China Peak Mountain Resort in Lakeshore, California was having a pretty solid start to their season. Last week saw 70-94 inches of snow, letting the resort finally open up. Then there’s this week’s storm, which could bring the same deep conditions. Unfortunately, the resort has gotten some backlash for trying to enforce a policy that bans smoking kush on National Forest land.

Blazing up while shredding is a popular pastime among skiers and riders, but it’s not typically legal at ski resorts. This is especially true on federal National Forest land, where a violation of the ski resorts contract could result in a revocation of the agreement. According to the Fresno Bee, numerous guests complained about the smell of marijuana across the resort over the weekend. On Sunday, China Peak issued the following statement on their story:

“If you choose to use marijuana at China Peak you will be removed from the resort for the day, no exceptions. If there is any resistance your season pass will be voided for the rest of this season and you will not be allowed to purchase a pass in 2022/23.”Locals, who apparently are unaware that edibles exist, lashed out at the ski resort for threatening to enforce the policy. On Monday, China Peak issued a followed up post, which has also been since deleted:

“We are not enforcement officers, nor do we want to be. We don’t have the staff nor the time. Many of our guests find the smell of weed offensive, either to themselves or to their families or friends. Here is our ask. Please respect all our customers, including those who are offended by the smell of marijuana. For those who smoke, please do so away from the resort…We can’t force you to comply with our request.”

I get why China Peak is frustrated about this. When you smell weed at ski resorts, it’s typically in gondola environments from individuals hotboxing the space. With China Peak only having open-air chairlifts and surface lifts, the smell must have been pretty evident. One of the big target demographics for the resorts as well is families learning to ski, so enforcing this policy keeps those people happy. And for stoners, there are other ways to get high without toking up on the chairlift: having an edible, going deep into the woods, etc.

So in conclusion: heed the words of sports analyst of Stephen A. Smith when you head over to China Peak this season…

Image Credits: China Peak Mountain Resort,Dapose

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