So I guess the Rabbit Ears parking lot proposal is approved?

[Dogmeat]

http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/f...ZOMDcxT1RVODBJN0o2MTJQRDMwODQ!/?project=35313

Looks like this is a "go" ....

I guess I still have mixed feelings about this even though my original position on "leave it alone" has changed slightly just because of what an epic clusterf*ck it was this year, but still .... this just opens the doorway to us being more corralled and regulated in the future unfortunately. They need to open more area(s) to ride closer to Denver, not add more parking at ones further away. But we all know that'll never happen because of all the idiot urban skitards.

 

[ByDesign]

http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/f...ZOMDcxT1RVODBJN0o2MTJQRDMwODQ!/?project=35313

Looks like this is a "go" ....

I guess I still have mixed feelings about this even though my original position on "leave it alone" has changed slightly just because of what an epic clusterf*ck it was this year, but still .... this just opens the doorway to us being more corralled and regulated in the future unfortunately. They need to open more area(s) to ride closer to Denver, not add more parking at ones further away. But we all know that'll never happen because of all the idiot urban skitards.

Pretty narrow minded thinking...

 

[Dogmeat]

Pretty narrow minded thinking...

No, it isn't.

 

[ezra]

Pretty narrow minded thinking...

what part?

 

[dtown]

The unfortunate part to me is the gates, the knowing that USFS will be collecting a parking fee once the project is completed, and that CSA backed this decision. I expressed some frustration to CSA that we should have pushed to have all the RE parking lots opened up to sleds and the west side boundary eliminated... parking issue solved... no changes needed other than allowing us to use all of the public parking that is already in place. CSA not interested in that.

 

[rusty_jigawahowski]

i guess I missed the part about the paying to use the lot. we had a couple of representatives at the county commissioner meeting. VOHK was the only other guy representing sledding that was there according to them. it seems that people are making this a much bigger deal then it really is. we DO need more parking and safer parking up there and none of our riding areas are being affected, so I'm assuming all the hostility is really just coming from the disliking of the government?

 

[milehighassassin]

I've said this before and will continue to, I hate more government intervention but I would much rather pay a $6 access fee like VP rather than the area not get plowed, not get taken care of, look like **** and then get closed down. $6 is so cheap when you consider what you spend on this sport. $40 a year is even cheaper. In the VP case those monies go directly to that area, signage, restrooms, trash, etc.

 

[dtown]

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree MHA.

You think Vail Pass is dandy. I think it's been the slow methodical destruction of what was once an awesome off-trail riding area. Just don't want to see RE go down that same path.

If there were no gates and no fees, I'd be all for the RE parking changes. The fees aren't in the document, but CSA reps fully expect the Forest Circus to implement them when the project is completed. How come none of the cross country skiing parking lots on the west side of RE don't show gates? Will they be charged a fee? Doubt it.

 

[lonerider]

Your right as for the fee's for cc skier's. No pay. I'm still wondering when they will have to register their ski's to help offset the trail management cost's. Oh and the s&r cost that most of us motorized public typically cover. Just my opinion.

 

[BallsDeep_5280]

Meh... Whatever. I feel like I get nickled and dimed on everything these days, so this is nothing that drastic. I never had a problem parking at RE, but I also don't tow a 40ft long trailer behind my 2 ton truck, and I also don't roll in at 10am. Early bird gets the worm with this sport, and if the fee collection is anything like VP, the early birds will still park for free.

 

[Dogmeat]

Meh... Whatever. I feel like I get nickled and dimed on everything these days, so this is nothing that drastic. I never had a problem parking at RE, but I also don't tow a 40ft long trailer behind my 2 ton truck, and I also don't roll in at 10am. Early bird gets the worm with this sport, and if the fee collection is anything like VP, the early birds will still park for free.

This.

 

[milo303]

I like the expansion. Getting rid of the death trap on highway parking primarily, and gaining 30 spots overall.

I'm also pro paying... AND I wouldn't mind just the sleds pay to park because that will give us ammo and documentation of how many people are using the area and hopefully we can take over the whole place. There's other very skier friendly areas on Ears pass but the west side area see very little use.

Gotta hope that the big picture is a positive one and our paying will lead to bigger and better things. Maybe it will maybe it won't but CSA is pretty tied in with the FS and they may know or may be working towards stuff that we don't know about.

Here's another viewpoint I like.

I would like to see locals be able to buy a local discounted pass and out of towners have to buy day passes which would be fairly pricy. The ski resorts do it and I think it's genius. Give the locals access at a cheaper rate as we pay CO taxes.

I would also like to see a warming hut added like they have on Berthoud pass and a much better bathroom system. I will gladly pay for that...

 

[capulin overdrive]

Meh, discounted season pass would be fine.


But that local crap is a slippery slope. What's local Grand and Jackson? Sure as hell ain't Denver.

 

[milo303]

Meh, discounted season pass would be fine.


But that local crap is a slippery slope. What's local Grand and Jackson? Sure as hell ain't Denver.

Colorado resident just like the resorts.

I pay the same taxes as everyone else in CO for the forest access even though I live on the front range.

 

[capulin overdrive]

Resorts sell to anybody willing to pay for a pass.


Land is Federal, imagine they'd wind up in court if they tried to limit who could buy the passes.

 

[milehighassassin]

Your right as for the fee's for cc skier's. No pay. I'm still wondering when they will have to register their ski's to help offset the trail management cost's. Oh and the s&r cost that most of us motorized public typically cover. Just my opinion.

At VP all Winter users have to pay, not just motorized users.

 

[milo303]

Resorts sell to anybody willing to pay for a pass.


Land is Federal, imagine they'd wind up in court if they tried to limit who could buy the passes.

Maybe I wasn't clear, resorts offer discounted season passes to locals. Nobody is talking about not allowing people to have access, simply saying provide a cheap season pass for locals and have the price be higher if there's a day fee like VP. A season pass is different than a day pass but both allow access

 

[capulin overdrive]

Maybe I wasn't clear, resorts offer discounted season passes to locals. Nobody is talking about not allowing people to have access, simply saying provide a cheap season pass for locals and have the price be higher if there's a day fee like VP. A season pass is different than a day pass but both allow access

No they don't, the resorts offer season passes to anybody, from anywhere.


They may sort by age, student, or military. But not by residence.

 

[backcountryislife]

No they don't, the resorts offer season passes to anybody, from anywhere.


They may sort by age, student, or military. But not by residence.

Actually... you're incorrect. There IS CO specific pricing, the epic (Every son of a gun In Co) "local" pass

http://www.snow.com/epic-pass/passes.aspx

Gates & fees are a no go for me, can't really agree with that at all, but the gapers that roll in with 2 guys & a 40' are probably stoked about the extra space! (got ZERO issue btw with guys that roll in with a full trailer, just love giving the little peter big trailer crowd crap )

 

[capulin overdrive]

Actually... you're incorrect. There IS CO specific pricing, the epic (Every son of a gun In Co) "local" pass

Gates & fees are a no go for me, can't really agree with that at all, but the gapers that roll in with 2 guys & a 40' are probably stoked about the extra space! (got ZERO issue btw with guys that roll in with a full trailer, just love giving the little peter big trailer crowd crap )

Are you saying that CO residents get better pricing on the Epic Local Pass?

Or that only locals can buy it? Because they'll sell that pass to anybody.

Your posted pic is a black X, if that explained something?