2004 Wooden Ski Festival
More 2004 Wooden Ski Festival Images |
Winter is coming to an end, but the work for the winter travel management plan never seems to end! The Friends of the Routt Backcountry (Steamboat Backcountry Snowsports Alliance Chapter) recently celebrated their 4th annual Wooden Ski Festival at Columbine Cabins, nestled at the base of Hahn's Peak. The weekend consisted of pine tarring old wooden skis (thanks Mark Ensner and Johnny Walker for doing most of the work), ski races for men, women, and kids, a potluck full of the most amazing culinary delights, and live music provided by Vauhn, Ellen, and Paul! Participants went out to Columbine Meadows and to the shoulder of Hahn's Peak on both days.
The focus of the weekend (besides having fun!) was on how to keep Hahn's Peak and Columbine Meadows non-motorized in the future. At present, this pristine backcountry ski and snowshoe area is in danger of having a snowmobile route groomed right through the middle of it. Saturday afternoon was spent brainstorming ideas on how to help preserve this place that so many people have come to enjoy.
The Forest Service has come up with alternatives for both Rabbit Ears/Buffalo Pass and North Routt. An Environmental Assessment (EA) will be conducted for the Rabbit Ears/Buffalo Pass area this spring. The North Routt will be scoped next year. Details can be found at http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/mbr/projects/rec/. Comments on the EA will be requested sometime in May or June. We will put a notice on our alert list and on our website. Please look for this. If you're not on the alert list, please join the list.