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Skiers Envision New Chugach Lift DevelopmentAim to develop, but not overdevelop, Manitoba MountainRelated Content
MANITOBA MOUNTAIN - Mountain as playground: that's how many Alaskans see the Chugach. But one group is hoping to harness the beauty and accessibility of one mountain in particular to offer up a different outdoor experience for families – and stimulate the local economy. You'll see a lot of majesty on a drive through the Kenai Peninsula, but backcountry ski enthusiasts Dave Scanlan and Jamie Schectman have their eye on one place in particular: Manitoba Mountain. It's not exactly easy getting there, following a historic mining trail where they can finally clip in and enjoy the ride. But not everyone can make the required journey to the top of this hill, and these two men plan to change that. Dave and Jamie are part of Mountain Riders Alliance, which they say aims to change the way mountain playgrounds are operated. Within three years, they expect to have a simple lift running skiers of all ages and abilities up this slope. Their goal is to develop, but not overdevelop, this mountain. They also hope that bringing more skiers here in the winter could be the economic boost the area needs. The permitting process will take some time, but Dave and Jamie are expecting to have a network of groomed Nordic ski trails around the mountain this winter. A few years down the line, small rope tows, a number of yurts, and the t-bar lift will complete their dream of operating a mountain playground that everyone can enjoy. Until then, Dave, Jamie, and many other adventure seekers, will travel up the mountain, one step at a time. The last time there was lift access to a ski area on Manitoba was in 1960. |
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ChugachLover said on Wednesday, Aug 29 at 1:14 PM
Alaska needs another ski area, bring it on!
100392106adavidak said on Sunday, May 20 at 6:05 PM
Kuhl,I cant' wait. Glad to see some vision .
91414656PANDO said on Wednesday, May 16 at 7:38 AM
Look @ what Silverton Colorado has.....
91014584Little Eddie said on Friday, May 4 at 8:56 AM
I agree with Dream Weaver...this is green light terrain everybody can go to in storm conditions, its also great terrain to pick up the sport of backcountry skiing. I am also concerned they may close off the area to skinners who want to venture out on their own to the ridge behind Manitoba or the great skiing terrain north of Manitoba Mtn. The Mountain Riders alliance has heard my concerns and have yet to address them. This bothers me.
89742656akskica said on Thursday, May 3 at 11:46 AM
First, Dave Scanlon lives in Hope, AK. Like many things in our state, he needs some help from outside organizers and fund raisers to see his project through. Opening a small portion of the road accessed backcountry is a small price to pay for a place where alaskans and their families can go experience skiing. Not backcountry or heli or resort or, etc, just regular skiing. Arctic valley is a similar experience and gives the user something that Alyeska simply cannot provide. Also, as an avid backcountry skier, I can assure you that there is plenty of road accessible, green-light terrain that can be skied during cycles of high avi danger. I'm all for the project moving forward and I hope to be able to utilize this area MORE in the future based off this plan than never skiing it, which is how I feel about it now.
89652824wfinley said on Wednesday, May 2 at 12:54 PM
Dave Scanlan and Jamie Schectman continue to ignore the will of Alaskans. The Manitoba area went though a detailed federal review in 2006 with input from people and communities from Anchorage to Soldotna and the overwhelming consensus was that Manitoba should stay non-motorized. The push to turn Manitoba in a lift served ski area flies in the face of dozens of activists and skiers who fought hard to preserve the area and gain a little more non-motorized ground in an area that is heavily weighted towards motorized usage.
89543166Ugh said on Wednesday, May 2 at 10:49 AM
Go back to Tahoe.
89527683Jerry Hoffman said on Wednesday, May 2 at 10:48 AM
I hope there will be a followup story, as indeed this article lacked any specifics and glossed over the true purposes of this minimalistic development. There will be no permanent structures anywhere. Lifts will be of the surface variety requiring little energy to power and ideally run with solar, hydro, wind or other natural source. Food service will be operated by community and be portable. Nearby Alyeska resort will benefit greatly by attracting guests who want a backcountry experience. The article failed to mention anything about gate accessed future plans. The face of the mountain will be ideal for families, and paradise for beginning and intermediate skiers. Adventure skiers will eventually have access to incredible "heliski" type terrain for less than half the cost of a lift ticket. The project is in it's infant stage, but the mountain playground concept offers a progressive alternative to the corporate direction the industry is heading. Come on KTVA...follow up.
89527543Jack MacDonald said on Wednesday, May 2 at 9:50 AM
Way to go. Alaska has the most amazing mountains on the planet, why not have another ski area? Also, I love these guys approach to being minimalist, just what the sport needs. Go MRA!
89519924DreamWeaver said on Wednesday, May 2 at 9:43 AM
So why are mechanized lifts needed here? For those too unfit and lazy to ascend the terrain under their own power? The article failed to make any mention of how Manitoba is long regarded as one of the safest road accessed back country ski touring areas along the greater Turnagain Pass and Summit Lake regions during times of considerable avalanche danger. What effect will privatizing these currently public state and federal lands have on those people that recreate there? The article also fails to mention this area was designated as a non motorized winter recreation area in the Chugach National Forest by the USFS after extensive public comment periods and input. If there is a variance granted for this mechanized winter use will the USFS also the open this terrain to snow machiners as well? Does this large user base not also deserve to expand its terrain? Alaskans be wary when Non Alaskans want to develop YOUR public lands!
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