SAM Magazine - Wolf Creek, CO, December 5, 2006 - Nordic skiers at Wolf Creek have found their groomed trail options limited as the conflict unfolds between the owners of the resort and a developer behind the Village at Wolf Creek project.

The dispute revolves around access across land owned by the developer, Texas businessman B.J. McCombs, and the owners of Wolf Creek, the Pitcher family. In the past, Nordic skiers enjoyed groomed trails at the bottom of the resort, some of which were on land owned by McCombs. However, that same land is slated to be developed by McCombs as part of a Village project should final approval by the U.S.F.S and other government entities come through. The trails were closed by McCombs and Village at Wolf Creek president Bob Honts after the Pitcher family refused to sign a long-term access agreement for the mountain. The access agreement would allow the Village developers night use of a road, and snowmobile and snowcat access to village property pending Forest Service approval.

The development is controversial, and has faced challenges from a variety of environmental groups. If built, the Village at Wolf Creek would fundamentally change the southern Colorado ski area, which currently has no overnight lodging or base village to speak of. The Village development is expected to include more than 200,000 feet of commercial space and have housing for 10,500 people. \