Northwest:
–Unofficial Networks is reporting that, “a skier allegedly buried by an inbounds avalanche at Stevens Pass Ski Resort in Washington was rescued after four hours beneath the snow, with his family crediting Apple’s Find My iPhone feature for directing ski patrol to his exact location.” To read more, click here.
–In Oregon, Mt. Ashland Ski Area is closed again. Mt Hood Ski Bowl is closed. But Hoodoo is open. Read more.
–In more Oregon news, More Than Just Parks is reporting that, “on February 19th, the BLM published a Notice of Intent to gut the management plans governing nearly 2.5 million acres of these forests across 18 counties. The proposal seeks to eliminate old-growth and wildlife protections to facilitate what the agency calls “maximum” logging capacity. The stated goal is to accelerate timber harvest to approximately one billion board feet per year.” To read more, click here.
Sierra:
–Yahoo News is reporting on a fortuitous find. “Two men skiing in Lake Tahoe, California, happened upon a recent avalanche and discovered another skier buried in snow.” The pair were able to rescue the individual. To read more, click here.
Desert Southwest:
–A climber was seriously injured this week after a big fall on Dream Safari (5.10d, 4 pitches) on the Dark Shadows Wall in Red Rock Canyon. To read more, click here.
–KJZZ is reporting that, “Arizona’s U.S. senators plan to introduce a bill designed to fast-track reconstruction on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park following last summer’s Dragon Bravo and White Sage fires. The North Rim and Kaibab National Forest Restoration Act would grant the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service emergency authority to quickly hire contractors and bypass common delays.” Top read more, click here.
–The Las Vegas Review Journal is reporting on a group that is trying to get more black people out into the wilderness to hike and backpack. Read about it here.
Colorado and Utah:
–Vail Daily is reporting that, “Vail Mountain officials late Tuesday confirmed the death of a 43-year-old man from Chile after an accident in the Big Rock Park area of Vail’s Blue Sky Basin on Saturday, Feb. 28.” To read more, click here.
–Denver 7 is reporting that, “Police are seeking to identify a hit-and-run snowboarder who struck and injured an 8-year-old skier at Winter Park Resort on Sunday afternoon. The Fraser Winter Park Police Department said the 8-year-old boy suffered a concussion and facial injuries in the collision.” To read more, click here.
–SnowBrains is reporting that, “a California snowboarder has filed a lawsuit alleging defective equipment contributed to a catastrophic facial injury he suffered during a crash at Keystone Resort in 2024. According to court records first reported by The Denver Post, Duncan McDonald, of Los Angeles, filed the complaint Tuesday in Colorado’s 17th Judicial District Court through attorneys with The Komyatte Law Firm in Golden.” To read more, click here.
–Utah News Dispatch is reporting that, “State lawmakers are looking to increase protections for Utah’s iconic red rock formations — which bring millions of tourists each year — with a proposal to prosecute and fine vandals who deface geological formations receiving unanimous approval from a House committee on Monday. The bill would impose a criminal penalty for damaging natural rock features on Utah’s public lands with graffiti or other vandalism, including fines and community service. HB536, sponsored by Rep. Stuart Barlow, R-Fruit Heights, would also protect “archeological features” — historical sites like Indigenous petroglyphs, carvings, or historic rock shelters.” To read more, click here.
Notes from All Over:
–Gear Junkie is reporting that, “Last month, the United States Forest Service announced the approval of class 1 pedal-assisted e-bikes on more than 100 miles of trails in the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU). The move is part of a growing trend in local outdoor communities around the country. E-bikes dramatically increase access when they’re allowed on trails, enabling more people to get out and enjoy them. That also means larger crowds and greater impact on the areas they are allowed to ride.” To read more, click here.
–Gear Junkie is reporting that, “If there is one thing almost universally associated with California, it’s sunny, sandy beaches. And if recent work by the National Park Service is any indication, they could serve as the cornerstone of America’s newest national park. But very significant hurdles remain. On Feb. 5, the National Park Service (NPS) opened a call for public comments for a proposal to turn about 22 miles of coastline, plus some nearby hills, into a national park.” To read more, click here.
–ProPublica is reporting that, “Following a ProPublica article revealing that the U.S. Forest Service had for years issued clothing to wildland firefighters that it knew contained potentially dangerous “forever chemicals,” the agency has stopped distributing those garments. It also says that it will instruct its equipment manufacturers to avoid using PFAS in the future.” To read more, click here.
–Ski Magazine is reporting that, “Vail Resorts announced a 20-percent discount for skiers aged 13-30 on Tuesday, slashing the price of an Epic Pass to $869 and the price of an Epic Local Pass to $649.” To read more, click here.