendezvous Bowl

or East Ridge traverse to access the remainder of the ski area. Due to the steepness of these slopes, it

is not practical to groom this terrain. Since large numbers of skiers would adversely affect snow

conditions on these steep runs, the low uphill hourly capacity of the Tram is appropriate to maintaining

favorable snow conditions. From the base of Rendezvous Bowl and East Ridge traverse, skiers from

Map

Ref.Lift Name Type

Year

Built

Slope

Length

(ft)

Vertical

Rise (ft)

Average

Grade

(%)

Design

Hourly

Capacity

(pph)

Actual

Hourly

Capacity

(pph)

Operating

Rope

Speed

(fpm)

A Aerial Tram Aerial Tram 2008 12,500 4,139 35 650 650 2,000

B Bridger G8 1997 8,692 2,747 33 2,400 1,800 900

C Eagle’s Rest C2 1965 2,130 315 15 550 370 300

D Teewinot DC4 1996 2,605 395 13 2,400 1,800 900

E Apres Vous DC4 1999 5,098 1,749 37 2,400 2,100 950

F Sweetwater C3 2005 2,714 1,058 33 1,400 1,250 900

G Casper DC4 2012 3,390 1,040 32 2,000 1,950 900

H Marmot C2 2011 3,281 1,208 40 1,100 1,000 450

I Thunder C4 1994 3,612 1,456 42 1,650 1,500 450

J Sublette C4 1987 4,108 1,630 43 1,650 1,460 450

K Union Pass C4 2000 1,830 260 12 1,200 910 410

L Moose Creek C4 2000 1,222 195 17 1,200 800 420

M Mighty Mite Handle Tow 1975 240 22 10 600 600 300

N Granite Ridge Handle Tow 2001 440 20 10 600 500 300

O Pooh Bear Handle Tow 2012 347 40 12 600 600 300

P Fort Wyoming Conveyor 1998 100 12 10 1,000 900 100

Aerial Lift Subtotal 15,590 Surface Lift Subtotal 2,600

TOTAL ALL LIFTS 18,190

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the Tram can access all points of the ski area with the exception of upper Casper Bowl and the upper

Apres Vous mountain area.

Bridger Gondola

This gondola is one of the more popular lifts at the resort especially during inclement weather. It is fast

and carries eight passengers in comfort in an enclosed cabin. The capacity is as high as 2,000 pph and

is used both in the winter and summer. It is also used in the evenings to transport guests up the

mountain for fine dining at Bridger restaurant. In the summer, it is currently open to the general public

six days a week at 4:30 p.m. for free access to the “Deck” (outside patio) for drinks and appetizers.

Eagle's Rest

This double chair is a beginner/novice chair that primarily feeds Eagle's Rest and Pooh Bear trails.

The lift does play a minor access role to the Sweetwater lift. The lift is positioned to fully serve the

gentle slopes at the base of the mountain, while keeping the beginner/novice skiers separated from the

more advanced skiers who regularly return to the base area to ride the Tram and gondola. This is the

oldest lift at the resort and although over 48 years old, it is in good operating condition and well

maintained. All of the lift alignments are well conceived in terms of serving the available ski terrain in

a logical and efficient manner.

Teewinot

This high speed quad provides access to the novice terrain at the base of the resort. Along with

servicing the slopes of Teewinot, Antelope Flats and Lower Werner trails, it also provides access to the

Apres Vous lift. Being located at the base of the resort, it maintains a separation between the novice

skiers and the more advanced skiers who remain higher up on the mountain. The Teewinot base

terminal is one of four lift terminals located close to the base lodges and ticket windows and provides

key out of base lift capacity during the first few hours of operation each day.

Apres Vous

This high speed quad chair serves the intermediate and advanced intermediate slopes of Apres Vous

Mountain. The lift is aligned to access the vast area of ski slopes between the Moran Face area and the

eastern ski area permit boundary. When weather is poor due to high wind or low visibility on upper

portions of the mountain, the Apres Vous chair becomes very popular. The uphill capacity of the

Apres Vous chair is currently 2,100 people per hour (pph) and adequately serves this highly groomed

terrain. Due to its southern exposure, conditions in this area can be less than optimal late in the ski

season.

Sweetwater

This lift is a fixed grip triple that is primarily used by guests to access the Casper lift and its associated

intermediate terrain. The Mountain Sports School also utilizes this lift frequently for their lower

ability level group lessons. The base terminal is located just downhill from the unload point of the

Eagle’s Rest chair lift.

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Casper

This high speed quad chair is most popular with low-intermediate and intermediate skiers. Some of

the highest skier densities on the slopes at Jackson Hole are observed on Easy Does It and Sundog

trails which are served by the Casper chair. The base terminal of the lift is located on a relatively

narrow ridge which somewhat limits circulation space during busy holiday periods. This lift, installed

during the summer of 2012, is the newest lift at the resort.

Marmot

This double chair was installed during the summer of 2011. It was relocated from Rendezvous Bowl

after the new Tram was installed. It provides direct access to the Bridger restaurant from the

midsection of the resort and repeat skiing when snow conditions are favorable. It also provides access

to the gondola for down loading skiers during unfavorable snow conditions and early/late season

operations.

Thunder

As a quad chair, it is one of the most popular lifts at Jackson Hole due mainly to the fact that it serves a

large amount of varied ski terrain that is suitable for intermediate through expert skiers (roughly 55

percent of the skier market). During the top 20 days of the 2012/13 ski season, the Thunder chair

averaged 75 percent utilization - higher than any other lift, except for the Tram. The lift is relatively

well protected from the prevailing winds, and has only rarely been closed for a full day due to high

winds. Thunder lift plays an access role to the Sublette quad chair from the upper region of the ski

area. On weekends and holidays lift lines on Thunder occasionally exceed ten minutes.

Sublette

This quad chair was installed in 1987. It provides alternate access other than the Tram to Rendezvous

Trail, Cheyenne Bowl, Laramie Bowl, Tensleep Bowl, and the Hobacks. The upper segment of the lift

is partially exposed to the prevailing winds which results in periodic closure of the lift during high

wind conditions. When considering the benefits of the strategic location of the upper terminal in terms

of providing improved access to Tensleep Bowl as well as introducing intermediate skiers access to the

Laramie Traverse and Rendezvous Trail (which in turn created an effective increase in the amount of

intermediate terrain at Jackson Hole), the consequential lift closures are not viewed as a detriment to

the lift installation.

Union Pass

This quad chair is a “transfer” lift that carries skiers from the Union Pass and Way Home traverses to a

threshold (high) point above the residential area of Teton Village. The lift facilitates the skier return

from the lower faces and the Hobacks to the base facilities and eliminates the need for skiers to

traverse through the single family development of Teton Village while returning to the base area. It

also provides access to the base area for skiers utilizing the Moose Creek chair from the condominiums

located along Michael Drive. As a basic access lift, the Union Pass lift makes only an insignificant

contribution to the daily capacity of Jackson Hole.

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Moose Creek

As an access lift that brings skiers from the condominium area of Teton Village to the Union Pass lift,

this quad chair is a vital link for skiers for access to the resort. It is also used for access by guests

staying from the Moose Creek townhouse development and surrounding condominiums.

The surface lifts serve varied uses at JHMR. Two handle tow lifts provide service for the Mountain

Sports School (Pooh Bear and Mighty Mite) but are not open to the general public. One conveyor

type lift (Fort Wyoming) is provided for beginner skiers, primarily serving those enrolled in the

JHMR children’s program. Finally, one handle tow (Granite Ridge) is utilized as an access lift from

the residential area to the north of Teton Village.

4.2 EXISTING TERRAIN

The Jackson Hole Mountain Resort ski area covers a total area of approximately 2,475 acres. This

total consists of 2,412 acres of land leased under a Special Use Permit (SUP) from the Bridger-Teton

National Forest and an additional 63 acres on private land (2,412 + 63 = 2,475). The formalized trail

network consists of 108 named trails and/or slopes which are served by the existing lift system. There

are an additional 21 named trails that are accessed by hiking above the existing lift network or are in

areas considered hike to or out of bounds. These formalized slopes currently cover an area of

approximately 1,150 acres (see Table 4.2: Existing Ski Terrain).

In addition to the formalized lift served trail network there are approximately 1,100 acres of skiable

terrain consisting of treed slopes and bowls for the expert or advanced skiers (see Figure 4.2-trail map).

The combination of the formalized runs, tree skiing, hike to skiing on the Headwall, Casper Bowl and

the Crags area) and skiable terrain in Cody Bowl totals 2,250 acres. Much of the tree skiing is

accessible by the existing lift system. The Cody Bowl area is expert terrain and is considered “out of

bounds”. This is due to the absence of avalanche hazard reduction work, limited Ski Patrol monitoring,

and the high ability level required to ski these areas. Within the SUP boundary there are approximately

225 acres of terrain that are considered un-skiable (unusable), most of which are permanently closed

during the ski season by the Ski Patrol.

There are also thousands of acres of terrain outside the Special Use Permit boundary of the ski area

which are considered back country or side country. Much of this “out-of-bounds” ski terrain is for

experts only. A portion of this terrain is now being considered for inclusion within the formal ski area

boundary.

The following page shows the trail map for the 2013/2014 ski season.

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FIGURE 4.2 TRAIL MAP

33

TABLE 4.2: EXISTING SKI TERRAIN (gives specifications for each existing formalized trail)

Map

Ref. Trail Name

Slope

Length

(ft.)

Width

(ft.)

Area

(acres)

Vertical

Drop

(ft.)

Avg.

Grade

(%)

Max.

Grade

(%)

Ability Level

A1 Rendezvous Bowl 1800 1700 71 850 55 90 Expert

A2 East Ridge Traverse 1697 40 2 490 31 57 Expert

A3 Corbet's Couloir 848 135 3 451 64 84 Extreme

A4 Tensleep Bowl 2151 400 20 410 20 46 Expert

A5 Tensleep 1874 110 5 470 26 41 Expert

A6 Cirque 1613 675 25 428 28 59 Expert

A7 Downhill 982 100 3 417 48 87 Expert

A8 Lander Bowl 985 200 5 463 53 68 Advanced

Intermediate

A9 North Colter Ridge 3080 315 23 1368 50 75 Expert

A10 Buffalo Bowl 3216 340 26 1376 48 75 Expert

A11 South Colter Ridge 3159 270 20 1364 48 63 Expert

A12 Rawlins Bowl 3078 530 38 1361 50 67 Expert

A13 Lower Sublette

Ridge 3543 600 49 1591 51 67 Expert

A14 Cheyenne Gully 1935 90 4 611 34 53 Expert

A15 North Hoback 5449 615 77 2231 45 68 Expert

A16 Middle Hoback 4094 600 57 1951 54 67 Expert

A17 South Hoback 4226 430 42 1844 49 64 Expert

A18 Union Pass Traverse 3721 45 4 432 12 22 Expert

A19 Union Pass

Connection 1713 60 3 295 18 28 Low Intermediate

B1 Casper

Traverse/Bowl 1695 140 6 489 31 58 Expert

B2 Upper Sundance

Gully 2693 140 9 1096 45 55

Advanced

Intermediate

B3 Upper Ranger 2327 125 7 934 44 59 Expert

B4 Upper Gros Ventre 2900 160 11 1150 39 55 Advanced

Intermediate

B5 Lupine Way 2582 75 5 270 11 28 Low Intermediate

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Map

Ref. Trail Name

Slope

Length

(ft.)

Width

(ft.)

Area

(acres)

Vertical

Drop

(ft.)

Avg.

Grade

(%)

Max.

