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Plan For Expansion Of Eldora Ski Area Gets Initial Approval

NEDERLAND, Colo. (CBS4) - The U.S. Forest Service is giving tentative approval to a plan to expand Eldora Mountain Resort.

The resort just outside Nederland wants to expand their boundaries to make room for new downhill trails, chairlifts and a new restaurant on the mountain. They need federal approval for such a move because a large portion of the resort lies within the Roosevelt National Forest.

Forest officials said in a statement Tuesday that they have completed an environmental impact statement and put out a draft decision that gives the green light for an expansion to the resort's north and south ends.

LINK: Eldora Mountain Resort Ski Area Projects
Environmental Impact Statement

Officials said the plan would allow Eldora to provide skiers and snowboarders with the following:

- 66 acres of new skiable trails
- 119 acres of new and improved tree and gladed skiing
- 65 acres of added snowmaking coverage
- 185 acres of added terrain in intermediate, advanced intermediate and expert ability levels

The plan also includes replacing two chairlifts and adding two new chairlifts. The new restaurant would be located at the top of the Indian Peaks Lift, and the plan also includes an extensive remodel of Lookout, the current slope-side restaurant.

The proposal now must go through a public objection period before it can get final approval.

Ski Report

Check the status of trails & lifts at Colorado ski resorts in the CBSDenver.com Ski Report section.

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