Originally Posted by
AlpenChronicHabitual
Assuming that this is true elsewhere...
And also my apologies in advance, if this isn't 100% accurate.
In Washington State, ski areas that operate on Forest Service land do so with a seasonal use permit that runs from one date to another. Say for example, October 1st through April 30th. When the area is operating under permit, they set the rules and the land becomes part of "their managed property". In most cases unauthorized use of a snowmobile on "ski area property" is against the rules, lifts running or not.
While the lifts are running sleds traveling up hill are a hazard, many ski areas put special lights and loud beepers on the sleds to warn on coming skiers to help mitigate the liability.
So, to recap...
You on a sled going up a slope at Copper (during their operational season) = unsafe = SC Sherif waiting for you in the parking lot.