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Ski season is here, are you ready to enjoy your world and Leave No Trace in the snow? Here are a few tips and tricks to remember the Leave No Trace Seven Principles while having fun on the mountain.

It is easy to Plan Ahead and Prepare for your day on the mountain. Always remember to check the weather so that you are warm enough. It is also important to carry a trail map of the runs on the mountain to make sure you are skiing or snowboarding at your ability. Also remember to check your equipment to have a safe day on the mountain.

When you enjoy the outdoors in the snow Traveling and Camping on Durable Surfaces all depends on how thick the snow is.  If the snow is six inches or more we classify that as a durable surface. In other words you are not doing any damage to what is beneath the snow as long as it is deep enough.  

Always remember to take everything you bring with you on the mountain off the mountain when you leave at the end of the day. Please Dispose of Waste Properly.  No one wants to find trash on the mountain on the first day of spring when all that snow melts. 

You may not think to Leave What You Find when you are on the mountain but it is always important to respect nature where it lies and leave it for the next generation, whether that is a pinecone or an archeological artifact. Your great-grandchildren will thank you for it.

Minimize Campfire Impacts can be easy in the snow, you may not think that this applies to you, but always remember to be careful with fire and if you are a smoker please make sure your cigarette butts are out and they come off the mountain with you. 

It can look like there are no wild animals out in the snow, but they are still around, usually just in smaller numbers for fewer hours.  It is always important to Respect Wildlife.  Please do your part by respecting signs outlining migration paths and packing out all your trash with you. 

We all want to have a fun day on the mountain, whether you ski or snowboard please Be Considerate of Other Visitors.  Always be in control, yield when necessary and be safe out there!

For more information about winter recreation and Leave No Trace, go HERE.

We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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