No fast runout here.

I discovered an interesting development at Monarch ski area today while doing a little after ski season skiing. It looks like the snowcat drivers had a major end-of-season party and then went out grooming at the end of it!  Most of the major ski runs are largely un-skiable due to new and major trenches, berms and ridges apparently caused by snowcats run amok.

Wahooooo!

Like the aftermath of some monster-truck slalom race, Monarch’s major runs now all sport deep snowcat tracks down the slopes. Pick a run : Sleepy Hollow, Great Divide, Ticaboo, Tango, Aftershock … all have these demolition derby-like snowcat tracks. It is clear that the “cats” were also plowing as well just weaving around, because many of the tracks are inset ruts.  Frozen in place like they are now, these ruts and lumpy berms not only take the s-m-o-o-t-h out of corn snow turns, they also create quite a leg-breaking hazard.

Jump or break a leg, your choice.

Inquiring minds want to know. Why would they do this?

Could it be some special snow-cat drivers training? Not likely, as any training would surely result in smooooooth packed snow, not a lumpy mess.

Perhaps something to slow spring melt water? Probably not, as most of the tracks are down the fall line.

How about snowcat races? Doubt it … Unless the guys (or gals) were racing for a personal best, you would expect more than one set of tracks on each run.

Maybe it is a new marketing campaign like Mad River Glen? “Off-season Monarch! Ski it if you can!”

What do you think? Give your well-reasoned and wacky theories in the comments.

Ride the wave.

Dates: Every Saturday: December 6, 2008 – March 14th, 2009
Time: Leaves the Hot Springs Aquatic Center at 8:30am SHARP
Leaves Monarch at 3:30pm SHARP
Cost: $5/person
Ages: All ages (Kids under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.)
Notes: As a courtesy to those who are on time, we will not wait for people who are late going to or coming from the mountain.

Each rider is required to sign a liability waiver.  If you are under the age of 18 and plan to ride the bus, you’ll need to have your parents sign a waiver prior to the bus departure time.

All ages welcome.  Kids under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

We are NOT chaperones.  Kids will be on their own once we get to the mountain.  Know your kids and be certain that they can handle the responsibility of taking care of themselves at the mountain and getting back on the bus by 3:30pm.

To ensure a ride, reservations can be made in person with payment at the Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center or with a credit card over the phone before the date you would like to ride.  Without a reservation, riders will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.

Contact Information:

Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center (719)539-6738
Anicka Olsen – Salida Recreation Coordinator (719)539-5703
410 W. Rainbow Blvd. (Hwy 50)
Salida, CO  81201
salidarecreation@yahoo.com

One can only imagine that the need for this tax has arisen from poor planning, administration and operations of the pool. The failed new pipeline was a massive net loss to the city, (though it has received a grant of $1,500,000 to have the water line replaced) as well as the new roof and structural improvements. It’s not surprising to see the City propose a funding source for the loss, however this is not the best means of doing so.

From the City website, the 2008 expected revenue from pool operations is $260,000 and the cost to operate the pool is $450,000 for an ANNUAL operating loss of $190,000. Originally, the City had proposed a $2.00 charge per room night. Why now the $4.82 per night proposal?

Perhaps the City is thinking that it will cover the annual operating loss of $190,000 and THEN WHAT? Well, the City 2008 budget contemplates the construction of an addition to the pool, presumably a recreation center that will cost $3,500,000 in 2009. It can certainly expect to have operational losses on this facility as well, perhaps as much as $300-400,000 per year. What better way to cover this cost than to charge it to unsuspecting visitors?

The City’s position is that visitors to the community itself are by far the largest user group of the pool. If this is true then why on City letterhead does Trish Bews, write as follows for the 2008 budget:

Department Purpose
“The stated mission of the Salida Recreation and Aquatic Center is to provide excellence in recreation, education, and fitness to enhance the quality of life in our community.”… “Being City-funded, our recreation programs are geared toward locals.”

2007 Department Accomplishments
Too many to list, but all are community oriented.

Hence, the City is contradicting itself as to the purpose and use of the pool.

The City also believes that visitors to town just will not notice an “extra” charge of $4.82 to their hotel bill. I can assure you that they most certainly will. Mixing a flat fee and a percentage tax charge to bills will bring scrutiny to visitor charges and create anger that will modify behavior.

Visitors just do not come to the Valley to swim in the pool, which as far as “Hot Springs” go is a complete farce. When the pool was closed for repairs, there was no drop in visits or CCVB revenue from the lodging tax. The pool is not an attraction that brings in visitors; it is merely an amenity to the town of Salida residents.

Hence, users of the pool should pay any negative cash flow from operations, meaning the community should pay through the existing sales tax of the town/county, which appear to contribute 80% of the operating revenue for the City.

Citizens should scrutinize the costs of operating the pool carefully. The relative utility of the pool and the proposed recreational building appear to be dubious at best given current City finances. City finances are in serious jeopardy given the current national economic situation and the likely rescission of contract by the purchaser of the Vandaveer property.

Taxing visitors for community projects sets a poor precedent and opens the door to further misuse of taxing privilege by the government. If this tax is approved, where does the process end?

Presently, Chaffee County visitors enjoy the best bang for the buck on outdoor activities. This valley offers the widest range and best quality of sports in any season. It also has the best price point by far. In winter, a skier can spend four days at Monarch, stay and eat in town, for what a day would cost at many of the other state ski areas. At Monarch, we intend to be price-sensitive and keep our end of the bargain in offering a great value for the recreation we provide. We simply ask that the City do the same.

Bob Nicolls
Monarch Ski Area