Grade

(%)

Ability Level

B6 Cascade 1615 150 6 745 52 69 Expert

B7 Lower Ranger 1137 95 3 463 45 58 Expert

B8 Sunnyside Traverse 1057 110 3 189 18 24 Low Intermediate

B9 Middle Gros Ventre 3900 180 17 1300 35 46 Intermediate

B10 Lower Avalanche 1159 150 4 415 39 62 Expert

B11 Slalom 2579 260 16 914 38 57 Advanced

Intermediate

B12 FIS 482 125 2 239 57 61 Advanced

Intermediate

B13 Cowboy Couloir 418 70 1 65 55 66 Advanced

Intermediate

B14 Middle Sundance 3728 160 14 1231 35 45 Intermediate

B15 Blacktail 1154 195 6 423 40 46 Intermediate

B16 Nez Perce 889 180 4 370 46 50 Expert

B17 Jackson Face 1847 250 11 763 46 63 Expert

B18 Beaver Tooth 2393 60 4 807 36 52 Expert

B19 Lower Tram Line 3521 220 18 1222 37 56 Advanced

Intermediate

B20 Dick's Ditch 3369 85 7 1157 37 56 Expert

B21 Elk Alley 1065 100 3 383 39 53 Expert

B22 Lower Gros Ventre 2400 170 10 290 15 20 Low Intermediate

B23 Lower Sundance

Gully 896 220 5 210 24 35 Low Intermediate

B24 Eagle's Rest Cutoff 674 45 1 55 8 13 Low Intermediate

C1 Pooh Bear 1631 165 6 211 13 18 Beginner

C2 Eagle's Rest 2164 280 14 311 15 22 Novice

D1 Lower Teewinot 3526 180 14 200 14 29 Novice

D2 Bronco 543 120 2 103 19 24 Novice

D3 Lower Werner 2172 200 10 353 16 24 Novice

D4 Solitude Way 696 40 1 62 9 15 Novice

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Map

Ref. Trail Name

Slope

Length

(ft.)

Width

(ft.)

Area

(acres)

Vertical

Drop

(ft.)

Avg.

Grade

(%)

Max.

Grade

(%)

Ability Level

D5 Moose Alley 1377 120 4 182 13 19 Novice

D6 Antelope Flats 1306 110 4 152 12 16 Novice

E1 Upper Moran 1433 210 7 400 29 49 Advanced

Intermediate

E2 Upper Werner 1297 250 8 306 24 34 Low Intermediate

E3 Symmetry 765 50 1 277 39 60 Advanced

Intermediate

E4 Upper Teewinot 3308 260 20 1234 41 61 Advanced

Intermediate

E5 St. Johns 5706 150 20 1708 32 53 Advanced

Intermediate

E6 Lower Moran 1785 250 11 545 32 47 Intermediate

E7 Werner 3984 255 24 1303 35 48 Intermediate

E8 Upper Hanna 1228 170 5 416 36 44 Intermediate

E9 Buck Run 869 130 3 229 28 51 Advanced

Intermediate

E10 Secret Slope 1329 130 4 454 37 58 Expert

E11 Halfpipe 600 200 3 180 30 30 Advanced

Intermediate

E12 Lower Hanna 1818 190 8 504 29 52 Advanced

Intermediate

E13 Teewinot Gully 1901 125 7 240 32 35 Low Intermediate

E14 Togwotee Pass

Traverse 4863 35 4 558 12 27 Low Intermediate

E15 Lower Solitude

Traverse 3796 25 3 421 11 25 Low Intermediate

E16 Lower South Pass

Traverse 6634 35 6 853 13 34 Low Intermediate

E17 Upper Ashley Ridge 958 80 2 267 29 39 Intermediate

E18 Lower Ashley Ridge 872 140 3 378 48 57 Expert

G1 Wide Open 1800 160 7 828 35 54 Advanced

Intermediate

G2 Sleeping Indian 2244 160 12 828 40 53 Advanced

Intermediate

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Map

Ref. Trail Name

Slope

Length

(ft.)

Width

(ft.)

Area

(acres)

Vertical

Drop

(ft.)

Avg.

Grade

(%)

Max.

Grade

(%)

Ability Level

G3 Sundog (Lift Line) 2130 225 13 730 37 53 Intermediate

G4 Easy Does It 3686 280 24 973 27 41 Intermediate

G5 Timbered Island 1441 115 4 319 23 40 Intermediate

G6 Camp Ground 1415 100 4 333 24 35 Intermediate

G7 Amphitheatre

Traverse 3800 30 3 162 10 17 Low Intermediate

G8 Croaky Point 317 120 1 137 48 50 Advanced

Intermediate

G9 Surprise 1118 140 4 481 48 54 Expert

G10 Middle South Pass

Traverse 4000 35 4 373 9 21 Intermediate

G11 Upper Solitude

Traverse 4131 30 3 504 12 22 Low Intermediate

I1 Upper Rag Run 726 130 3 256 39 58 Advanced

Intermediate

I2 Amphitheater 6177 215 31 1436 24 44 Intermediate

I3 Lower Rag Run 466 210 3 133 30 45 Intermediate

I4 Paint Brush 1460 135 5 690 55 85 Extreme

I5 Tower Three Chute 1622 70 3 856 63 102 Extreme

I6 Hoops Gap 1793 120 5 907 59 92 Expert

I7 Thunder 1609 140 6 732 51 60 Expert

I8 Riverton Bowl 1366 210 7 681 58 72 Expert

I9 Gannett 2569 150 9 1006 43 60 Advanced

Intermediate

I10 Grand 2849 250 17 1061 40 62 Advanced

Intermediate

I11 Grand Traverse 699 40 1 105 15 20 Intermediate

I12 Upper South Pass

Traverse 3378 30 3 358 11 20 Intermediate

I13 Nez Perce Traverse 6552 35 6 785 12 32 Low Intermediate

J1 Dog Face 1045 165 4 392 41 66 Expert

J2 Hanging Rock 1748 110 5 291 17 43 Intermediate

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Map

Ref. Trail Name

Slope

Length

(ft.)

Width

(ft.)

Area

(acres)

Vertical

Drop

(ft.)

Avg.

Grade

(%)

Max.

Grade

(%)

Ability Level

J3 Laramie Traverse 3171 40 3 250 8 21 Intermediate

J4 Central Chute 1415 150 5 502 39 69 Expert

J5 Rendezvous Trail 5587 120 16 1315 24 49 Intermediate

J6 Bivouac 1540 120 5 447 31 57 Expert

J7 Bernie’s Bowl 1173 1080 30 516 50 82 Expert

J8 Bird in the Hand 1574 200 8 593 42 78 Expert

J9 Pepi's Run 2368 100 6 983 46 67 Expert

J10 Alta Chutes (1, 2, 3) 708 90 2 447 83 116 Extreme

J11 Laramie Bowl 3153 500 37 1071 37 52 Advanced

Intermediate

K1 Upper Way Home 1912 40 2 201 11 25 Low Intermediate

L1 Lower Way Home 1184 40 2 173 15 18 Novice

N1 Granite Ridge 500 20 1 20 10 10 Beginner

P1 Magic Carpet/Fort

Wyoming 100 120 2 12 12 12 Beginner

TOTAL 1,150 Acres

The trails and slopes described above have been cleared to widths which conform to acceptable

modern trail standards and allow for the free flow of skier3 traffic during regular business periods.

During peak holiday period’s areas where several trails merge together can experience some

overcrowding. Jackson Hole has an ongoing summer grading (grooming) program which maintains

acceptable skiing surfaces and provides for quality skiing even with less than ample snow cover and

allows some of the steeper trails (between 45 and 55 percent slope gradient) to be winter-groomed by

the fleet of snow cats. This work has allowed several trails to become more attractive to intermediate

and advanced intermediate level skiers (i.e. Sleeping Indian, Laramie Bowl, Bivouac, and Wide Open).

From the visiting skier’s standpoint, the ski slopes at Jackson Hole are grouped into four general areas.

The lower trails of the ski area are served by the Teewinot and Eagle’s Rest lifts and are considered the

easier novice slopes. The terrain serviced by the Bridger, Casper and Apres Vous lifts is considered

"cruising" areas for intermediate or more advanced skiers. Experienced (expert) skiers also understand

the fact that a large amount of vertical drop can be skied in any given day in these areas. The Casper

area and the trails north of Thunder chair (Amphitheatre, Gros Ventre, Lupine Way, Easy Does It,

3 In this document, the word “skier” includes standard alpine, snowboard, telemark and Randonee type users

38

Wide Open, etc.) are predominately used by intermediate skiers and families with practiced young

children. The area south of the Tram line and above Thunder chair is known for the extreme chutes

(including Corbet's Couloir), open bowl skiing and tree skiing. There is also a number of challenging

groomed runs. With good snow conditions often present off the Sublette quad chair and due to an

aggressive summer grading program on Rendezvous trail, Grand trail, and Laramie Bowl, advanced

intermediate skiers are traveling south of the Tram line on a much more frequent basis.

4.3 SKIER TRAVERSES

The various lift “pods”4 of the ski area are connected by integral skier traverses that make it possible

for skiers to travel across the mountain without returning to the base area access lifts. These traverses

also provide access to the upper segments of the mountain for grooming equipment and snow

machines. In addition, many of the primary skier traverses double as summer access roads for

maintenance programs and fire protection. The major skier traverses are described below.

Amphitheatre Traverse

This traverse carries skiers from the top of Casper chair to Amphitheatre run. It is used most when

skiers are traveling from the Après Vous and Casper areas to the southern portion of the ski area or

after lunch by skiers traveling from the Casper mid-mountain restaurant to Thunder and Sublette lifts.

Solitude Traverse

This traverse allows skiers to travel from the Thunder/Amphitheatre area to the Casper area. It also

continues on to Après Vous Mountain. The Solitude Traverse receives intermittent use throughout the

day with heaviest traffic occurring on the section between Easy Does It run and Ashley Ridge trail.

Togwotee Pass Traverse

This traverse connects Après Vous Mountain with the base of the Casper chair and provides access for

Après Vous skiers to the Casper mid-mountain restaurant. In the morning some skiers will ride

Teewinot and Apres Vous chairs and then ski Togwotee Pass Traverse to access the Casper chair.

South Pass Traverse

It has the greatest volume of consistent skier traffic of all the skier traverses. This traverse extends

from the base of Sublette lift to near the top of the Teewinot chair lift, crossing almost the entire ski

area. The southern portion of the traverse is used by round-trip skiers on Thunder chair and by Tram

skiers seeking access to the lower faces or an easier route to the base of the mountain. This segment of

the traverse is also used throughout the day by skiers traveling to the mid-mountain restaurant at

Casper or other lift/trail systems to the north. The northern segment of the South Pass traverse is used

by skiers returning to Apres Vous after lunch at the Casper restaurant and by many skiers returning to

the base area at the end of the day.

Laramie Traverse

It connects the bottom of Rendezvous Bowl and the top of the Sublette quad to Laramie Bowl and the

top of Thunder lift. For Sublette lift users, it is a popular alternative to Rendezvous trail.

4 A “pod” is a group of trails served by one individual lift. Pods do overlap in some cases.

39

Union Pass Traverse

This traverse is the return route from the Hobacks and the Lower Faces to the Union Pass chair lift

which provides access to the resort base area.

Way Home Traverse

It starts at Sundance Gully and allows skiers to return directly to the residential and condominium

complexes like Moose Creek and others along Michael Drive in Teton Village.

All of the skier traverses that currently exist at Jackson Hole play important roles in facilitating skier

circulation throughout the ski area. They also provide summer vehicle access. In most cases, the

current configuration of the traverses, in terms of slope gradient and width, are acceptable for current

skier traffic patterns. As the skier traverses essentially create bottlenecks for skier traffic, it is likely

that the ultimate capabilities of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort to accommodate expanded skier visits

will be influenced by the ultimate ability of the traverses to support increased skier flows.

4.4 EXISTING SKI TERRAIN CLASSIFICATION DISTRIBUTION

The formalized ski terrain described above has been categorized by skier ability level. The five skier

ability levels used to classify the slopes and trails at Jackson Hole are listed in Table 4.3. Because of a

deficiency of true intermediate terrain at Jackson Hole, the resort has elected to illustrate advanced

intermediate terrain on their trail map with a dashed blue line (double blue squares).

These designations are based on the national trail standards that are commonly used at Rocky

Mountain ski resorts.

