Drone Wars?

Mt Hood Meadows and Timberline both signed exclusive aerial drone usage contracts with California-based Cape Productions for the coming season. Drone use by the general public remains prohibited at both areas (See policies from Meadows and Timberline) without proper permitting. In exchange, Cape will provide a service similar to what Grant Myrdal provides at Meadows, namely, capturing images of you on certain runs for a fee. Here's how it works:

This is the right time to make this sort of decision. I have seen very few drones at Meadows or Timberline during normal business operations. I saw a few during Snowboarder Magazine's Superpark at Meadows two winters ago and one in the parking lot at Timberline once. That said, drones are are getting easier to come by every year. I wouldn't be surprised to see signs at the resorts that warn of drone usage soon. Now that I type that, I feel like I've already seen these signs.

I think they got it right. I definitely don't want to see someone's drone and wonder whether he or she knows how to pilot it properly while I'm enjoying a day on the hill. GoPoles are one thing, at least they stay close to the operator. Flying- spinning- knife-camera machines up the ante a little.

What do you think? Should people be able to drone where they wanna drone or is a little regulation good? It sounds like the deal is for just one year to start with, so we'll see what happens. If you have strong feelings on the topic, be sure to get in touch with Meadows, Timberline and/or Cape Productions and let them know how you feel. Also, check out Shred Hood's commentary on the issue.