Lee Canyon (Ski and Snowboard Resort)

The Lee Canyon Ski and Snowboard Resort, officially Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort, is located in Lee Canyon, 35 miles (56 km) northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada, United States in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and Spring Mountains National Recreation Area. The base lodge is situated at the base of Lee Peak (11,289 feet or 3,441 metres), to the north of Mount Charleston (11,916 feet or 3,632 metres), the eighth-highest peak in Nevada. The resort can be reached via US 95 to Nevada State Route 156.

Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort
Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort
Location in Nevada
Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort
Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort (the United States)
LocationClark County, Nevada
Coordinates36.301638°N 115.680759°W / 36.301638; -115.680759
Top elevation11,289 ft (3,441 m)
Base elevation8,510 ft (2,590 m)
Skiable area385 acres (156 ha)
Runs24
15% easiest
45% more difficult
40% most difficult
Longest run3,000 ft (910 m)
Lift system3 chairlifts
1 surface lift
Terrain parks1
Snowfall161 in (4,100 mm) Annual
Snowmaking70 acres (28 ha)
Night skiingnone

Ski-area information

The resort is owned and operated by Powdr Corporation in partnership with the United States Forest Service under a special-use permit. The resort is typically open from November through April, with the best snow in February and March, as is common at most resorts in the region.

The area's total of 385 skiable acres (0.6 sq mi; 1.6 km2) offers 11 alpine skiing and snowboarding trails. There are four lifts, including three chairlifts and one surface lift, as well as hike-to side-country areas and a freestyle terrain park.

History

People have been using the north-facing slopes of the area for winter recreation since the early 1930s. In the 1940s, the Las Vegas Ski Club operated a short rope tow and a warming hut.

Lee Canyon Ski Area was created in 1964, when the Forest Service issued a Special Use Permit in order to provide winter recreation options in Southern Nevada. A T-Bar was installed, the A-Frame Chalet was completed, and in 1968 the first chairlift, Chair One, was installed to access higher elevations, along with a rope tow on the beginner hill. The main lodge building was completed in February, 1970.

In 1980, Chair Two replaced the T-Bar, and the runs were improved for better skiing conditions. In 1982, the beginner slope received Chair Three, replacing the rope tow. In 1987, Lee Canyon began artificial snowmaking, which provides 60% coverage on the main trails. Snowboarding was not allowed until the late 1980s. In 1988 outdoor lighting was introduced for night skiing.

Lee Canyon Ski Area officially became Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort in 1995.

During the 1990s, a freestyle terrain park and half pipe were installed, and local competitions were introduced.

In 2005, a triple chairlift was installed to replace Chair One. Further improvements were made to the snowmaking system.

On October 7, 2009, Lee Canyon set a record for its earliest opening day. It was the second resort in the United States to open for the 2009-2010 season. It was the longest season on record at Lee Canyon, at over 180 days.[1][2]

References
  1. KVVU. 2009-10-07 http://www.fox5vegas.com/news/21223890/detail.html. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. "Skiing in Las Vegas Today for the Second US Resort to Open". First Tracks!! Online Media. 2009-10-07. Retrieved 2009-10-09.


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