Current Use and Development
| In the
summer months Hatcher Pass is a popular tourist destination
with activity focused around the Independence Mine State
Historical Park, which features the area's brief but intense
hard rock mining history. The area is also a very popular
family hiking area with many trail destinations. Hatcher Pass has been used as a winter sports venue since the 1940s and sees use by cross-country and downhill skiers, snowboarders and snowmobile riders. Their activities are currently supported by small-scale businesses, which provide limited food and lodging and some trail grooming services. The MSB has embarked on an aggressive campaign to limit and define development risks. The precursor in limiting development risk was the acquisition of all Hatcher Pass lands necessary to develop the ski and recreation areas. |
Sole
ownership and control of the property by a single
governmental entity, which strongly advocates for the
development of both the Alpine and Nordic ski area, will
significantly simplify and expedite development of the
project. The MSB has also extended electrical power to the ski areas, conducted geotechnical studies, and identified potable and snowmaking water supplies. Recognizing the scenic nature of the area, the electrical line extension was placed predominantly underground. Improvements to the ski lodge access road and the placement of considerable quantities of crushed rock in the proposed Alpine ski parking area have been made. |