Phase 1 Base Area Parking and Circulation

The main visitor access to the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort is via State Highway 156 (Lee Canyon) which switchbacks its way to a terminus lookout located above the resort base area. The last 1,800 feet of the main access road has been widened and can accommodate parking for approximately 350 cars. Once the roadway parking area is full, all other day use parking is directed to the overflow surface parking lot located at the north end of the study area, adjacent to the highway. The Phase 1 overflow parking lot has a capacity of approximately 378 cars. Table IV.10 summarizes the existing day skier parking.

TABLE IV.10
EXISTING DAY SKIER PARKING

Parking Location Area (acres) Cars per ac. # of Cars
Paved Lot 2.40 146 350
Overflow Lot 2.70 140 378
Total 728

Note: Paved parking lot capacity based on counts by
Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard management
Remote lot parking capacity based on 140 cars per
acre and revised surface area measurements

There is currently insufficient parking on the road and in the overflow lots to meet the peak period parking demand. Traffic congestion and circulation problems are a common issue at the resort, leading to potential pedestrian/vehicular conflicts and a decline in the quality of visitor experience. Implementation of a paid parking system may be required in order to help reduce the amount of congestion created by non-ski area users.

Table IV.11 identifies on-site car and bus parking requirements for skiers/boarders, tubers, non skiing guests and resort operations staff for the Phase 1 resort development. A total of 1,622 car parking stalls and 4 bus parking stalls are required to meet guest and staff demand in Phase 1. LVSSR is already working in conjunction with the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest to implement a shuttle bus system from the Las Vegas valley to the Resort and as of October 15, 2007, was approved for over $150,000 in Federal funding to begin a shuttle bus service for the 2008-2009 winter season.

TABLE IV.11
PHASE 1 PARKING REQUIREMENTS

Phase 1
Skiers Carrying Capacity 3,270
Tubers 250
Sightseers 570
Total Guests 4,090
Guest Parking
Guest Bus Stalls 4
Guests/Bus 40
Guests by Bus 160
Guest Cars Stalls 1,572
Guests/Car 2.5
Guests by Car 3,930
Staff Parking
Total Staff 100
Staff Shuttle Bus 1
Staff per Shuttle Bus 25
Staff by Shuttle Bus 25
Staff Cars 50
Staff/Car 1.5
Staff by Car 75
Total Car Stalls 1,622
Total Bus Stalls 4

Note: Staff Shuttle Bus is parked at the Maintenance Facility

Assuming a car capacity rate of 2.5 guests per car, current roadway and surface overflow parking conditions will not meet the calculated Phase 1 parking requirement needs. As such, any additional parking that is required will be supplied by remote parking areas below the ski area in Lee Canyon and shuttle bus service from Las Vegas. Access between these remote lots and the ski area will be provided by a shuttle bus system. Once the main parking area and the overflow lots fill to capacity, people wishing to use the Las Vegas Ski and snowboard facilities will be directed to the remote lots.

Table IV.12 summarizes the car and bus parking required for Phase 1 and the capacities of existing parking areas and the remote parking areas. The parking program also assumes that there will be a shuttle bus service to transport employees from Las Vegas and other valley locations to and from the resort on a daily basis. Paid parking may need to be initiated in order to reduce congestion created by non-ski area users and their vehicles.

TABLE IV.12
BASE AREA
PARKING PROGRAM SUMMARY

Phase 1
Total Car Stalls Required 1,622
Total Bus Stalls Required 4
Existing Main Parking Lot (Car Stalls) 320
Existing Main Parking Lot (Bus Stalls) 4
Over Flow Parking Lot (Car Stalls) 378
Remote Parking Areas (Car Stalls) 924