Mt. Washington avalanche forecasters urge skiers to go home

[SnoBrdr]

PINKHAM NOTCH, N.H. (WCAX) While backcountry skiing may continue at Mount Washington's Tuckerman Ravine, the Mount Washington Avalanche Center Monday issued its final safety forecast for the season and said those skiers that continue are putting potential rescuers at risk.

In a statement on their website, officials said the need to reduce exposure of workers and forest visitors to the coronavirus outweighs the value of providing avalanche safety information to backcountry travelers.

Although Governor Chris Sununu's stay at home order allows for outdoor recreation, they say social congregation that has continued to occur in Tuckerman Ravine, nearby trails, and parking areas, suggest that more aggressive measures are needed. Although most facilities are closed, The White Mountain National Forest remains open.

"We also acknowledge that the absence of avalanche and mountain safety forecasts increases your risk in the backcountry, but since backcountry travel is not an essential need at this time of pandemic, you assume this increased risk," Avalanche Center officials said.

https://www.wcax.com/content/news/Mt-Wa ... 51981.html

[brownman]

Fyi ..

Dear Sugarbush and Mad River Glen Communities,

Over the last few difficult weeks we know that many of you have enjoyed skinning, hiking, skiing and riding at our mountains. While we fully embrace outdoor recreation, we have reluctantly made the decision to end uphill travel for the rest of this season at both Sugarbush and Mad River Glen, effective at dusk today. As we have become two of the last areas permitting this activity, we are concerned that this will now bring even more people into our community at a time when it is not in anyone’s best interest. Last weekend both Sugarbush and Mad River Glen saw a large volume of visitors traveling here from around the state and beyond. Though most were practicing social distancing we unfortunately understand that some may not have been following the proper guidelines. Given the favorable weather this weekend, we would anticipate even larger numbers if we don’t close uphill travel.

We know that outdoor exercise is something that we all enjoy and what is strongly recommended by the medical community and exempted under the Stay at Home order by Governor Scott. However, as the worst of the Coronavirus is still in front of us, we believe that this is the most appropriate action to take. Being good community members and looking out for the best interests of the community is a core value that we both hold. We thank you for your understanding and ask that you help us spread the word and keep people safe. We look forward to the return of normalcy. In the meantime, stay healthy.

All the best,

Win Smith
President
Sugarbush Resort

Matt Lillard
General Manager
Mad River Glen

[skibumps4ever]

thanks for the update, brownman. therein lies the problem... the distancing aspect just was not happening, anywhere. even at our beloved K, I check the webcams once in a while, dreaming of being there myself. almost every time, i see more tracks, and folks skiing/boarding down, especially at bear, and then congregating in groups. just not smart, IMHO. stay home peeps so we can get through this "thing" sooner than later.

[madhatter]

thanks for the update, brownman. therein lies the problem... the distancing aspect just was not happening, anywhere. even at our beloved K, I check the webcams once in a while, dreaming of being there myself. almost every time, i see more tracks, and folks skiing/boarding down, especially at bear, and then congregating in groups. just not smart, IMHO. stay home peeps so we can get through this "thing" sooner than later.

yup there is no mountain or venue that wants you there whether they actively enforce it or not...it sb easy enough to see why they don't want to have an encounter with someone that is not heeding their closed status...it's be a PR nightmare...

[Big Bob]

Sugarbush just closed uphill travel.

Dear Sugarbush and Mad River Glen Communities,

Over the last few difficult weeks we know that many of you have enjoyed skinning, hiking, skiing and riding at our mountains. While we fully embrace outdoor recreation, we have reluctantly made the decision to end uphill travel for the rest of this season at both Sugarbush and Mad River Glen, effective at dusk today. As we have become two of the last areas permitting this activity, we are concerned that this will now bring even more people into our community at a time when it is not in anyone’s best interest. Last weekend both Sugarbush and Mad River Glen saw a large volume of visitors traveling here from around the state and beyond. Though most were practicing social distancing we unfortunately understand that some may not have been following the proper guidelines. Given the favorable weather this weekend, we would anticipate even larger numbers if we don’t close uphill travel.

We know that outdoor exercise is something that we all enjoy and what is strongly recommended by the medical community and exempted under the Stay at Home order by Governor Scott. However, as the worst of the Coronavirus is still in front of us, we believe that this is the most appropriate action to take. Being good community members and looking out for the best interests of the community is a core value that we both hold. We thank you for your understanding and ask that you help us spread the word and keep people safe. We look forward to the return of normalcy. In the meantime, stay healthy.

All the best,

Matt & Win