Snowbird seeking input on plan for bike tra..

Summer recreation • Resort designing system of biking trails through Gad Valley.

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Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort wants to know what people think Wednesday when it unveils a plan to build mountain biking trails through its Gad Valley terrain.

By next summer, resort President Bob Bonar said he hopes to have an initial trail in place from Hidden Peak, down through the Gad Valley to the Snowbird Center. He has brought in Troy Duffin from Park City-based Alpine Trails to design and construct the new trails, but before plans are finalized, Bonar said he wants suggestions from the public.

"Public input is an important part of our decision-making process," he said. "We understand we'll develop the best projects for our community by listening to all our stakeholders."

In March, the U.S. Forest Service authorized Snowbird to proceed with nearly a dozen projects on the Gad Valley side of its mountain, including construction of a mountain-biking trail system that would enhance the resort's attractiveness to summer visitors, an increasingly important component of Snowbird's year-round operations.

Other improvements include replacement of Mid-Gad and Gad 2 lifts with higher-speed units, development of beginner zones around Mid-Gad, the addition of lights for night skiing along Bassackwards and Big Emma runs and various building renovations and expansions.

Although the agency has signed off on the project, a Forest Service representative is expected to attend the 6 p.m. forum in room Alpine B at the Snowbird Center.

Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Supervisor Dave Whittekiend said in Snowbird's announcement of the meeting that "we support opportunities for the public to engage in planning recreation opportunities on public lands. We encourage the community and our visitors to participate."

mikeg@sltrib.com

Twitter: @sltribmikeg —

Trails hearing

P Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort's plan for a mountain biking trail system through the Gad Valley will be the subject of a public forum at 6 p.m. Wednesday in room Alpine B at the Snowbird Center in Little Cottonwood Canyon.

Snowbird seeking input on plan for bike trails