Introduction
Since opening in 1940, visitors to Snowbasin, a Sun Valley Resort, have appreciated the beautiful scenery and majestic environment the mountain offers year-round, Atop the 9,288' Mt. Allen ridgeline, visitors are treated to two breathtaking vistas. To the East, the view of the Ogden Valley and Pineview Reservoir highlight Ogden's rugged mountain beauty, while the view to the West showcases the pristine beauty of Taylor Canyon, downtown Ogden and the Great Salt Lake. Hikers and mountain bikers can enjoy the fresh mountain air while walking and riding through Snowbasin's scenic hills and over 20 miles of manicured trails.

Located in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Snowbasin's top priority has always been to protect the land and environment of the mountain. For 62 years, the owners of Snowbasin and the U.S. Forest Service have been working in tandem to protect the mountain's valuable resources by planning and implementing long-term plans including watershed protection.

Responsible Expansion
In preparation for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, Snowbasin constructed new facilities to better serve outdoor summer and winter enthusiasts, while also minimizing long-term effects to the environment.

During venue construction, the resort, in partnership with the Forest Service, considered the environment its first priority, protecting water quality, wetlands, wildlife and aesthetic values. This was accomplished by avoiding sensitive areas whenever possible, insulating them from construction impacts and restoring the original functions and qualities where impacts to the land and water could not be avoided. Examples include:

Design of the Men's and Women's race courses to match the mountain with very little earthwork or terrain modification. For the most part, the race courses were constructed by simple vegetation clearing with hand crews or track hoes. Snowmaking water supply wells were developed in way that eliminated the need for storage reservoirs that would have destroyed dozens of acres of unique wetlands. Revegetated hundreds of acres of snowmaking lines, road cut & fill slopes, and ski runs with sites and elevation specific seed mixed composed entirely of species native to the area. Use of native materials to face buildings in visually sensitive areas, allowing them to blend better to the natural ridgelines and landscapes. The screening of mountain top buildings with evergreen tree plantings. Restoration of several hundred feet of stream channels to their historic location and condition. Monitoring the effects of mountain development activities on water quality and supply, soil erosion rates and re-establishment of native vegetation. Sampling of mountain snow packs to determine the effects of snow enhancement products on water quality. Restoration of native vegetation to several acres of wetlands and riparian areas by replanting locally adapted willow. Salvaging thousands of tons of valuable topsoil from base area parking lots and moving them onto the mountain to promote better revegetation of ski slopes. Use of helicopter "sky cranes" to move and install lift towers in remote locations, thereby dramatically reducing road construction on the mountain. Carefully covering hundreds of acres of bare soil with mulch blankets that enhance seedling establishment and survival. Development of a Best Management Practices handbook that presents effective erosion control and revegetation techniques for use throughout the summer sports industry to protect stream, wetlands and water quality.

The Future
Snowbasin and the Forest service are committed to working together as partners to protect these enduring and valuable resources.