Category Archives: Winter Restrictions

Road Maintenance, Winter Restrictions

Upcoming Winter Restrictions

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.

Winter Restrictions

Winter Restrictions Lifted

Winter road restrictions are no longer in effect and the winter restrictions sign has been removed. Four-wheel drive vehicles are advised, especially in higher elevations and whenever storms are possible.

Large trucks and commercial vehicles are still restricted until further notice. This is to prevent costly damage to the still-soft roads. Please check back here or on our Facebook page before assuming these restrictions have been lifted.

Winter Restrictions

Winter Restrictions in Effect

Winter road restrictions are in effect any time the winter restrictions sign is posted on the gate. During winter restrictions, only snow vehicles—such as snowmobiles, snow cats, and ATVs—are permitted on BSR roads. Cars, trucks, and 4-wheel drive vehicles are not permitted until restrictions are lifted.

As a reminder, large trucks and commercial vehicles are typically restricted for an additional 1-3 weeks after the winter restrictions are lifted (depending on weather). This is to prevent costly damage to the still-soft roads.

We are monitoring the weather, the remaining snow (before last night’s storm, all but areas around Little Dipper had melted off), and the road conditions in general with hopes of lifting the restriction within the next week or two.

Please check back here or on our Facebook page before assuming restrictions have been lifted.

Winter Restrictions

Winter Restrictions Coming Soon

We’re on “borrowed time” now as far as good weather is concerned. A couple good snowstorms could easily require putting winter restrictions in place with very little notice.

Cabins should now be winterized.

With the pending snow storms, winter gate restrictions will be imposed when warranted by road conditions. Once imposed, the winter restrictions sign will be posted on the gate and only snow vehicles will be permitted on BSR roads. Cars, trucks, and 4-wheel drive vehicles will not be permitted until restrictions are lifted in the Spring.

Winter Restrictions

Winter Preparations

Winter is upon BSR! Several inches of snow are forecast for tonight. Temperatures are dropping and we want to avoid frozen pipes which may lead to water leaks and/or property damage. Don’t forget to winterize your cabins before it is too late. To help with any potential issues, it is a good idea to shut off your water at the roadside valve marked by the blue-tipped T-post.

Winter Restrictions

Main Gate Lock Change Notice

Winter gate restrictions have been lifted. The main gate lock has been changed.

Personal vehicles may be driven on the roads. Four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended for the next couple weeks. Use caution as some roads may be muddy or have residual snow in a few areas. Mud Hill should be avoided.

TRUCKS AND COMMERCIAL VEHICLES ARE PROHIBITED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

Be certain to always lock the main gate. Leaving it open compromises security for the entire BSR property.
UPDATE: The roads have dried out enough. Trucks and commercial vehicles are no longer restricted.

Winter Restrictions

Winter Roadside Parking

Parking near BSR can be difficult in the winter. We have very limited roadside parking which does not get plowed. The Summit County Sheriff’s Department reminds us to keep in mind that snowplow operators need a clear path to plow the full width of the roads.

This past weekend, several vehicles were parked too close to the road and were issued warnings. In the future, such vehicles will be subject to ticketing and towing. The sheriff’s department is asking for our cooperation to not park close to the canyon road.

Summit County ordinance #346 simply states “no on street parking” and “vehicles or other obstacles which hamper snow removal operations.” To avoid ambiguity, we are working on getting more specific details as to what “close” means.

Winter Restrictions

Winter Gate Rules in Effect 11/29/2016

As a result of the recent snow storms, main gate winter rules will go into effect by end of day November 29, 2016. The main gate lock will be changed by this time. Access for most individuals will be through the snowmobile gate using your current summer key. Please keep the gate closed and locked at all times. Exercise extreme caution when on the roads.

Winter Restrictions

Preliminary Notification of Gate Lock Change

The main gate still has the summer lock, but with the storms coming in the next week that could change quickly. The hill leading down from the gate is already getting icy and snowy. It doesn’t melt here as well as most other areas of BSR because of the hillside shadows. Please use extra caution when travelling down or up any section of road with snow or ice.

The main gate will be kept open as long as possible, but a change can occur quickly depending on weather and road conditions. When the roads became unsafe to navigate in personal road vehicles, winter gate rules will go into effect. We will post notice of the lock change as soon as we have a definitive date.