IMBA Supports Bill Endorsing Summer Recreation at Ski Areas

For Immediate Release
10-01-08
Contact: Drew Vankat, Policy Analyst
e-mail
303-545-9011

IMBA supports H.R. 6553, a bill in Congress to clarify the appropriate role of summer recreation at ski resorts. The proposed legislation, sponsored by Rep. Mark Udall (D-CO), eliminates confusion over whether summer recreation such as mountain biking is appropriate at ski areas leased on Forest Service land.

IMBA submitted official testimony to Congress this week outlining our endorsement. Mountain biking has flourished at many ski areas. The multitude of cross-country style trails offered at most resorts provide a traditional singletrack experience with parking and amenities nearby. Ski areas' controlled settings are also ideal for freeride, downhill and other growing mountain biking styles.

Ski resorts offer a way to introduce new cyclists to the sport and instill a lifelong appreciation for nature and the outdoors. Ski areas can act as a gateway to many other outdoor activities and also offer opportunities for competition and the extreme side of the sport.

According to the National Ski Areas Association, 162 ski resorts offer trails open to mountain biking in the summer, including 84 with gravity-fed, lift-operated trail systems. Udall's bill would remove any ambiguities over the offering of four-season recreational amenities within ski resort boundaries on Forest Service land.

IMBA has partnered with numerous ski areas around the country to improve natural resource conditions and summer visitor experiences. IMBA and the USDA Forest Service have had a partnership agreement since 1994. The memorandum of understanding states, "When operators of ski areas on NFS lands allow summer mountain bicycling on their trails, [they should] work with those ski areas to implement IMBA's Rules of the Trail, trailbuilding and signage guidelines, and management principles."

A copy of IMBA's written testimony is available here.