Expansion plans at 聽in Jackson, Wyoming, triggered a historical assessment of the area. Parts of the 76-year-old ski resort were found to be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. While the assessment took into consideration聽everything from buildings to聽ski runs to聽chair lifts, the designation won鈥檛 impede any of the development plans, .
Preservation Solutions, the Boise, Idaho鈥揵ased聽firm that conducted the assessment,聽wrote that聽鈥淸t]he ski area continues to clearly communicate its historic winter recreational setting and landscape,鈥 the News and Guide reports. The study also says the ski area played a big part in establishing Jackson as a winter tourism destination. 鈥淪now King played a critical role in the mid-20th century growth not only of Jackson, but development of the whole Jackson Hole valley as a major winter recreation hub. Places like Snow King literally both reflected and directly changed the development of towns like Jackson.鈥
The possible historic designations won鈥檛 put the kibosh on any developments Snow King is exploring. The resort is in the midst of a $2 million replacement of the Rafferty lift, built in 1978, and is planning new ski runs and a ropes course. The ropes course, which is proposed on public land, wouldn鈥檛 be affected because, 鈥渋t鈥檚 going to be in the trees and not really visible from the majority of the ski runs,鈥 Brian Beadles, of the Wyoming Historic Preservation Office, told the News and聽Guide.
When any new projects arise, the board will review them and come up with mitigation plans should the development detract from the ski area鈥檚 historic significance.