TABLE 4.3 ABILITY LEVELS AND NATIONAL TRAIL STANDARDS

ABILITY LEVEL TRAIL

DESIGNATION

MAP SYMBOL

(JHMR)

Beginner and Novice Easier Circle (green)

Low Intermediate and

Intermediate

Moderately

Difficult Square (blue)

Advanced Intermediate More Difficult Double Squares

(blue)

Expert Most Difficult Diamond (black)

Extreme Experts Only Double Diamond

(black)

A distribution of the formalized ski terrain at Jackson Hole according to ability level classifications is

set forth in Table 4.4: Formalized Trail Classification Percentages below.

40

TABLE 4.4 FORMALIZED TRAIL CLASSIFICATION PERCENTAGES (by gross area)

Skier Ability Level Formalized Terrain (acres) Percent of Terrain

Beginner 9 1%

Novice 51 4%

Low Intermediate 69 6%

Intermediate 190 17%

Advanced Intermediate 213 18%

Expert 605 53%

Extreme 13 1%

TOTALS 1,150 100%

41

4.5 EXISTING ON-MOUNTAIN BUILDINGS

The on-mountain skier support services provided at Jackson Hole are comprised mainly of restaurants,

ski patrol stations, communications sites and snow making equipment buildings.

Casper Restaurant

The Casper Restaurant, located near the base of the Casper lift, was constructed in 1986. This three

story stone and wooden structure provides restaurant functions, Mountain Sports School space, public

lockers (30), employee lockers, rest rooms and food storage on the basement level. The second (main)

level is comprised of kitchen and scramble area and 135 restaurant seats. The outside deck off of the

main floor provides space for 20 picnic tables (6 seats per table) providing an additional 120 outdoor

seats. The third floor provides an additional 88 chairs for restaurant seating. There are also 53 seats

used for kids enrolled in the MSS programs. This building is well used, and is a meeting place for

those skiers using this middle portion of the mountain. With its excellent solar exposure, panoramic

views, and modern building construction, this mountain restaurant helps to distribute skiers more

evenly throughout the ski area by making it possible for many skiers to remain in the middle portion of

the mountain for a variety of guest services. Correspondingly, the use of this facility reduces base area

congestion during the lunch hour.

Access to the Casper Restaurant is currently limited to winter lift transport to the Sweetwater triple

chair, Bridger gondola or the Casper lift. Access from the Apres Vous lift is limited in that the

Togwotee Pass Traverse is 100 vertical feet below the basement level of the building.

Corbet’s Cabin (Mountain Station/Rendezvous Peak)

This wood frame structure, initially built in 1965 to facilitate the construction of the original Tram, is

located immediately adjacent to the top terminal of the new tram. It houses very limited restaurant

facilities, retail sales, restrooms, and serves as the mountain-top patrol station, with approximately 500

square feet devoted to Ski Patrol/first aid. Patrol/first-aid space consists of communications and

dispatch, seating, evacuation gear, avalanche rescue gear storage, work space and other miscellaneous

storage space. This patrol facility is manned at all times during ski area operations. Situated just to the

east of the ridgeline and south of the upper Tram terminal at an elevation of 10,400 feet, Corbet’s

Cabin provides commanding views of the Teton Range, Gros Ventre Range, the Jackson Hole valley

and its environs. The view from the ridge is a popular attraction during the summer when the facility

is open to guests, tour groups, and the general public. Summer sightseeing has shown continued

growth over the past ten years and its popularity is evidenced by the 120,232 Tram tickets sold during

the 2013 summer season. This building is also used as a communication site for various private

wireless communications/broadcasting companies.

The building is very old and needs to be replaced. Conceptual design work is currently in process and

design details are outlined in Chapter 5 of this mountain upgrade plan. A new communications facility

was constructed in the summer of 2013 that will allow for the removal and relocation of most of the

large microwave dishes currently located on the tower adjacent to Corbet’s Cabin. This is a key

element to ultimately replacing the entire structure.

42

Ski Patrol Stations

IN addition to the ski patrol station in Corbet’s Cabin, there are stations located at the top of Apres

Vous, Bridger, Casper and Sublette lifts. The four Ski Patrol stations provide a combined useable area

of 1200 square feet, with 960 sq. ft. devoted to Ski Patrol functions, and the remainder used for storage

and miscellaneous.

Thunder Facilities

The Thunder Snack Bar and restrooms are located at the bottom of the Thunder chair. The Snack Bar

is 96 sq. ft. and has provided food service including pre-made sandwiches, hotdogs, snacks, and

beverages in the past during warm weather conditions. There are no indoor seats at this facility. It has

not operated during the past few seasons. The restrooms are 215 sq. ft. in size with self-contained,

non-water biodegradable capabilities and provide separate men’s and women’s facilities.

Apres Vous Facilities

Public restrooms are located west of the top of Apres Vous chair at the start of the Werner ski run. The

restrooms are a non-water composting-type with a total size of 215 square feet.

Bridger Restaurant

Located adjacent to the top terminal of the Bridger Gondola, this two story facility was constructed in

2007 and provides many skier support services. The first floor houses a retail shop, a ski patrol station,

public restrooms, deli, information desk, large kitchen, food storage and mechanical room.

The second story, accessed by either stairs or elevator, consists of a large cafeteria style restaurant and

food court. There is also a sit down restaurant/bar that has spectacular views of the Jackson Hole

valley. A third smaller private dining room is also available for small groups or functions. Kitchen

functions also occur on this level of the facility. In the summer the hardscape in front of the building is

utilized to serve food and drinks to on mountain guests who have either hiked to or ridden the gondola

up to Bridger restaurant.

Bridger Gondola Cabin Storage Facility

This large facility was constructed in 1997 when the Bridger Gondola was installed. It serves to house

all of the gondola cabins when they are not in use. This is extremely useful in the winter time to allow

the cabins to shed (melt) accumulated snow and ice from the windows and other moving mechanical

components.

Restrooms

Table 4.5: Existing Restrooms illustrates the existing number and distribution of resort restrooms. The

base lodge (Nick Wilson’s) restroom facilities are sometimes inadequate in capacity during peak

holiday periods.

43

TABLE 4.5 EXISTING RESTROOMS

Facility Unisex Men Women Employees

Toilets Sinks Urinals Toilets Sinks Toilets Sinks Toilets Sinks

Nick Wilson's/Base 6 3 5 6 5

Bridger Center 5 3 5 8 5

Cody House 2 5 4 7 4

General Store 1 1

Casper Restaurant 5 3 5 8 5

Thundera 1 1

b 2

b

Sublettea 1 1

b 2

b

Apres Vousa 1 1

b 2

b

Corbet's Cabina 1 1

b 2

b

Bridger Restaurant 6 4 5 6 5

Maintenance &

Operations

12 7

TOTAL 1 1 28 22 24 43 24 12 7

a. non-water type facility

b. hand cleaner dispenser

4.6 EXISTING SNOWMAKING

The existing snowmaking system at Jackson Hole has a pumping capacity of approximately 4,000

gallons per minute (gpm) of water and 7,400 cubic feet per minute (cfm) of compressed air (elevation

rated5). A network of buried water and compressed air lines are located along the edge of 18 trails and

many include electrical lines with pedestals which run energy efficient “fan guns”. There is also snow

making at the half-pipe and the Fort Wyoming area. The system extends to both the top of Apres Vous

chair and Bridger gondola. The air and water piping distribution allows the coverage of 214 acres of

ski terrain as shown in Table 4.7: Existing Snowmaking Coverage. The areas currently covered by the

snow making system are graphically shown in Figure 4.3: Snowmaking Coverage. The existing

primary pumping station is located at the maintenance/operations facility. There are currently four

1,000 gpm water pumps installed with extra space available for a fifth pump. System water pressure is

controlled by an automatic control valve with bypass provisions. Snowmaking water is drawn from

two wells located on JHMR property (1,500 gpm and 1,100 gpm respectively). Water supply is also

supplemented by potable water from the Teton Village Water and Sewer District during periods of

high water demand (1,000 gpm). Water collection to supply the pumps is provided in the primary

pump house facility.

To obtain enough pressure at the upper reaches of the snowmaking system, two on mountain booster

pump stations are located approximately 1,100 ft. in elevation above the primary pump house. One is

located adjacent to Gros Ventre trail just above South Pass traverse and the other is located next to

Werner trail in an area called Deer Flats.

5 Air compressors are de-rated based upon the elevation at which they operate

44

Two Ingersoll-Rand model SSR-2000 air compressors are housed in an air compressor building

located on the mountain adjacent to Lower Werner trail. Each of these compressors has a design rating

of 1,500 cfm. In addition to the I.R. compressors, a Cintac® compressor with a design rating of 10,000

cfm (7,400 de-rated for altitude) also provides compressed air during snow making operations. The

processed air is cooled by an air after-cooler giving a discharge air temperature of 38° to 42° F.

The mountain distribution network is comprised of a combination of steel pipe (ranging from 4 to 16

inches in diameter) to transport water and air to the snow making guns. All of these lines are installed

"above frost" line, just below the surface of the ground. As a result, when snowmaking operations are

in progress, water must flow continuously through the pipe to prevent freezing. There are three water

cooling towers (showers) located adjacent to the primary pump house which cool incoming

groundwater to 36°-38° to facilitate the making of snow during warm weather conditions (20°-31°).

The existing system configuration is labor intensive. Since system water pressure is not automatically

regulated, consistency controlling the output pressure is difficult when additional snow guns are

manually turned on.

JHMR has a combination of airless, air/water tower and air/water fan guns to make snow on the trails

listed below. The operations department recently updated their snowmaking Master Plan to guide

future expansion of the system. Chapter 5 of this master plan outlines in detail what is required to

convert portions of the existing system, which is a manual system now, to a state-of-the-art automated

system. Much of the conversion entails burying the water feed lines below the frost line.

TABLE 4.6 SNOWMAKING EQUIPMENT INVENTORY

Type Description Quantity

Air/Water External

Mix

Ratnik Sky Giant, sled mounted portable 21

Air/Water External

Mix

HKD Millennium (tower), sled mounted

portable

20

Air/Water Internal

Mix

"K" Killington, sled mounted portable 40

Air/Water Internal

Mix

Omicron, sled mounted portable 6

Air/Water Internal

Mix

York Borax (tower), sled mounted portable 4

Fan (Airless) SMI Super Polecat, tower mounted 7

Fan (Airless) SMI Super Polecat, carriage mounted

portable

4

Fan (Airless) SMI Highland, carriage mounted portable 18

Fan (Airless) SMI Kid, carriage mounted portable 1

45

TABLE 4.7 EXISTING SNOWMAKING COVERAGE6

MAP

REF. TRAIL NAME

TOTAL

AREA

(ACRES)

EXISTING

SNOWMAKING

AREA (ACRES)

ABILITY LEVEL

B4 Upper Gros Ventre 11 5 Advanced Intermediate

B5 Lupine Way 5 5 Low Intermediate

B9 Middle Gros Ventre 17 17 Intermediate

B14 Middle Sundance 14 7 Intermediate

B22 Lower Gros Ventre 10 6 Low Intermediate

B23 Lower Sundance Gully 5 5 Low Intermediate

B24 Eagle's Rest Cutoff 1 1 Low Intermediate

C1 Pooh Bear 6 5 Beginner

C2 Eagle's Rest 14 12 Novice

D1 Lower Teewinot 14 13 Novice

D2 Bronco 2 2 Novice

D3 Lower Werner 10 10 Novice

D5 Moose Alley 4 4 Novice

D6 Antelope Flats 4 4 Novice

E1 Upper Moran 7 7 Advanced Intermediate

E2 Upper Werner 8 8 Low Intermediate

E5 St. Johns 20 12 Advanced Intermediate

E6 Lower Moran 11 11 Intermediate

E7 Werner 24 24 Intermediate

E8 Upper Hanna 5 5 Intermediate

E9 Buck Run 3 3 Advanced Intermediate

E11 Halfpipe 3 3 Advanced Intermediate

E12 Lower Hanna 8 8 Advanced Intermediate

E13 Teewinot Gully 7 6 Low Intermediate

E16 Lower South Pass Traverse 6 2 Low Intermediate

G4 Easy Does It 24 12 Intermediate

G10 Middle South Pass Traverse 4 2 Intermediate

I2 Amphitheater 31 12 Intermediate

I13 Nez Perce Traverse 6 2 Low Intermediate

P1 Magic Carpet/Ft. Wyoming 2 1 Beginner

TOTALS 286 214

6 Actual snowmaking coverage may be less area than the actual run area as indicated in the table

46

FIGURE 4.3 SNOWMAKING COVERAGE

47

4.7 EXISTING MISCELLANEOUS INFRASTRUCTURE

Avalanche Mitigation Infrastructure

JHMR has several on-mountain pieces of equipment to help mitigate the threat from avalanches. The

newest is a GazEx® system installation on the Headwall. This system includes two units (cannons)

permanently mounted that are remotely detonated. There is also a 105 Howitzer (cannon) housed in an

elevated structure near the base area used for avalanche control work primarily in the Crags area of the

resort. Additional avalanche control equipment includes Avalaunchers®, which are cannons that use

compressed gas to propel an explosive projectile onto know avalanche starting zones. Two “bomb”

trolleys are also used to safely place large explosive charges over otherwise inaccessible terrain.

