Crested Butte gets backing from Colorado Ski Country in Snodgrass fight

Not too surprisingly, industry trade group Colorado Ski Country USA will support Crested Butte Mountain Resort's efforts to appeal the U.S. Forest Service's decision to deny an expansion onto Snodgrass Mountain (see previous posts here and here), if the resort's owners elect to do so, reports the Aspen Times.

Writes the paper's Scott Condon:

The state ski industry is concerned about the Forest Service's break from tradition in the Crested Butte case, [CSCUSA Chairman Dave] Bellack said. Members of the ski trade association felt the Forest Service's action on the Crested Butte application could set a precedent that affects them all.

The CSCUSA board apparently sees the denial as a signal Forest Service brass is no longer eager to sign off on terrain expansions, and that the one decision is somehow bad for the entire industry. I get the feeling this one will drag on for quite some time.