2005

• May 1, 2005
  Middle ground can be reached on foot and ATV. "Some wilderness clearly should be designated as non-motorized, but there needs to be places to ride, too. With a little understanding from both sides, peace can be declared -- or at least a truce." (The Anchorage Daily News)
• May 10, 2005
  Snowmobile, wilderness groups agree on Rocky Mountain Front plan in Montana. "After nearly a year of negotiations and poring over trail maps, winter recreationists reached an agreement that would put a portion of the Rocky Mountain Front off-limits to snowmobiles but protect groomed trails throughout the Lincoln [Montana] area. On Monday, government officials, members of the Montana Snowmobile Association and representatives of the Montana Wilderness Association met in Lincoln to sign a winter travel agreement. The agreement is a recommendation to the U.S. Forest Service, which will use it as a guide in setting policy." (Great Falls Tribune)
• April 27, 2005
  Snowmobilers, cross-country skiers, seek snow compromise. "Snowmobilers and cross-country skiers are working on a plan to share the snow in a scenic Sierra county south of Lake Tahoe." (Las Vegas Sun)
• April 12, 2005
  Idaho Congressman defends snowmobiles In Yellowstone. "Congressman Mike Simpson testified today in the House Resources Subcommittee on National Parks about the importance of allowing snowmobile use in Yellowstone National Park. Saying quote, "If you haven't seen Yellowstone in the winter then you haven't seen Yellowstone, and the best way to experience it is by riding on a snowmobile."" (KPVI-TV)
• April 5, 2005
  Reactions mixed to forest-use proposal. "On Friday, the Caribou-Targhee National Forest Service released its preliminary proposal for how to manage travel within the eastern Idaho Forest. ... 94 percent of acres in the forest are open to snowmobiles, and to protect winter range for big game, snowmobiles must remain on designated routes on 20 percent of the open acres." (Idaho State Journal)
• April 5, 2005
  Forest travel plan comment period extended. "The public comment period on the Gallatin National Forest's comprehensive travel plan has been extended by 72 days, Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., announced this week. ... The current proposal calls for some sharp restrictions on motorized users on the 1.9 million-acre forest. ... Acres open to snowmobiles would drop from 84 percent of the forest outside wilderness areas to 52 percent. Bicycles would also see some restrictions, and horseback riders would see trails closed in the spring." (Bozeman Daily Chronicle)
• March 25, 2005
  Forest Service says snowmobiles don't impact environment. "While the U.S. Forest Service hasn't finished its Environmental Impact Statement on a proposal to lift a snowmobile ban at Sonora Pass [CA], it does contend the machines have no effect on the environment." (Tahoe Daily Tribune)
• March 21, 2005
  Forest Service Chief Accepts Wasatch-Cache Plan. "After two years pondering appeals, Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth has upheld the Wasatch-Cache National Forest plan. Both snowmobilers and cross-country skiers who wanted more space for their pursuits were turned down." (KSL-TV)
• March 8, 2005
  Kits Turn SUVs Into Snowmobiles. "Some innovative New Englanders are turning their SUVs and trucks into snowmobiles with conversion kits. The lumbering vehicles allow you to take the whole family on a winter safari in warmth and comfort. But they're not winning a lot of fans among traditional snowmobile riders and landowners." (NPR
• September 2005: In the BSA Newsletter Updates from Vail Pass, Steamboat, Wolf Creek.
  
  Plus the latest Fundraiser Dates, BSA screening of a new ski film, monthly socials, the latest volunteer positions, the 3rd annual Quiet Commotion in Crestone, CO, and Jeff Russel's current ski streak

• May 2005: In the BSA Newsletter
  
  Updates from Breckenridge, Summit County, Steamboat, Vail Pass, and Wolf Creek Pass, including Wolf Creek Village, plus successful fundraisers and skills series and an upcoming ski film on backcountry preservation
• February 2005: Wooden Ski Festival
  Join the Friends of the Routt Backcountry March 4-6, 2005 for the 2005 Wooden Ski Festival, an event not to be missed.
• January 2005: Skills Series Announced
  The Backcountry Snowsports Alliance announces is hosting 10 Skills Series nights on the Front Range in February. All are welcome, and the events are free. We hope to see you there.

• October 11, 2005
  Vail Pass Task Force garners management grant
  SUMMIT COUNTY - Efforts to manage winter use at Vail Pass will get a $20,000 boost this winter with a grant from the National Forest Foundation going to the Vail Pass Task Force.
  
