Off The Beaten Path

Court Ruling - 12th January 2006

Flagstaff, AZ – January 12, 2005 – The Arizona Snowbowl is pleased with the Courts ruling and believes it is the right decision.

Judge Rossenblatt’s decision confirms the prior 1979 ruling in favor of the Arizona Snowbowl. The recent trial also addressed new laws that have been enacted since 1979 and cases recently heard by the Federal Courts. It is now time to accept the decision and move on.

“I would like to commend the United States Forest Service on the excellent job managing the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and defending the EIS in court”, states JR Murray, Snowbowl’s General Manager.

“We greatly appreciate the enormous numbers of supporters who have been with us for the entire process beginning in 2002, including the local businesses and hospitality community, civic groups, community leaders, the loyal skiers and snowboarders and especially our dedicated employees.”

It is important for the public to realize that the Snowbowl occupies only 1% of the San Francisco Peaks and that snowmaking will only occur on one quarter of that 1%. The remaining 99% of the Peaks are preserved from development. This ruling confirms that skiing and winter recreation is an acceptable use of Public Lands.

The trial also revealed that Sunrise Park Resort, a ski resort located in the White Mountains of Arizona, uses reclaimed water in their snowmaking operations. Arizona is at the forefront on reclaimed water use and Snowbowl believes using reclaimed water to make snow is leading edge and consistent with State and Flagstaff’s resource objectives. Snowbowl also believe they will be the first ski area in the world to use reclaimed water exclusively to make snow.

Snowbowl will be meeting with the United States Forest Service to discuss implementation of the proposal. The improvements have been a long time coming and when completed will assure that Snowbowl will provide quality recreation to the residents of Flagstaff and State of Arizona.