Friday, April 18, 2008

Soldier Mountains snowmobile closure still in effect

A 1,500-acre closure prohibits motorized until snow melts

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By JASON KAUFFMAN
Express Staff Writer

Guided backcountry skiing at Soldier Mountain Ski Area north of Fairfield is ongoing, and the 1,500-acre motorized closure west of the ski area is still in effect, Sawtooth National Forest officials announced this week.

With good spring skiing conditions still available above Soldier Mountain ski Area, backcountry ski trips by snowcat will continue until conditions deteriorate for skiing and the snowcat skiing operations cease.

The Soldier Mountain Ski Area also remains closed and is off-limits to snowmobilers.

The snowmobile closure is the result of a temporary special-use permit the U.S. Forest Service issued to the resort for the 2007-2008 season that allows it to guide skiers in the backcountry area adjacent to the ski area.

The backcountry area has been closed annually for the guided snowcat skiing operations offered by Soldier Mountain Enterprises.

A 100-foot-wide corridor for snowmobiles is marked and signed through the 1,500-acre closure area to the South Fork of Soldier Creek, which is a popular snowmobiling area.

Copies of the U.S. Forest Service closure order, along with maps, are displayed at the Fairfield Ranger District office on U.S. Highway 20 in Fairfield and at the Sawtooth National Forest Headquarters in Twin Falls.

Contact the Fairfield Ranger District at (208) 764-3202 for answers to additional questions.