Race Facilities

Race functions at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort are primarily located at the semi-permanent race

course on Werner trail off of Apres Vous lift. The course is surrounded by a rope-line (supported by

4x4 posts) to separate racers from the general public. Additionally there is a start and finish shelter

that houses the timing equipment. Additional races are occasionally held on Moran run where there

are several timing shacks and some permanent steel posts used to support safety netting (commonly

referred to as “A- Netting”).

Terrain Parks

There is several terrain parks located on trails near the base of the resort. They all include man made

features (jumps, mounds, rails, etc.) and are fenced off so only one user participates at a time. The size

of the park varies with the largest being an advanced course on a portion of Eagle’s Rest run. A

midsize park is located on Bronco trail and a small park is located on a portion of Pooh Bear run.

Stash Parks

There are four stash parks located on the mountain. They consist of manmade “hits” crafted mostly out

of logs and wood that was recycled from tress cut down to create new runs. They are designed

primarily for use by snowboarders but can be used by expert skiers. Each park has an entrance gate to

control how many individuals are using the park at any one time and to caution users about the

potential hazards associated with “riding” on these manmade features.

Other Structures

Other miscellaneous infrastructure includes the ski area boundary rope-line, backcountry access gates

and various drainage and wetland mitigation structures.

48

4.8 ANALYSIS OF EXISTING RESORT

Existing Lift Utilization Analysis

For the past fifteen years, the JHMR Lift Operations crew has maintained a detailed set of records for

ridership of all of the lifts. The records consist of Daily Ridership and Down Time reports which are

filled out by the lift operators on a daily basis. The reports detail the number of skiers riding each lift

on a half hourly basis throughout the day and an explanation of the reason (along with duration) for all

lift stops. This information is used to obtain a profile of the skier use patterns of each lift throughout

the day and to calculate the lift’s utilization rate and the actual number of hours the lift is operated each

day.

From the ridership records, a Lift Utilization percentage is determined for each individual lift. Based

on the top busiest days of the 2012/2013 season, both an average and a maximum percentage rate are

calculated (see Chart 4.1). The percent is simple the daily design capacity divided by the number of

actual riders. The average utilization for holiday periods is just the percentage for the top 20 busiest

days of the season. As one might expect, the Tram has the utilization rate out of all the lifts.

The ridership reports have also been used to determine the desirability for the ten major lift/trail

systems. A Lift Utilization Index (Chart 4.2) has been calculated for each lift which illustrates the

relative popularity of the lift again during busy periods of the season. The Index is derived by

calculating the ratio of the total number of lift rides delivered by a particular lift, as a percentage of the

total number of lift rides for all lifts at the ski area, with the potential number of lift rides for that lift

(i.e., hourly capacity multiplied by hours of operation) as a percentage of the total potential lift rides

for all lifts. For example, a lift that delivers 15 percent of the total number of daily lift rides and

accounts for 15 percent of the ski area's daily uphill capacity will receive a Lift Utilization Index of

1.0. A lift that delivers 20 percent of the daily lift rides and accounts for 15 percent of the ski area's

daily uphill capacity will receive a Lift Utilization Index of 1.3 (20/15=1.3). A lift that receives a

Utilization Index that is greater than 1.0 is surpassing its expected quota for daily lift rides, and thus it

can be concluded that the lift/trail system is more popular than one that has a Utilization Index that is

less than 1.0.

The average and peak utilization are also calculated by observing the lift’s utilization rate throughout

the day and during peak operating hours. The lift's operating efficiency is factored into the daily

capacity calculations for each lift.

The Daily Ridership and Down Time reports were collated for the entire 2012/13 ski season. Then the

top 20 days have been tabulated in Table 4.8: Existing Lift Utilization Analysis. This table and Chart

4.2 on the following pages illustrate that despite varying utilization rates, Bridger, Thunder, Sublette,

Casper, Teewinot, Eagle’s Rest and the Tram all have a Lift Utilization Index greater than 1.0

indicating that they are popular lifts under their current configuration. The remaining lifts (Apres

Vous, Marmot and Sweetwater) have a Utilization Index that is less than 1.0. This analysis suggests

that options should be investigated for improving the function and/or configuration of these lifts to

improve their ability to attract repeat skiers.

49

Since both Moose Creek and Union Pass lifts are primarily used for access only, they are not included

in the utilization analysis. In addition, the handle tow and conveyor lifts have such limited CCC they

are not used in Lift Utilization calculations.

It is interesting to note that the Apres Vous lift has a peak utilization rate of only 56% and an average

utilization rate of 40%. With one of the largest amounts of intermediate terrain provided in one place,

one would expect the utilization rate to be at least 1.0. Since that is not the case, several improvements

proposed in this plan will focus on the Apres Vous area to make this portion of the resort more

enjoyable. Another inference from the lower than expected utilization rates is that this lift has more

capacity than needed.

The Casper lift now has a rate greater than one because the old lift was replaced with a new high speed

quad prior to the 2012/2013 season. Additionally, several runs served by Casper lift were re-graded

and widened to improve the skier experience in this area of the mountain. The lift utilization data from

the 2012/13 season (Chart 4.1) confirmed that the above mentioned improvements were well received

by guests as Average Utilization has increased to nearly 60% and Peak Utilization has increased to

72%. Casper’s Lift Utilization Index is now 1.1 thus highlighting how popular this upgraded section

of the resort has become.

50

TABLE 4.8 EXISTING LIFT UTILIZATION ANALYSIS (The 10 Major Lifts)

Lift Name Aerial Tram BridgerEagle’s

RestTeewinot Apres Vous Sweetwater Casper Marmot Thunder Sublette

Actual Hourly

Capacity

(pph)650 1,800 370 1,800 2,100 1,250 1,950 1,000 1,500 1,460

Hours of

Operation per

day 6.7 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 6.7 6.7

Date TOTAL Skier-Days Rides/Guest

1 12/29/2012 3,713 9,208 2,097 12,486 7,267 1,131 9,791 1,682 7,344 7,713 62,432 8,080 7.7

2 12/30/2012 3,718 8,731 2,079 11,901 4,481 888 9,677 1,579 7,460 7,046 57,560 7,387 7.8

3 2/23/2013 3,759 9,807 1,000 9,602 8,295 1,006 9,029 1,029 9,714 9,229 62,470 7,050 8.9

4 12/28/2012 3,650 8,693 2,300 10,923 6,382 1,025 7,685 1,607 8,072 6,843 57,180 7,007 8.2

5 12/27/2012 3,673 8,615 1,871 11,365 5,893 932 7,324 1,218 8,058 6,425 55,374 6,836 8.1

6 12/31/2012 3,715 7,257 2,076 10,824 5,293 877 9,063 1,481 6,118 5,859 52,563 6,615 7.9

7 2/24/2013 3,850 8,734 1,105 5,842 7,153 406 7,756 1,357 8,065 7,369 51,637 6,427 8.0

8 2/17/2013 3,691 9,027 1,710 9,819 6,407 599 7,753 907 6,993 4,399 51,305 6,258 8.2

9 2/2/2013 2,835 9,192 1,212 7,612 7,195 628 8,153 1,200 8,262 8,640 54,929 6,244 8.8

10 2/18/2013 3,854 8,320 1,999 10,321 5,708 622 8,535 985 8,029 7,332 55,705 6,051 9.2

11 2/16/2013 3,731 7,957 1,579 8,502 6,248 488 8,917 1,210 8,579 7,889 55,100 6,044 9.1

12 3/2/2013 3,833 7,556 1,091 9,661 6,003 564 8,548 1,344 8,181 8,073 54,854 6,006 9.1

13 1/19/2013 3,505 8,048 1,154 8,537 6,937 451 8,169 886 8,024 6,920 52,631 5,995 8.8

14 12/24/2012 3,686 7,518 1,226 9,390 4,728 617 7,685 1,248 7,291 5,439 48,828 5,941 8.2

15 2/9/2013 3,671 8,866 2,469 8,192 6,142 539 8,147 841 8,500 7,626 54,993 5,842 9.4

16 3/9/2013 3,766 7,532 1,457 9,828 5,149 521 8,071 1,896 6,965 6,344 51,529 5,815 8.9

17 1/5/2013 3,492 7,271 1,462 9,084 4,263 479 7,898 1,319 6,949 5,841 48,058 5,660 8.5

18 12/25/2012 3,515 5,616 1,010 8,686 3,367 439 5,416 985 4,626 5,930 39,590 5,544 7.1

19 3/10/2013 3,336 6,903 1,138 6,227 5,115 387 7,627 1,651 5,924 6,356 44,664 5,267 8.5

20 1/20/2013 3,656 6,831 1,200 6,581 6,777 360 6,665 1,161 6,610 6,982 46,823 5,230 9.0

72,649 161,681 31,235 185,383 118,803 12,959 161,909 25,586 149,764 138,255 1,058,224 125,299

6.87% 15.28% 2.95% 17.52% 11.23% 1.22% 15.30% 2.42% 14.15% 13.06% 100%

87,100 252,000 51,800 252,000 294,000 175,000 273,000 140,000 201,000 195,640 1,921,540

4.53% 13.11% 2.70% 13.11% 15.30% 9.11% 14.21% 7.29% 10.46% 10.18% 100%

88% 78% 95% 99% 56% 13% 72% 27% 97% 94%

1.5 1.2 1.1 1.3 0.7 0.1 1.1 0.3 1.4 1.3 1.0

83% 64% 60% 74% 40% 7% 59% 18% 75% 71% 55%

[1] Tram hours of operation include early morning Ski School trams.

[2] Bridger ridership = number of uses (scans +8% to account for non-scanned employees, etc.

