Best known as the closest skiing to Las Vegas, Lee Canyon is upping the ante with plans to invest some $35 million in the ski area’s infrastructure, adding lifts and particularly summer activities like zip-lining,mountain biking, and even a mountain rollercoaster.
Related: Ski Resort Mogul Swindled By Alpine Rollercoaster Salesman
Not gonna lie, not a big fan of ‘mountain coasters’ but the lift improvements and potential glading could greatly improve the skiing experience at Lee Canyon. Public comment for the following plans is open the next 40 days. You can leave your comment here.
The USFS has now completed a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the planned Lee Canyon expansion.
Now is the time for your input. The 45-day public comment period has begun.
The Draft EIS & comment submissions can be found here: https://t.co/fOQBQHM2Hb. pic.twitter.com/NwQ0L8W6Sl
— Lee Canyon (@LeeCanyonLV) August 19, 2018
PROPOSED ACTION
The Forest proposes to authorize Lee Canyon to implement the first phase of the resort’s accepted MDP.
The proposed action described below represents Phase 1 of the MDP. It is the result of a collaborative, multi-year process involving input from Lee Canyon, the Forest Service, and the Fish and Wildlife Service. Figures 2 – 4 illustrate the proposed action, all elements of which fall within the permit boundary of the Lee Canyon ski area. Authorized project elements would be implemented within 5 years.
Lifts and Ski Runs 
1. Lift 4: A new carpet lift along the skier’s left edge of the Rabbit Peak run. This would be a portable installation involving no excavation or permanent structure.
2. Chair 5: A new fixed-grip quad chairlift on the slope east of the existing beginner area, with three new novice-level ski runs and a skiway returning to the mid-mountain area.
3. Chair 8: A new fixed-grip quad chairlift accessing several new higher-elevation novice to intermediate ski runs southwest of Chair 2.
4. Glading (i.e., selective tree removal to open dense forest patches) between Chairs 1 and 5, above the snow-making pond, and below the lower terminal of Chair 8 to create off-piste skiing opportunities and potentially improve habitat for the endangered Mt. Charleston blue butterfly.
Snowmaking Coverage
Additional snowmaking lines and a pump house to provide flexibility for snowmaking coverage.
Summer Activities
On-mountain summer activities including:
- Mountain Coaster
- Hiking Trail
- Mountain Bike Trail System
- Zip Line
Facilities
1. A new equipment rental/food & beverage building at the mid-mountain site.
2. A new skier services building at the mid-mountain site.
3. A new first aid/ski patrol building near the bottom of the new Lift 4.
4. A vault toilet facility at the lower parking lot.
5. A new parking lot below the beginner area.
6. A gate house on the access road.
7. A new culinary water tank near the snowmaking reservoir.
Find the entire plans here: Lee Canyon EIS