(continued from previous Alta history posting)
In the current scheme of ski resorts, ASA has done a great job of improving their existing facilities instead of going on a manifest destiny land-grab like Snowbird, The Canyons and Vail. But times may be changing. After serving as Alta Town Mayor for 34 years, Bill Levitt retired in 2004 and was replaced by Tom Pollard. At the same time, rumor has it that ASA, a privately held company, is being passed on to a younger and more profit-minded generation. In 1872, Alta had 8,000 seasonal residents (versus 370 full-time now). For better or worse, times change and they could change back.
During the initial planning for the first public Friends of Flagstaff meeting at REI, there was some concern that a 150 seat venue may be too big for the 50 or so people who were expected to attend. However, on the night of the meeting, the venue was filled to standing-room only before the meeting even started and an equal number of people were turned away at the door. All of the organizers were impressed (and grateful) for the strong turn out, as was Mayor Pollard, who was hearing many of these issues for the first time.
I know Mayor Pollard’s son is a backcountry skier, but don’t know if he is himself. As such, he may have no idea of how important the Wasatch backcountry is to skiers, both local and worldwide. PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT AND WRITE MAYOR POLLARD A LETTER VOICING YOUR OPIONION ABOUT THE PROPOSED FLAGSTAFF CHAIRLIFT. It doesn’t have to be worthy of Hemingway, and at this stage, volume matters as much as content. As of his last update, he had received 1 (one) letter in opposition to the proposed lift. A postcard, email or detailed manuscript is fine – what matters is that our voices are heard, so it is not a case of “Gee, I had no idea people felt this way before we okay’d the lift – too late now.” If you oppose the idea of this lift and are wondering what you can do about it, this is it!
Mayor Tom Pollard
Alta Mayor Tom Pollard’s contact info:
email: tjp@townofalta.com
Mayor Tom Pollard
Alta Town Offices
P.O. Box 8016
Alta, UT 84092
Some optional letter writing points from The Friends of Flagstaff.
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