Telluride, CO – Mere days after announcing a new guided backcountry skiing program in the Bear Creek drainage, a new landowner has severed access to the canyon adjacent to Telluride Ski Resort, also placing into jeopardy plans to expand the ski area’s lift served terrain.nThe Telluride Daily Planet newspaper reported on Thursday that land dealer Thomas Chapman, of Montrose, Colo., has purchased a thin strip of mining claims that extends from one wall of Upper Bear Creek to the other, and has indicated that he will pursue trespass charges against hikers or skiers crossing his newly acquired land. This cuts off access to Upper Bear Creek from Telluride Ski Resort, including the majority of the runs in that drainage such as Deep & Dangerous and Ophir to Telluride. Ski runs that drain into Bear Creek below Chapman’s land holding, including E-Ticket and Nellie, will remain accessible.

Chapman purchased the 103-acre strip of land on Mar. 26. His Gold Hill Development Co. reportedly contacted the San Juan County Sheriff this week, indicating a desire to press charges against trespassers. An attorney representing Gold Hill was quoted by the newspaper to say that company officials would post the privately held land this summer.

Ski company officials were also quoted as saying that the land claims will limit, but not shut down the new guiding service. Telluride officials have previously indicated a desire to build a lift in Bear Creek, which is within the ski resort’s Forest Service permit boundary, but Chapman’s land claim would significantly reduce the area accessible by such a lift.