Much to the surprise of the ignorant, ski runs, unless explicitly stated (Alta Ski Area, for example), are closed when the ski area has stopped operating for the season.
A Summit County skier was either unaware of this fact or decided to blatantly ignore it when they arrived at Copper Mountain, Colorado, last week for a little late-season ski tour.
As the skier made his way up the closed resort, which is also closed to all uphill travel, Copper Mountain Ski Patrol called the Summit County Sheriff’s Office for assistance. Ski patrol informed the skier that the resort was also closed to uphill travel, but he ignored the warning and continued walking uphill.
A Summit County Sheriff’s Office Deputy arrived on scene and rode up to the man on a snowmobile, accompanied by ski patrol. While the man was at first uncooperative, he eventually agreed to transition his skis to go downhill. The man skied down and was met by the deputy, who issued him a summons for skiing on a closed trail.
The incident was disclosed by the Summit County Sheriff’s Office’s weekly Justice Files. The file does disclose the alleged skier’s name.
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via Copper Mountain Webcams
Like most ski areas, Copper Mountain operates on a special use permit from the US Forest Service (specifically, the White River National Forest). Copper Mountain strictly prohibits uphill access to the mountain outside of the resort’s regular winter operating season, including pre- and post-season periods.
It is the responsibility of the uphill user to check the mountain’s website regarding the availability of the uphill access routes. According to the USFS website, each of the eleven ski areas in the White River National Forest has policies about uphill travel, which fall into the Operating Plan category (Section III, A.) of the permit.
While off-season ski area operations can pose a bit of a grey area regarding public land use, USFS permitting makes it quite clear that it’s up to the ski area to create and enforce policies. If you’re hoping to get some uphill laps in at your local resort post-ski season, make sure you check their website and uphill policies.
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