Peak Day

Utilization

Util. Index

Average Utilization

Skie

r-D

ay R

an

k

Number of Lift Rides

Total Rides

% of Total

Total Potential

Rides

% of Potential

51

CHART 4.1: LIFT UTILIZATION

94%

81% 82%

99%

54%

17%

50%

68%

93% 89%

74%

63%

47%

71%

35%

6%

40%

21%

67%

53%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

Aerial Tram Bridger Eagle’s Rest Teewinot Après Vous Sweetwater Casper Marmot Thunder Sublette

% U

TILI

ZATI

ON

LIFT

Lift Utilization (20 day sample with all lifts in operation-non access only lifts)

Peak Day Utilization Peak Day Utilization Average Utilization Average Utilization

85%

78%

95%99%

56%

13%

72%

27%

97%94%

80%

64%

60%

74%

40%

7%

59%

18%

75%

71%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

Aerial Tram Bridger Eagle’s Rest Teewinot Après Vous Sweetwater Casper Marmot Thunder Sublette

% U

TILI

ZATI

ON

LIFT

Lift Utilization 2012/2013 Season - Top 20 Day Sample

Peak Day Utilization Average Utilization

85%

78%

95%99%

56%

13%

72%

27%

97%94%

80%

64%

60%

74%

40%

7%

59%

18%

75%71%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

Aerial Tram Bridger Eagle’s Rest Teewinot Après Vous Sweetwater Casper Marmot Thunder Sublette

% U

TILI

ZATI

ON

LIFT

Lift Utilization 2012/2013 Season - Top 20 Day Sample

Peak Day Utilization Average Utilization

88%

78%

95%99%

56%

13%

72%

27%

97%94%

83%

64%60%

74%

40%

7%

59%

18%

75%71%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

Aerial Tram Bridger Eagle’s Rest Teewinot Apres Vous Sweetwater Casper Marmot Thunder Sublette

% U

TILI

ZATI

ON

LIFT

Lift Utilization 2012/2013 Season - Top 20 Day Sample

Peak Day Utilization Average Utilization

52

CHART 4.2: LIFT UTILIZATION INDEX

1.5

1.3

1.0

1.5

0.7

0.1

0.8

0.4

1.4

1.1

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

Aerial Tram Bridger Eagle’s Rest Teewinot Après Vous Sweetwater Casper Marmot Thunder Sublette

UTI

LIZA

TIO

N I

ND

EX

LIFT

Lift Utilization Index

Util. Index

1.5

1.2

1.1

1.3

0.7

0.1

1.1

0.3

1.4

1.3

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

Aerial Tram Bridger Eagle’s Rest Teewinot Après Vous Sweetwater Casper Marmot Thunder Sublette

UTI

LIZA

TIO

N I

ND

EX

LIFT

Lift Utilization Index 2012/2013 Season - Top 20 Day Sample

Util. Index

53

4.9 EXISTING SKIER CIRCULATION ANALYSIS

The Skier Circulation Analysis involves an on-slope survey in which skier circulation characteristics

(travel patterns) are recorded for the full range of skier ability levels served by one specific lift. The

survey is performed for each lift and leads to a more accurate determination of the average Round Trip

Interval (RTI) of each lift system. RTI represents the number of runs the average skier will be

expected to take on a particular lift over the course of one hour and is a key design parameter for

determining the Comfortable Carrying Capacity (CCC) of a particular lift. The results of the skier

survey at Jackson Hole, which were taken during the 20 busiest days for 2012/2013 season, are

illustrated in Table 4.9: Existing Skier Circulation Analysis

54

TABLE 4.9 EXISTING SKIER CIRCULATION ANALYSIS (FOR 20 BUSIEST DAYS FOR 2012/2013 SEASON)

Lift NameAerial

TramBridger

Eagle’s

RestTeewinot Apres Vous Sweetwater Casper Marmot Thunder Sublette Union Pass

Moose

Creek

Mighty

Mite

Granite

RidgePooh Bear

Fort

Wyoming

Slope Length (ft)12,500 8,692 2,130 2,605 5,098 2,714 3,390 3,281 3,612 4,108 1,830 1,222 240 440 347 100

Vertical Rise (ft)4,139 2,747 315 395 1,749 1,058 1,040 1,208 1,456 1,630 260 195 22 20 40 12

Actual Hourly

Capacity (pph) 650 1,800 370 1,800 2,100 1,250 1,950 1,000 1,500 1,460 910 800 600 500 600 900

Operating Rope

Speed (fpm) 2,000 900 300 900 950 900 900 450 450 450 410 420 300 300 300 100

Hours of Operation

per day 6.7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 6.7 6.7 7 7 5 7 5 5

Average Skier

Speed (fpm) 550 595 300 450 475 550 500 550 550 595 500 475 200 500 200 100

Average Ski Day

Duration (hrs) 5.5 5.5 5 5 5.5 5 5 5 5.5 5.5 5.5 5 5 5 5 5

Average Lift Line

(min) 30 10 5 10 8 5 8 5 10 10 1 1 1 1 1 2

Average Lift Ride

(min) 9 9.9 7.2 2.9 5.4 6.8 3.5 7.3 8.4 9.4 4.5 2.9 0.7 1.5 1.1 0.9

Average Ski Run

Time (min) 22.7 21.6 9.6 9.3 15.8 7.0 10.0 6.3 5.5 6.1 5.0 3.0 6.9 1.0 6.8 2.8

Round Trip (min)61.7 41.5 21.8 22.2 29.2 18.8 21.5 18.6 23.9 25.5 10.5 6.9 8.6 3.5 8.9 5.7

RTI (round trips per

hour) 1.0 1.4 2.8 2.7 2.1 3.2 2.8 3.2 2.5 2.4 5.7 8.7 7.0 17.1 6.8 10.5

Average Rides per

Day 5.3 8.0 13.8 13.5 11.3 16.0 14.0 16.2 13.8 13.0 31.4 43.5 34.9 85.7 33.9 52.6

Vertical Demand

(feet/day) 22,137 21,844 4,335 5,335 19,766 16,883 14,545 19,536 20,125 21,111 8,171 8,478 767 1,714 1,356 632

55

4.10 EXISTING RESORT CAPACITY

It is the ski industry standard to describe the capacity of a ski resort in terms of its daily capacity. The

resort daily capacity consists of the number of persons utilizing the skiable terrain, waiting in lift lines,

riding the lifts, eating at the various on-mountain restaurants and using other support facilities-

amenities in the base area in Teton Village.

There are two key criteria used to establish the capacity of a resort like Jackson Hole. The first is the

type and amount of terrain and the second is the amount of infrastructure (lifts, facilities, utilities, etc.).

When the permit for the resort was first issued in the early 1960’s, a planning parameter commonly

utilized by the Forest Service and the ski industry to describe a resort’s daily capacity was “Skiers at

One Time”, or SAOT capacity. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort was originally approved with a SAOT

capacity of 11,500. This number is based on the application of acceptable skier densities (number of

skiers per acres of ski trail) to the amount of skiable area that is to become developed. To calculate

SAOT, the total area of the ski slopes is multiplied by an average trail density that reflects the ability

distribution of the ski terrain. As the difficulty of the terrain increases, the acceptable skier density

decreases.

This type of calculation is useful in determining the ultimate capacity of the resort but does not take

into account the limitations of the existing and proposed lifts, skier patterns, the merging of trails and

infrastructure. As the resort started to develop, it became obvious that this figure was too high and

unrealistic for maintaining an unparalleled recreational experience considering the special

characteristics that make up the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. In 1994, an updated Master Plan was

submitted to the Forest Service which proposed reducing the daily capacity from 11,5007 skiers to a

daily maximum of 7,690 skiers. This figure was derived after extensive design and environmental

review. This plan was reviewed through the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

in 1996.

In order to take the limitations of terrain and lifts into account, current industry practice utilizes a

method commonly known as Comfortable Carrying Capacity (CCC) to more accurately determine the

existing and proposed capacity of the resort. This method will be discussed in detail in the later portion

of this section of the upgrade plan.

7 As approved in the 1980 resort Environmental Assessment (EA)

56

4.11 TERRAIN CAPACITY

The first step in determining the total resort capacity is to start by analyzing the slope (terrain)

capacity. The following table describes the industry standards for acceptable resort and slope

densities:

TABLE 4.10 INDUSTRY STANDARDS SKIER DENSITY PER ACRE8

ABILITY LEVEL

“RESORT”

DESIGN

DENSITY

(skiers per acre)

“SLOPE” DESIGN

DENSITY

(skiers per acre)

Beginner 60-100 15-30

Novice 50-70 12-25

Low Intermediate 35-60 9-20

Intermediate 25-40 6-15

Advanced Intermediate 15-25 4-10

Expert and Extreme 7-15 2-5

The Slope Density figures represent the number of skiers who are actually physically on the ski trails.

At a well-balanced ski facility, approximately one-third of the active skiers will be on the slopes while

the remaining two-thirds of the active skiers will be riding the lifts, waiting in the lift lines and in

mountain facilities. These active skiers make up 75-85 percent of the total number of skiers visiting the

resort. The remaining 15-25% are guest shopping or eating in the base area. As a result, the Slope

Design Density figures must be increased (multiplied) by 2-2.5 times to derive an overall Resort

Design Density. The product of the average Resort Design Density and the skiable area gives the

estimated total resort capacity based on the skiable terrain.

To provide a high quality ski experience, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has established a design

objective to maintain lower than industry standard skier-per-acre ratios. As such, the industry standard

density values have been reduced approximately fifty to sixty percent (50%-60%) to represent the skier

density design criteria specifically for Jackson Hole. These new densities are shown in the table below.

TABLE 4.11 JHMR SKIER DENSITY (SKIERS PER ACRE)

ABILITY LEVEL

JHMR “SLOPE”

DESIGN DENSITY

(skiers per acre)

Beginner 8-15

Novice 6-13

Low Intermediate 5-10

Intermediate 3-8

Advanced Intermediate 2-5

Expert and Extreme 1-3

8 Based on SE Group information

57

The Ski Area Design Density figures given in Table 4.11: JHMR Skier Density per Acre was used to

calculate the resort capacity based on the formalized ski terrain at Jackson Hole. Table 4.12: Existing

Skier Distribution by Ability Level uses average JHMR slope densities to calculate the current slope

capacities by the different ability levels.

TABLE 4.12 EXISTING SKIER DISTRIBUTION BY ABILITY LEVEL

To obtain the resort capacity, the slope capacity of 4,129 (shown above) would be increased by a factor

of 2 to 2.5. Therefore, the current maximum resort capacity based on terrain at Jackson Hole would

range from 8,258 to 10,323 skiers with an average of 9,291 skiers. As discussed, these figures do not

take into account many of the physical limitations of the resort such as merging trails and egress

patterns at the base of the mountain. The table however is a very useful tool in understanding how the

existing terrain at Jackson Hole matches the theoretical terrain distribution needed to satisfy the U.S.

skier market.

A graph of the results of the ski terrain area classification breakdown is shown in Chart 4.3. Compared

to the skier market terrain percentages, there is a surplus of expert and extreme terrain with a

commensurate deficit of low intermediate and intermediate terrain. Only the skier terrain distribution

percent for beginner and novice ability level skiers closely matches the skier market. This skew of the

skier terrain distribution curve towards the expert skier comes as a direct result of the physical features

(its steepness) of the mountain and is not caused by improper design. While future planning efforts

will focus on improving the distribution of ability levels by increasing the amount of low intermediate

and intermediate skiing opportunities, it is unlikely that the goal of achieving a distribution that mirrors

the U.S. skier market curve is plausible. However, Jackson Hole has created an effective market niche

by attracting experienced skiing enthusiasts, which are a strong segment of the skier market. By

improving other aspects of the resort operation and maintaining the current positive features of the ski

area (including low skier-per-acre ratios), the negative effects of the ski terrain distribution have been

significantly reduced.

Skier Ability LevelFormalized

TerrainSlope Capacity (skiers)

(acres) *per average JHMR slope

density*

JHMR

(Actual)Market

a

(Goal)Beginner 9 104 2% 5%

Novice 51 485 12% 15%

Low Intermediate 69 518 13% 25%

Intermediate 190 1,045 25% 35%

Advanced Intermediate 210 735 18% 15%

Expert and Extreme 621 1,242 30% 5%

TOTALS 1,150 4,129 100% 100%

a. National ski market distribution per S.E. Group

Skier Distribution

58

CHART 4.3 TERRAIN DISTRIBUTION BY ABILITY LEVEL

The above chart measures the ability of the ski terrain at Jackson Hole to accommodate the skier

market, based on the amount and type of skiable terrain. If the skier capacity of the lifts serving the

terrain is not in balance with the skier capacity of the trails, the distribution of skier abilities served

must be adjusted to correct the imbalance. In chapter 5 (proposed development), the distribution of

ability levels is adjusted through the careful placement of lifts to account for the imbalance between lift

and trail capacity.

Due to the fact that the most chutes and tree skiing areas are not skied on a consistent basis, they have

not been included in the resort skier capacity calculations as they would have a misleading effect on

the skier classification breakdown and lift/trail system density analysis. However, it should be noted

that this ski terrain does provide ski opportunities when conditions warrant. Therefore, future

upgrading of lifts, trails and supporting facilities should optimize periodic use of this terrain

Now that a resort capacity based on the terrain has been discussed, it is appropriate to look at this

capacity based on the lift capacities and the way the general skiing public use the terrain.

