The Riverhead Town Board gave the go ahead Wednesday to move forward with a ski resort plan in Calverton.

The plan put forward by Riverhead Resorts would include eight hotels, an equestrian center, spa and a 90-acre lake. The most controversial element of the billion-dollar project is a man-made, year-round ski mountain that would stand 300 feet tall.

?The town would be transformed into what it should be - the gateway to the East End,? says Riverhead Town Supervisor Phil Cardinale.

Critics of the plan say it?s not practical and that no one will come to ski in Riverhead. However, developers maintain the resort would attract some of the millions of tourists that go to New York City.

Others say it is time for the town to do something with the property.

Even with the town board's approval, the project is a long way from becoming a reality. Cardinale says it will be at least two years before any shovels are put in the ground.

The town says the developers will pay more than $155 million for the land and will spend about $850 million to build the resort.

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