A new bill proposed by Rep. Mark Udall would revise a 22-year-old law that governs ski area permitting. The changes are intended to align the language of the law with modern-day realities of mountain resorts, which often offer more than simply skiing in the winter and a range of activities in the summer.

“The ski industry has gone from a wintertime-only, one-sport industry to a multisport winter industry and a year-round business,” said Jeff Hanle, spokesman for the Aspen Skiing Co. “The industry has changed to expand summer business a great deal and just offer a full, year-round experience for our guest.”

Hanle said SkiCo is still reviewing the proposed bill, but he expects the company to support it. The National Ski Areas Association has pushed the bill, arguing that it is time to update confusing language that could limit operations at ski areas that must be permitted by the Forest Service.

“The Forest Service policy on this issue is anything but clear,” said Geraldine Link, director of public policy for the NSAA. “We have had questions arise in the context of approvals for summer projects. Is it appropriate? Is it not appropriate?”

Udall, D-Colo., whose district includes Eagle County, has proposed the bill to clarify that the Forest Service is authorized to permit year-round recreational activities at ski areas, and to recognize that even in winter, more than skiing takes place at ski areas.

“Because recreation at these ski areas is so important to Colorado and to Colorado’s economy, I agreed that it was important to make clear that appropriate recreation opportunities would continue,” said Udall, chairman of the Congressional Ski and Snowboard Caucus and a candidate for U.S. Senate.

The current law mentions only skiing, not snowboarding, Link said, and it does not recognize other activities, such as tubing, that are also popular in winter, or a range of activities available in the summer. Resorts will still have to go through approval processes, she said, but the proposed language should make it clear that other recreational activities are recognized and allowed. That might be necessary for Western resorts in particular, she said, where growing populations are using resorts year-round.

Udall, who has released the bill for public comment, said he hopes to clear up ambiguities in the law “that would probably surprise most Coloradans.

“Most of us know that ski areas have more to offer than just downhill skiing and snowboarding in the winter months,” he said in a press release. “These areas are increasingly the preferred destination for family vacations and weekend recreation year-round.  My bill would make it clear that activities like mountain biking, concerts and other appropriate uses can be allowed at these ski areas.”

On Aspen Mountain, the gondola ferries visitors to the top for lunch, cycling, disc golf and concerts in the summer. At Snowmass, visitors ride mountain bikes and mountain boards. Kids play paintball or jump on a bungee trampoline.

“Ski areas invest literally billions of dollars across the country in infrastructure,” Link said. “From a business model, it doesn’t make sense to leave the infrastructure dormant during the off-season, during winter months.”

The bill is one of two Udall offered for public comment this week that he said are intended to recognize the importance of outdoor recreation. The other would offer states more flexibility to use federal funds from hunting and sporting equipment sales to create and improve shooting ranges.

dfrey@aspendailynews.com