Headline News
Editorial
Officials Restrict Winter Access to Big Jay: Backcountry Enthusiasts Should Respect Restrictions, Get Involved to Change Policy
For those of us who planned to ski Big Jay by accessing it off the back of Jay Peak Ski Resort, Vt., this could be our winter of discontent.
The popular "backcountry gate" has been closed for the 2007/08 winter season to prevent skiers and riders from taking the ridge trail that leads from the resort to Big Jay. While it's the resort that has closed the gate, it's being done in cooperation with The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, the Green Mountain Club (GMC), and the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board.
UPDATE:
For 2008/09, an agreement has been signed to allow responsible access to Big Jay from Jay Peak Resort's tram. For details, read our news coverage, Vermont Officials Allow Access to Big Jay from Jay Peak Resort's Tram for 2008/09.
The closure is in response to an illegal ski trail that was cut during the summer on Big Jay, which is part of a conservation easement. While skiers and riders will not be allowed to access the peak directly from the resort, backcountry enthusiasts can still skin or snowshoe up Big Jay from Route 242 and ski or ride down. However, the state warns that skiers and riders will not be permitted on the illegally cut trail and the cutting of any vegetation in this area will not be permitted and will be strictly enforced.
The closing off of access from the resort has riled a lot of backcountry enthusiasts who feel that they are being punished as a whole because of the actions of two people, who were subsequently arrested and are now facing criminal charges. That may be true, but let's try to look at the big picture for a moment. The intial response from officials was to post a sign asking people to stay off the ridge trail and Big Jay until a good snow base had developed, as well as to avoid the illegal cut once the snow coverage built up sufficiently. Yet shortly after the season was underway, two sets of tracks exited the gate and skied directly down the illegally cut trail.
Let's face it: All officials want is for people to avoid the illegal cut for awhile so the area can regenerate. They don't care about people skiing the rest of Big Jay. By having an access gate from the top of the resort, it makes it easy for anyone and everyone to get to Big Jay. Close that access gate and most people will just not go to Big Jay, thereby immensely reducing the amount of traffic in that area. Those who skin/hike up from 242 will hopefully respect the request to stay off the cut in efforts to protect our backcountry—a backcountry that we all claim to love and cherish. There are tons of other skiable lines back there, and there's no reason not to ski and ride those areas instead.
If we can all show that we won't cross the closed gate, that we won't ski the cut, that we'll stick to the other parts of Big Jay, then the powers that be can relax. Maybe...just maybe...if we all show some self-restraint and respect the closure to Big Jay for now, then GMC, Jay Peak and the state will be able to back off on restricting access.
One thing is for sure: Closing the access gate from the resort is NOT the strongest response possible. The state is involved here and officials have been concerned for some time about the small-scale cutting and trimming not just on Big Jay, but on other mountains across the state. This particular illegal cut simply cast a spotlight that couldn't be ignored. Do we really want to have wardens and police officers enforcing this with hefty fines? Do we want backcountry and sidecountry areas that might be near other Vermont resorts also closed off?
If you don't want to be treated like you're part of the problem, then don't be a part of the problem. Prove that the area's backcountry and sidecountry skiers and riders are respectful and want to work in concert with the GMC and state. Don't push back, become part of the solution.
In fact, some of the region's backcountry enthusiasts are trying to form an alliance so they can be involved in future decisions. In October backcountry skiers were among those who volunteered to do stabilization work in the illegal cut. Let this unfortunate event be a step forward in advocacy for how state land can be responsibly used and managed for the benefit of backcountry skiers. Don't let the actions of the two who cut the trail define the rest of us.
If this issue is of concern to you, you can speak up and be heard. Questions or comments can be directed to State Lands Director Mike Fraysier, VT Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, 103 South Main St., Waterbury, VT 05671; phone: (802) 241-3682, email: mike.fraysier@state.vt.us.
Backgrounder
Big Jay is the highest peak in the Green Mountains without a maintained trail system. The property was acquired in 1993 by the State with the assistance of the Green Mountain Club and the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board to protect The Long Trail and important natural habitat. Big Jay is part of Jay State Forest and is a popular location for backcountry skiing. Though adjacent to the Jay Peak Ski Area, Big Jay is not within and is not serviced by the ski area.
For details about the illegal cut, please read our previous news item: "Green Mountain Club Restoration Project: Nearly 1,000 Trees Illegally Cut on Big Jay."