Fri, Sep 05, 2008

Arizona / West

Arizona Snowbowl seeks approval to add conveyor belt for new skiers

The Associated Press
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 06.05.2008
FLAGSTAFF — The Arizona Snowbowl outside Flagstaff wants to put a 160-foot conveyor belt on its lower slope to bring beginning skiers and snowboarders to the top of a small training hill.
The resort is asking the U.S. Forest Service for permission to build the lift this summer.
Snowbowl general manager J.R. Murray says the conveyor is needed because thousands of people take lessons there every winter. Beginning skiers now climb the hill on indoor-outdoor carpeting laid on the snow.
The Forest Service is considering the proposal.
The resort is also waiting for a ruling by a federal appeals court on its case seeking to put in snowmaking equipment. Indian tribes successfully sued to block the effort.