Question about trespassing...

[Elf28p]

Are there any mountains in MA/VT/NH that allow people to hike up and ski down all season long? Is this considered to be trespassing? Just curious. -Elf

 

[thetrailboss]

It all depends....this is a perennial question...

In general, most places don't care (unless it is posted otherwise) but you assume the risks and are liable for rescue/injury/damage/etc.

Places like Jay and Burke are on state land and cannot bar your access to the land, so they don't encourage you or discourage you.

We have a thread in here on this topic...if I get a minute, I will dig it up for you.

 

[riverc0il]

pre- and post- season i have never had any issues. i would guess that patrol might consider someone hiking up an open ski trail as a safety risk and ask you to leave. that i find perfectly acceptable and ski areas are well within their rights even on public land to determine appropriate safety levels. if you can't hike up open slopes, most ski areas have hiking trails to the summit but you will need snow shoes, skins, etc. to not post hole the trail. not sure why you would want to hike up open ski areas during the season though when there are plenty of BC opportunities. early and late season turn earning at ski areas has substantial benefits including cleared trails that are well maintained requiring less snow to safely ski and late season on snow making and grooming trails retains snow long after areas close.

 

[sledhaulingmedic]

Places like Jay and Burke are on state land and cannot bar your access to the land, so they don't encourage you or discourage you.

Just because an area is on land leased from the state does not guarantee public access. (This might be the case with Burke and/or Jay, I don't know). Unless it is specified other wise, the leasee would have nearly identical rights as owning the land, as far as limiting access, etc..

 

[David Metsky]

For example, Cannon (a state owned ski area) doesn't allow climbers on the trails.

-dave-

 

[thetrailboss]

Just because an area is on land leased from the state does not guarantee public access. (This might be the case with Burke and/or Jay, I don't know). Unless it is specified other wise, the leasee would have nearly identical rights as owning the land, as far as limiting access, etc..

No, the point is that public land is accessible to the public in general. The State of VT owns much of the land that Stowe, Jay, Burke, and Killington sit on. As Burke stated last season, it can't bar people from accessing that public land.

Now Dave mentioned Cannon and he is right in saying that they do not allow hiking on the ski trails (in the summer months). However, as we have seen here, many folks earn their turns at Cannon and nobody has arrested them. Besides, it is a moot point because if someone really wanted to ski Cannon in the offseason, they could hike up the Kinsmen Trail and ski down the ski trails.

And no, the example on Killington Zone of going hunting on White House Grounds is not applicable. :roll:

 

[riverc0il]

the reports of earning turns at cannon that i have seen here and else where have generally involved folks skinning/hiking up trails that are not open, which i think is a primary issue. also, an issue could potentially be perhaps it is "not allowed" officially but not enforced. in either case, dave and sled make an excellent point that operations on public land can set forth guide lines on their usage. as TB mentions, there certainly is always the option of hiking a trail (or bushwhacking for that matter) if a ski area doesn't want you hiking up open trails. it is true that the areas can not keep you off public land, but they can issue guide lines for safety such as no hiking up open trails. you could access the land by other means such as a hiking trail or bushwhacking. as an example, you certainly couldn't charge a snow mobile up an open ski area and claim you are in your right because it is public land. all that said, i have seen lots of occasions in which peope have hiked up open trails on snowshoes and skins and i doubt it is much of an issue any where.

 

[eatskisleep]

I am pretty sure places like Wildcat have no problems with you hiking it.

 

[NHpowderhound]

On several occasions I have climbed Wildcat mid to late season with my Swissbob sled, slid right down under the liftline, and never had any issues with patrol. I always hike on the edge of the trails and give the right of way to skiers. I assume all risk and would have no problem if they told me no.

Now this was at Wildcat. I would expect if I did the same thing at Attitash, Stratton or some other "mianstream" resort that I would be stopped by patrol in my first 100 yards of my ascent.

((*
*))NHPH

 

[thetrailboss]

the reports of earning turns at cannon that i have seen here and else where have generally involved folks skinning/hiking up trails that are not open, which i think is a primary issue. also, an issue could potentially be perhaps it is "not allowed" officially but not enforced. in either case, dave and sled make an excellent point that operations on public land can set forth guide lines on their usage. as TB mentions, there certainly is always the option of hiking a trail (or bushwhacking for that matter) if a ski area doesn't want you hiking up open trails. it is true that the areas can not keep you off public land, but they can issue guide lines for safety such as no hiking up open trails. you could access the land by other means such as a hiking trail or bushwhacking. as an example, you certainly couldn't charge a snow mobile up an open ski area and claim you are in your right because it is public land. all that said, i have seen lots of occasions in which peope have hiked up open trails on snowshoes and skins and i doubt it is much of an issue any where.

You hit the nail on the head, Riv.