February 1998
Workshop Brings Skiers and Forest Service Together
The BSA held a Backcountry Issues Workshop on October 11th & 12th at Francie's Cabin near Breckenridge that brought skiers, hut system operators and the Forest Service together in dialogue. The purpose of the event was to promote better dialogue between winter backcountry recreationists and the Forest Service and to showcase and analyze the Vail Pass effort.
The workshop focused on how different user groups and the Forest Service can work in a cooperative manner to manage popular winter backcountry recreation areas. Participants came from Telluride, Cumbres Pass and Steamboat Springs to benefit from the dialogue with other skiers and the Forest Service in a beautiful mountain setting. Following a case study of the Vail Pass experience, participants had the opportunity to share their local issues and then break into small groups to develop action plans for each region.
The workshop was a big success in improving dialogue with the Forest Service and helping others who are facing issues in their area. As a result of the workshop, skiers from Steamboat Springs are working on initiating the first chapter of the BSA! (See related article.)
Special thanks go out to Leigh Girvin-Yule at Summit Huts for offering the use of Francie's Cabin, to Wild Oats Community Market for donations of food, Ideal Market for lunch and drinks and to Liquor Mart for beverages. And thanks to all board members and participants for their time and energy in making this event so successful