Sledding area closes at Mount Charleston
Winter seems to have abandoned Mount Charleston for the moment, forcing the closure of the Lee Canyon sledding area because of a lack of snow.
The U.S. Forest Service announced Wednesday that unusually warm, dry weather in recent weeks has melted most of last month's snowfall, resulting in unsafe sledding conditions.
The sledding area will not reopen until snow returns to 12 inches, said Gar Abbas, acting area manager for the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area.
"Exposed rocks and roots, combined with occasional icy patches, pose extreme danger to our visitors," he said.
Sledding in areas with less than a foot of snow on the ground also can permanently damage plants and soil.
But snow enthusiasts take heart: The Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort makes its own powder and remains open for business.
Contact reporter Henry Brean at hbrean@review
journal.com or 702-383-0350.
