Wolf Creek ski area facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wolf Creek ski area
The ski area in summer, 2019
Wolf Creek ski area Location in Colorado Show map of Colorado Wolf Creek ski area Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Mineral County, Colorado, USA
Nearest city	Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Coordinates	37°28′20″N 106°47′36″W / 37.47222°N 106.79333°W / 37.47222; -106.79333
Top elevation	11,904 feet (3,628 m)
Base elevation	10,300 feet (3,100 m)
Skiable area	1,600 acres (6.5 km2)
Runs	77 20% Beginner 35% Intermediate 25% Advanced 20% Expert
Longest run	Navajo Trail - 2 mi (3.2 km)
Lift system	8 total (2 High-Speed Quad, 1 Quad chair, 2 Triple chairs, 1 Double chair, 1 High Speed Poma Lift, 1 Magic Carpet)
Snowfall	430 in/year (10.9 m/year)
Website	http://www.wolfcreekski.com

Wolf Creek Ski Area (WCSA) is a ski area in southwest Colorado, located on the Wolf Creek Pass between Pagosa Springs and South Fork. It is best known for receiving more average annual snowfall than any other resort in Colorado, at about 430 inches per year.

History

Kelly Boyce built the first lift, a rope tow, at Wolf Creek Pass in 1938. The Civilian Conservation Corps, built a warming shelter. In 1955, the ski area moved to its present location across the road. Wolf Creek's first chairlift was installed in 1974. By 1978, the group of Dallas Cowboys took complete ownership of Wolf Creek. By 1983, the area had 5 lifts and 580 acres (230 ha) of skiable terrain.

Future

WCSA's future as a local's resort is less certain, in light of Texas-billionaire Red McCombs' proposed development of the "Village at Wolf Creek," a year-round resort of 8,000 people adjacent to the ski area. For decades McCombs has pursued his vision for the development and has been working with the Forest Service to acquire highway access to the property, which is an inholding.

Over several decades the Forest Service has been the target of multiple lawsuits from community groups for incompletely assessing the environmental impact of approving a highway access point to the property and withholding information requested through the Freedom of Information Act. Following the most recent lawsuit, the developers reached agreement not to break ground at the site until the case is resolved in court.

Opponents of the Village state that the development would likely harm a vital wildlife corridor between the Weminuche and South San Juan Wilderness areas, alter backcountry experiences on Wolf Creek Pass, compete with local businesses in nearby Pagosa Springs and South Fork, adversely affect rare fen wetlands, and stress water supplies in the Rio Grande watershed. Proponents claim the "Village" would improve the economics of the region.

Statistics

Elevation

• Base: 10,300 ft (3,100 m)
• Summit: 11,904 ft (3,628 m)
• Vertical Rise: 1,604 ft (489 m)

Trails

• Skiable Area: 1,600 acres (6.5 km²)
• Trails: 77 total (20% beginner, 35% intermediate, 45% advanced/expert)
• Longest Run: Navajo Trail - 2 miles (3.2 km)
• Average Annual Snowfall: 430 in (11 m)

Lifts

• 7 total
  • 1 quad chairlift
  • 3 quad detachable chairlift
  • 2 triple chairlifts
  • 1 double chairlift
  • 1 platter lift
  • 1 magic carpet (ski lift)