Sugarbush Resort and the Mad River Valley Backcountry Coalition is proud to present the third annual Earn Your Turns Roundtable Discussion, bringing together skiers and riders interested in uphill travel alongside land managers, ski area operators and the US Forest Service to discuss the opportunities and challenges presented by this growing sport. 6-9pm in Rumble's Bistro & Bar. Cash bar, valid photo ID required.

Interest in backcountry skiing/riding continues to increase year after year in Vermont and beyond. Backcountry organizations have established “managed backcountry ski zones” throughout New England, particularly in northern reaches of the region where terrain and snow provide the best opportunities. Meanwhile, concerns continue to mount over the fate of certain species that frequent the same areas. A variety of factors, including climate change, have already put added stress on numerous populations.

• How can new zones be sited with both local and landscape level perspectives in mind?
• What do current monitoring efforts tell us about potential impacts?
• Should consistent methods be used by different land management agencies (Federal/State)?
• Will siting and monitoring protocols help ensure sustainability while also accommodating new zones?

Agenda

• Introductions
• Backcountry Ski Zone Overview: What is a “managed backcountry ski zone” - Kathryn Wrigley (VT FPR)
• Backcountry Skiing: potential impacts - Bob Zaino (VT F&W) and Kathryn Wrigley (VT FPR)
• Appropriately Siting BC Zones in the landscape: Caitlin Littlefield (CSP, Inc) and Bob Zaino (VT F&W)
• Monitoring Methods and Findings: Brandon Gap Ski Zones - Jeremy Mears (GMNF)
• Establishing New BC Zones: The way forward? - Matt Williams - Moderator (CTA)
• Q&A: audience

Schedule

• 6:00 - Doors open
• 6:15 – Introductions
• 6:20 – Presentations
• 7:00 – Questions from the moderator
• 7:20 – Q&A from the audience
• 9:00 - Closing thank you