2%

12%13%

25%

18%

30%

5%

15%

25%

35%

15%

5%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

Beginner Novice Low Intermediate Intermediate Advanced Intermediate Expert and Extreme

SKie

r D

istr

ibu

tio

n

Skier Ability Level

JHMR (Actual)

59

4.12 EXISTING COMFORTABLE CARRYING CAPACITY (CCC)

Comfortable Carrying Capacity is defined as the daily capacity of a ski resort which guarantees a

pleasant recreational experience while at the same time preserving the quality of the environment. It

includes both the number of active and inactive skiers and assumes that most skiers do not ski all day.

It is a design parameter that was developed by S.E. Group decades ago and is widely accepted in the

ski industry and by the U.S. Forest Service as a very accurate measure of total resort capacity. The

CCC figure is based on a combination of the adjusted uphill capacity and vertical rise of the lifts, hours

of operation of the lifts, the total amount of time waiting in the lift line, time on the lift itself, and time

spent in the downhill descent. The planning parameters for deriving the CCC at Jackson Hole were

generated from the Lift Utilization Analysis and Skier Circulation Analysis presented earlier. The data

for these analyses was compiled during the 2011/12 and 2012/2013 ski seasons.

The current authorized and approved CCC value of the resort is 7,6909. With the replacement of the

Casper chair lift, the current resort CCC is 6,310 (see Table 4.13) which is approximately 82% of the

currently approved build-out CCC. The calculation of the CCC of a ski area is a complex issue and is

the single most important planning criterion for the resort. Based on the proper identification of the

mountain's true capacity, all other related skier service facilities can be planned, such as base lodge

seating, mountain restaurant requirements, sanitary facilities, parking, and other skier services.

Of the total CCC, 75-85 percent (depending on weather and snow conditions) will be active skiers,

while the other passive visitors will be using the skier support facilities and amenities in the base area.

At a well-balanced ski facility the active skiers will be evenly distributed throughout the mountain

facilities; on the ski slopes, in the on-mountain restaurants, waiting in the lift lines or riding the ski

lifts. It is not uncommon for ski areas to have 125 percent of their CCC capacity during peak periods

which usually occur 10-15 days per year at destination resorts such as Jackson Hole. However, as a

rule, it is not recommended to consistently exceed the CCC due to a decrease in the quality of the

experience which will result in a decrease in repeat business.

The CCC figure includes all forms of uphill transportation such as handle tows and conveyor (carpet)

lifts. The new capacity figures include CCC figures for these types of lift since they are becoming a

much greater part of the typical ski resort operation.

9 Authorized CCC of 7,690 was approved in previous Master Development Plans

60

TABLE 4.13 EXISTING COMFORTABLE CARRYING CAPACITY (CCC)

APRIL 2013

Map

Ref.Lift Name Type

Slope

Length

(ft)

Vertical

Rise (ft)

Actual

Hourly

Capacity

(pph)

Hours of

Operation

per day

Up

Mountain

Access %

Misload/

Lift Stops

%

Adjusted

Hourly

Capacity

VTF/Day

(1,000's)

Vertical

Demand

(feet/day)

Comfortable

Carrying

Capacity (CCC)

A Aerial Tram Aerial Tram 12,500 4,139 650 6.7 30% 0% 455 12,618 22,137 570

B Bridger G8 8,692 2,747 1,800 7.0 30% 5% 1,170 22,498 21,844 1,030

C Eagle’s Rest C2 2,130 315 370 7.0 0% 15% 315 693 4,335 160

D Teewinot DC4 2,605 395 1,800 7.0 35% 5% 1,080 2,986 5,335 560

E Apres Vous DC4 5,098 1,749 2,100 7.0 15% 2% 1,743 21,340 19,766 1,080

F Sweetwater C3 2,714 1,058 1,250 7.0 70% 10% 250 1,852 16,883 110

G Casper DC4 3,390 1,040 1,950 7.0 10% 5% 1,658 12,067 14,545 830

H Marmot C2 3,281 1,208 1,000 7.0 0% 10% 900 7,610 19,536 390

I Thunder C4 3,612 1,456 1,500 6.7 10% 2% 1,320 12,877 20,125 640

J Sublette C4 4,108 1,630 1,460 6.7 0% 2% 1,431 15,626 21,111 740

K Union Pass C4 1,830 260 910 7.0 100% 0% 0 0 8,171 0

L Moose Creek C4 1,222 195 800 7.0 100% 0% 0 0 8,478 0

M Mighty Mite Handle Tow 240 22 600 5.0 0% 30% 420 46 767 60

N Granite Ridge Handle Tow 440 20 500 7.0 100% 0% 0 0 1,714 0

O Pooh Bear Handle Tow 347 40 600 5.0 0% 10% 540 108 1,356 80

P Fort Wyoming Conveyor 100 12 900 5.0 0% 30% 630 38 632 60

Total (All Lifts) 52,309 16,286 18,190 11,911 110,358 186,737 6,310

61

The total number of skier days for the busiest 20 days of the 2012/2013 ski season is listed in Table

4.14: Top Twenty Skier Visit Days (2012/2013). The highest number of daily skier visits that season

was recorded on December 29, 2012 when 8,080 tickets were sold. The ski area CCC of 6,310 skiers

was exceeded only seven days during that season. This is an indication that the current lift/trail system

closely matched demand for that year.

The average capacity for the 20 busiest days was approximately 6,265 skiers, or 99 percent of the

current CCC, which compares favorably with typical peak capacities experienced at other major ski

resorts. It is considered acceptable at destination resorts to exceed the CCC by as much as 25 percent

during the peak holiday periods which based on a current CCC of 6,310 is a capacity of 7,888. These

figures are an indication that the current lift/trail system is fully utilized on peak attendance days.

TABLE 4.14 TOP TWENTY SKIER VISIT DAYS (2012/2013)

The CCC of the resort was only exceeded seven (7) days for the 2012/2013 ski season.

Comparing the current CCC figure of 6,310 with the skier days during busy holiday periods and

observing the level of use at the resort, it is concluded that the CCC calculated for the current resort is

very accurate. Because the CCC more accurately depicts the true capacity of the resort, this updated

MDP will utilize the existing CCC of 6,310 for determining all other design and planning criteria.

Daily

RankDate Skier Visits

1 12/29/2012 8,080

2 12/30/2012 7,387

3 2/23/2013 7,050

4 12/28/2012 7,007

5 12/27/2012 6,836

6 12/31/2012 6,615

7 2/24/2013 6,427

8 2/17/2013 6,258

9 2/2/2013 6,244

10 2/18/2013 6,051

11 2/16/2013 6,044

12 3/2/2013 6,006

13 1/19/2013 5,995

14 12/24/2012 5,941

15 2/9/2013 5,842

16 3/9/2013 5,815

17 1/5/2013 5,660

18 12/25/2012 5,544

19 3/10/2013 5,267

20 1/20/2013 5,230

TOTAL 125,299

62

4.13 EXISTING EGRESS AND ACCESS ANALYSIS

Morning Access Capacity

A general access designed parameter developed by S.E. Group to check for adequate out of base

capacity is one where the lift capacity during the first hour and one half of the day is greater than the

CCC of the resort. The existing lift configuration at Jackson Hole includes four out-of-base lifts (Tram,

Bridger, Teewinot and Eagle’s Rest) with an actual hourly capacity of 4,620 persons per hour. This

means that a total of 6,930 skiers can be moved out of the base area by 10:30 a.m. (1 ½ hours) each

morning. Since the 90 minute lift capacity of 6,930 is greater than the current CCC (6,310) of the

resort, the morning access is sufficient during all but busy holiday periods.

There were several days during the 2012/2013 season when total lift ticket sales for the day exceeded

the CCC figure. So the resort understands that more out of base area lift capacity is needed. One aspect

of the skiing public that reduces congestion in the morning is the fact that 5-7 percent of the skiers

purchase afternoon tickets during busy holiday periods. The out of base lift system can also get over

taxed when there is new snow on the mountain and its opening is delayed.

Another commonly used industry standard created by S.E. Group for determining morning access

capacity is founded on the premise that the out-of-base area lifts have sufficient hourly capacity to

supply the remote (upper mountain) lift system with their individual daily CCC in a period of 1.5

hours.

The five upper mountain lifts have a total CCC of 3,680. The adjusted hourly capacity of the three

primary access lifts (Tram, Bridger, Teewinot) have a total adjusted capacity in 1.5 hours of operation

of 4,058 persons. So the lifts can get persons up out of the base area to the mid mountain lifts during

average skier volume days in a timely manner but long lift lines do exist during the busiest

weekend/holiday periods.

Afternoon Egress Capacity

At the end of the skiing day, most of the users of the ski area must return to the resort base facilities.

The goal of the Egress Capacity Analysis is to ensure that there is a sufficient number of return ski

trails to accommodate the additional traffic returning from the remote (upper mountain) ski lifts during

the last 1.5 hours of the ski day without causing overcrowding on the return trails. Based on

experience, the egress trail system should be capable of moving the CCC capacity of skiers off the

mountain in 1.5 hours.

There are four major routes that skiers can follow to return to the base area from the upper slopes.

Way Home: Route to the Teton Village single and multi-family homes

Gros Ventre: Route over the skier bridge to the Tram base terminal building (includes Lower

Tram Line, Slalom and Sundance in addition to Lower Gros Ventre)

Teewinot Trail: funneling between Teewinot Lift and the Four Seasons Hotel

Eagle’s Rest Trail: funneling between the Bridger Gondola and the base of Eagle’s Rest Lift

63

As a component of the on-mountain survey conducted during the 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 ski season,

the number of skiers traveling down each of the four egress routes was counted at fifteen minute

intervals during the last 1.75 hours of the day.

To assess the acceptability of the current egress trail capacities at Jackson Hole, the information from

the egress skier counts must be compared with industry standard design criteria for acceptable slope

densities. The following table describes the on-slope skier densities that are recognized throughout the

Rocky Mountain ski resorts as providing a comfortable skiing experience.

This survey showed that the most crowded egress trail at the end of the day is Lower Teewinot Trail

followed closely by the bottom of Eagle’s Rest Trail (which includes Eagle’s Rest cut-off). These two

trails account for 79 percent of the total egress skier traffic while the Lower Gros Ventre Trail over the

skier bridge handles 17 percent and the remaining 4 percent use the Way Home Traverse back to the

condominium area of Teton Village.

The average skier traffic for all egress routes between 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. is 2,020 skiers/hour.

This amount of skier traffic corresponds to approximately six skiers per acre which is below the

commonly accepted skier density (see Table 4.11: JHMR Skier Density per Acre).

The density criteria listed in Table 4.11: JHMR Skier Density per Acre applies to round-trip skiing

situations (normal activity) where a high quality experience will attract skiers on a repeat basis.

Whereas egress trails perform a specific transportation function at the end of the day, they need not

offer the same high quality recreational skiing as round-trip trails. Egress studies conducted within the

Rocky Mountain Region have indicated that acceptable average slope densities on egress trails can

increase by more than 100 percent over repeat ski trails to reflect the different functions of the two

types of trail uses.

The slope features of the four egress routes (i.e., slope gradient and trail width) are characteristic of the

novice terrain classification and a slope density of 15 skiers/acre will be used as the acceptable level of

egress slope density10

. In compliance with Jackson Hole's objective to maintain low skier-per-acre

ratios, the acceptable slope density for repeat trails will be used as the theoretical acceptable skier

density for the egress trails at Jackson Hole. Use of these design criteria will ensure a quality skiing

experience throughout the entire day.

It is important to note that the density criteria referred to above are average figures. Just as actual

slope densities will be lower than the average during certain parts of the day, peak trail densities will

also result from large ski groups such as Mountain Sports School classes, friends and families skiing

together, etc. Peak skier densities that are 3 to 4 times higher than the average are not uncommon for

short periods of time.

10 Although all level of skier ability levels use the egress trails at the end of the day, lower slope densities associated with

advanced/expert repeat skiing will not be used in the egress analysis. The end of the day egress experience is unique and

therefore slope characteristics of the study zones in these four locations can support the higher trail density.

64

The results of this Egress Capacity Analysis indicate that the current trail network at Jackson Hole

allows egress to the base facilities in an acceptable manner while maintaining reasonable skier-per-acre

slope densities.

