The Special Use Permit for ski areas that lease from the Forest Service is incredibly brief and vague (see exact language below). It doesn't tell ski areas what price they can charge. It doesn't tell ski areas they can't set up two tier pricing structures. For years, Crystal (who leases from the Forest Service like Bachelor) has charged $1,000+ for priority parking.
Ron's letter carries weight just because he's a Senator. But legally, the idea that Bachelor can't do this because they are leasing public land is incorrect (note, Ron is smart enough to not make this claim in his letter and instead focuses on general "ethics"). If Ron (and others) really care about inequities in the ski industry they need to stop local family owned ski areas from selling out to Vail, Alterra, Powdr, and Boyne. Once that happens, forget about equities. And next time these ski areas' special use permit is up for negotiation, spout up and maybe the Forest Service will modify their language so that ski areas can't do this.
Ron knows that letter has no legal power, probably won't do anything, but will help him get some much needed votes from GOP dominated Central Oregon, while not costing him any votes anywhere else in OR.
This permit is not exclusive. The Forest Service reserves the right to use or permit others to use any part
of the permitted area for any purpose, provided such use does not materially interfere with the rights and privileges hereby
authorized
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