WINTER SPORTS 129 



near at hand on private lands, but in several instances the Forest Service 

 has built "high country cabins" equipped with stoves, fireplaces, and bunks 

 for overnight use. In the West, where the distances between winter-sports 

 centers and communities are greater, some sleeping accommodations have 

 been provided on national-forest lands. 



Public interest requires that the winter-sports areas be adequately supplied 

 with miscellaneous facilities — directional and informational — and that 

 entrance signs be adapted to winter conditions. Skiers, particularly, are 

 interested in the length, grade, classification, and objectives of unfamiliar 

 trails. Visitors must be warned of general and specific hazards. Snow 

 gages at various elevations are of special interest. Routes marked for 

 winter use are needed by snowshoe and mountain-climbing groups. Loop 

 circuits for dog-sled trips and snow-banked chutes for tobogganing help to 

 round out any well-developed winter-sports area. Ice-covered lakes and 

 ponds naturally clear of snow are ideal for skating, but most national 

 forests are too heavily blanketed with snow to justify the necessary clearing 

 and scraping. Bobsled runs are not provided by the Forest Service because 

 of the abnormally high construction and maintenance costs for the relatively 

 small number who use them. 



Skiing, tobogganing, and winter mountaineering must be recognized as 

 presenting greater risk of accident than most other forms of forest recreation. 

 At points of greatest danger the Forest Service has installed caches of first- 

 aid supplies and equipment for public use in case of emergency. On many 

 forests local chapters of the American Red Cross, winter-sports clubs, and 

 other groups, such as the National Ski Patrol, have cooperated in furnishing 

 medical supplies, first-aid treatment, and instruction. Injuries are increasing. 

 Only complete observance of ski-trail etiquette, a greater interest in con- 

 trolled skiing, and a widespread recognition by individuals of their personal 

 limitations and responsibilities will bring about improvement. 



Jumps and Tows . . . Ski jumps on the national forests vary from natural 

 "take-ofls" formed by wind-blown cornices to major ski jumps with arti- 

 ficial towers and graded landing hills. The more elaborate jump is usually 

 constructed and operated by local ski clubs. The Forest Service issues special- 



