MYTH Ski areas chase animals away.
Features
Get full access to Outside Learn, our online education hub featuring in-depth fitness, nutrition, and adventure courses and more than 2,000 instructional videos when you sign up for Outside+ Sign up for Outside+ today.
FACT Despite fears voiced by some environmentalists, there is plenty of evidence to suggest that many species coexist nicely with ski areas, and in some cases wildlife has increased after a ski resort opened its lifts. Deer and elk do not seem bothered by chairlifts or people. Elk herds, once a concern at resorts such as Beaver Creek in Colorado, are increasing. In fact, the combination of open, grassy slopes and nearby forest provides a great diversity of habitat.