No skiing below Pebble Creek

Boyo, this thread was destined to go not-smoothly.  It's a fine example of the kind of communication and interaction that will only serve to widen the rift that so many folks have mentioned.

Scotsman, this seems like a fine place for your "skier advocacy" group, eh?  I know Gator and a few other NPS staff post here from time to time and I imagine this thread will get some attention via your email -- maybe we can use it as a jumping off point to make some progress on this issue.  The us/them trend isn't going to help anyone.

*** Edit

To push the discussion in that direction, I agree with whitethunder that most of the skiers I know are pretty big advocates for conservation and stewardship of the land we use.  If more education was available, via NPS website updates, signs posted near the parking lot during the sensitive "between times" as the snowpack thins, I think that most folks would do what they could to minimize the impact.  It will always be a touchy subject when brought up by a perceived "authority" figure, whether volunteer or not, especially given the amount of misinformation and inconsistency that we've seen even in this thread.

Totally agree with you Marcus but somebody needs to step up to the plate and start a dialog with the NPS. Somebody , credible, articulate and diplomatic and that isn't me! What we have at MRNP regarding access to skiing in the summer and winter is very special and unless a dialog is started it may well disappear. There used to be a website called " Paradise Golf Club" and look what happened to that group. Only kidding!

Totally agree with you Marcus but somebody needs to step up to the plate and start a dialog with the NPS. Somebody , credible, articulate and diplomatic and that isn't me!

I'm not so sure I agree with you, Scotty.
While it is true that you  are rather passionate and at times have a somewhat low flashpoint, you can be quite articulate and diplomatic when properly motivated.
That may very well be the ideal combination we need to get the movement under way!
What say you, gang? Shall we elect Scotty as the Founding Director of the new Backcountry Snow Travelers Consortium?

P.S. As somone pointed out earlier, it also takes money to make these things work. I'll donate $100 to the Treasury today, if you accept the post (more after we attain our 501c3 "nonprofit" status).

No way. I ain't getting drafted!
You seem the ideal candidate as far as I am concerned!
I think we should draft you!
Marcus, please second RonJ as the tip of our spear!

I'll donate $150 if you accept the post and more when we get a non-profit established.

No way. I ain't getting drafted!
You seem the ideal candidate as far as I am concerned!
I think we should draft you!
Marcus, please second RonJ as the tip of our spear!

I second

I got stuck on the phone or I would have beat Marcus' second 

Which is the very reason I would have to decline.  My work requires too much of my time to allow me to do any kind of a decent job with such an endeavor.
That's another reason I thought of you, Scotty, you seem to be out of work even when you're working  :

If you're really serious not doing it Who could we get to lead the charge?

And before you answer that, answer me this, Scotty or Marcus: what would it take to get either of you to take the job?

I saw this when he first posted it, and thought "hmmm this sounds fishy".  Not surprised that it exploded.

Scotsman, don't think we've met but I just wanted to say BRAVO to you for your posts in this thread.  You write well and always seem to know the exact right level of "un-PCness" to appeal to plebes like me while still seeming intelligent and on-point.

Poor Skipole.  He seemed to really throw the baby out with the bathwater on this one.  The trouble is if you come off like a jerk noone will want to do trips with you, and eventually people will just stop listening to you altogether.  But, the community is pretty forgiving and I think a solid and honest mea culpa would go a long way for him.

When I first read his post I daydreamed it as a funny scene from a movie - Annoying, superior sounding volly starts hassling freewheeling backcountry skier.  Skier pulls out the "backcountry blowgun".  "Fwap!" as traquilizer dart hits volly and he passes out.  Tour continues.