Uphill policy in Ski areas

Going back 20 years now, the issue at Snoqualmie Pass is that language of the Use Permit that allows the ski area to exclude any person for any reason from all areas covered by the permit. This language is far too broad and has been the subject of multiple attempts to implement onerous rules that required Access Fund attorneys (I think it was Matt Stanley) to jump in at least once (the year they said you couldn't park in any of the Alpental lots without a lift pass, which meant the only allowed parking was south of I-90...not functional or safe for accessing Chair Peak, Snoqaulmie Mountain, the Tooth, Bryant, etc).

They've also repeatedly tried to bar uphill travel on the west side of the creek going up to Source Lake.

The parking lots and BC access are on public land and I, personally, don't think the Use Permit should allow the operator such leeway in barring access.

As far as skinning up in-bounds downhill runs at ski areas go, it's not something I find fun or important or safe, so I don't do.

       I have been  doing Silver Peak regularly and have no trouble skinning up the groomed area: my thing is a free lift pass for seniors ( I am 88 y .o. )     But I do not advocate pursuing that pass.  Stay young.

From realistic to unrealistic:

Plow to Sunrise.

Yes.

From realistic to unrealistic:

Plow to Sunrise.

Plow Mountaineers Creek road to Stuart Lake TH.

Plow Icicle Creek Rd to the end.

Plow Chinook Pass.

Plow Washington Pass.

Plow Smith Brook Rd over to Lake Wenatchee. Plow Spur up to Little Wenatchee River TH. 

Plow Chiwawa River Road to Trinity/Spider Meadow road spur.

How about a euro style tram to 6000' anywhere in those areas.... that would really help the BC access.

On Monday I was talking with one of the climbing rangers from MRNP about plowing the road to Sunrise or having it open to sleds. He said it probably wouldn't be unreasonable to have the road open to sleds but it's not getting plowed. They don't have the resources and they're are two very large avalanche paths to cross. Likewise most of the other roads you're talking about would require so much money to keep clear and safe it wouldn't be tenable. Where is the money going to come from?

More realistic would be the White River Campground

Even then, you're crossing "Big Bertha" - a PHENOMENAL ski and simultaneously a massively active avy path.  The problem that will arise next if more plowing IS actually entertained, is how to control the areas in question and best mitigate potential for injury/death.  As soon as the access exists, it will also welcome those who are unprepared for backcountry travel and inexperienced with the conditions they may face.

I hear things like "don't listen to ski patrol, you have just as much right to be there as they do" or "it's public land, they can't kick you off" all too often. Educating to eliminate or decrease that attitude might be more realistic than getting more access in avalanche prone areas. Even without opening more roads, there are plenty of places that we can currently go. Some of them are popular enough that you might cross a few ski tracks on the way down.

Total agreement.  I personally, feel fortunate to have had some great mentors and partners with a good understanding of etiquette, technique a stewardship which is what I can only hope to continually convey.  Unfortunately, this "toxic" attitude as stated above, infiltrates the purity of a sport (lifestyle?) that so many people are joining.  I think some of the responsibility in addressing this lies in the recreationalists who choose to involve themselves in this community, but ALSO in the guides, mentors, friends and partners of those who are becoming involved.  We can lecture or offer classes or post on websites, but hands-on education is going to have the most impact.  All backcountry users, from beginners to guides, need to take some ownership in this.

From realistic to unrealistic:

Plow to Sunrise.

Plow Mountaineers Creek road to Stuart Lake TH.

Plow Icicle Creek Rd to the end.

Plow Chinook Pass.

Plow Washington Pass.

Plow Smith Brook Rd over to Lake Wenatchee. Plow Spur up to Little Wenatchee River TH. 

Plow Chiwawa River Road to Trinity/Spider Meadow road spur.

How about a euro style tram to 6000' anywhere in those areas.... that would really help the BC access.

I would add the road to Esmeralda Basin but stop around Bean Creek

Snow removal takes a lot more work than most people realize especially when parking areas are involved. I used to work extensively with snow removal for ski areas and was able to see how Rainier and Olympic NP crews work. And quite frankly am amazed how well Rainier does with so little equipment. Most road operations are more or less plow then blow. Push the snow to the side of the road then blow it over the bank. On roads that are not plowed as often then a grader is needed to pull up the snow that gets super compacted and too hard for plows to scrape.

Some of the issues that the snow removal guys from DOT, Park Service, Forest Service will bring up will probably be:
- Overnight parking. A frustrating point for a lot of planners. On some of the smaller turn-arounds and pull outs a single parked car can keep plows from clearing 2-5 spaces and in some cases plowing the whole turn around as the truck has to do a 3 point turn around. Also cars left for several days in heavy snow fall may create piles that are too big for plows and will have to be blown by snowblower. (Ski resorts use front end loaders because they have significantly more power and don't run into this problem). Also wood (firewood is very a common issue around parking areas) will break the sheer pins in snow blowers and can do serious damage.
- Staffing Issues. Self explanatory.
- Equipment shortages. Snow blowers are notoriously unreliable. Even the new ones. I can't even begin to explain how hard snow is on equipment; plows, front loaders, graders, blowers. Most operators agree that the snow tears up their machines faster than anything they do in the summer.
-Avalanche danger to the road and operators.

All that said I see a lot of places in the Cascades where a little extra work, just one or two extra passes by plows, would create a fair amount of additional parking. I believe that it would easiest to identify areas where road side parking can be easily plowed out and maintained and focusing on those spots first. Dare I say start working with the snowmobile clubs because I hear similar rumbling from my sled-neck friends.