Yosemite National Park - Badger Pass Ski Lodge Rehabilitation EA (U.S. National Park Service)

Photo by K. Karst, DNC

Badger Pass Ski Lodge

Where? The Badger Pass Ski Lodge Rehabilitation project area is located at an elevation of 7200 feet at the Badger Pass Ski Area, midway between Wawona and Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park. The lodge is situated in Monroe Meadow on the south side of Glacier Point Road, approximately 5.1 miles east of Chinquapin. The lodge is accessible year round via Glacier Point Road.

Why? The Badger Pass Ski Lodge, constructed in 1935, is historically significant as the first alpine ski resort in California and as an example of NPS Rustic architecture with Swiss chalet influences. Its location in a high-elevation alpine meadow has exposed the lodge to temperature extremes, heavy snow loads, snowmelt runoff, and saturated ground conditions. These environmental stresses, coupled with inadequate site drainage and snow-melt management systems, have contributed to structural deterioration of the lodge. As the ski industry has evolved, building additions and temporary buildings were added to expand visitor services. Building modifications undertaken from 1954 through 2005 have obscured character-defining features of the original 1935 lodge. The mechanical and electrical systems are obsolete and need to be replaced to meet code. Repair and rehabilitation of the ski lodge are necessary to protect its historic integrity, assure visitor safety, and maintain ski-area visitor services while preserving the natural and cultural resources at the ski area. An environmental assessment will evaluate potential environmental impacts associated with the rehabilitation project.

What? The purpose of the rehabilitation project is to provide a phased program for rehabilitation of the Badger Pass Ski Lodge that will 1) maintain and protect the integrity of the historic Badger Pass Day Lodge and character-defining features of the Badger Pass cultural landscape; 2) treat critical deck, structural, and drainage deficiencies contributing to past and ongoing water-intrusion damage; 3) replace temporary structures with permanent buildings of compatible construction to maintain continued ski area operations; and 4) maintain ski area service and support functions while protecting the winter recreation visitor experience at Badger Pass Ski Area. The rehabilitation would protect areas of primary historical significance, while allowing flexibility to accommodate the needs associated with current and future Ski Area use in non-character-defining areas. Major work elements could include:

Replacement of the Ski Lodge roof, decks, and site drainage to prevent further damage due to water infiltration;
Removal of temporary buildings and installation of new permanent structure(s) to house alpine ski, snowboard, and Nordic ski rentals; a retail shop; a first aid station; and/or food-service operations.
Replacement, addition, or reconstruction to meet current seismic, accessibility, and fire / life safety building codes, eliminate water intrusion, reduce snow load buildups, correct design deficiencies for more efficient operations, and restore the rustic lodge character defined during the period of significance (1935 – 1953).
Replacement or relocation of kitchen and dining facilities to better handle visitor needs and meet health code requirements.
Renovation and rehabilitation of historic elements to preserve and maintain the character of the existing Ski Lodge combined with possible exterior renovations deemed historically appropriate to the period of significance.
Other site revisions or improvements deemed necessary to support operations and allow for continued use of Ski Lodge while maintaining the cultural landscape.

The purpose of the Environmental Assessment is to evaluate potential impacts of the rehabilitation program on the human environment at the Badger Pass project area.

Alternatives? Project alternatives have been developed and are in the impact assessment phase. Public scoping for this project occurred in January and February 2009. Issues and concerns identified during scoping were applied during the development of up to three reasonable and feasible action alternatives, are being analyzed in detail in the Badger Pass Ski Lodge Rehabilitation EA.

Schedule? The public scoping period for the rehabilitation project is planned for January 14, 2009 through February 13, 2009. The public review and comment period for the Environmental Assessment is scheduled for Fall 2009. Comments on the EA will be used to prepare a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), if appropriate. If approved, the rehabilitation of the ski lodge would likely begin in early 2010.

Participation? Public participation is essential for the success of this and all other park improvement projects. Here are some ways to stay involved in this project and its planning process:

Provide input during the scoping period. You can submit comments by:
- Mailing, faxing, or emailing your comments to the address listed below, or
- Attending the Public Open House on January 28, 2009, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the East Auditorium in Yosemite Valley. The Park entrance fee will be waived if attending.
- Attending the Public Scoping Meeting for this project on Friday, February 6, 2009 from 2:00PM-4:00PM in the Snow Flake Room at the Badger Pass Ski Lodge.
Add your name to the park’s planning list and receive the Planning Update newsletter as well as other planning-related notices. You can also submit your email address to receive the park’s periodic electronic newsletter.
Review and provide comments on the Environmental Assessment during the public review period, planned for Fall 2009.
You can submit comments during public scoping and during the public review period for the EA by any of the following means:
- Mail: Superintendent
  Attn: Badger Pass Ski Lodge Rehabilitation
  P.O. Box 577
  Yosemite, CA 95389
- Phone: 209/379-1365; Fax: 209/379-1294
  E-mail: e-mail us
Visit online: www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/badgerlodge.htm
Web: A new way to submit comments is available online. It’s called PEPC (Planning, Environment, and Public Comment). Access the site at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/yose

Badger Pass EA Public Scoping Report (5/09) (673 kb PDF)
Redacted Scoping Comments 1 - 15 (3/09) (3.75 MB PDF)
Redacted Scoping Comments 16 - 30 (3/09) (4.53 MB PDF)
Redacted Scoping Comments 31 - 44 (3/09) (4.79 MB PDF)
Badger Pass Ski Lodge Rehabilitation Fact Sheet (1/09) (142 kb PDF)
Badger Pass Ski Lodge Rehabilitation Comment Form (1/09) (27 kb PDF)