Hiking Before The Mountain Opens?

bearbandit · Post by **bearbandit** » Oct 29th, '07, 18:40

Can I just pull up to the K-1 gondola and start walking up the hill or what ? I took a quick look at the K-1 webcam today (about 3:15PM) and saw 3 people heading up with gear. Then I visit here and see a few posts about hiking today. How does Killington feel about that ? Do I need to sign a waiver ? Can I be arrested for trespassing ? Will my season pass be revoked if they find out my name ? I've never done pre-season hiking before just post-season at a few mountains in NY where we were able to park away from resort and get up there without being seen. It seems like there would be to many snowmakers around pre-season. I'd hate to head up there and get stopped before I can even get started. Any advice?

richm20 · Post by **richm20** » Oct 29th, '07, 18:43

I'm asking the same questions in a different thread.

http://www.killingtonzone.com/forums/vi ... bd936b4c86

b-5 · Post by **b-5** » Oct 29th, '07, 18:43

Go 4 it!
If I were there i would be trecking my way up to make some turns!
Don't know about the new owners but in the past they allways looked the other way.

millerm277 · Post by **millerm277** » Oct 29th, '07, 18:55

Don't ask, don't tell.

They have no power to stop you, but they don't especially like it because of the potential liability if you get hurt. (By they, I mean management, not the on-mountain people). The only other thing, is to make sure there are no snowmaking hoses or the like stretched out across the trail.

RustyK · Post by **RustyK** » Oct 30th, '07, 06:56

b-5 wrote:Go 4 it!
If I were there i would be trecking my way up to make some turns!
Don't know about the new owners but in the past they allways looked the other way.

Pud in palm · Post by **Pud in palm** » Oct 30th, '07, 07:52

actually , MMan , they DO have the power to stop you...as it's THEIR property by virtue of their lease...THEY rented it , THEY can let anyone or no-one on to it...its THEIRS! ( dont give up yer day job , counselor)

millerm277 · Post by **millerm277** » Oct 30th, '07, 07:58

Pud in palm wrote:actually , MMan , they DO have the power to stop you...as it's THEIR property by virtue of their lease...THEY rented it , THEY can let anyone or no-one on to it...its THEIRS! ( dont give up yer day job , counselor)

Actually, they may or may not. I believe they are required to allow open access to the mountain. Odd that they've never said "we can stop you", it's always "we ask that you don't", if they have the power to stop you.

skiingsnow · Post by **skiingsnow** » Oct 30th, '07, 07:59

Pud in palm wrote:actually , MMan , they DO have the power to stop you...as it's THEIR property by virtue of their lease...THEY rented it , THEY can let anyone or no-one on to it...its THEIRS! ( dont give up yer day job , counselor)

Someone else will tell the full details, but Killington leases the land from the state of Vermont, and in the lease, Killington has to let people use the land. . . You still have to follow the rules of the mountain, like staying off closed trails, but they cant stop you from being up there.... They could in thoery stop you from skiing this snow they made though, just throw some ropes around it and deem it "unsafe", and your not allowed on it.

Snowjob · Post by **Snowjob** » Oct 30th, '07, 08:08

Bearbandit. That's a fun name. Welcome to the board.

kskier1949 · Post by **kskier1949** » Oct 31st, '07, 09:35

I belive Killington is on US National Forest Service land and is leased thru the National Forest Service. This is US Gov't property and only the US Gov't can restrict use not Powdr or SP Land

skiingsnow · Post by **skiingsnow** » Oct 31st, '07, 11:06

I just got back from the k base, and there were 7 cars parked in bay 1, where the dumpster used to be... I think they were all hiking for turns, but maybe some just hiking for the hell of it.

Mtn Man · Post by **Mtn Man** » Oct 31st, '07, 13:54

In days of yore (last few years), the on-mountain workers have talked to me on the way up and even gave me a little advice on my route. I've also heard that ski patrol was stopping people on the 3ft day since they were putting up ropes and the cats were working.

Bottom line, don't act like an arse, stay away from guns/hoses/cats, treat the workers and patrol with respect, and they'll let you play before the lifts open. Yes, they can ask you to leave, they paid to use the land.

I've hiked the mtn the last 4 years before they opened and was never stopped.

B)

Mtn Man · Post by **Mtn Man** » Oct 31st, '07, 13:58

kskier1949 wrote:I belive Killington is on US National Forest Service land and is leased thru the National Forest Service. This is US Gov't property and only the US Gov't can restrict use not Powdr or SP Land

Hmmm, so you're saying that the apt that I'm leasing is open for anyone to come in? K pays to use the land just like I pay to use my apt. I'm allowed to let anyone in, or refuse anyone's admittance. How I go about that is my business. If K was good at marketing, they would open their arms to hikers since they take pics, post em up, and publicize the snowmaking for free to their friends, family, newspapers, etc. As long as you are showiing respect to the land (or my apt), it's open to everyone....

B)

BigKahuna13 · Post by **BigKahuna13** » Oct 31st, '07, 14:26

Mtn Man wrote:
kskier1949 wrote:I belive Killington is on US National Forest Service land and is leased thru the National Forest Service. This is US Gov't property and only the US Gov't can restrict use not Powdr or SP Land
Hmmm, so you're saying that the apt that I'm leasing is open for anyone to come in? K pays to use the land just like I pay to use my apt. I'm allowed to let anyone in, or refuse anyone's admittance. How I go about that is my business. If K was good at marketing, they would open their arms to hikers since they take pics, post em up, and publicize the snowmaking for free to their friends, family, newspapers, etc. As long as you are showiing respect to the land (or my apt), it's open to everyone....

B)

That's silly. All leases are not created equal.

We've been down this road a bunch of times and I don't think anyone's ever come up with a definitive answer.

Under the old sheriff if you played nice no one got bent outta shape. the new guys may be different. only time will tell.

the liability issue is a real one. all it takes is one ass who hurts himself and decides to sue.........

Mtn Man · Post by **Mtn Man** » Oct 31st, '07, 14:40

BigKahuna13 wrote: That's silly. All leases are not created equal.

I'm silly like that. Sue you, sue me, sue everybody!

Gotta love the Jerky Boys....

B)