This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

This summer, Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort wants to grade one last section of the Path to Paradise traverse across Mineral Basin and to install a mount for a howitzer to be used in avalanche control on the resort's back side.

The U.S. Forest Service has determined these proposals will not have enough environmental consequences to warrant detailed study. But before authorizing the ski resort to proceed, the agency wants to know what the public thinks. Comments are being accepted through May 15 by the Pleasant Grove ranger district at the following addresses:

• By mail or hand delivery, 390 N. 100 East, Pleasant Grove, UT 84602;

• By fax, 801-785-6932

Pleasant Grove District Ranger Jon Stansfield said his agency concluded the Path to Paradise grading proposal would improve skier safety on the "skiway" itself, and also would contribute to enhanced grooming of Mineral Basin's north-facing slope, spreading more skiers and boarders into that less-used area.

When Snowbird developed Mineral Basin in 1999, Path to Paradise was partially cut at a 7 percent grade from Hidden Peak to Sunday Saddle, the ridge separating Mineral Basin from Mary Ellen Gulch, which the resort hopes to develop in coming years.

Initially, Stansfield said, the skiway was graded into the mountain only from the top of Little Cloud lift to the end of Snowbird's private property. It was cut into the snow after that. But in 2005, the Forest Service allowed Snowbird to grade another 150 feet through its land and to install a winch anchor to enable the resort to groom Powder Paradise run. Snowbird graded a section of private property last year between Sunday Saddle and the Forest Service's holding, leaving a 160-yard gap where the skiway's surface remains cut into the snow.

This section is within the Twin Peaks Inventoried Roadless Area. He noted the designation does not preclude skiways.

Snowbird's plan is to grade the final section, creating a continuous 12-foot-wide track. Cutting and filling would disturb about 0.75 acres, which would be revegetated.

Stansfield said the work will reduce the potential for collisions on the skiway.

"The Powder Paradise area has turned out to be some of Snowbird's most popular terrain, especially on sunny mornings," he said. "Skiers going beyond Powder Paradise now go as fast as possible on the existing skiway in order to carry speed onto user-made traverses extending from the end of the skiway. They must pass through skiers slowing and stopping near the end of the skiway."

"This mixing of different speeds of skier traffic is hazardous. Extension of the graded skiway would make it unnecessary to gain speed to cross toward Sunday Saddle, alleviating this issue," Stansfield added.

The permanent howitzer mount would be built on Forest Service land below the Mineral Basin Express chairlift. It would consist of a reinforced concrete bunker where ammunition and fuses would be stored. The artillery piece would be set atop the bunker in a roofed, wooden structure.

Stansfield said the howitzer would improve avalanche control by allowing use of more powerful charges with lower dud rates and would alleviate the need for Snowbird ski patrol to enter hazard zones to do control work with hand charges.

Twitter: @sltribmikeg