Fire risk up at Silver Star

Photo: SilverStar Mountain Resort

SilverStar Mtn. Resort restricts hours guests may use mountain trail network .

Due to the current risk of wildfire, SilverStar Mountain Resort will be restricting the hours people can use the mountain trail network for all activities, including downhill and cross country biking as well as hiking.

“As of Monday July 31, and until further notice, the mountain trail system operational hours will mirror that of the lift operating hours for the Comet Express chairlift (daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesdays and Fridays until 7:30 p.m.).

“SilverStar Mountain Resort is doing this as a matter of safety for our guests and staff,” said Brad Baker, the resort's operations director. “At the mountain we are presently in a high wildfire risk category, while just down the road in the Foothills it is extreme.

“We are restricting access to the trails outside of operational hours as our response to an emergency at that time could be delayed and with limited resources.”

Baker said the big concern is people using the trails after regular hours when staff are not on site.

“Through the day we are well-equipped....Every vehicle is set up as an initial attack vehicle.”

Baker said restricting access to the trail after hours is necessary because the staff are just not there to take action in the event of an emergency.

Signs will be placed around the resort indicating and explaining the restriction. Additional security staff will be on duty to enforce it.

SilverStar Mountain Resort wants to stress that smoking is not permitted on the mountain. There are designated smoking areas in the village.

Village restaurants, hotels and amenities will continue to be open outside of the lift operating hours.