To the Skiers and Snowboarders who frequent Glacier National Park - Rogers Pass.
Our access is being restricted!
The area we often ski consists of 11 Permit Areas. These are areas that are actively controlled for avalanche hazards impacting the road. During times of avalanche control these areas are closed to skier traffic. Also in these areas are Rail Lines owned by Canadian Pacific Railway which sees upwards of 40 trains per day.
The permit process was implemented in 1996. Five of these eleven permit areas include CP Rail Private property. Generally users have accessed these areas without incident. In recent years with the increase in numbers of users more incidents/violations have occurred. These incidents include one situation where users were on the tracks/trestle bridge and the train was forced to stop suddenly, thus creating a serious safety issue. These recent events have forced CP Rail to start fining trespassers on their land.
This position prevents Glacier National Park from issuing permits to access the areas that include CP Rail Private property.
What does this mean?
You can no longer ski or ride in the following areas - Shaughnessy, Tupper, Ross Peak, Smart and Fortitude, also crossing into Flat Creek is an infraction. Because of the actions of a few users Glacier National Park can no longer issue permits for 5 of the 11 permit areas - this cuts out a lot of skiable terrain.
What can we do about it?
Please respond to one of the methods of communication below - Preferably send an email or go to the Info Session in Revelstoke or Golden.
email rogerspass.winterpermits@pc.gc.ca
call the Parks Canada office in Revelstoke at 250-837-7500
stop in at the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre
go to our WiKi site:
storycatcher.wetpaint.com/?t=anon
Also, if you are in the Revelstoke or Golden area attend one of the evening sessions;
February 23rd: Revelstoke Community Centre
McPherson room
7:00 pm
600 Campbell Avenue
Revelstoke BC Canada V0E 2S0
(250) 837-9351
February 24th: Golden Civic Centre
7:00 pm
810 9th Street North RR 2
Golden, BC V0A 1H2
Get Directions
(250) 344-2606
When you contact the above present possible solutions such as:
1. Implementation of pedestrian crossings, overpasses or tunnels
2. Cut trail in the woods to bypass rail access or ensure there is only one route crossing/paralleling rail tracks
3. Self police to ensure all users respect private property
4. Increase parking areas for access to limit exposure to private property
5. More education from Rogers Pass Discovery Center to ensure users know where they are going and where they can travel safely
6. Recreationalist will not enter private CP Rail lands to park their vehicles
This may also be a good opportunity for us, as users, to ask Parks Canada about the Permit process itself.
Why are these areas sometimes closed for extended times for no apparent reason?
Can reasons be provided for these closures?
These closures are there for Avalanche control. Sometimes these areas remain closed even when no control is occurring. Why is that?
Currently the five permit areas discussed above will remain closed until solutions are in place and the problems are resolved.
In conclusion Rogers Pass is here for you to discover and enjoy! Please express your concerns through the above opportunities to ensure we will be able to access this area for years to come!
