Stevens Pass and Winter Olympics 2010

Well, word was that the training area for skiers was to be at Stevens Pass for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

I heard yesterday that it is not going to happen. The folks in charge of the training asked Stevens Pass officials to close the slopes to the general public during the training process. Pass officials said “NO”, so Stevens will not be the training area; at least this is what I heard through the grapevine.

Local businesses were really looking forward to the influx of people during, before and after the training. It would have been a huge boost to the local economy.

Personally, I cannot blame Pass officials for declining. During the ski season (weekends and some summer weekends too) 16,000-21,000 vehicles are on Highway 2, either going to the Pass for recreational skiing or vacation spots. Closing the ski area for a few weeks training phase would have devastating affects for the Stevens Pass Ski / Ski Resorts for years to come due to the bitterness of folks being “locked out” from their favorite pastimes.

It’s a business and needs to be run as such. Once you lose a customer, it cost a lot of money and effort to win them back.

We will leave this open for comment(s) for 90 days.  Let us know what you think or what your take is on this.