The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR), Catamount Trail Association (CTA), and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) have partnered to create The Vermont Backcountry Ski Handbook. This resource provides detailed guidance for public and private land managers seeking to develop sustainable backcountry zones.
The Vermont Backcountry Ski Handbook was developed with input from the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation, the Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife, the US Forest Service, and the Catamount Trail Association. It covers natural resource and social considerations, building partnerships with public and private land managers, delineating backcountry zones, and outlines the process for implementation, construction, and maintenance. It’s a complete how-to guide for creating high quality, sustainable backcountry ski terrain in a cooperative fashion with forest land managers.
By emphasizing a common language around ski zone development and maintenance, The Vermont Backcountry Ski Handbook will not only help land managers better administer their land for backcountry users, it will also help skiers and riders better understand and appreciate landowner concerns. This greater understanding between stakeholders should lead to stronger, more cooperative relationships.
While every new location will have its own specific considerations, The Vermont Backcountry Ski Handbook creates a broad foundation for backcountry terrain development anywhere backcountry skiing is possible!
Click Here To Download The Vermont Backcountry Ski Handbook
The Vermont Backcountry Ski Handbook can also be found on the Vermont Department of Forests Parks and Recreation Website
and on the Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forest Website.
