Four college students have been jailed in South Dakota, USA for using forged lift passes for the local ski hill.

The four, all aged 21 or 22, and studying engineering at the South Dakota School of Mines and  Technology, were told by Judge Randall Macy that they were lucky to get away with their jail terms and fines. Their convictions were reduced to ‘misdemeanor trespassing offenses’ from more serious initial charges of ‘felony forgery’  which would have been a more serious blight on their future careers.

Each student was ordered to pay $580 (the cost of a season pass at Terry Peak ski area where they used the forged passes) in restitution and $200 in fines and costs. They are due to begin their jail sentences on or before May 14th, being granted a delay in order to complete end-of-year exams.  The four either purchased their forged pass from an unknown source or made them themelves.