Neighbors oppose snow-cat skiing operation

JACKSON, Wyo. – Some people are upset over a decision allowing Togwotee Mountain Lodge to use a snow-cat tractor to haul guests to a Bridger-Teton National Forest mountaintop for guided ski tours this winter.

Jackson District Ranger Nancy Hall approved the new commercial cat-skiing operation on Angle Mountain without public notice or an analysis of potential environmental impacts or conflicts with other backcountry skiers and snowmobilers. Typically, forest rules require the agency to notify the public when proposing new activities in the forest.

But Hall determined that no public notice or analysis was needed because the lodge’s existing permit already allowed the company to guide skiing and snowmobiling, according to Acting District Ranger Lance Koch.

Longtime Jackson resident and ski guide Ron Matous said the cat-skiing tours have damaged the landscape.

“The mountain just had the appearance of an industrial site,” said Matous, who teaches avalanche safety for backcountry skiers on Togwotee Pass.

Moreover, the cat track runs over the easiest and safest route previously used by skiers, snowboarders and snowmobilers, he said.

Matous, who has been skiing to the top of Angle Mountain for more than 20 years, questioned how such a significant change could go forward without public involvement.

Likewise, Fred Smith of the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance said the decision circumvented the public process.

“We already have thousands of miles of snowmobile trails all around this area, we’ve already got heli-skiing operations … it just seems excessive to continue to push farther and farther into the backcountry and to continue to displace wildlife,” Smith said.

Jeff Golightly, general manager of Togwotee Mountain Lodge, defended the new operation.

“We were in no way trying to conceal anything,” Golightly said.

Although the lodge’s existing permit does not specify cat skiing, it falls under ski guiding, which allows the use of motorized equipment to carry skiers, Golightly said.

He predicted the cat skiing would actually reduce motorized traffic on Angle Mountain because guides would no longer use snowmobiles and snowmobiling guests would be discouraged from using the area. Moreover, the tractor plows through only one trail while snowmobilers cut multiple trails, he said.