November 1998
Ten Years at Vail Pass
Ten years ago, complaints of parking problems and user conflicts at the Vail Pass trailhead began to reach the ears of Colorado Department of Transportation and the U.S. Forest Service. The Vail Pass Task Force was formed in an effort to resolve disputes. The Task Force is comprised of diverse recreational groups including: Colorado Snowmobile Association, Colorado Mountain Club, Copper Mountain Resort, Colorado Department of Transportation, Nova Guides, Summit Huts Association, Tenth Mountain Division Huts Association, Minturn Powder Hounds, BSA, Vail Associates, private snocat owners and the U.S. Forest Service.
For ten years the Forest Service, in cooperation with the Task Force, has surveyed winter recreationists, listened to their concerns, and observed what has occurred in the backcountry. These surveys have enabled the Task Force to formulate a plan of management that aspires to meet the demands and needs of ever increasing numbers of recreationists. All this has not been without effort and cost. In 1990 the first signs were installed, maps produced and volunteers placed at trailheads to talk with visitors. Each subsequent year, Vail Pass has seen modifications that reflect the needs and desires communicated by recreationists and indicate an increasing sensitivity to the ecology of the winter backcountry.
Funding for the management plan has in the past been raised through grants and donations. Congress recently approved a Fee Demonstration Pilot program in order to fund the backlog of recreation sites that are in great need of management, maintenance, and improvement. In January 1998, the Vail Pass Winter Recreation Area became a Fee Demonstration project for the White River National Forest. In the 1997/98 season, only 11% of total user fees were spent on fee collection. The remaining 89% of Fee Demonstration dollars provided services such as printed trail maps, trail signs, kiosks, grooming, visitor information, trailhead host program and uniformed rangers to facilitate a positive experience for recreationists. These services allow winter recreational use at Vail Pass to be managed in a positive, proactive manner.
The Vail Pass Fee Demonstration project will continue through the 1999/2000 season. As a result of a user survey conducted in 1998, the Forest Service has decided to formalize the Vail Pass Winter Recreation map. The map will separate sections of the Recreation Area into zones and will indicate the type of appropriate use in each zone. Zone boundaries will be clearly illustrated on the map and will mandate travel patterns, making the zones enforceable. The maps will be available at all Vail Pass trailheads.
Fees are collected at all portals to the area. Season passes can be purchased by mail using the coupon below or at the Holy Cross and Dillon Ranger District offices beginning November 15th. Call (970) 827-5715 for more information.
1998/99 Vail Pass Fees
| Daily 24-Hour Pass | |
| Monday-Thursday | $2 per person |
| Friday-Sunday & Holidays | $5 per person |
| Children (14 and under) | FREE |
| Hut Stays | $5 per night |
| Season Pass | $25 per person |
Public comments about the Vail Pass Fee Demonstration Project are critical for evaluating the success of the program. Please contact Ev Elmendorf at the Holy Cross Ranger District at (970) 827-5715, P.O. Box 190, Minturn, CO 81645 or the Dillon Ranger District at (970) 468-5400.
This winter promises to be a great season. See you there.
I would like to purchase _____ season passes for the Vail Pass Management Area this season. Enclosed is _____ X $25 each = $_______. Name_____________________________________________ Address___________________________________________ City________________________ State_____ Zip__________
Please make checks payable to "Vail Pass Task Force" and mail to: Ev Elmendorf, Holy Cross Ranger District, P.O. Box 190, Minturn, CO 81645