Comments on: Backcountry Skiing News Roundup

By: Confluence Kid

Confluence Kid — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 01:40:49 +0000

Coal Basin now more than ever could give Carbondale a real shot in the arm. We need it. How about revisiting the idea! Someone, how about you Lou?

By: Lou

Lou — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 00:43:28 +0000

Good points you guys, but what’s wrong with a few millionaires playing around and keeping a bunch of mountain folk employed? After being in Aspen for years in that situation, I always thought that was a pretty good deal…at least ’till the billionaires pushed out the milllionaires….

By: J.P.

J.P. — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 00:35:56 +0000

Njord: I agree with you, and heli-skiing has gotten out of hand as well as snowmobiles, this is mechanized leisure at its worst. And NO I’m not vegan nor do I wear Birkenstocks… Flying in a group to a hut is a different situation (an excellent compromise to me), but yo-yo heliskiing is just another millionnaire’s plaything. BTW most clients in heli-ski ops are from the US, Japan, Germany, etc

By: Jon

Jon — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 02:27:35 +0000

Don’t always believe what you read in the papers.

The Redstone Inn has been pushing for this for years to drum up some winter economy. The area is zoned for winter recreation in the forest plan, however, in order for this “snowcat” idea to come to fruition, the Forest Service needs to evaluate whether or not the area is suitable for this type of operation (which should be occurring this month). Then if they deem the area suitable, they will issue an RFP for interested parties to submit applications and business plans for such an operation. These plans will be evaluated by the FS, and an operator chosen based on providing the most benefit to the public, most safety, most experience, etc.

The Redstone Inn is not a shoe-inn, by any means. This has to go through public process just like anything else Federal. They are simply the architect of the concept.

Additionally, Coal Basin is not suited for a snowcat skiing operation. The lower elevations are flat and very heavily treed. The upper elevations are insanely steep and dangerous – off limits to cats AND to skinners trying to pick their way to the top of Huntsman’s. Regardless of experience level, no safety team could guard their guests from danger in the skiable terrain of Coal Basin. It would be like traveling to the sun, and your guide saying “its gonna be a little hot, but you should be fine.”

By: Njord

Njord — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 04:24:57 +0000

JP: I thought that Canada had 30+ heliski operations (some with over 20 aircraft, which is larger than some nation’s air forces)….

The lower 48 only has 6 operations (each with only 1 helicopter).