  The money will likely go toward increased education and monitoring, said Kim Hedberg, of the Backcountry Snowsports Alliance. More
• October, 2005
  Ski Resort Terrain Appetite is Gobbling Up Your Pristine Backcountry Powder
  
  Is Ed Ryberg, a National Winter Sports Program Leader who assesses ski area's voracious need for terrain, your friend or foe? More
• October 14
  Obstacles on road to Wolf Creek village plan
  
  Texas billionaire Red McCombs' plan to build a huge village near Wolf Creek Ski Area suffered a blow Thursday when a judge overturned key zoning approvals because the site lacks year-round road access. More
• September 14 Aspen County refuses to dive into backcountry powder fight
  
  The Aspen Skiing Co. maintained the upper hand Tuesday in a dispute with powderhounds over access to winter stashes on the back of Aspen Mountain. More
• October 2005: BD finds cracks in T2X cuffs Recall emminent
  
  Salt Lake City, UT - Scarpa's next generation T2X telemark boots are being recalled because of problems with the plastic material in the cuffs only. During recent inspections at Black Diamond cracking along random axis' was noticed when the wings of the cuffs were flexed open in the unbuckled position, as one would do to put their foot into the boot. More
• August 2005
  Ortovox Recalls M1 and M2 Model Beacons
  
  Ortovox has voluntarily recalled all M1 and M2 beacons. The company says that due to manufacturing differences in the length and width of size AA batteries, certain batteries have been dislodged from contact points in the M1 and M2 models. No reports of injuries have been reported, but battery dislodgement has been reported three times. Therefore, Ortovox has designed a new battery door which they will provide free of charge.
  Pleae call 888.215.3131. For more information, please see the following URL:
  http://www.ortovox.com/typo7/index.php?id=58&L=1
• August 8
  Is Grant's Cabin gone?
  A cabin on the backside of Aspen Mountain where locals have gathered for 17 years of backcountry skiing may be shuttered by Pitkin County this week.
  The Aspen Times

February 17, 2005
A 3-Day Yellowstone Tour in Support of Snowmobiles
Secretary Gale A. Norton's "three-day show of solidarity with snowmobiles was unambiguous as she gave one mini news conference after another" on a recent snowmobile tour of Yellowstone National Park. Of snow coaches, the alternative mode of transportation in the Park, Norton said, "It's not as special as a snowmobile." According to the Times, "For many westerners, particularly those in the Rocky Mountain states, [snowmobiling] appeals to the urge for unfettered - and fast - exploration of large swaths of terrain. But environmentalists say the snowmobile's continued presence here represents the triumph of commercial interests over conservation." The Times noted that Ms. Norton's husband, John Hughes, wore earplugs during his ride in the Park. (New York Times - registration required)

February 7, 2005
A Line in the Snow. "The frosty acrimony between snowmobilers and cross-country skiers in Hope Valley [California] perfectly frames the country's muscle-versus-machine battles on frozen turf. ... In the nationwide scuffle between snowmobilers and those who scorn them, this is contested territory." (Los Angeles Times)

January 29, 2005
West Yellowstone Events May Clash. "Organizers of an annual cross-country ski race in West Yellowstone are upset that a snowmobile company is sponsoring the "biggest party on snow," on the same weekend." (Billings Gazette)

January 22, 2005
Forest Service rejects helicopter skiing appeal. "The U.S. Forest Service has rejected an appeal filed by a group of backcountry skiers who challenged the renewal of a five-year permit for a helicopter skiing company that operates in the Wasatch Range and nearby mountains." (Provo Daily Herald)

January 19, 2005
Experts: Snowmachines A Factor In Avalanche Deaths. "Avalanche experts say the use of snowmobiles to get up steep slopes is increasing the danger of backcountry skiing. In Routt County [Colorado], for example, there had been no avalanche fatalities for 30 years until 2001. In the past four years there have been two, and both involved the use snowmobiles to gain altitude. Jeff Hirschboeck, avalanche team leader at the Steamboat Ski Area, said backcountry users are going to areas never touched before because they travel on snowmachines." (denverchannel.com)

January 4, 2005
Minnesota City Passes Snowmobile Limits. "Snowmobiles will no longer be allowed in [St. Cloud] starting in early February. St. Cloud City Council members Monday approved an ordinance that restricts snowmobilers to ditches along state and city roads, where it's legal. The vote was 8-0. The move was recommended by a task force that's been working for years to reduce the number of complaints about snowmobiles within the city. ... Trespassing and safety issues were cited as chief concerns that justify the ban." (St. Cloud Times)