Forest Service again rejects Bitterroot ski resort proposal

For the second time in seven years, the U.S. Forest Service has rejected a proposal by Tom Maclay to build a destination ski resort on Lolo Peak.

Maclay was told Thursday that his newest Bitterroot Resort proposal did not meet the minimum requirements of an initial screening process for a special use permit application.

The reasons for the denial of Maclay’s newest proposal were essentially the same as the last time he asked.

In 2005, Maclay announced plans to turn his family’s ranch into the base area for a major ski resort. To make it happen, Maclay said he needed to obtain access to 11,000 acres of national forest lands in the basin above his home, near Lolo Peak.