Backcountry
Industry News
The Trump administration has rescinded the 2001 Roadless Rule, a move that could reshape how 58.5 million acres of national forestland are accessed, managed and developed—with direct implications for the ski industry and backcountry users. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Monday that it will lift the two-decade-old protections, describing the rule as overly restrictive and outdated. The Roadless Rule had limited road construction and timber harvesting in designated areas across 40 states, including some of the nation’s most visited national forests.
The repeal opens the door to expanded logging, mining, and infrastructure development, though federal officials maintain that it will also improve forest health and fire management, the Los Angeles Times reports. In California alone, about 4.4 million acres across 21 national forests—including the Inyo, Tahoe and Los Padres—had been under Roadless Rule protections.
“This move opens a new era of consistency and sustainability for our nation’s forests,” USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said in a statement, asserting that rescinding the rule would aid wildfire mitigation and responsible use. “Properly managing our forests preserves them from devastating fires and allows future generations of Americans to enjoy and reap the benefits of this great land.”
Impact on Ski Industry and Backcountry Access
Many backcountry skiing areas—including zones in California’s Eastern Sierra, Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, and Washington’s North Cascades—fall within national forest boundaries, and some within Roadless-designated areas. With fewer restrictions on roadbuilding and logging, the repeal could have ripple effects for winter recreation.
While no ski resorts are located directly within Roadless Rule areas—which largely exclude developed zones—some proposals for ski area expansion, hut systems, and helicopter skiing operations have historically run adjacent to or near roadless boundaries. The rollback could simplify permitting and access in certain locations, though it may also raise concerns over increased traffic and environmental disturbance in formerly undeveloped zones.
The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA), which represents U.S. ski resorts operating on public land, has not yet issued a formal response to the repeal. In past policy statements, the group has advocated for long-term forest management strategies that balance recreation, conservation, and commercial activity.
Conservationists Push Back
Several environmental organizations condemned the move, citing potential long-term impacts on habitat, clean water, and outdoor recreation.
“Secretary Rollins is taking a blowtorch to a landmark rule that shields almost 60 million acres of national forests from the serious impacts roads can have—not only on wildlife and their habitats, but also on the nation’s drinking water sources,” Vera Smith said, director of national forests and public lands at Defenders of Wildlife, in a public statement.
Rachael Hamby, policy director with the Center for Western Priorities, also issued a statement arguing that logging and road construction can increase fire risk rather than reduce it. Her organization characterized the repeal as a handout to timber companies, calling it a setback for conservation and public land protections. Many scientists and conservationists point out that national forests provide crucial ecosystem services, including carbon storage and watershed protection. Roads, they argue, can increase erosion, fragment wildlife corridors, and encourage the spread of invasive species—potentially degrading the integrity of these remote landscapes.
Looking Ahead
The Roadless Rule reversal aligns with recent federal actions aimed at increasing access for energy and timber industries on public lands. A directive in April expanded logging permissions across more than 112 million acres of forestland, while a separate proposal currently in the Senate could authorize the sale of millions of additional acres.
For backcountry skiers, hikers, and other public land users, the long-term implications remain uncertain. Many areas prized for their undeveloped character—such as alpine basins, ridgelines, and glade terrain within national forests—have remained largely undisturbed under the Roadless Rule. While the rule’s rollback may improve access for some recreation users or commercial guides, it may also open these spaces to more development.
The USDA has yet to provide a detailed timeline for implementation or to clarify how individual forest management plans will change in response to the repeal. Environmental and recreation groups say legal challenges are likely. For now, the future of many remote mountain zones and the access they provide may depend on how agencies, local communities, and land users respond in the months ahead.
