Jackson Hole, WY, Oct. 13--Long famous for its backcountry skiing, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has made it official. After months of review, the Bridger Teton National Forest (BTNF) and Jackson Hole in collaboration with Teton County Search and Rescue, the Teton County Sheriff's office and Grand Teton National Park have reached an agreement to allow winter-season access to the backcountry through designated gates.
The open-gate policy will include six access gates from the ski area. Each gate will have extensive signage including a warning of hazards in that area, the daily Bridger Teton Backcountry Avalanche Forecast, a map of the terrain and a symbol denoting one of five internationally accepted avalanche ratings.
Nancy Hall, district ranger of the BTNF said, "The open-gate policy will operate this season under a trial basis. If we experience extensive resource demands on the Sheriff's office Search and Rescue team, this policy may revert back at any time during the season."
