It’s not often that I’ll support a piece of legislation drafted by a Republican – let alone a Utah Republican, a creature that tends toward the ultra-conservative end of the political spectrum.

But State Representative Mike Morley (R-Spanish Fork) has introduced a piece of legislation that makes sense.

He’s introduced a bill that would give ski resort and ski lift operators the authority to ban drunk skiers from their facilities, as well as enact open container policies similar to those enforced in most municipalities. And while all Utah resorts operate under a national guideline that calls for resort operators to deny facility access to those deemed dangerous to themselves and other users, this legislation would tighten the screws just a bit more.

Frankly, it can be extremely dangerous to drink alcohol in excess at high elevation. Add to that the fact that alpine skiing flirts with some of the more extreme aspects of the laws of physics and gravity, and the problem with intoxicated skiers becomes all too obvious.

This is a bill that was far too long in its gestation.