I respect the opinion of everyone here and I'm sure the situation could have been handled differently by the patrollers and law enforcement. And maybe he was on a run with excellent visibility. However, what happens when a beginner loses control and takes him out or someone doesn't see him and there is a collision where he or someone else gets hurt? A groomed ski run with loads of people isn't the same as the backcountry - each has their own hazards, but in the backcountry decisions lead to consequences that affect you or your group. Decisions made when skinning uphill at the resort can hold consequences for others you don't even know.
Mt. Bachelor recently limited their uphill policy to the area around the Cinder Cone because of potential conflicts with downhill skiers who aren't expecting people coming uphill, not to mention that cat drivers aren't always looking for people coming up on foot when grooming. It mostly comes down to liability, etc. However, after the season, you're free to do as much skinning as you'd like anywhere on the hill. Skinning at the resort can be great, but I'm not into it unless the resort is closed (i.e. closed mid-week or pre/post season).
Not that it makes it safer but he was going up via cat track.
