Read what others say about Royal Gorge plans

Three recent Sierra Sun articles provide more perspective on Royal Gorge Future plans. “Develop or Die”, “Water Wanted” and “Finding a place for Royal Gorge Waste” provide an overview of some of the important issues that are part of the public review process for future planning. Another interesting article from SAM (Ski Area Management), “Natural Partners” discusses issues affecting operation of successful cross country ski resorts.

For complete information on many related topics, be sure to read the "Issue Briefings" and other information provided by Royal Gorge. If you have any questions, your can always click CONTACT US and someone will respond as soon as possible.

In the meantime, we like what one Chris Frado says one one travel blog about Royal Gorge: “"The trail system at Royal Gorge is fantastic. There are warming huts and trailside cafes along the way, which make for great rest stops. They also run an excellent ski school for beginners." Glad you like Royal Gorge guys . . . please help us preserve North America’s biggest and BEST cross country ski resort!



Submittal expected in 2008

Royal Gorge continues to prepare its development application to Placer County and anticipates a submittal after the first of the year.

In the meantime, we wish you all the best of this holiday season—and that includes lots of powdery, white snow!



“Peer review process” completed; documents posted here


Royal Gorge and regional environmental and community groups have concluded the “peer review process” and produced a final report. All documents relating to the peer review process are posted here.

(Click below to view documents in Adobe PDF format)

Royal Gorge Peer Review Process News Release 9-7-07
Royal Gorge Peer Review Signatories 9-6-07
North Fork Cover Letter, Biological Resource Assessment and Wetland Delineation, 8-27-07
Final Royal Gorge Peer Review Report
North Fork Associates, BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES ASSESSMENT, 9/12/06
North Fork Associates, WETLAND DELINEATION, 9/25/06



SLPOA newsletter assertions not supported by facts


Click here to read the article by Royal Gorge Project Manager Mike Livak responding to assertions in the SLPOA newsletter that aren’t supported by the facts. SLPOA would not run the article in its newsletter or email it to its members.



Have you read the latest ‘Project Manager’s Update’?


Click here to download the Project Manager’s Update (8-22-07) from Mike Livak. If you are not already receiving this update by email, click here to request that all new Updates by sent to you. Be sure to include your email address!



Rejecting dialogue will harm, not help, community and environmental groups:


Kirk Syme, Royal Gorge co-owner, writes as a guest columnist in the Sierra Sun’s August 19th edition, reporting that community and environmental groups have rejected participating in a dialogue with Royal Gorge.

In this My Turn, Syme points out that by refusing to engage in a dialogue, the groups are losing an important opportunity to affect Royal Gorge development plans. Syme writes that Royal Gorge intends to continue to interact with individual Donner Summit residents who understand that the development plans will be enriched as a result of their involvement.



Guest column corrects inaccuracies:

The Sierra Sun published several guest columns written by residents of the Serene Lakes subdivision critical of Royal Gorge development plans. Royal Gorge chose to respond by writing a guest column that appeared in the Sierra Sun on May 11. You can read the column by clicking on My Turn by Mike Livak.

The guest column points out that we came to the public for input very early in the process, before completing all the planning and before submitting anything to the County. Unfortunately, in the absence of all the details, some people have been filling in their own details with dire, worst-case scenarios. We wanted to set the record straight on some of the inaccuracies.



Thanks to all who attended the three public meetings
held March 8th, 10th and 17th!

At each meeting, we introduced and discussed conceptual plans for the future of Royal Gorge. About 4-500 people attended one or more of the three meetings. Many filled out Comment Forms which are very helpful in learning more about questions people have and ideas people want us to hear. If you couldn’t attend a meeting, or would like to review what has been presented, you can click on the “Royal Gorge Future” button at the top of the website home page. Again, thanks to all who attended. We appreciate your interest and input.



Public meetings to introduce Royal Gorge Future Plans

Would you like to learn more about plans for the future of Royal Gorge? The new owners of Royal Gorge will introduce conceptual real estate plans for portions of their property at public meetings to be held in March. Three identical meetings will be held, both during the week and the weekends, to maximize the number of Donner Summit residents able to fit a meeting into their schedules. Here are the dates for the meetings:

Thursday, March 8, 5:30-7:30 PM Summit Station at Royal Gorge Ski Resort
Saturday, March 10, 10 AM to 12 PM, Ice Lakes Lodge, Soda Springs Road
Saturday, March 17, 10 AM to 12 PM, Ice Lakes Lodge, Soda Springs Road

Each meeting will last about two hours and the same information will be presented at all meeting, so you only need to attend one! Want to know more about the meetings? Click on the “Public Meetings” headline at the top of the website to read details in the press release



Rumor Control: No Forest Service Land Swap

Royal Gorge is not pursuing a land swap with the US Forest Service. Like many rumors, this one has a basis in fact. It dates back to when Todd Foster and Kirk Syme first purchased the Royal Gorge property. They preliminarily explored many ideas; the feasibility of a land swap with the US Forest Service was one of them. But following a discussion with the Forest Service, the decision was made to NOT pursue a land swap. Nothing has changed since then, and Royal Gorge is still NOT pursuing a land swap and there are no plans to do so.

Recent meeting with Forest Service: Rumors have been circulating about an August 16 meeting Royal Gorge had with Forest Service personnel. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss forest health, and how Royal Gorge can cooperate with the Forest Service and be a good neighbor. Cooperative efforts with landowners adjacent to the Forest are important, especially in preventing forest fires. Again, contrary to rumors, the purpose of the August 16 meeting with the USFS was NOT a land swap.



Collection of water resource data underway

Neighbors may notice equipment and workers on Royal Gorge land. They are collecting information on water resources, water quality, water chemistry and geologic information. Data collected will figure into a future Environmental Impact Report.

The test holes drilled may remain for an extended period of time to investigate seasonal water level variations. The holes will be plugged once data collection is complete. Companies collecting the data are Western Strata Exploration and ECO:LOGIC. An on-site geologist is supervising the work.

Questions ? Contact Project Manager Mike Livak at 530-426-3871.



Royal Gorge Public Input Report

Local residents have provided Royal Gorge with the first round of input regarding potential future development on portions of the more than 3,000 acres of land surrounding the ski resort. Thank you to everyone who met with us and shared your thoughts and concerns. We hope your comments have been faithfully reported.

In the near future, Royal Gorge hopes to begin circulating conceptual development plans and coming back to groups and individuals for additional input – this time on more concrete proposals. We look forward to hearing from you. —Todd Foster & Kirk Syme

(To view, download or print the full Report in pdf format, click on the button on the website home page; a text-only version is also provided.)