Kind Slopes: Legal Marijuana and Colorado Ski Resorts

The Colorado ski and snowboard industry survived its first season of legal marijuana. What was the result? Well, nothing much has changed. Here’s the EO guide to keep you out of trouble on the slopes next year and insight on just how the resorts dealt with those crowds who lit up the experience on the slopes this past winter.

Words by Jacob Harkins • Photos & Videos by Tom Daly










William Breathes wants to let you in on a little secret: People smoked pot at ski resorts in Colorado prior to Jan. 1, 2014, you know, the day weed became legal in Colorado. And they did so, albeit with more blatant restrictions, this past ski season. And they will continue to do so—but it's not a giant frat party here.

“It’s been going on for years,” he says. “There have always been smoke shacks. The culture of it hasn’t changed at all.”

Legal weed isn’t changing much at Colorado’s ski resorts other than making public relations directors a little bit more nervous. And in the case of Vail resorts, it has even spelled the end to of local-knowledge “smoke shacks,” since the Broomfield-based Resort company and the U.S. Forest Service demolished many of them in February. So, maybe, Colorado's ski industry even got a little less friendly.

Despite all the new national media attention thanks to Colorado’s 2012 ballot initiative legalized marijuana, people have been puffing on lifts and in the woods for as long as they have been searching for endless powder runs. Responsible use has always unofficially been tolerated. But legality has put an odd twist in that narrative. Ski resorts are now are fearful of out-of-state guests, looking to smoke legal weed, not understanding the laws, rules and, frankly, potency of our pot. And those rules may surprise a lot of would-be tokers.

“It’s black and white,” says Steve Hurlbert, Winter Park public relations and communications manager. “No. Pot is not allowed. That includes the base area, that includes chair lifts, the restaurants. We are on (U.S.) Forest Service land so that complicates it.”

Industry expert Jennifer Rudolph confirms that stance: “We are working to educate people so they know what to expect,” says the communications director for Colorado Ski Country USA. “What we want to make clear to the skiing public is that Colorado will continue to be a safe and family friendly ski destination. People can expect to come here, enjoy our resorts, breath fresh air and have fun on the slopes with their friends and family. They should not expect to be able to smoke marijuana at a ski area.”

Why are the state’s resorts not yet embracing pot into their tourism portfolio? For one, they want to be sure Colorado residents and Colorado tourists to understand the laws and rules to a T. For example:

  1. Smoking pot in public places is against the law
  2. Skiing while under the influence of anything is a big no, no
  3. Many resorts lease U.S. Forest Service land, meaning federal laws are king (and federal laws still say pot is an illegal drug)

But the conversation tone begins to shift when talking frankly about the idea that people such as Breathes have and will continue to smoke pot on the mountain.

“Ski patrol is not out looking for pot users; they are not law enforcement,” Hurlbert says.

“Whether you are using marijuana or using alcohol, it doesn’t matter. We want you to use it responsibly, and we want you safe on the mountain.”

Breathes is one of the most-well known pot experts in the U.S., having written a having written a marijuana column under his Grateful Dead-inspired pen name for Denver’s Westword for five years. As an expert snowboarder, he conveys a similar message. The reason he and his friends have always been able to smoke pot while skiing is simple: Respect.

“Every ski day, I have to light up at some point. But I keep it discrete,” he says. “I think we have been respectful, and that’s why we have been able to do it for years.”

Every ski day, I have to light up at some point. But I keep it discrete, I think we have been respectful, and that’s why we have been able to do it for years

— William Breathes

Chris Bookidis, managing partner of Idaho Springs dispensary Kine Mine, talks about smoking pot on the hill as if it’s nothing more than cracking a Coors Original.

Whether it’s an uptick in ski tourism from pot or just skiers and boarders opting for the convenience of the highway turnoff, it’s hard to say. Bookidis, however, understands the concerns of the ski resorts when it comes to the topic of Colorado pot law understanding. “The knowledge is not there,” he says. “We have a lot of warnings and tools and we have to educate each customer. We go far above our due diligence, with things like how important it is that you just don’t eat an edible, get in the car and drive to Kansas. It’s been a learning curve for the public.”

