Winter is fast approaching which means Winter Restrictions will go into effect soon–typically around Thanksgiving (plus or minus a week). We won’t know for sure when Winter Restrictions will begin until the snow stops melting, but we will give as much notice as possible.

What does “Winter Restrictions” mean? Winter road restrictions are in effect any time the winter restrictions sign is posted on the gate. This is done when the snow or ice accumulation is significant enough to make travel on BSR roads hazardous. During winter restrictions, only snow vehicles—such as snowmobiles, snow cats, and ATVs—are permitted past the BSR gate. Cars, trucks, and 4-wheel drive vehicles are not permitted until restrictions are lifted. Even if you see car tracks going past the gate, this does not mean it is okay for you to drive in. This is for everyone’s safety. We’ve had people in the past who disobey the restrictions and end up blocking the road at the bottom of the gated hill.

With our new electric gate, “Winter Restrictions” take on a slightly different implementation, but the same restrictions as discussed above still apply. In the past, only certain residents had a “winter key” which allowed them to open the large gate year-round. Other residents had to use the smaller “snowmobile gate.” A bullock will soon be installed just in front of the small gate and the gate will remain open to allow safe passage of pedestrians who otherwise would walk around the now treacherous north end of the gate. Thus, the small gate will no longer be used for snowmobile access. Instead, all Association members will be able to use their key card, fob, transmitter, or PIN to open the large gate year-round.

Each key card, fob, transmitter, and PIN is registered to a name. Access through the gate will be recorded for reference by the Board when there is an issue. In addition, a monitoring camera is being installed at our gate to support proper adherence to Winter Restrictions and give additional protection for the community as a whole.

We will send additional information and answers to a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) when we mail out key cards and any purchased fobs and/or transmitters in the next 2-3 weeks.