Alpental 2011_2012

I’m pleased that this message seems to be becoming a Thanksgiving tradition for me.
I’ve got SO many things to be thankful for, and another one is early snow.
We have made a very conscious effort to support the fall uphill travel season at Alp.  Extensive and ongoing discussion with the snow safety leadership has highlighted the desire to allow access whenever possible rather than to restrict.  Of course weather and worker safety will always play the final card, but I’m proud of the stance regardless.  We are still playing carpenter mid-mountain so that has allowed the opportunity to chat with many of the local faithful and we have gotten both positive feedback and a sense that most are pretty tuned in to avalanche conditions. All that being said - now we are looking at just about enough snow to operate (Dec 2nd?), so the plan is to begin setting up, and perhaps even do some avalanche blasting, starting on Monday Nov 28th.  That means that Sunday the 27th will be the last day of unrestricted uphill travel and we will begin the winter travel policy.  That means no uphill traffic unless we're open for business and you check in with patrol dispatch to ensure coordination of closures and hazard reduction. SO... SINCERE THANKS again to this forum and to the BC community for helping and allowing us to open as safely as possible. All the best for a memorable winter and Holiday wishes to all.  Gib

Thank you Gib!! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your snow safety crew.

Thanks for the heads up, Gib, and see you on the 2nd.

Thanks for considering backcountry users in your set up this fall. Now let's all make sure to stay out of the patrol's way!

Thank you  Gib , for all your hard work . How difficult was mixing 1500 sacks of cement with aggregate at the top of Chair One ? You are a Leader , Sir .

Both the access policy and the advance warning of Monday's closure are much appreciated. Thanks--and nicely done!

Thanks Gib! Much appreciated.....

Wow!

What a refreshing change to have a Patrol Director that is both proactive and positive in their dealings with Backcountry users and access issues. I definitely appreciate your thoughtfulness in reaching out, and I hope your efforts set a precedent for other Ski Area Management to follow.

Thanks for the heads up on the open/closed uphill traffic.

Looks like Dec 2 for the official Alpental opener now.

Thanks Gib! As both a pass-holder and a early/late season tourer I really appreciate the notice and your execution!

I was unaware of this policy and honestly didn't see the bright yellow sign (blinded by desire) when I yoyo'd at Alpental yesterday. The patroller who informed me of the policy that you outlined was very cool. I was actually surprised that he mentioned the option to check in with the patrol on open days to be updated on the best way to skin up so to avoid tangling with paying guests.

With an approach like that you never know, I might even buy the occasional ticket