Senate Energy Committee Passes the Ski Area Recreation Opportunity Enhancement Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) praised the Senate Energy Committee’s passage of the Ski Area Recreation Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2011. 

“Today, bipartisan members of the Energy Committee voted to boost local economies by increasing recreational opportunities,” said Barrasso.  “By giving ski areas year round business and recreational opportunities, our bill will create jobs and increase tourism in Wyoming and across the country.” 

Background on the Ski Area Recreation Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2011:

In February 2011, Senators John Barrasso (Wyoming) and Mark Udall (Colorado) and Representatives Rob Bishop (Utah) and Diana DeGette (Colorado) introduced the Ski Area Recreation Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2011 to amend the National Forest Ski Area Permit Act of 1986. 

This bill would change permitting rules for ski areas on Forest Service land to allow for summertime recreation and increased tourism—and the influx of year-round business they bring.
 
The 1986 law currently allows only ski-related activities in Forest Service ski areas. The bill would amend it so that recreational sports other than alpine and Nordic skiing, such as snowboarding, are allowed. 

In addition, the bill would authorize the Forest Service to decide on appropriate year-round and summertime activities—such as mountain biking and concerts—to help level out ski areas’ seasonal economies and provide steady job opportunities for the people who make up these communities.

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