Heavenly's Epic Discovery Project jumps final approval hurdle

Heavenly Mountain Resort has received the final approval needed for its major expansion of on-mountain summer activities. After Vail Resorts gained approval from the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) on March 27, they needed the blessing of the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Board, which they received today.

Vail Resorts' Epic Discovery is designed to connect kids and families with the national forests in an active, fun and engaging way, utilizing existing infrastructure, such as Heavenly’s Gondola, lifts and on-mountain facilities, and blending into the natural environment in a thoughtful manner.

Vail originally submitted the Epic Discovery proposal in July 2013 and has undergone a comprehensive environmental and public review. Prior to the approvals of TRPA and Lahontan, the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) has already approved the project.

Since Heavenly operates in several different jurisdictions, approval was needed from the Forest Service, TRPA, and the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board. The three jointly created an environmental impact report.

The resort can now move forward with implementation. Heavenly expects to begin construction of the activities this summer.

The expanded activities at Heavenly Mountain Resort are designed to appeal to a wide range of visitors. They include zip line and tree canopy tours, an alpine coaster, a mountain bike park, multi-use trails, ropes courses, and interpretive and educational tours to teach visitors about the Lake Tahoe Region’s cultural and environmental resources.

“We appreciate the hard work of our partners at the U.S. Forest Service, TRPA and Lahontan through this entire process and helping us advance it from a proposal to an approved project,” said Pete Sonntag, Heavenly vice president and chief operating officer. “The concept of Epic Discovery really began several years ago with the question: why can’t we make summer at Heavenly as special as the winter? Thanks to our agency partners, we are now on the path to make that initial question a reality for our guests.”

The Lahontan Water Board acted as Lead Agency under the California Environmental Quality act to ensure all potential environmental impacts were evaluated and addressed. The Water Board also issues permits to ensure construction and long term operation and maintenance does not adversely affect water quality.

“Our permit allows Heavenly to proceed with its new summer programs while making improvements to water quality and ensuring protection of sensitive stream zones and meadows,” said Patty Z. Kouyoumdjian, executive officer for the Lahontan Water Board.

The 2011 passage of the Ski Area Recreational Opportunities Enhancement Act has allowed projects like Heavenly’s Epic Discovery program to be created.

“By approving new summer activities at Heavenly Mountain Resort, the Forest Service has taken another step toward providing sustainable recreation in the Lake Tahoe Basin,” said Jeff Marsolais, Forest Supervisor for the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. “The Epic Discovery Project takes advantage of existing facilities to reach families, youth and urban visitors, engage them in managed outdoor summer recreation and teach them how to take care of Lake Tahoe and their national forests.”

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

The plans for Heavenly revolve around the concept of “learning through play” by featuring extensive environmental educational elements among the numerous new interactive activities located in already developed areas of the mountain focused primarily at the Adventure Peak area at the top of Heavenly’s Gondola, as well as in the East Peak and Sky Meadows areas. Heavenly has already begun work with the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, the League to Save Lake Tahoe and The Nature Conservancy, to bring scientific and educational content to the eco-discovery experiences.

Epic Discovery will generate a number of jobs related to construction of the new facilities, as well as increased year-round employment for operations and maintenance. This will directly support a healthier year-round economy for the local community. Heavenly will roll out the implementation of Epic Discovery in phases over several years, concentrating initially on the activities surrounding the Tamarack Lodge area at the top of the Gondola and then moving on to the East Peak Lake and Sky Meadows areas of the resort.