no elk issue

You are completely wrong about the Elk and the Forest Service. It is a clever trick for the ski area managers to try though. The only ski area that the forest service forces to close on a particular date is Jackson Hole because it is so close to Grand Teton National Park. Call the Crystal Mountain snowphone right now (1-888-SKI-6199)and you will hear that they are considering reopening for weekends in May. The Forest Service has nothing to do with it.