While he comes off as typical, free-spirited pot smoker while talking about getting high on the mountain in the context of a safety meeting, Bookidis understands the gravity of being the first state (government, period) to fully embrace recreational pot. “We have a lot of worries in that regard,” he says about overall safety. “We have a lot of potent strains and each body is different. There’s a lot of concern in the industry. This isn’t some joke.” The confusing part of the conversation is that both pot smoking skiers and resort officials can give mixed messages. The resort: No, pot is not allowed at a ski resort but we aren’t policing it. The user: Yes, I get high every time I ski. Don’t cause a crazy incident to ruin it for everybody. To simplify, it comes down to one simple rule if you are planning on smoking pot (for the first or thousandth time) at a Colorado ski area:

Don’t be an idiot.

Jacob Harkins is a former ski bum who does not actually smoke pot (anymore). He is also the Social Media and Public Relations Director for Godot Communications.

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Ski patrol is not out looking for pot users; they are not law enforcement, whether you are using marijuana or using alcohol, it doesn’t matter. We want you to use it responsibly, and we want you safe on the mountain.”



These people offered their own perspectives

Ski bums to resort staff, these guys all have a unique take.

Jason Doe

Colorado Green Tours

Jim Moss

William Breathes

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It’s been a learning curve for the public.

Gallery

No, pot is not allowed at a ski resort but we aren’t policing it. -resorts



Yes, I get high every time I ski. Don’t cause a crazy incident to ruin it for everybody. -skiers

Etiquette

(Yes, People Smoke Pot at Ski Resorts)

The resorts aren’t naive; despite no-smoking policies, they understand that pot smoking on the mountain happens. Here’s how to enjoy recreational marijuana on the mountain without pissing off other patrons, raising the ire of ski patrol, or getting arrested.

  1. There’s no such thing as the gangala. Seriously, don’t hot box the gondola. It will stink it up for the next person, and there’s a higher than average chance that you’ll get busted.
  2. Not everyone smokes pot; so don’t smoke on a lift without asking any strangers sharing the lift if they mind (or want to share). If there are minors next to you, wait for another chair.
  3. Pot is no different than booze on a mountain. Enjoy too much of it, and you’ll be a wreck and a danger to others trying to enjoy their ski vacation.
  4. Hiding in the woods is the least invasive place to smoke pot on the mountain.
  5. Don’t be obnoxious with broadcasting smoke shack locations (they are locals’ secrets).

What Do You Need?

In the complex world of Colorado pot, there’s a type of weed for everyone. Some are geared for anxiety or pain relief while others are grown with the intent of giving a social, energetic buzz. There are two major types of pot plants that will guide you toward the perfect type for your personality or situation. “Without question, sativas are uppy and indicas are downy, in the simplest form,” Bookidis says.

  • Indica: Strong, physical, body high that will leave you relaxed and ready for a stint on a comfortable couch.
  • Sativa: Energetic, uplifting head high that will set the tone for après ski or a mid-day pickup.
  • Hybrids: There are plenty of hybrids, mixing varying levels of the two types of pot plants. Each will have a different balance of the traits.

Know the Rules

Colorado is not one big Cheech and Chong flick. The rules of recreation pot are very specific, and if you follow them, you’ll have a great time enjoying the new freedom of our state.

  • Recreational pot is for adults, 21 and older, only
  • Anyone adult can purchase recreational pot; medical marijuana stores are only open to those with a medical marijuana card. Recreational pot is taxed at much higher rates.
  • Pot smoking in public is simply not allowed.
  • Non-residents can purchase 1/4 ounce at a time; Colorado residents can purchase one once per transaction.
  • Ski resorts typically do not allow smoking of any kind.
  • Ski resorts have no tolerance for skiing under the influence.
  • Many Colorado ski resorts include U.S. Forest Service land, which still considers pot illegal.