Is it legal to snowmobile a closed ski area?

[BackCountryBob]

Last I heard you can ride Geneva Basin on Guanella Pass. Lots of atv and dirt bikes in the summer. www.coloradoskihistory.com/lost/genevabasin.html

Geneva was foerclosed and the FS terminated the lease and then set fire to the lodge. It has reverted back to National Forest status--thus public recreational use allowed.

Now that GP has a paved all season road there is good winter access but unplowed parking at the Geneva base. A chained up Hummer or lifted Jeep Commander with a 2 place could probably bust a trail in.

BCB

 

[POLZIN]

My buddy and I used to ride Purgatory/Durango MTN Resort every year when it closed. I cant tell you how fun it was to ride up to the bottom of the main lift area, wave to the crowd, and pull the trigger! One year, we were lucky enough to have two feet of fresh on the hill.............stupid fun!!!!!

I ride DMR every year. I think most resorts are on public land .If its public and not wilderness how could they stop you?

 

[backcountryislife]

IIRC Loveland never allowed 4-strokes (at least at lake crossings)

yeah... they were only allowed UNDER the water.

 

[smokenjay]

The snow at steamboat ski area didn't look very good, at least at the bottom. It looked pretty tracked up, by skiers I assume. We decided to pass on it. Had some good snow on Rabbit Ears and Buffalo Passes, though. Thanks for the advice!

 

[trinitypowder]

yeah... they were only allowed UNDER the water.

That's kinda weird seeing a 700 POUND TANK underwater.....................

 

[trinitypowder]

I know that in the case of DMR/Purgatory, it is Forest service land and once the resort's permit expires, it is open to the public.......INCLUDING SNOWMOBILES. Isnt that the case at most if not all ski areas? None of them are Wilderness areas, so unless a forest service map says otherwise, I say it's fair game.

 

[backcountryislife]

I know that in the case of DMR/Purgatory, it is Forest service land and once the resort's permit expires, it is open to the public.......INCLUDING SNOWMOBILES. Isnt that the case at most if not all ski areas? None of them are Wilderness areas, so unless a forest service map says otherwise, I say it's fair game.

That's what we always thought, until a sheriff explained it to a buddy, their lease doesn't end, or they'd have to remove all equipment.

It's still "theirs", as much as an apartment is yours, you're renting it, you have the say as to who enters.

Their permit to allow the lifts to turn is different than their land use.

 

[trinitypowder]

hummmmmmmmmmm............All I know is, if you want the simple joy of RIPPING UP a ski slope, then go to DMR. In fact, most years the snowmobile club has an organized ride ON THE MTN. So, maybe the laid back law down south dont care to yell at peeps for using forest service land that we all pay for? I get the "lease" thing, but why is it different down there? Not as many rich fruit cakes? Not as many California money monkeys? Cooler Sheriff? All of the above?

 

[POLZIN]

^^^^^^yep SOCO rules^^^^^^^

 

[backcountryislife]

hummmmmmmmmmm............All I know is, if you want the simple joy of RIPPING UP a ski slope, then go to DMR. In fact, most years the snowmobile club has an organized ride ON THE MTN. So, maybe the laid back law down south dont care to yell at peeps for using forest service land that we all pay for? I get the "lease" thing, but why is it different down there? Not as many rich fruit cakes? Not as many California money monkeys? Cooler Sheriff? All of the above?

We have a ride each year at Cooper around here, and up until 2 years ago Loveland allowed sledding... I think it's got more to do with insurance than anything.