4.14 GROOMING OPERATION AND EQUIPMENT

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort currently grooms between 300 and 400 acres nightly of the 1,150 acres

of formalized terrain utilizing a fleet of nine snowcats. Of the nine snow cats that groom the mountain

on a regular basis, four are winch cats11

. Typically five of the machines will free groom terrain that is

moderate in steepness while the four winch cats will individually groom terrain that requires the

assistance of the winch system.

The schedule for each day of the season consists of an evening shift (4:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.) and a

morning shift (12:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.). Nightly grooming operators are assigned runs to groom every

afternoon and usually have standard assignments for the runs that are groom nightly. Grooming

operations vary depending on snow conditions and weather forecasts. The groomers work a 7.5 hour

shift and come back to the base in the middle of the night to switch crews and refuel the machines.

Due to the general steepness of the terrain at Jackson Hole, an above average portion of the groomed

ski trails must be maintained with the winch cats. Approximately 85 to 90 acres or nearly 20 percent

of the regularly groomed terrain must be maintained by the winch cats. Of that area, 35 to 40 acres

require regular grooming by the winch cats and the remaining areas only require periodic maintenance

by the winch cats. Table 4.15: Groomed Terrain lists the groomed terrain at Jackson Hole Mountain

Resort.

An examination of grooming records from the past few seasons indicates that “free” snowcats are

currently able to groom/maintain approximately 2.9 to 3.2 acres of ski trail per hour. At that rate, each

machine can groom up to 24 acres in a 7.5 hour shift (40 acres per night do to shift change and

refueling). The winch groomers are only able to groom/maintain approximately ½ to 1 ½ acre per hour

for a total of 4 to 8 acres per night per winch grooming cat depending on terrain steepness. Because the

existing winch grooming cats are only capable of maintaining a limited area per night, only a portion

of the steeper groomed terrain can be maintained on a nightly basis and on average these areas can

only be groomed two to three nights per week. Based on these grooming rates the current grooming

fleet at Jackson Hole has the capability to groom/maintain between 300 and 390 acres of ski terrain per

night. The resort does not currently groom during the day when the resort is open to the public.

In addition to the base fleet of nine grooming snowcats, there are two additional snowcats used for

grooming which are permanently stationed on the mountain during the winter. One snowcat is

stationed at the top of the Aerial Tram and is used for maintaining a smooth snow surface and skier

circulation area adjacent to the upper Tram terminal and around Corbet’s Cabin. It is also used to

remove excessive snow that often forms in drifts near the top of the mountain. A second snowcat

remains at the top of the Sublette lift and is used to maintain the skier traverses on the upper portions

11

A winch cat is a snow groomer with a steel cable on a spooling assemble to assist the uphill movement of the machine.

65

of the mountain. On occasion, the cat located at the Sublette chair is added to the night operation if an

extra operator is available or is used as a replacement if a machine is down for repairs.

TABLE 4.15 GROOMED TERRAIN

Map

Ref. Trail Name

Area

(acres) Ability Level

A5 Tensleep 5 Expert

A18 Union Pass Traverse * 4 Expert

A19 Union Pass Connection 3 Low Intermediate

B2 Upper Sundance Gully * 9 Advanced Intermediate

B4 Upper Gros Ventre 11 Advanced Intermediate

B5 Lupine Way 5 Low Intermediate

B8 Sunnyside Traverse 3 Low Intermediate

B9 Middle Gros Ventre 17 Intermediate

B11 Slalom * 16 Advanced Intermediate

B14 Middle Sundance * 14 Intermediate

B15 Blacktail 6 Intermediate

B19 Lower Tram Line * 18 Advanced Intermediate

B22 Lower Gros Ventre 10 Low Intermediate

B23 Lower Sundance Gully * 5 Low Intermediate

B24 Eagle's Rest Cutoff 1 Low Intermediate

C1 Pooh Bear 6 Beginner

C2 Eagle's Rest 14 Novice

D1 Lower Teewinot 14 Novice

D2 Bronco 2 Novice

D3 Lower Werner 10 Novice

D4 Solitude Way 1 Novice

D5 Moose Alley 4 Novice

D6 Antelope Flats 4 Novice

E1 Upper Moran 7 Advanced Intermediate

E2 Upper Werner 8 Low Intermediate

E4 Upper Teewinot 20 Advanced Intermediate

E5 St. Johns 20 Advanced Intermediate

E6 Lower Moran * 11 Intermediate

E7 Werner 24 Intermediate

E8 Upper Hanna * 5 Intermediate

E9 Buck Run 3 Advanced Intermediate

E11 Halfpipe 3 Advanced Intermediate

E12 Lower Hanna * 8 Advanced Intermediate

E13 Teewinot Gully 7 Low Intermediate

E14 Togwotee Pass Traverse 4 Low Intermediate

E15 Lower Solitude Traverse * 3 Low Intermediate

E16 Lower South Pass Traverse 6 Low Intermediate

66

Map

Ref. Trail Name

Area

(acres) Ability Level

E17 Upper Ashley Ridge * 2 Intermediate

G1 Wide Open * 7 Advanced Intermediate

G2 Sleeping Indian * 12 Advanced Intermediate

G3 Sundog (Lift Line) 13 Advanced Intermediate

G4 Easy Does It 24 Intermediate

G5 Timbered Island * 4 Intermediate

G6 Amphitheatre Traverse 3 Low Intermediate

G7 Camp Ground * 4 Intermediate

G8 Croaky Point 1 Advanced Intermediate

G10 Middle South Pass Traverse 4 Intermediate

G11 Upper Solitude Traverse 3 Low Intermediate

I1 Upper Rag Run 3 Advanced Intermediate

I2 Amphitheater 31 Intermediate

I3 Lower Rag Run 3 Intermediate

I7 Thunder * 6 Expert

I10 Grand * 17 Advanced Intermediate

I11 Grand Traverse 1 Intermediate

I12 Upper S. Pass Traverse 3 Intermediate

I13 Nez Perce Traverse 6 Low Intermediate

J2 Hanging Rock 5 Intermediate

J3 Laramie Traverse 3 Intermediate

J5 Rendezvous Trail 16 Intermediate

J6 Bivouac * 5 Expert

J11 Laramie Bowl 37 Advanced Intermediate

K1 Upper Way Home 2 Low Intermediate

L1 Lower Way Home * 2 Novice

N1 Granite Ridge 1 Beginner

P1 Magic Carpet/Ft. Wyoming 2 Beginner

TOTAL 531

* Groomed when snow conditions are suitable / not groomed daily

A summary of the existing grooming equipment is shown in Table 4.16: Grooming Equipment

67

TABLE 4.16 GROOMING EQUIPMENT

FREE GROOMING

Number of snowcats 9

Groomed area per snowcat per shift (average) 22 acres

Number of grooming shifts 2 per night

Total free groomed terrain (per night) 396 acres (max.)

WINCH GROOMING

Number of snowcats 4

Groomed area per snowcat per shift 6 acres

Number of grooming shifts 2 per night

Total free groomed terrain (per night) 48 acres

In addition to the nine grooming vehicles operated on the mountain, there is a cat assigned to the Food

and Beverage department, the Snow Making department and the Pipe and Park crew. They work to

move personnel and supplies around the mountain.

The analysis of recent grooming records shows that runs smoothed out by grading (summer grooming)

can be groomed in 30% less time. This demonstrates the importance of continuing the ongoing summer

trail maintenance/grooming program at Jackson Hole. It is one of the stated objectives of this Master

Plan update.

4.15 NORDIC SKIING

Though offered to guests in the past on land leased from an adjoining property owner, JHMR does not

currently offer traditional Nordic skiing. The private development adjacent to Teton Village called

Shooting Star Ranch does operate a Nordic ski operation and is open to the public on a limited basis.

For this reason, the development of a new Nordic trail network within the SUP area boundary is now

being proposed and is discussed in Section 5.

There is also a Nordic ski operation at Teton Pines country club located approximately five miles from

the ski resort and Trail Creek Ranch in the town of Wilson.

Nordic skiing interest in the local and regional area is continuing to grow. Many Nordic enthusiasts

pursue the sport on the Bridger-Teton Forest and Grand Teton National Park. Some of the trails in the

park are groomed weekly while limited trails are groomed on the forest. Other surrounding private

lands have Nordic skiing under natural snow conditions or in limited areas trails groomed by the

Jackson Parks and Recreation department.

JHMR does offer guided cross country skiing and snow shoeing in certain areas of Grand Teton

National Park through a concessioners permit.

68

4.16 BASE AREA VISITOR SERVICES

The primary skier support services at Jackson Hole are located in several separate buildings in the

small community at the base of the ski resort known as Teton Village. The general function and layout

of the buildings are as follows:

Base Lodge-Tram Terminal Complex (Clock Tower)

Partially re-built in 2008 with the replacement of the original Tram, this building provides the portal

function for skiers arriving in Teton Village. It includes the “base lodge” with the restaurant portion of

the facility called Nick Wilson’s. There are currently a maximum of five ticket windows available to

the general public, each accepting cash or credit cards. Ticketing is available indoors on the lower

level for season pass sales, multi day packages and group ticket sales.

The first floor of the Tram Building provides a small guest services office, ticketing administration,

270 token-operated public lockers, restrooms and storage for food service needs. Operations and

maintenance functions servicing the Tram machinery are located in the mechanical portion of the

terminal enclosure.

The interior space on the upper level of the base lodge is devoted to the Nick Wilson’s restaurant and

bar operation which provides 140 indoor seats. Outdoor seating on the south-western deck of Nick

Wilson’s provides approximately 40 seats in the winter time.

The lift line for the Tram is provided on eastern and northern decks of the second floor. Public access

to Nick Wilson’s and the second floor deck/milling area is provided by several sets of steps on the west

side of the building. Employee (Ski Patrol, ski host, lift maintenance, operations, and Mt. Sports

School) access to the Tram is located on the west side of the building via a walkway/platform that runs

between the Tram terminal building and Nick Wilson’s.

The Tram/base lodge facility is located 350 feet from the Bridger Gondola terminal and approximately

500 feet from the Eagle's Rest and Teewinot lift terminals. Skiers needing lift tickets often arrive by

foot to the outdoor lift ticket windows located on the lower level on the parking lot side of the building.

This configuration works well even during the busy holiday periods.

General Store – (formally Ski School Chalet)

Located north of the Tram building, the General Store was new for the 2012/2013 season and operates

as a coffee shop and mini store. Centrally located for both summer and winter activities, the building

has a convenient deck for enjoying a warm drink and socializing with friends.

Bridger Center

The Bridger Center is now the center of visitor activity and is located north of the Base Lodge/Tram

building complex and adjacent to the Four Seasons Hotel. The building houses a locker room and

offices for the Mountain Sports School in the basement. The first level (ground) serves the general

public with restrooms, ticketing windows, lockers, snack/coffee bar and Mountain Sports School sales.

The second (main) level houses a large retail space along with ski/snowboard rental and repair. There

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is also miscellaneous storage. The third level (mezzanine) provides more rental space, storage, and

retail offices as well as a large meeting/function room.

In the summer the retail area is converted over to a center for mountain activities specializing in

mountain bike trail ticket sales and bike rentals/repairs.

Cody House

The ground level of the Cody House provides space for a medical clinic and parking for five

condominiums. The first floor (main level) is called the Kids Ranch and provides resort day care

facilities and kids ski school functions. It also includes a new children’s rental shop and an enlarged

eating/kitchen area. The top level consists of five large condominiums.

Olympic Sports Plaza Building

The Olympic Sports Plaza building is leased from Kemmerer Resources Inc. by JHMR for

administrative offices. The upper two floors of the facility house Marketing, Human Resources,

Accounting, Engineering/Planning, and Administration. Ultimately, these offices will be relocated to a

new facility adjacent to the maintenance and operations building. There is a ski shop located on the

ground level.

Other Buildings in Teton Village and Granite Ridge

The remaining buildings in the base commercial area are not owned by the JHMR but provide skier

support services. They include the Village Center Inn, Crystal Springs Lodge, Mangy Moose, The

Hostel, The Inn at Jackson Hole, Teton Mountain Lodge, Teton Club, Alpenhof Lodge, Snake River

Lodge and Spa, Terra Hotel and the Four Seasons Hotel. It is recognized that the facilities serve the

general skiing public and are used on a regular basis and therefore they will be considered in the

overall existing skier support services evaluation.

