Editor:
Almost everyone who walks or drives into town notices the beautifully lit tree on the corner of Aspen Street and Colorado Avenue. When we moved into the house on the property (known as the Johnstone Inn) everyone's first question was, "what are you going to do with the tree?" Our answer: keep it shining.
Earlier this winter, we replaced 1,000 bulbs on the tree, empowering it to shine even brighter. But this task was only completed with the assistance of a few kind-hearted and very helpful individuals: Bill Schiffbauer, who was the previous owner and caregiver of the beautiful tree; San Miguel Power who so generously donated their time and equipment, and especially the patient, friendly men who replaced those 1,000 bulbs; and the Town of Telluride for lending us cones and allowing us to block off our busy street corner for two days.
With warmest thanks,
– The Herrick Family
Pull Snowmobile Permit Now
Editor:
A week before Christmas, Sheep Mountain Alliance learned that the Telluride Ski Co. had gained approval from the U.S. Forest Service to run commercial snowmobile tours from the Telluride ski area for this winter.
The recent death of a 13-year-old girl who collided with a snowmobile at Vail Resort is not an isolated example of how dangerous snowmobiles are on ski areas. Last year, one of Telluride's own "necessary" snowmobiles – with an ostensibly highly trained operator – was unable to avoid a collision with a skier. There are many other examples, as well.
The snowmobile that killed the girl in Vail may have been traveling no more than 10 mph — slower than the Telluride snowmobiles might travel.
The Telluride snowmobile tour's base facility is located adjacent to the Nellie Ski Run, near the intersection with Double Cabins, off of lift 10. The snowmobiles travel along existing ski runs for a full mile before joining Nordic ski terrain at the top of lift 10 and then veer off to the Boomerang Road/Alta Lakes region.
Lift 10 runs are notorious beginner terrain, skied almost exclusively by children and novices; in other words, by those not skilled enough to be able to maneuver around snowmobiles.
We believe that it should be the objective of the Forest Service and the ski resort to minimize snowmobile traffic to only necessary operations.
During the Telluride ski area expansion approval, Telski and the Forest Service agreed to increase available Nordic terrain that was lost to the expansion into Prospect Basin. Instead, the limited remaining Nordic terrain is further encroached upon each year. Snowmobiles destroy the track, are loud and impact the tranquil "off-piste" experience. The fumes from snowmobiles linger while hard-breathing skiers and snow-shoers inhale the exhaust.
Since this operation began a few weeks ago, skiers and snow-shoers have reported snowmobile tracks in virtually all areas marked "off limits" in Magic Meadow as well as Prospect Basin and Alta Lakes.
We are asking the Forest Service to consider the impacts to lynx, a threatened and introduced species that has found habitat in Prospect Basin, Magic Meadow and the adjacent areas.
Although this is a one-year trial period, SMA is requesting that the Forest Service cancel the permit immediately for reasons of safety, environmental protection and consideration of other forest users.
Public land users who have thoughts about snowmobile operations on the ski area, or anyone who wants a copy of The Decision Memo may contact:
Kathy Peckham, Recreation Manager, USFS Norwood Ranger District
P.O. Box 388
Norwood, CO 81423
kpeckham@fs.fed.us
For a copy of SMA's comments, please call 970.728.3729 or send an e-mail to sma@rmi.net.
Sincerely,
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