A Neighborly Nod
The giant Canadian developer Intrawest and Mammoth Mountain Ski Area have taken an avalanche of criticism for explosive growth in the eastern Sierra town of Mammoth Lakes as they carve out a “destination resort.” That label means the partners can charge more for lift tickets and much, much more for condos and hotel rooms built within the pervasive faux-Alpine theme. Housing values have soared to the point that many Mammoth-area workers can’t afford to live there anymore. Million-dollar lots are not uncommon. And did we mention the craziness of tucking an airport with daily service to Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas and more into the mountain-hemmed village? So it’s only fair to give credit when credit is due.
Mammoth Mountain Ski Area has spent $3 million to buy 120 acres along the west shore of salty, scenic and ecologically fragile Mono Lake, just north of Mammoth. The property, a private inholding within the Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area, administered by the U.S. Forest Service, was about to become a housing tract. Rusty Gregory, chief executive officer of the ski area, said the goal was to turn the land over to the Forest Service to be preserved undeveloped.
The purchase was not entirely selfless. Gregory said Mammoth hoped to trade the land to the Forest Service for ownership of the property underneath Mammoth’s venerable Main Lodge, now leased from the federal government. Gregory said it would be far easier to finance renovation of the lodge if it sat on Mammoth-owned property. That’s a reasonable deal. The base lodge area is fully developed and will remain that way as long as there is a ski area there, regardless of ownership.
Mammoth has no assurance yet that a trade can be done, Gregory said, and the sale was a big risk on the part of Mammoth. “The Intrawest portion of the company is none too pleased with our decision to buy the property,” Gregory said.
Intrawest should lighten up. This is how a company that dominates the local economy can be a good neighbor and not just an 800-pound gorilla. Gregory and Mammoth founder Dave McCoy have earned priceless goodwill with this purchase.
