Vail resorts have announced plans to build a new resort on Vail Mountain, describing it as, “one of the most ambitious “green” development projects in the North American resort industry to date.”

The $1 billion project will transform the 9.5-acre site, currently known as West LionsHead, into what Vail say will be a truly “green” multi-use resort village consisting of residences, a hotel, offices, retail shops and restaurants, mountain operations facilities, a public parking garage, a new gondola and related skier portal and a public park.

“The name of the new development, “Ever Vail”, was chosen to reflect the project’s guiding principle of sustainability – that is, pairing Vail Mountain’s enduring pre-eminent position in the resort industry with an ongoing commitment to minimize the Company’s foot print on the land.” Said a company statement.

If approved, Ever Vail will be the largest LEED-certified project for resort use in North America and is one of the first proposed projects for consideration in LEED’s new “Neighborhood Development” certification program. LEED is The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, a nationally accepted benchmark in the US for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings.

“When the opportunity presented itself to create a new neighborhood at the base of Vail Mountain that would be truly sustainable, we knew that this was the right thing to do for the environment, our guests, our company and the community. Ever Vail will be designed and built incorporating the highest quality materials and finishes and the latest in green building techniques. We know it will become a symbol of our intrinsic relationship with the spectacular mountain environment we operate in,” said Rob Katz, chief executive officer of Vail Resorts.

Ever Vail will encompass approximately one million square feet and include between 600,000 and 700,000 saleable square feet of residential and commercial space. The site is currently occupied by Vail Mountain’s vehicle maintenance shop yard and warehouse, a retail and office complex and a gas station, offering the opportunity for a true “Brownfield” redevelopment.

“Ever Vail represents the future of environmentally resourceful, sustainable communities that enhance the quality of life while protecting and preserving our natural resources,” said Steve Harmon, a pioneer of the LEED process and principal at Callison, a Seattle-based firm that has planned and designed more LEED-certified projects than any other in North America. “

Vail’s plans for Ever Vail are currently still being finalized and have not been approved by the Town of Vail. The Company intends to submit its plans for Ever Vail to the Vail Town Council for approval within the next 60 days. The Company does not anticipate beginning any real estate sales on the project until 2009.

www.vailresorts.com

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