Issuing Backcountry PermitsIn October 2009, the Forest Service asked Friends of Northern Arizona Forests for assistance in issuing backcountry permits at Arizona Snowbowl Ski Resort after the ski area opens for the winter season. Each person who wishes to ski, snowboard, snowshoe, or alpine climb into the Kachina Peaks Wilderness from Snowbowl or Snowbowl Road must obtain a (free) backcountry permit. The goals of the permit system are numerous.
QualificationsAny FoNAF member may issue permits, but preference will be given to those who ski or snowshoe and have some winter backcountry experience (so that questions can be answered more authoritatively). Unless you have issued backcountry permits before, you will need to spend a morning working with an experienced person before you take on the job yourself (as a full-fledged member of a two-person team). To make training a productive process, we ask that you be prepared to serve subsequently for three or more mornings during the ski season (provided that you find the job something that you want to do). SchedulingThe schedule for who works when will be available on-line. Signing up will be easy, and if you need to cancel, there will be someone whom you can call or send an email. Getting to SnowbowlIf you have a government driver’s license, then you may use a Forest Service truck (from the Peaks Ranger Station) to drive to Snowbowl. Otherwise, you’ll need to use your own vehicle and observe whatever regulations about four-wheel drive or chains are in effect for the Snowbowl road. Additional benefits
After issuing permits in the morning, you may be able to spend the rest of your day assisting with patrol and contacts within the Arizona Snowbowl Ski Area. You may work with Forest Service Snow Rangers on patrol--using skis, snowshoes, or a snowboard--to contact and educate winter recreationalists, both those who remain in the ski area and those looking to travel in the backcountry. The Forest Service will arrange a free lift pass for these volunteer opportunities. The options depend, in part, on your experience and comfort level. In any event, you'll have the opportunity to spend time enjoying the snow. Your next stepFolks who have issued permits in the past have enjoyed their conversations with the public. It’s warm inside, and you are helping folks have safe winter trips into our wonderful backcountry. To volunteer or to get more information, please email or phone any one of the following persons.
Mary Natali is FoNAF's coordinator for the Backcountry Permits project. Jim and Pat McGeorge have spent many hours issuing permits and can tell you, first hand, what it’s like. Patrick McGervey, a Recreation Planner, is the Forest Service person in charge of the entire operation. Justin Loxley is the Volunteer Coordinator for the Flagstaff Ranger District. The Forest Service describes the backcountry permit and its purpose on its website. The most reliable route: go to www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/ and look for "permits." |
|||||||||||||
The permits themselves are issued by two-person teams from the
comfort of Agassiz Lodge between the hours of 9:00 and 11:30
a.m. on weekends. Each person who seeks a permit receives a
briefing on winter Wilderness preparedness and avalanche safety.
A written list of talking points and some literature to hand out
enable even new volunteers to perform the briefing competently.
More than 700 of the season-long permits have been issued during
each of the last few winters.