CONGRESSMAN Jared Polis 2nd DISTRICT OF COLORADO

Washington, Nov 5 - Chairman Grijalva, Congresswoman DeGette and members of this subcommittee, thank you very much for the opportunity to share with you my support for H.R. 2476, the Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2009. 

My district in Colorado is an internationally acclaimed playground where the world class resorts of Vail, Keystone, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Winter Park and many other community favorites provide a place for individuals of all abilities and fitness levels to get great exercise, experience nature and take in the incredible landscapes that define Colorado’s character. 

In my district, skiing isn’t just an activity, it’s a way of life that supports businesses, provides jobs, sustains communities and has created a national industry of related fields.  Not only do ski areas and resorts hire employees, but so do nearby hotels, rental shops and equipment retailers, restaurants, equipment manufacturing companies, magazines, nearby airports and every aspect of our local economies, all of which are reliant on the travel and tourism generated by these ski areas.  The ability of ski areas to offer these benefits year round means the survival of communities and businesses not just in my district but across the country.  It means a more stable economy, better communities and a better quality of life by balancing the influx of winter guests with the void of summer visitors.

Increased summer visitation, done correctly, also has environmental and educational benefits.  Our national forests are important reservoirs for our nation’s natural assets, and conservation of these forests must be a top priority.  Ski areas are places where people can safely experience these lands and get a taste of nature even if limited by fitness, ability or outdoor know how.  Nearly 20% of all national forest visitors are visitors at ski resorts, confining this usage to specific places and leaving other areas less impacted.  They provide an important recreational and educational venue in a controlled environment, melding elements of nature with features of modern convenience. This melding should not take place everywhere and ski areas play an important role in confining this practice to specific and small tracks of land allowing a greater number of individuals to gain an introduction to nature.  I applaud the current and future work of the Forest Service, National Ski Areas Association, this committee and the environmental community on their current collaborative efforts to ensure that this bill’s excellent goals are carried out in an environmentally friendly manner. 

The National Forest Ski Area Permit Act of 1986 once allowed this industry to flourish and has ensured that the needs of a growing industry, local economies, and our national forest ecosystems are simultaneously met.  Today however, the Forest Service is dealing with unclear directives from the National Forest Ski Area Permit Act.  Things like snowboards and ski bikes were never envisioned when the law was originally written.  Today we also face new consequences from climate change and an ever growing popularity in summer recreational activities that the original law does not adequately address.  H.R. 2476 is aimed at giving our vitally important ski areas the flexibility they need to provide an economic foundation all year round, in the face of a changing climate and changing ski season, while giving the Forest Service a proper and legal base on which to responsibly manage these areas. 

Finally, while I would certainly argue that Colorado’s Second Congressional District is second to none in outdoor recreation, this issue isn’t a Colorado issue it is an issue for every ski area and every ski community in the country from California to New Hampshire.  Over 120 resorts, and the businesses and communities they support, across the country would benefit from increased summer activities within current ski areas.  Areas in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming, like in my district, are economic foundations of local communities. 

This legislation represents a needed change for our federal land managers and an important change and opportunity for the many communities, businesses, employees, and public lands lovers’ throughout the country.  Once again I thank Chairman Grijalva, Congresswoman DeGette and this subcommittee for hearing my testimony today.