Click the image for info on the Wooden Ski Rendezvous:

Routt National Forest Needs to Hear From You

From Friends of the Routt Backcountry Group:

TRILBEY FLATS in North Routt near the Columbine area is under attack.

We are not certain who is doing this, but suspect it originates with the Routt Powder Riders.

These snowmobile attacks on the area have corresponded with each weekend that Mark Hartless (Past president of the Routt Powder Riders) is up at his property in Columbine and now others are just following the tracks into the Trilbey area, as they do.

Eight years ago the Steamboat Lake SnowClub working with different user groups in North Routt, created a Parking Plan, which they hoped would give Trilbey some sort of non-motorized protection against this sort of assault. On the Snowclub map, Trilbey Flats is signed with a skier symbol. Hybrid users do occassionally park here to unload their snowmobiles and then they stay on a route to access further areas west to park and ski. The Home Ranch and Vista Verde have outfitters permits to take their clientel here to ski. Nordic users ski here all the time. It is close to the road and easily accessed for non-motorized users. We were in a comment period last summer (and many of you commented on this) to help try and preserve this area as "Suggested-Use" non-motorized.

At this point we are thinking that we should just push for a Forest Supervisors order to put this area under Designated non-motorized use, as is Rabbit Ears and Buffalo Pass. It may take longer, but will be more effective in the long run. Obviously "Suggested-Use" is just asking for them to come in and track it up!

Please write letters to the Forest Service and send this on to your friends who care about the future of our backcountry.

Comments can be sent electronically to Kent Foster kfoster@fs.fed.us and please cc: frb@cmc.org

Ski Area Report Card and Call Out for Citizen Advocates

Advocacy: Your boots on the ground help protect our public lands!

· If you would like to report snowmobile conflict incidents or have other questions about the public lands you use, please call our office at 303-996-2759 or email bsi@cmc.org . If you have an extra moment after calling BSI, submit a report to Winter Wildlands Alliance as well.

· One astute CMC member contacted the Conservation Department with a question on Jim Creek. CMC was able to contact the Sulphur Ranger District of the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest and confirm that there should be signs closing the area entering the Special Recreation Area, about 2 miles up from the Parking Lot. We are working to confirm that signs are in place.

· Off Piste article on Ski Report Card. See how your neighborhood resort stacks up with others when it is graded on stewardship.

· Ski Area Citizens Coalition Report Card

Wooden Ski Rendezvous and Other Fun Stuff

· Speed Riding? Check out a sweet video on your next extreme sport.

· Off Piste Magazine Ski Review

· Upcoming Wooden Ski Rendezvous Video (to attend on Feb 26-28, call Leslie Lovejoy at970-879-8710).

Backcountry Skiing in the News

Backcountry Skiing in the News

Routt National Forest:

Routt National Forest cited snowmobilers for trespassing in the wilderness, according to anarticle in Steamboat Today. The San Juan Group of Colorado Mountain Club (having merged with Red Mountain BSA Chapter) is expecting to use Red Mountain Chapter funds to hire a part-time winter ranger to enforce Forest Service regulations. Friends of the Routt Backcountry Group is also looking at the possibility of funding an extra ranger. The cost of funding part-time rangers ranges from $3800 to $5000 per season.

White River National Forest:

· White River National Forest travel plan release delayed until March 2010.

· WRNF may delay travel management plan further due to lynx issues.

· WRNF asks volunteers to track lynx while skiing and snowshoeing.

General News:

· A video with a happy ending showing the importance of training and gear.

· An article with a sad ending discussing tension between safety and excitement in the sports we love.

· A major avalanche in Switzerland reminds us to stay on our toes.