Illegal to ski at a closed ski area effective 7/22

The subject of this thread says "Illegal to ski at a closed ski area effective 7/22".  That's highly misleading and apparently totally incorrect.

Willy, can you please point out where in the text of the new law that it states that it is "illegal to ski at a closed ski area"??

The text states "A person is guilty of a misdemeanor if the person knowingly skis in an area or on a ski trail, owned or controlled by a ski area operator, that is closed to the public and that has signs posted indicating the closure."

That does not apply to ANY closed ski area that I have ever seen -- none post signs at the edge of the ski area stating the area beyond the sign is closed to the public. It clearly applies only to closed areas within OPEN ski areas where the ski area has posted signs indicating the closure.

Amar, I think if you went up to Alpental right now you could find a sign that says that it is closed. That, combined with the way the law is worded means that you could be accused of breaking the law by skiing there.

I think the intent of the law is that it would apply to an operational ski area, but the letter of the law does not reflect that intent explicitly. When you get someone that is out to enforce the letter of the law without considering intent, there would be an issue.

I am with JPH "New bumper sticker: SKI TOURING IS NOT A CRIME" haha!

I believe that making it against the law is a little far. I mean where is the cop that is going to issue the ticket haha. I don't know about you guys, but I haven't seen many cops patrolling the backcountry or closed areas.

I also agree with JPH it is mainly about the intent.

Hopefully, they will take it easy on the ticketing and accusations, unless someone is seriously out of line. Like for example, Avy control,races, or actual "dangerous" areas.

I don't know about you guys, but I haven't seen many cops patrolling the backcountry or closed areas.

...a couple of years ago, we ran into patrol and a patrol dog who had been stationed at the of the chair 4 race course at crystal...the dog sniffed us out exiting silver basin via elizabeth creek and patrol made a big deal of us being in a closed area (Boondoggle) during racing...if that happens next year, the patrol are the cops who will issue you a $1000 fine and stick you with a criminal record...the next it happens, they bust you for trespassing and call the sheriff...

...i'll be sniffing the dog before he/she gets me...

Ski Patrol cannot give you tickets; they are private citizens. However, this does invite ski areas to put police on the ski hill, like they do in Colorado (with the incentive of a free season pass, usually). You can actually get a real speeding ticket for skiing too fast in Colorado issued on the spot by a County Sheriff. One more reason to go backcountry!

Amar,  I think if you went up to Alpental right now you could find a sign that says that it is closed. 

No you won't

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