DENVER - The owners of Silverton Mountain are asking federal officials for permission to diversify terrain for helicopter skiing on public land in time for the 2015-16 ski season.
The Bureau of Land Management made the request public through a letter July 1. The public has until July 17 to respond to the request. Comments can be emailed to jchristenson@blm.gov.
Some community members quickly expressed fears that the proposal would limit locals' access to highly prized backcountry ski terrain in exchange for expensive heli-skiing that might attract tourists.
"This is public land, but it's just being given to (Aaron) Brill for his own private use," Nicole Bellman, a property manager in the Silverton area, said of ski-area owner Aaron Brill, who owns the mountain with his wife, Jen Brill. "The land that he's requesting is some of the best, secure, accessible lines in San Juan County."
The Brills did not return calls left by The Durango Herald seeking comment about the proposal.
The request to the BLM was made on behalf of Silverton Guides, the arm of Silverton Mountain that provides heli-skiing adventures. Connie Clementson, field manager for the BLM's Tres Rios Field Office, said there is no proposed increase in authorized use. The owners have simply proposed a change in terrain.
"The BLM has received a request from Silverton Guides for a change in authorized terrain to provide more diversity in the skier experience and opportunity," Clementson said. "We are looking forward to hearing from the community on this proposal-modification in the existing authorized use."
The request would diversify heli-terrain within the Alpine Triangle, a so-called "special recreation management area," made up of more than 150,000 acres managed by the BLM.
Silverton Mountain's base - situated off County Road 110 - would be directly across from terrain under consideration. The new areas would include small patches to the south, west and north of the base area. The biggest swath would be southeast of the base area on the east side of County Road 2. It would run about six miles north-south and six miles east-west.
The terrain is currently entirely above tree line, though the request would include terrain below tree line. The BLM said no tree-cutting would be required.
"The purpose and need for the action is to provide an increased opportunity for a high-quality, diverse and challenging recreational experience," the BLM notice says of the request.
But the Brills may have to navigate a maze of concerned neighbors and environmentalists. It is not the first time they have had to wrestle with the community. When they launched plans for Silverton Mountain in the early 2000s, the Brills faced lawsuits.
Skiers love the area, as it is one of the most extreme ski mountains in North America, with glorious soft powder. With only one chairlift, only advanced skiers use this high alpine environment. It is the highest ski area in North America, with a peak of 13,487 feet.
Jimbo Buickerood, public lands coordinator for the San Juan Citizens Alliance, raised concerns with the BLM's process.
"The BLM's outreach per the project is slow, shoddy and incomplete," he said.
Buickerood pointed out that the BLM's notice only left two weeks for public comments.
"This is what I would characterize as extremely poor public outreach and a ridiculously short scoping period," Buickerood said.
Bellman said attracting skiers to the area does not outweigh locals having access to public lands.
"For what?" she asked. "He's increasing tourism but totally defacing our mountains that we are living here for. At this point, it's not about the tourism."
pmarcus@durangoherald.com