By John Stang Five people are on a Haines Borough committee to recommend whether to approve two companies’ requests to expand their heliskiing zones. But two of those five committee members are partial owners of the same two heliskiing companies that made the requests. They are Scott Sundberg, co-owner of SEABA, and Sean Brownell, co-owner of Alaska Heliskiing. […]
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Assembly nails down heliskiing timetable
The Haines Borough Assembly changed the law to delay the next heliskiing mapping efforts until 2019. However, it also grandfathered in two existing applications to expand helicopter-skiing zones, allowing the borough to decide their fates in the next several months. On Tuesday, the assembly took two actions regarding applications to expand heliskiing zones. First, the assembly voted […]
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Legal fees mount in heliport lawsuit
The Haines Borough has spent more than $13,000 to date defending itself in a lawsuit filed by a sister company of Southeast Alaska Backcountry Adventures over the municipality’s denial of a heliport at 26 Mile. Big Salmon Ventures, sister company of SEABA, filed the suit Dec. 29, appealing the assembly’s decision not to re-hear arguments for siting a heliport near 26 Mile […]
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State rejected 2 sites for Freeride ski event
In December, the Freeride World Tour’s request to access two sites outside of the borough-approved heli-ski map generated controversy, including opposition from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the Chilkat Indian Village and numerous residents. The assembly on a 5-1 vote decided to open those areas, but it turns out the borough’s action made […]
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Freeride event seeks funding, closer heli=pad
he manager of the Freeride World Tour told the Haines Chamber of Commerce last week that securing sponsorships to increase contributions to the event and providing a closer helicopter landing zone are important to its future here. Also, a chair lift ski hill for athletes to use on non-event days would help, Nicholas Hale-Woods said. […]
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Freeriders here March 12
Organizations and businesses around town are scrambling to prepare for the Freeride World Tour, with event staff scheduled to begin arriving in Haines on Saturday, March 12. The international ski and snowboard competition is returning to Haines, despite last year’s frustrating weather that kept athletes grounded for 10 days. This year’s weather window is March […]
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Company sues borough over heliport denial
A local company denied a conditional use permit to operate a heliport near 26 Mile is appealing the decision in state Superior Court. In a notice of appeal filed Dec. 29, attorneys for Big Salmon Ventures said the Haines Borough’s decision on the matter was “based on prejudice, arbitrary and capricious decision-making” and “on improper motives.” Big […]
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Closed areas opened for freeride
Despite letters of opposition from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the Chilkat Indian Village and numerous residents, the Haines Borough Assembly on Tuesday agreed to open two areas outside of the borough-approved heli-ski map for an international ski and snowboard competition. The assembly voted 5-1 to allow the Freeride World Tour access to the “Chunny” […]
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Assembly supports denial of heliport
It appears there will be more heli-skiing litigation on the Haines Borough’s horizon. Southeast Alaska Backcountry Adventures co-owner Scott Sundberg said he plans to either appeal to the Superior Court Tuesday’s assembly decision not to re-hear his case for siting a heliport near 26 Mile Haines Highway, or file a lawsuit alleging his rights as a property […]
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Deja vu for heliport proposal at 26 mile
Southeast Alaska Backcountry Adventures co-owner Scott Sundberg last week said he would appeal the Haines Borough Planning Commission’s rejection of a permit application for a heliport near 26 Mile Haines Highway. That decision sets the stage for yet another round in the company’s efforts to establish a heliport there, which date back to 2007. The commission, which spent nearly four hours […]