The decision to implement the Winter Park Resort trail projects was signed July 28 by Glenn Casamassa, Forest Supervisor of the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest and Pawnee National Grassland.

This decision clears the way for construction of 9.8 miles of new freeride mountain bike trails and decommission 1.4 miles of roads and trails within the WPR permit area.

The decision will also lead to the widening of the existing Thunderbird Traverse skier access trail from Lunch Rock to the Eagle Wind chairlift.

The analysis for this project began in 2006 with development of a proposed action and started into formal planning required by the National Environmental Policy Act late in 2007. The report, the Forest Service, International Mountain Biking Association, Gravity Logic and interested community members worked together to bring all the elements of the project together.

“The decision signed by Glenn will help us begin managing an element of mountain biking that has for a time been unmanaged on National Forest,” says Mike Ricketts, project leader.

Winter Park Resort is eager to begin expanding its mountain bike trail system with well designed trails that meet the demand for freeride mountain biking.

“This will be a huge improvement on our trail system,” says Bob Holme, WPR Bike Park Manager.

Any questions regarding the decision or appeal process, or requests for a copy of the Environmental Assessment or Decision Notice can be sent to Mike Ricketts, 9 Ten Mile Drive, Granby, CO 80446, or call (970) 887-4133 or e-mail mricketts@fs.fed.us

Winter Park Resort operates on the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest under a special use permit issued by the Forest Service.