Earn-Your-Turns Roundtable

Description: Interest in backcountry skiing and riding continues to increase in Vermont. Backcountry organizations have established “managed backcountry ski zones'' throughout the State. Opportunities are beginning to emerge for the creation of managed BC zones in and around the Valley, however, many in our community have concerns about possible ecological and neighborly impacts. With this and other recreational uses in mind, a new group (MRV Conservation and Recreation Visioning Committee) has come together to define a "Gold Standard'' that attempts to balance outdoor recreation with protection of our natural resources.

• What would Gold Standard BC zones look like in the Valley?

• How can we support this type of recreation while balancing environmental and neighborly concerns?

• What can we do to foster inclusion in the sport, and how does it inform our definition of Gold Standard BC zones?

• How does backcountry safety fit into the mix?

Panelists:

• Kate Wanner - Trust for Public Land

• Kathryn Wrigley - Vermont Forest, Parks, and Recreation

• David Goodman - Author (Best Backcountry Skiing in the Northeast)

• Norm Staunton - VT Adaptive Ski and Sport

• Zac Freeman - Trail Builder (Apex Trailworks)

• Walker Randal - MRV Ambulance Service