TRPA Board approves Heavenly's Epic Discovery project

Heavenly's Epic Discovery project passed their biggest hurdle Thursday as the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency's (TRPA) Governing Board unanimously approved the newest year-round recreational experience in South Lake Tahoe. With it, comes a wide variety of outdoor recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike. Epic Discovery will include new zip lines, sky cycle tree canopy tours, a mountain bike park and trails, ropes courses, and interpretive and educational tours to teach visitors about the Lake Tahoe Region’s cultural and environmental resources.

Since the project will cover two states, three counties and needed approval from TRPA, U.S. Forest Service and Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board.

The Forest Service previously approved Epic Discovery which will be among the first of its kind in the nation, following Congress’s passage of the Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2011 that allows ski resorts operating on Forest Service land to offer expanded year-round recreational opportunities. Lahontan's board will be voting in May.

“The Epic Discovery Project represents an exciting, collaborative model for sustainable recreation that successfully balances environmental preservation and education with economic revitalization and improved outdoor recreational opportunities, all consistent with TRPA’s Regional Plan,” said Joanne S. Marchetta, Executive Director of TRPA.

Cyclists will be able to take their bikes up the gondola during summer months and ride a plethora of trails including the Tahoe Rim Trail before descending to Van Sickle Bi-State Park.

“We’re hoping to create new friends of the forest by teaching people about Lake Tahoe’s extraordinary natural environment through this project,” said Andrew Strain, Vice President of Planning and Governmental Affairs for Heavenly Mountain Resort.

TRPA approved the Heavenly Epic Discovery Project following an extensive environmental review process. One of the Agency’s mandates is to improve outdoor recreational opportunities in the Lake Tahoe Region.

The environmental review for the Epic Discovery Project was completed by TRPA, Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board, and U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.