November 5, 2013, Colo Resorts and Uphill Skiing

From the Summit County Daily (Colo):

It is hard to imagine how this will work out for the skinners under the current management as they try to make money and maintain safety standards. Perhaps clearly designated uphill routes up the area margins could work but avi control often occurs in those areas. Uphill routes between trails may have been possible years ago but now the downhill traffic in the woods often is close to that on the trails.

What say yawl?

Not sure how it would work in this state, the runs would have to be open to the public to use them.

79A.45.070
Skiing in an area or trail closed to the public — Penalty.

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.

From the Summit Daily article :

[size=10pt]While some mountains around the country have decided to capitalize on the growing popularity of ski mountaineering by charging a fee to those looking to tour when the lifts aren’t running, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, A-Basin and Keystone have all embraced the growing popularity and allow uphill traffic free of charge, as long as participants obey guidelines and follow the skier responsibility code. (emphasis added by me) [/size]

I think this is the right approach. I took this position when this came up on TAY a few years ago .

The Responsibility Code says: "Stop in a safe place for you and others."

Since from the point of view of downhill skiers, uphill tourers are standing still, it's their responsibility to go where they can be seen and/or avoided from above. If they don't do this, they can be ejected by the ski patrol. A clear and workable solution.