If you ski or ride at the White Pass Ski area you know that it can get crowded on the slopes and in lodges on the mountain. Would you like to see an expansion of lodges and other guest services? If the answer is yes White Pass officials agree with you. They're hoping to make major changes and create friendlier areas at the base lodge and the High Camp Lodge.

YOU HAVE UNTIL OCTOBER 30 TO MAKE YOUR COMMENT

It's not an easy process to expand however since any construction within the forest requires the White Pass Company to go through several processes before anything can happen. Currently The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is proposing to undertake the White Pass Lodge Expansion Projects. A press release from USDA Forest Service says the "Naches Ranger District is assuming the responsibilities for project administration and inviting comment on the proposed White Pass Lodge improvements." That means If you ski or ride or just love the forest you are urged to share your knowledge of the area with the planning team. They say your comments will help identify potential issues and concerns of the proposal. Comments will be taken until October 30 at;
https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60666

HOW ABOUT MORE SPACE TO ENJOY LUNCH OR BUY A TICKET?

The White Pass Company is hoping to construct an addition to the High Camp Lodge that they say would allow the ski area to address "inadequacies of the existing, under-sized building by providing additional food service seating and restroom space." The High Camp Lodge is located at the 6,000 foot level on the mountain. But they're also hoping for changes at the base area. White Pass officials say they've outgrown the Main Lodge. A press release says "there is a need to segregate guest services from food service seating in the Main Lodge and to better segregate the rental area from the ski school."  There is also a need for more food service seating in the Main Lodge." So to help, White Pass officials want to build a new Guest Services Building  between the "Main Lodge and the Great White Express chairlift, in the location of the existing ticket booth.That building would consist of ticketing, rentals, ski school and restrooms. Plus there would be an area to purchase “grab and go" items."

THE PROJECTS NEED NEPA APPROVAL

White Pass Company officials say the changes wouldn't impact the forest around the ski area and would improve the experience of both the guest service visitors in the new building and the food service visitors in the Main Lodge.
Right now the proposed projects are being considered and analyzed in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

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