NE Oregon ski area closes over snowmobile concerns

PENDLETON, Ore. (AP) — The owner of a northeast Oregon ski area says he won’t open this season because of concerns about snowmobiles creating an unsafe environment in his parking lot.

The East Oregonian reports (http://bit.ly/2gEFfK1 ) that Spout Springs Ski Area owner John Murray says the slopes are otherwise ready to open but that the machines have made the parking area too dangerous for customers.

Murray says there have already been some close calls and he doesn’t want to be responsible for anyone getting hurt.

The ski area operates under a special use permit with the Umatilla National Forest. It is also a designated Sno-Park area, allowing it to be used as a launch point for snowmobiles to access trails.

A notice on the site said the Forest Service has “even gone as far as to dictate ski area policy within the permit area.” It said high-speed snowmobile activity “does not mix with a learn to ski area and does not make economic sense for the day to day operation.”

Walla Walla District Ranger Mike Rassbach says the forest is trying to make sure everyone plays by the rules.

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Information from: East Oregonian, http://www.eastoregonian.com