Snoqualmie summit uphill policy?

I can understand having strict enforcement during avalanche control work, but I really wish areas would lighten up when it comes to uphill traffic before or after the area closes on those clear days when there has not been any recent snow fall.  I assume some areas are worried about people interfering with grooming and such, but I figure it's pretty easy to avoid a grooming machine.  I remember someone telling me how many years ago if people skinned or hiked past a certain point at Whistler, they got a free ticket for the rest of the day for their willingness to exert the effort.  That is what I like about Mt. Baker, I can skin up before or after the area closes to get my alpine race training in and not have to worry about coldcocking someone at 100 km/h.  I figure it would be a good way to promote fitness and activity by allowing people to at least skin up before or after the area closes on non avalanche prone days.  And it gives more options for those of us who don't have ski partners or avalanche gear to go out in the BC in a safe manner even on those long dry stretches.  I figure, I'm more safe on a freshly groomed run at 7 in the morning then out in the BC where anything can potentially happen.  That is unless I was dumb enough to run into a snow cat.  :

I can understand having strict enforcement during avalanche control work, but I really wish areas would lighten up when it comes to uphill traffic before or after the area closes on those clear days when there has not been any recent snow fall.  I assume some areas are worried about people interfering with grooming and such, but I figure it's pretty easy to avoid a grooming machine.  I remember someone telling me how many years ago if people skinned or hiked past a certain point at Whistler, they got a free ticket for the rest of the day for their willingness to exert the effort.  That is what I like about Mt. Baker, I can skin up before or after the area closes to get my alpine race training in and not have to worry about coldcocking someone at 100 km/h.  I figure it would be a good way to promote fitness and activity by allowing people to at least skin up before or after the area closes on non avalanche prone days.  And it gives more options for those of us who don't have ski partners or avalanche gear to go out in the BC in a safe manner even on those long dry stretches.  I figure, I'm more safe on a freshly groomed run at 7 in the morning then out in the BC where anything can potentially happen.  That is unless I was dumb enough to run into a snow cat.  :

I'd say they are being generous
app.leg.wa.gov/Rcw/default.aspx?cite=79A.45.070

app.leg.wa.gov/Rcw/default.aspx?cite=79A.45.070

From the RCW:

"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."

I think the clause highlighted above is the key. Typically, when a ski area closes at the end of the day, they just stop the lifts and turn off the lights. They don't post the area as being closed. In that case, I don't think the RCW would apply.

On the other hand, areas subject to active avalanche control typically have closed signs.

I haven't heard of people being kicked off the hill in Washington due to grooming operations, but I imagine it could happen. I once had a talk with a cat operator at Schweitzer (in Idaho) during a dawn patrol. He warned me that they do a lot of winch grooming there and the tow lines they use are so thin as to be virtually invisible to a speeding skier. You could decapitate yourself if you hit one of those lines going fast. I appreciated the warning.

I was refreshing on this today given we were touring Chair Peak Basin. Lowell's question was about touring uphill at the Summit and being asked for a pass, but Gib's post from 12/12 seemed to indicate all uphill traffic was allowed with some simple rules. I wont restate, but look back at Gib's detailed post earlier in the thread.

I called the summit and they asked their 'director' or whoever about uphill policy for me. They said as long as you stay OUT of the way and hug the treeline/etc..., you're good to go for uphill travel.

The key point here from Gib's mail is WHEN IT IS OPEN! Until the spring when Alpental closes Monday to Friday then I believe this gets relaxed. Until then if its not open you can't tour within the permit boundary. I saw some folk doing this yesterday but didn't want to say anything (and patrol does do control work on Mondays on occasion especially after 10+ inches of new fell overnight).

"There is no uphill travel allowed within the permit boundary unless the resort is OPEN for business, YES - OPEN and loading lifts -AND, you must also make pre-hike contact with the patrol so they can try and accommodate your goals and help you choose safest route for us both."