Sky Tavern, Nevada, Approved Lights for Night Skiing

You may have not heard of Sky Tavern in this time of super ski conglomerates and mega passes, but they have been a driving force in the Nevada and Tahoe ski scene since the 1940s.

Their main goal has always been to inspire the youth to be active and create a space where they can do that.

Sky Tavern has fostered many athletes including Olympic Gold Medalist and Reno native, David Wise , as well as Steve Mckinney , who broke the 120 MPH barrier on skis.

The ski hill announced last week that they have been approved by the Washoe County Board of Adjustment to install lights and snowmaking equipment.

Newly appointed CEO Pat Cashell said in an interview with the Reno Gazette Journal that, “Nighttime training is a game-changer for our local high school and UNR’s (University of Nevada, Reno) ski teams.”

Student athletes for both high school and college ski teams have to train during the day which means missing class time. Sky Tavern hopes to alleviate the burden for the students of missing class and having to make it up on their own time.

“They have to leave school early, missing classes, in order to train in the daylight. If they can train after school like all other athletes, that will help keep them on their academic track while they are in training,” said Cashell.

However, everyone is not on board with the new changes.

Sky Tavern is on Mount Rose Highway, which is a relatively quiet road compared to the heavy traffic that I-80, 267, and 89 sees, where some of the big name ski resorts are.

There’s a few scattered neighborhoods and houses on the way up Mount Rose Highway, and they are concerned about the light pollution and possible changes to the scenery and wildlife of the area.

The Mount Rose Property Owners Water Company (MRPOWC) released a statement expressing their concerns about the issue.

“The proposed lighting for the night skiing operation, equivalent in scale to eight Walmart parking lots, is set to cast an intense glow over the area," the MRPOWC wrote.

"This artificial brightness will reflect off the snow-covered landscape, causing Mount Rose to emanate a glow akin to downtown Reno."

Chris Minnes, concerned homeowner of the area, also pointed out safety and economic concerns of the project.

"The community must weigh the economic ambitions of this project against the irrevocable loss of our night sky's natural beauty and the unacceptable risk it poses to our children," said Minnes in MRPOWC’s release statement.

Other members of the community see the concerns as a case of the NIMBY’s doing too much.

I grew up skiing at Mt. Rose every weekend, and I remember winters where you would never see a lift spin at Sky Tavern. I think it’s exciting that one of the oldest ski hills and youth training centers in the state is open to change and advancement, without compromising their goals and mission.