Telluride Studies Bear Creek Expansion

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Photo by: Telluride Ski Resort

Telluride Ski Resort is studying avalanche patterns in the Bear Creek drainage adjacent to the resort's ski terrain, hoping to complete an "Avalanche Atlas" of the area. Upper Bear Creek, popular with backcountry skiers -- and so-called sidecountry skiers who access it via gates from the resort -- will remain off limits between 6 and 10 a.m. this winter. Researchers will examine snowfall and snowpack by digging pits and launching explosives. Telluride officials have been open about their desire to officially expand into the Bear Creek area, but conservation groups worry about such an expansion's impact on local species like the pika.

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