Vail Pass Winter Recreation Area 2006-07 Wrap-up

by Brian Holcombe

BSA’s longest-term program, the Vail Pass Winter Recreation Area saw a continuation of recent years’ success during the 2006-07 season.  As a member of the Vail Pass Task Force Board of Directors, I contribute to the partnership of human-powered and motorized recreationists that guides the management by the US Forest Service at Vail Pass.

I would like to thank Mike Bartholow, Tyler Kirkpatrick, and their entire paid and volunteer Forest Service staff for their hard work during the 2006-07 season at Vail Pass.

Signs

Before the season began in late November, Forest Service staff installed new signs on the south side of Vail Pass to inform users of routes and regulations in the area.  Raised on stilts, these signs did not see the vandalism that signs in the area have seen in the past.  These new signs contributed to guiding visitors’ recreation time at the pass and assisted the Forest Service in gaining compliance with regulations. 

As many as nine additional signs will be installed prior to the 2007-08 season.

Compliance

Human-powered and motorized visitors at Vail Pass complied in large part with area regulations during the 2006-2007 season.  Forest Service rangers issued 54 citations, 17 fewer than the previous season.  The most common infractions were “failure to pay the day use fee,” followed by “operating a snowmobile in a non-motorized area.”

Many of the “failure to pay” infractions were committed by skiers entering the area via the CDOT sand shed parking lot.  BSA is working with the Vail Pass Task Force to address this issue and we hope we can work with our members and non-members to improve compliance by backcountry skiers at Vail Pass.

When the US Forest Service patrol season ended at Vail Pass on April 8, compliance with motorized closures decreased significantly.  Throughout April, snowmobilers violated closures on the south side of the pass, encroaching on Janet’s Cabin and Shrine Mountain Inn and riding in other closure areas.  Forest Service and Summit Huts Association staff witnessed snowmobile tracks and groups in closure areas, but no citations were issued.

In order to combat this late season non-compliance, the Vail Pass Task Force has extended the patrol season for the 2007-2008 season to April 30, with the flexibility to adjust according to snow conditions in the area.

Volunteers

During the 2006-2007 season, BSA employed Volunteer Ambassadors that educated Vail Pass visitors at trailheads and in the backcountry.  Human-powered and snowmobile ambassadors made contact with visitors and talked with them about the Vail Pass area, backcountry safety, and regulations. 

Thanks to our volunteers for helping make this one of Vail Pass Winter Recreation Area’s most successful seasons!

Next Season

The US Forest Service patrol season will run from November 23 2007 – April 30, 2008.  The Forest Service will be continuing their full-time presence at Vail Pass during the coming season and will continue with their patrol and educational efforts.  During the coming season, Forest Service staff will continue contributing daily avalanche observations to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center to inform you of current conditions in the area and will support avalanche and safety educational efforts at Vail Pass.

With the extended patrol season, we hope to see improved compliance with closures in the late season and the continued improvement of management at Vail Pass.

If you have any questions or comments regarding the Vail Pass Winter Recreation Area, please contact me at brian@backcountryalliance.org or 303-494-5266.