California Snowplace Overrun by 'Snowplayers'

Residents of Alpine County, California, are experiencing significant disruption due to an overwhelming number of tourists, referred to as 'snowplayers,' visiting the area for winter recreation. These visitors frequently leave behind substantial amounts of trash, including human waste and broken sleds, and trespass on both private and public property. The situation has become so severe that local officials describe the 1,200 residents as feeling 'held hostage' by the influx of visitors, particularly after holiday weekends.

The overcrowding at the 18 designated state snow parks compels visitors to seek out unofficial and often dangerous areas for sledding and snow play. This has resulted in numerous serious injuries and at least one fatality, according to the California Highway Patrol. The chaos also includes traffic congestion caused by illegal parking along highways, complicating emergency services and daily life for residents.

In response, county officials are exploring a range of solutions to curb the unruly behavior. Proposals include increased law enforcement presence, higher fines for parking violations, resident-only parking permits, and metered parking. Some supervisors have suggested implementing substantial admission fees or fines, potentially as high as $2,000, for bad behavior to deter future incidents and restore order to the community.