SAM Magazine-Minturn, Colo., Feb. 28, 2008-A major new ski area development proposed by the Ginn Company took a big step forward with the unanimous approval of the plans by the Minturn Town Council.

The Council approved both the annexation of the proposed development to the town and gave preliminary approval to the project. A second vote later in 2008 will give final approval (or deny) the project. At this stage, the town is expected to grant that final approval.

The small mountain town outside of Vail and Beaver Creek has been considering the development for nearly three years. Largely spared the high-dollar second home boom that has overtaken nearby Vail, Minturn has retained a down-home, funky character. There's no doubt that the project will change that, to some extent. The Ginn Company expects to build 1,700 homes and condos in addition to the private ski resort. A golf course is expected complete the development.

But while some residents have expressed dismay over Ginn's plans, there's no doubt that Minturn will benefit from the project. Tax revenues for Minturn are expected to range from $6 million to $10 million a year. Plus, Ginn's plans include employee housing, bike paths, a recreation center and additional cleanup of the former Superfund site of Gilman, which remains heavily contaminated from mining.

And, while the ski area will remain private, residents of Minturn and nearby Red Cliff are expected to have limited access to the slopes once the ski lifts are installed.

The proximity of the ski area to Vail also has some locals remembering the fate of the private ski/golf enclave of Arrowhead. That private ski area is now part of Beaver Creek. Could this new ski area end up linked with Vail? Stranger things have happened. \