Federal Register #2026-05767

This final rule from the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, updates the definition of a ski area in special use regulations: - Removes the preponderance of revenue test from the definition - Aligns ski area administration with the National Forest Ski Area Permit Act of 1986 and related statutes - Grants authorized officers greater discretion to determine ski area status based on: - Visitation - Acreage - Facility square footage - Length of season - Financial investment - Reduces regulatory burden for special use permit holders - Applies to all current and future ski areas on National Forest System lands - No specific OEMs, vendors, products, or purchase quantities are involved, as this is a regulatory change, not a procurement opportunity

The United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service is issuing a final rule revising the definition of a ski area in its special use regulations. The revised definition removes the preponderance of revenue test and aligns more closely with the Forest Service's statutory authority for ski area administration. This change provides greater discretion to authorized officers to determine whether a site qualifies as a ski area based on multiple factors, reducing regulatory burden on permit holders. The final rule is effective April 24, 2026.