July 1998
Backcountry Skiers Face Access Troubles in Telluride
Several skiers were arrested by Forest Service enforcement officers upon exiting the popular Bear Creek area in Telluride this past season. The Forest Service officers were attempting to enforce a closure of backcountry access to Bear Creek from the Telluride Ski Area. The closure was originally put in place after several avalanche deaths occurred in the steep, challenging terrain during the 1980's. Skiers, snowboarders and other users can legally access Bear Creek from the Town Park in Telluride as well as from the popular ski touring route from Ophir to Telluride.
Two of the skiers arrested in Bear Creek are contesting their arrests with the help of the Telluride Mountain Club. They say that they had just completed skiing from Ophir to Telluride when they were stopped by a Forest Service officer in Bear Creek who demanded to see identification. The skiers report that they were sprayed with mace by the officer when they questioned the officer's right to demand identification.
Steve Johnson of the Telluride Mountain Club is leading the effort to resolve the issue and determine whether the Forest Service has the authority to question all skiers and snowboarders coming out of Bear Creek. Johnson is also working to open access to Bear Creek from the Telluride Ski Area through a backcountry access gate. Skiers and snowboarders are illegally entering and skiing Bear Creek from the ski area in increasing numbers. The sheriff of San Miguel County has said that the closure is wrong. Although use of Bear Creek has increased, no avalanche deaths have occurred in the areas since 1989. Johnson hopes for a solution that allows an access gate from Gold Hill, an existing backcountry gate that provides access from the ski area up to Prospect Peak. He hopes that a decision will be made for the upcoming season.