Forest Service Budget Challenges Threaten Avalanche Center Operations Nationwide Chances are, if you’ve gone backcountry skiing in the United States recently, you’ve looked at an avalanche center forecast. Regional avalanche centers utilize a mix of professional observers and forecasters, public observations, and weather stations to generate daily assessments and forecasts of the avalanche risk in mountain ranges across the United States. Looming federal budget cuts have forced the Forest […] Avalanche Zach Armstrong | November 10, 2024 0 Comments
Forest Service Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Improvements at Snowmass Mountain Resort, CO The White River National Forest seeks public comments on several proposed improvements at Snowmass Mountain Resort. Aspen Skiing Company is proposing to replace the aging Elk Camp and Alpine Springs quad chairlifts with six-person detachable lifts, expand the Elk Camp Restaurant deck, construct a summer activity Kid’s Challenge Course, and redevelop the existing Ullrhof Restaurant. If approved, work is anticipated […] Industry News Press Release | August 27, 2024 0 Comments
Paid Climbing Permits Have Arrived at Mt. Hood, OR, with Quotas Likely to Follow Climbers and skiers attempting to summit Mt. Hood, OR will soon have to pack an extra piece of gear: their wallet. The Forest Service announced that starting in January 2024, climbers and skiers venturing above 9,500 feet will be required to purchase a $20 climbing permit. The collection of this fee is intended to fund a Climbing Ranger Program, to […] Zach Armstrong | November 21, 2023 0 Comments
USDA Forest Service Temporarily Closing All California National Forests for Public Safety To better provide public and firefighter safety due to the ongoing California wildfire crisis, USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region is announcing a temporary closure of all National Forests in California. This closure will be in effect from Aug. 31, 2021, at 11:59 pm through September 17, 2021, at 11:59 pm. This order does not affect the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, […] Fire Firebrains | August 31, 2021 1 Comment
Forest Service Seeks Improved Access at Lake Tahoe for Electric Bikes The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) wants to improve electric bike accessibility on its trails. The project would expand the number of trails in the basin that electric bikes are allowed on. The Forest Service is calling it the Basin Wide Trails Analysis Project. Related: Electric Bikes: Same Great Workout, Less Actual Work? Along with the […] Cycle Alex Mangels | March 5, 2021 5 Comments
2021 Pacific Crest Trail Permits Available January 19th The Pacific Crest Trail is a 2,650-mile National Scenic Trail that runs from the Mexican border in Southern California to the Canadian border in Washington state. After a dispute on whether or not permits should be issued during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) and the US Forest Service recently announced Pacific Crest Trail Permit applications will […] Industry News Dominic Gawel | January 11, 2021 0 Comments
Origins: U.S. Avalanche Mitigation In this week’s edition of Origins, we will take a look into the history of how avalanches have been avoided in and out of ski resorts. If you missed last week’s Origins on the Freeride World Tour you can check it out here: Related: Origins: Freeride World Tour Avalanches are extremely dangerous and fatal events. Avoiding them at all costs is […] Avalanche Ryan Flynn | October 9, 2020 1 Comment
Large Rockfall Closes Vital Road in Central Idaho A large rockfall has closed a section of highway 95 just south of Riggins in central Idaho. The incident occurred shortly after 11 am on Friday, July 3rd and as a result, the road has been closed since then. US Route 95 is a vital road through the state as it is the only road running north/south in that part […] Raft Alex Camerino | July 7, 2020 0 Comments