In addition to the buildings mentioned above, there are approximately 260 condominium units and 35

town homes which are mostly utilized as short term rentals. There are also 119 single family homes of

which several of them provide short term rentals. Adjacent to Teton Village is a private golf/ski club

called Shooting Star. It also provides short term lodging rentals for guests in both the summer and

winter seasons.

4.17 TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING

During the ski season, most guests arrive to Jackson Hole by air service. Once on the ground, several

modes of ground based transportation serve Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Teton Village.

Transportation options include private car, rental car, and taxi and hotel shuttle.

To serve those arriving to Teton Village by car (either rental or private), Table 4.17: Parking Capacity

(below) lists parking options. There are several drop-off areas with short term parking to facilitate

families and drop off of equipment. Carpooling is encouraged by offering free parking in the Ranch

Lot for cars with three or more passengers. Access to the base area from the periphery lots and

elsewhere in Teton Village is aided by a free Village Shuttle.

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For those not staying in Teton Village or arriving by car other options include the START bus and

various hotel shuttles and taxis. The START bus is a very popular option for locals and visitors who

opt to stay in Jackson. During ski season 97 busses run daily between Jackson and Teton Village.

TABLE 4.17 PARKING CAPACITY

TETON VILLAGE PUBLIC PARKINGabCAPACITY

Base Village Lot (Main) 386 vehicles

Mid Village Lot (Crystal Springs) 177 vehicles

Upper Village Lot (Cody) 301 vehicles

Ranch Lot 812 vehicles

Sub Total 1,676 vehicles

ADDITIONAL PUBLIC PARKINGcCAPACITY

Stilson 600 vehicles

Stilson Overflow 725 vehicles

Sub Total 1,325 vehicles

Total Public Parking 3,001 vehicles

TETON VILLAGE PRIVATE PARKING CAPACITYHotels & Businesses 307 vehicles

JHMR Operations 55 vehicles

Total Private Parking 362 vehicles

GRAND TOTAL PARKING 3,363 vehicles

a. Including short term and handicap spaces

c. Located seven miles shouth of Teton Village owned by JHMR and operated by

TVA

b. Parking fee charged in winter

4.18 OPERATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE

Maintenance and Operations Building

Mountain operations are headquartered in the Maintenance and Operations Building. The building is a

large (30,194 sq. ft.) building that was constructed during the summer of 2002. The first floor consists

of ten work bays and space for vehicle maintenance, lift maintenance, food and beverage, resort

lodging, carpentry, vehicle maintenance storage/offices and welding.

The second and third floors of the structure house all of the offices for mountain operations and a

central locker room for up to 420 employees. There are also two studio apartments on the top level

utilized as employee housing and are managed by JHMR.

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Apres Vous Communications Site

A communications building and two tree-style towers (mono-pine) are located on Apres Vous

Mountain just to the west of the peak. The equipment building houses all the nationally known cell

phone carriers to provide excellent service to Teton Village and the surrounding area adjacent to Apres

Vous Mountain.

WYOLINK Communications Site

A communications building sits just to the south of tram tower 5 below Corbet’s Cabin. This building

houses emergency communications equipment for the State of Wyoming and communications

Storage yard

Spare equipment, materials and parts are stored in the “Boneyard” located to the east of the bottom

terminal of the Apres Vous. This site also includes three building that house explosive material used in

avalanche reduction activities. This area is accessed in the summer by a mountain road and in winter

over snow on that same road. Posted signs keep guests out of this area.

4.19 MOUNTAIN ACCESS ROADS

Summer vehicular access to the various mountain facilities is necessary for off-season maintenance

and operations and fire protection. The existing mountain access roads provide summertime access for

rubber tire vehicles and tracked heavy equipment to all mountain buildings and lift terminal locations.

These roads are also used for hiking and limited biking with access all the way from the base of the

resort to the top of the Tram. There are currently 14.1 miles of mountain roads within the ski area

boundary that are regularly used and maintained by Jackson Hole personnel, as illustrated on the

following figure.

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FIGURE 4.4 EXISTING MOUNTAIN ACCESS ROADS

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4.20 UTILITIES

Domestic Water System

Domestic water for all resort facilities located in Teton Village is supplied by the Teton Village Water

and Sewer District (TVW&SD). Four wells currently supply up to 3,500 gallons per minute (gpm) to

the water distribution system and to an existing 211,000 gallon storage tank. Water is supplied to all

ski area buildings through underground piping.

On the mountain, water is pumped at low volume (45 gpm max.) through a three inch diameter pipe

from the base area to a 20,000 gallon underground storage tank just above the Casper Restaurant.

Water is also supplied to the Bridger Restaurant by a three inch water service with a 36,000 gallon

storage tank adjacent to the facility. The snow making air compressor building and the Solitude tent

are also supplied water by the district. No other on-mountain facilities have running water.

Sewer

Sanitary sewage disposal at Jackson Hole is provided by a treatment facility located in Teton Village

and operated by TVW&SD. The facility has a current capacity of 700,000 gallons per day (GPD), and

current peak loads range from 350,000 to 480,000 GPD. All ski area buildings in the base area are

connected to the TVW&SD waste water treatment facility. At both the Casper and Bridger restaurants,

waste solids are separated out in on-site septic tanks and the effluent is piped through a four inch

diameter sewer service network to the treatment plant. No sewage service is provided to the Corbet’s

Cabin facility located at Rendezvous Peak but two non-water toilets (one men's and one woman’s) are

located in the building.

Three non-water self-contained biodegradable type restrooms are also located on the mountain. One

facility is adjacent to the top of Apres Vous lift, another is at the bottom of the Thunder lift, and the

third is at the base of the Sublette lift.

Power

Electrical power is supplied to Teton Village by Lower Valley Energy (LVE). A twenty (20)

megawatt substation is located approximately 1,500 feet to the northeast of the base area to service the

ski area, the residential areas and commercial properties in Teton Village. A maximum of fifteen (15)

megawatts of power are currently being used leaving ample capacity for growth. Power is distributed

to the lifts and ski area buildings via high voltage (7,200 volts) underground transmission lines.

Transformers are located at each facility to reduce the voltage to usable levels.

Communications

Primary communication between the base area and on-mountain buildings is provided by a

communication network (both copper wire and fiber optic) owned by JHMR. Communication lines

radiate from the base area buildings to all lift terminal locations, the Casper and Bridger Restaurants,

the Ski Patrol buildings and the Corbet’s Cabin building. There is also wireless equipment used to

transmit lift ticket data and other computerized data to the base area. The JHMR phone network is

connected to the outside world via the Century Link communication network in Jackson Hole. It is

capable of carrying very high levels of data. Communication for mobile staff (i.e. Ski Patrol, groomers,

maintenance, etc.) is provided by centrally dispatched U.H.F. 2-way radios.

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Fuel Storage

Fuel pumps for gas and diesel are located adjacent to the vehicle maintenance and operations building

on Teewinot run to serve snow grooming and ski area utility vehicles. An additional fuel pump island

is located on the east side of this maintenance/operations building in the middle of the shop yard. Fuel

storage in the base area, located on private property, utilizes three buried tanks. They comprise one 500

gallon tank for diesel, a 2,000 gallon tank for unleaded and one 15,000 gallon tank for off-road diesel.

There is also fuel stored above ground at the top of the Bridger Gondola (1,000 gallons), Mountain

Station (500 gallons) and small fuel tanks for auxiliary engines in all lift drive terminals.

4.21 EMPLOYEE HOUSING

Employee housing options are located in Teton Village and nearby communities including the town of

Wilson located only nine miles away. Jackson also houses many employees and is located just twelve

miles away. Teton County housing requirements for new projects are satisfied by the owners of each

new base area development as required by the Teton Village Master Plan. JHMR is responsible for

specific employee housing requirements for all on mountain upgrades and improvements. For the most

part employee housing units are developed in surrounding towns. Rising real estate prices have caused

many employees to seek housing in Victor or Driggs Idaho or Alpine/Hoback, Wyoming.

4.22 OTHER EXISTING RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Additional Winter Recreation

In addition to Alpine skiing a number of other winter recreational activities are offered at the Jackson

Hole Mountain Resort. Activities include guided back-country ski touring (Nordic and Alpine),

overnight camping in a Yurt, paragliding and sleigh rides. Other winter recreational activities in the

valley include snowmobiling, dog sledding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and nature viewing.

Summer Recreation

Though the primary focus of this document is winter-time recreation, JHMR does attract summer

guests, many of whom are visiting the nearby national parks. JHMR is actively developing summer

activities for guests which currently include group guided hiking trips, mountain climbing schools,

paragliding, interpretive hikes, nature viewing, public access to the Grand Teton National Park and

aerial Tram rides. These activities are available in conjunction with the operation of the Tram. The

Tram operates daily from Memorial Day weekend through the last weekend in September. Total Tram

ridership during the summer of 2013 was over 120,000 visitors.

At the base area of the resort a network of summer trails have been constructed over the past 30 years

and are maintained for hiking and mountain biking. JHMR has constructed an extensive mountain

bike trail network over the past several years which are served by the Teewinot lift for three months of

the summer. Day trips on horseback are offered into Grand Teton National Park by an outfitter located

adjacent to resort. Other activities offered in Teton Village include tennis, swimming, Frisbee golf,

racing events (both running and bicycling), arts and crafts fairs, antique car auctions, the concert series

at the Grand Teton Music Festival Hall and occasionally the Mountain Man Rendezvous. Additional

summer recreational activities in the surrounding area include golf, fishing, rafting and day-trips by car

to Grand Teton or Yellowstone National Parks.

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4.23 EXISTING CAPACITY SUMMARY

Jackson Hole experiences skier visitation patterns which are common to many destination resorts. The

majority of usage occurs from just before Christmas to the middle of March. One of JHMR’s foremost

objectives is to generate more activity during the summer months and during the slow shoulder

seasons.

Despite the sometimes large variation in daily skier visits between weekends/holidays and mid-week

situations, the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort performs very well in terms of seasonal utilization rates.

Ski area utilization is computed by multiplying the CCC (6,310 skiers) by the season length

(approximately 135 days) to calculate the theoretical yearly winter capacity and then comparing the

theoretical capacity with the actual number of skier visits recorded by the ski area. At Jackson Hole,

the theoretical yearly capacity is 857,250 skiers (adjusted for standard limited/partial openings) and the

actual number of skier visits over the past five years has averaged approximately 443,000 skiers,

resulting in a utilization rate of 52 percent. When comparing average utilization rates shown for large

destination resorts (33 percent)12

and the Rocky Mountain resorts (36 percent), it is apparent that

Jackson Hole is operating at a utilization level which is above the industry average.

The capacities for the various components of the ski area operation are shown below in Table 4.18:

Capacities Summary.

TABLE 4.18 CAPACITIES SUMMARY - WINTER

SUMMARY

Resort Capacity (CCC) 6,31013

Terrain Capacity 9,29114

Food Service Capacity 6,07615

Parking Capacity 6,39516

Beds (Teton Village) 1,650

Beds (Other than T.V.) 5,000

A comparison of these figures illustrates that Jackson Hole provides a quality experience on the

mountain for 6,310 skiers. The food service and parking facilities are well matched relative to the

mountain capacity. The parking capacity is currently capable of handing the skier demand even in the

busiest periods of the season. This is due to the availability of the START bus, hotel shuttles and the

ability of guests staying in Teton Village to walk to the lifts.

The next Chapter in this document outlines the proposed upgrades planned for the resort.

12

Economic Analysis of North American Ski Areas, 2002-03, United Ski Industries Association. 13

See Existing Comfortable Carrying Capacity (CCC) discussion starting on page 59. 14

See Terrain Capacity discussion starting on page 55. 15

Based on seating of all Teton Village and on-mountain restaurants with an average turnover rate of 3.5 16

Based on an average vehicle occupancy rate of 1.9 persons per vehicle from data collected over the last five years of

Transportation Demand Management (TDM) surveys.