Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort

Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort
The sign for the resort at the end of Lee Canyon.
Location	Clark County, Nevada
Top elevation	9,515 ft (2,900 m)
Base elevation	8,510 ft (2,590 m)
Runs	11 15% easiest 45% more difficult 40% most difficult
Longest run	3,000 ft (910 m)
Lift system	3 chairlifts 1 surface lift
Terrain parks	1
Snowfall	180 in (4,600 mm) Annual
Snowmaking	70 acres (28 ha)
Night skiing	none
Web site	LVSSR

The Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort (LVSSR), also known to locals as Lee Canyon, is located approximately one hour from downtown Las Vegas, Nevada in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and Spring Mountains National Recreation Area. The base lodge is situated at the base of Lee Peak with an elevation of 11,289 feet/3,441 meters to the north of Mount Charleston, the eight highest peak in Nevada at 11,916 feet/3,632 meters. The resort can be reached via US 95 to Nevada State Route 156.

Ski Area Information

LVSSR is owned and operated by Powdr Corporation in partnership with the United States Forest Service under a special use permit. The resort is typically open from November through April, with the best snow in February and March.

The area's total of 385 skiable acres offers 11 alpine skiing and snowboarding trails and four lifts, including three chairlifts and one surface lift as well as it's hike-to side country areas and freestyle terrain park for skiers and snowboarders. The area also includes the Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard School and off-slope amenities including The Sports Shop, The Big Horn Cafe and the Bristlecone Lounge.

History

Since the early 1930's, Las Vegas locals and visitors alike have enjoyed the snow on these wind protected, North facing slopes. In the 1940’s the Las Vegas Ski Club operated a short rope tow and a warming hut. Lee Canyon Ski Area is born in 1964 when the US Forest Service issues a Special Use Permit in order to provide winter recreation options in Southern Nevada. During the 60’s the Las Vegas gaming industry is booming, winter sports enthusiasts find desert snow in this high alpine environment only one hour away. A T-Bar is installed, the A-Frame Chalet is completed and in 1968 the first chairlift, Chair One, is installed to access higher elevations along with a rope tow on the beginner hill. The main lodge building is completed in February, 1970. In 1980, Chair Two replaces the T-Bar and the runs are improved for better skiing conditions. In '82 the beginner slope receives Chair Three, replacing the rope tow. In 1987 snowmaking comes to Lee Canyon, providing 60% coverage on the main trails. Snowboarding was not allowed until the late 80's. 1988 saw outdoor lighting to brighten the slopes for the first time, bringing night skiing to the area. Lee Canyon Ski Area officially became Las Vegas Ski And Snowboard Resort in 1995 During the 1990’s snowboarding forever changes the LVSSR with a freestyle terrain park, half pipe and local competitions. Big changes occurred in November 2003 when Park City Utah based Powdr Corporation acquires the resort. LVSSR joins Park City Mountain Resort, Alpine Meadows, Mt. Bachelor, Soda Springs, Boreal as a Powdr Corporation owned ski resort. Improved snowmaking, rental equipment, a Magic Carpet surface lift, expanded terrain park, and improved terrain on beginner slope. In 2005 a triple chairlift is installed to replace the yellow double chairlift, Chair One. Further improvements are made to the snowmaking system. Powdr purchases Killington in Vermont. The future of the ski area is submitted to the USFS in new Master Plan proposal. In 2009, Powdr acquired Copper Mountain Colorado. Also in 2009, the resort had its earliest opening ever on October 7. This was the second resort in the United States to open for the 2009-2010 season, the longest season on record at LVSSR with over 180 days of skiing and snowboarding.

External links

• Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort web site