Base Area Design Analysis
Introduction
The objectives of the base area design analysis are to illustrate the suitability of the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort base lands to support further development and to formulate guidelines for the upgrading and redevelopment of these resort lands.
There are two distinct, but key components of the design analysis. The first component is to identify the base area facilities and service functions required to support sliding activities. The second is to determine the ultimate development potential of the resort base lands to support these facilities. The results of this analysis will determine the configuration for the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort base area land use, visitor access, circulation, parking and slider staging development concepts. Figure 12 (JPG | PDF) , the Development Suitability Plan, illustrates the preliminary day use visitor development capacity of the total amount of base land available within the permit boundary. This base area capacity will ultimately determine the potential for developing recreational amenities and resort infrastructure such as ski lifts, trails, lodges, parking and access roads.
While people are attracted to a mountain resort primarily for the purpose of sightseeing and participating in sliding activities in a mountainous, alpine environment, a large majority of their time will be spent at the base of the mountain in the resort centre. A carefully achieved balance between the natural environment, the developed sliding area and base lands will optimize the quality of the resort, while maintaining the natural beauty of the surrounding mountain environment.
Development potential of the base area depends on the biophysical limitations and opportunities of the site and the proposed location of lifts and trails. The biophysical analysis process for the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort will include the following issues:
- A detailed slope analysis, from which the area, size and location of developable terrain is determined (Figure 11 Base Area Slope Analysis) (JPG | PDF) )
- Access potential to the resort
- Accessibility of the developable terrain in relation to the base of the lifts and slider zones
- The geological composition of the ground and its geotechnical ability to support structures
- Solar Analysis
Base Area Goals and Objectives
The primary goal for the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort is to create a well balanced facility that is capable of offering a positive visitor experience with a range of year-round recreational opportunities. In order to optimize the potential of the resort, the design team have identified seven general goals which provide common guidelines for the planning and design process.
- To create a high quality, year-round recreational environment.
- To balance all base area development with the mountain's lift and slider trail capacity.
- To respect the site's existing and natural attributes including unique and sensitive flora and fauna.
- To create a development which contributes to the local economy and provides employment opportunities.
- To create a unique, recreational resort environment which minimizes pedestrian and vehicular conflicts.
- To provide a diverse resort environment which is attractive to a wide spectrum of clientele and meets the growing recreational demand of the Las Vegas region.
- To provide facilities which meet or exceed the industry accepted quality and standards.
Base Area Design Criteria
Base Area Slope Analysis
Slope gradients within the base area are analyzed in order to determine the size and location of developable land parcels, parking areas and lift staging zones. The development potential for each class of slope gradient is listed below.
| 0 - 8% | White - considered essentially "level" for roads, parking and larger structures |
|---|---|
| 8 - 15% | Green - usable for roads, parking and larger structures but with major terrain modification |
| 15 - 25% | Yellow - best suited for smaller multi-family townhouse developments and single family development |
| 25 - 40% | Blue - suited for low density single family development |
| 40% + | Red - too steep for development |
Figure 11 (JPG | PDF) , the Base Area Slope Analysis map, provides a graphic portrayal of the slope gradients of the base lands. In Figure 12 (JPG | PDF) , the Development Suitability Plan, land areas with an average slope gradient of 0 to 15 percent have been delineated as having the best development potential. Areas that have slope gradients between 0 and 8, and 8 and 15 percent are best utilized for day slider parking and resort, and sliding activity service functions. Areas with slopes between 15 and 25 percent and greater are usually designated for real estate development of varying types. However, these gradients are normally too steep for the development of day slider staging facilities associated with a resort such as the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort.
Geotechnical Information
At this time, there is no evidence that soil instability is an issue in the base area.
Existing Vegetation
The preservation of trees and other indigenous and sensitive plants will be given high priority in the planning process.