Burlington Free Press has posted an online multimedia report depicting the damage done on Big Jay. The photos presented show a cleared trail approximately twenty feet wide in most sections. Pictorial evidence suggests that the cutting was done using chainsaws. Stumps as large as a foot in diameter are presented in the presentation.
The Times Argus is reporting that two men were arrested for allegedly cutting a trail on Big Jay to be used for downhill skiing. Big Jay is part of the Jay State Forest. Skiers from neighboring Jay Peak Resort regularly access Big Jay via a ridge connecting the two peaks. The two men local to the area are charged with destruction of state property which is a felony charge carrying a maximum sentence of $5,000 fine and five years in jail.
Met up with Patrick for some July desperation turns on this fine Canada Day, eh? This is my third season in a row skiing the Ravine as late as I think can safely be done without excessive stupidity (only moderate stupidity was required today). Despite there being more snow at the patch than the previous two years, the overall safety level was much less which resulted in Patrick and I only skiing half of the snow patch.
We made a late start leaving Pinkham around 9 A.M. and made steady time. We incurred the normal barrage of questions and comments but not as many as experienced in prior years. The doubters were incorrect as always displaying amazing ignorance, on occasion even claiming superior knowledge of the Ravine in that they knew no snow was left. Halfway up the TRT, the sun was shinning and I dared remark that “What was up with that 30% chance of rain?” Fortunately we made it to HoJo’s and cover before it started coming down heavy. The two other skiers that passed us did not fair as well having already pressed on to the ravine.
After the rain showers passed, we made our way up to the Bowl. En route, Patrick got a little sarcastic and told a passerby that there was snow in a cave up there. A short while later, we caught up to the same hikers and they asked “is there really a cave up there you guys are going to ski through?”
Powder Burn by Daniel Glick recounts the story of an arson at the Vail Ski Resort of Colorado and its impact, fallout, and effects on the community. The arson occurred in 1998 on the eve of a disputed expansion into terrain possibly containing a nearly endangered species of lynx. Glick writes in a “whodunit” style but the title takes off as the story sidetracks into unexpected directions. Vail Associates pissed off the entire community of residents dependent on the mountain for their livelihoods. Meanwhile, the culture of multi-millionaire second and third home jet setters sparks interesting research into the causes, effects, and ramifications of an über rich upper class culture taking over a working class ski bum town.
John Fry’s numerous years in the ski industry (specifically publications and magazines) has provided a wealth of knowledge about the sport and recreational activity of skiing. What was to become The Story of Modern Skiing was originally pitched to publishers by Fry as a memoir of his experiences in the ski industry. University Press of New England had a different idea and directed Fry to draw on his vast experiences to write a comprehensive history of modern skiing from the North American perspective.
The book is well arranged and somewhat linear despite the historical range of some topics which suggests editorial genius to keep the narrative linear. A brief introduction on how skiing made its way to North America begins the book; however, most of the history details skiing from the beginning of lift serviced skiing via rope tows onward. All aspects of the sport are detailed from equipment, technique, and teaching through competition, resort development, alternative and so called extreme pursuits, and the industry and business of the sport. The major personalities to effect the sport are sprinkled throughout the book where appropriate with colorful commentary.