Two U.S. Skiers Fined for Skiing in Closed Rogers Pass Area

Two American skiers were fined by a provincial court judge for entering a closed backcountry area of Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park. Jacob A. Gordon and Jack William Elder appeared at the Revelstoke Courthouse on October 7. Each man faced one count of prohibited or restricted activity under Section 7.4 of Parks Canada’s general regulations.

On April 14, the pair parked their Montana-registered vehicle at the Loop Brook parking lot to go ski touring. They entered the West Rogers Winter Restricted Area, which Parks Canada had closed earlier that day because of avalanche conditions and the potential need for howitzer-based avalanche control.

“These restrictions are in place to protect public safety.”

The skiers were experienced and held valid 2025-26 winter permits. They had also checked Avalanche Canada’s bulletin for park advisories before setting out. However, they did not consult Parks Canada’s online map, which is updated every morning to show closed areas.

Parks Canada avalanche officer Ross Campbell noticed the vehicle registered under Gordon’s name and reported it as being there illegally. A park warden then called Gordon by phone and ordered both men to return to the parking lot immediately.

Gordon and Elder returned within two hours of first departing. Federal prosecutor Lucille Bordeleau told Justice George Leven that the men were remorseful and polite. She said the incident put the skiers at risk, especially if avalanche control using howitzer fire had been conducted that day.

Bordeleau also warned that an avalanche triggered from West Rogers could have closed the Trans-Canada Highway or the national railway. The restrictions exist to protect public safety and allow avalanche control work to proceed without endangering skiers.