On the first, that's in part dependent on the land ownership, lease terms, and I would assume the regulations and policies of the local Forest. In the case of the area I skied at in Montana (Red Lodge), there is now an easement across the privately held base area for uphill access into the publicly owned areas of the ski area (which are operated by a private entity under legal agreements with the USFS and BLM). As I understand (based largely on a brief conversation with local USFS employees who were involved in administration of the area agreement), the area can limit access for safety reasons, such as avy control work or conflict with the primary (permitted) use
, so access is allowed only outside of lift operating hours and not on days where control work or other operating require a closure.
On the second, 100%. I have done it, albeit after skinning for the first run, and yuck. It's not what pin bindings are good at.
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