Ski Area Definition

The Forest Service is amending the definition of a ski area in its regulations at 36 CFR 251.51 to make it consistent with the authority in section 3 of the Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act (SAROEA) of 2011 (Pub. L. 112-46, 125 Stat. 538) to allow authorization of other snow sports besides Nordic and alpine skiing and, in appropriate circumstances, other seasonal and year-round natural resource-based recreation activities and associated facilities at ski areas on National Forest System (NFS) lands, provided that authorization of these other activities and facilities would not change the primary purpose of the ski areas to a purpose other than skiing and other snow sports.