Vail ice climbing access in jeopardy

Please help spread the word!!!!
Ice climbers continue to walk on the XC ski path in Vail. Those who run the nordic center are getting fed up. Boot prints really trash the track.
This is serious as they can stop access!!!
Please spread the word and do not walk on the groomed track anywhere except for at official crossings and then be careful when stepping over track.
Lets protect access to this valuable ice climbing venue!!
The folks at the nordic center have done so much for us to make it easy to get to the ice.
Mia

I completely agree! It is crazy that people can't be careful where they step for two steps!

To play devils advocate, not that I want to go down this route but I would bet that climbers could possible meet the burden of proving a prescriptive easement.

If I may be so blunt people are self centered and fucking stupid. I don't ski nordic and even I know what the tracks are.

People just don't care. And they don't care to educate themselves as long as there is self gratification.

While I don't know shit about Nordic skiing (what's the fucking point?!) get some touring skis and have some fun on the return trip! And I don't understand what the big deal about skiing over a bootprint is (I tour, even a posthole is no big deal). What I do understand and absolutely respect is that they pay for the space and spend a pretty penny to maintain a nicely groomed track for people that pay to use it. Last season in Vail I returned to find a typed letter on my truck (apparently many others got this last season). It was strange to me that the word you was used more than once, as if I were personally guilty for the sins of other ice climbers, it also struck me as strange that they could know whose vehicles belonged to ice climbers. I see a blatant disregard for the possibility that it may not have been an ice climber that stepped in the sacred Nordic ski track (do they forensically match boot tread patterns to trango or Nepal evos?). On many occasion I have been up there and seen yutzes putzing around that were certainly not ice climbing. I do not discount at all the idea that some, maybe even many, ice climbers are asshats that can't read any of the plethora of signs out there but it most certainly is not the case that the only human beings that desecrate Nordic ski tracks are ice climbers. What is disturbing to me about all of this is I get the sense that ice climbers are a lower form of existence that are not welcome in Vail. These notes and threats seem to be a case being made against ice climbers in order to ban their unsightliness and have it stick. They will be able to say ice climbers were given plenty of warnings and notices while disregarding the fact that other people seeking other activities contribute to the issue. Bottom line is if you see anyone out there stepping in a Nordic track (take a photo if they aren't climbing and send it to the Nordic center so they can see we are not the only ones ruining their track) they should be verbally assaulted and/or stuck with an ice tool for their illiteracy and stupidity. Happy Holidays everyone!

The ski track is the pair of (two) parallel lines of depression that guide a classic skier's skis.

I am a classic skier as well as a climber. I appreciate both sports.

Princess Mia made a relevant and reasonable request. Why do you guys have a problem with that?

I suspect that someone saw someone else with a backpack and ice equipment hanging from it.

Here's a skier's perspective:

While one or two prints over the track are a slight inconvenience, there is hardly any point going to a tracked area if the track is constantly broken by everything from climbers and walkers choosing to ignore the track, to skate skiers exceeding their stride length limits, snowshoers choosing an easier path than their designated area, and beginning classic skiers breaking out of the track.

I am not a Vail skier, but I did google "Vail cross country skiing" to see what facilities you might be discussing. Either the Vail Nordic Center or Vail Resort, like most places that actually put in track, charge for the experience. That means that the skiers have paid for the privilege of enduring the marred track. Those who are racers are annoyed because they can't measure their improvement. Those who are beginners fumble along and blame themselves as well as the area.

If there are designated crossing areas, use them. Not being a jerk means being mindful that the same people who created the official crossings can take them away if there is no heed for skier needs.