Time for new Alpental BC rules?

Really two complicated issues here, one not so complicated, and an opinion! 

1) Is the Alpental BC, really BC or is it part of the inbounds ski area?

The FS SUP boundary works its way all the way out into the drainage feeding Source Lake - so officially it is like Crystal's BC areas not Mt Baker's or Jackson Hole's. If the SUP ended where the ropes are - then it could be argued that there should just be gates which can be crossed at anytime but with the user realizing they are leaving the area.  This inclusion in the SUP is the reasoning behind the liability release and the BC cards.  It will be interesting if the MDP with the chair up Knoll 1 is ever realized since it will make this whole issue more complex in reality.

So as I see it, the area in Alpental's BC to the SUP boundary must be managed by Booth Creek like it is part of their area and they have responsibilty for the safety of their guests riding the chairs.  That means the patrol must decide when to open and when to close the BC - and live by the consequences of the decision  ???

2) If the BC is closed, why are there so many poachers and no one doing anything about it?

Good question - this has been a problem at Alpental for as long as I have ski'd there!  There have been times of more stringent enforcement but it seems like it is at the discretion of the individual patroller on what they do. Probably the only real answer is to not open Ch2 until all the slopes are ready to be ski'd including the BC (I am sure that would make a lot of ticket holders real happy). It does suck thought to patiently wait for the gates to open to hit a run that is already completely tracked out.  :'(

3) Lack of enforcement of even the BC pass program?

This I do not understand - I have ski'd uncountable runs in the BC, encountered patrollers often, but can't remember the last time anyone asked me if I have a BC pass or wanted to see it (glad they haven't sicne I have no idea where it is). But then again I can't blame the patrollers either, who would want to spend their day asking for passes?  :


Opinion - seems to me that if a change is desired - first the change has to be figured out and then there needs to be some lobbying by interested folks with the proper channels to make that change. FYI - It isn't going to be me - although I would sign any petition to make a change that makes sense!

I for one, would love to see the SUP pulled back to the bascially the rope line for the current Alpental "BC" and allow a gate system to a real BC!!  that would mean, the area would be outside of Booth Creeks control, users would have the right to go at anytime via a gate system (a la Jackson, Baker, or even when you pass outside of Crystal's southback to any of the drainages beyond), patrollers would not have the right to make turns in the BC until the chairs or gates were opened. Poachers would not be a problem either - everyone would have the same shot at the gates when the chairs turn.

It may add a bit of work to the rescue organizations in the area - but more practice never hurts.

Likely this would have to be lobbied to the FS and the State - I am sure Booth Creek would not want to pull their boundary in - although in the end it would make their life easier.

The only way they would do that is if they could swap that SUP area for new terrain on Mt Catherine or Silver Peak ... which would open up another can of worms.

Anyone stop to think that it is Patrol that puts most of the tracks there?  I have been witness to many alppy patrolers bragging about how sweet their job is ( usually as they ski over to chair 2 for more).  Alpen-small is small enough without the good old slackers taking the best shots in the spirit of " safety meetings"

I will own my part of all this... as a "dawn patrol" lover, I have flicked off more than one set of pro patrolers as they come up to start avi work for the day.... and then skied away

ski first or ski smart
Wow, you're cool : That seems like a good way to ruin a good program.