BRIEFS: Intrawest changes helmet policy
Resorts’ helmet policies change
Ski resort operator Intrawest, which runs Copper Mountain, Winter Park and Steamboat ski areas, announced Oct. 1 that this season it will “recommend that all skiers and snowboarders visiting its resorts wear helmets.”
Nothing new there, right? Resorts have been touting the safety benefits of helmets for years. But new this year, these resorts will require helmets for all children and teens 17 and younger taking part in terrain park and ski/snowboard school programs, and helmets will be a standard part of youth-gear rentals. In past years, parents could opt out of requiring their kids to wear helmets. Next season, the company will require all employees to wear helmets while on duty.
In April, Vail Resorts announced a similar requirement for employees and children in snow-school programs, effective this season. The company operates Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone ski areas.
South Colony Road is closing
Tuesday is the last day to drive South Colony Road. The U.S. Forest Service decided in September to permanently close the rugged four-wheel-drive road in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains at 2.7 miles past the valley floor. It provides access to four fourteeners. Climbers heading to Crestone Peak, Crestone Needle, Humboldt Peak and Kit Carson Peak will have extra hiking to do. Camping will be allowed at the closure point, and at the current trailhead, three miles past the closure. Next summer, however, the Forest Service plans to take out about half of the backcountry camp sites in the South Colony Lakes area because of ecological damage, and is considering a fee system for the area.
Get married and ski for free
Better start chatting up that snow angel in the lift line: Keystone Resort is giving two season passes to couples who get married at the resort. The offer is good for couples who marry at Keystone between Nov. 30 this year and Nov. 30, 2010. The pass is for the 2010-2011 season at Keystone, Breckenridge and Arapahoe Basin. Wedding packages start at about $75 a person — certain minimums apply.
Section 16 gets another chance
Great Outdoors Colorado, which uses lottery revenues to fund local open space and park projects, has kept alive the potential purchase of the Section 16 property by Colorado Springs.
The state agency Friday approved a request by the Colorado Springs Trails, Open Space and Parks program to extend a $1 million grant through March 30.
Buying the 640-acre parcel has long been a goal of the TOPS program. The Colorado State Land Board leases the popular hiking area to the city for about $40,000 a year; the agreement expires at the end of 2010.
The city and land board have not been able to reach agreement on a price for the land. The grant extension by Great Outdoors Colorado requires that an appraisal be done by the land board by Feb. 1, to be reviewed by TOPS and Great Outdoors Colorado.
“It certainly does provide an opportunity, granted a narrow window, to move forward with GOCO’s participation,” said TOPS director Chris Lieber.
State parks will be open Friday
Colorado’s 42 state parks will remain open Friday, a furlough day for state employees.
Entry gates, campgrounds, boat marinas and inspection stations for aquatic nuisance species will be open, but state park offices and individual park visitor centers will be closed, the agency said.
