SAM Magazine--Silverton, Colorado, August 5, 2004--The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has given the OK to Silverton to host unguided skiers, up to 475 a day. The Bureau conducted a survey of the area, concentrating on avalanche safety, for three years before it rendered its recommendation.

The fly in the ointment, however, is the recommendation is now put to the public, which has 30 days to comment, and then the Bureau renders a final decision. Aaron Brill, owner of the back country ski area, is not expecting to open up to unguided skiing for most of the 2004/2005 season, but rather operate within the 80 allowable guided visits per day.