User Conflicts -- Issues
- Being a snowmobiler I have run into many skiers. Many of them give you bad look because
they dont like you because of your winter sport.
- Issues? There ARE NO DARN ISSUES!
- Safety from 800-1000lbs machines
- There is not as big as issue that you are saying. Parking is the number one issue.
- CROSS COUNTRY SKIERS & SNOW MOBILERS NEED TO SEE EYE TO EYE! Riding a machine needs
to give lots of room-I water ski & rec boat. Rules of the water our U.S. wide. A cross
country skier is like a sail boat. To a motor boat-had the right of way! Divide areas for
each.
- Poor manners by snowmobilers has caused access to be stopped on Indian Paintbrush Lane I
the winters. We need to be respectful of one another
- Conflict between motorized and non motorized users.
- Motorized users dominate much of the Range affecting the experience (and safety) of non
motorized users.
- I have quit using trails for the most parts from Green Rock. Has become very unpleasant
due to fumes & noise. The use by snowmobiles is just top heavy at that entrance.
Sometimes that is the only place w/ enough snow & it is the only big area for long
skis.
- Responsible people dont create conflicts.
- I have seen no significant conflicts in 20 + years of snowmobiling on the Snowy Range
- Noise vs. peace and quiet-
- Vulnerability as a self-powered recreationist vs. a motorized recreationist
- I feel that sometimes even the snowmobile tracks are disturbing in the backcountry
- Snow mobiles on cross-country trails-no sanctuary
- For a long time now, snowmobilers have been doing pretty much what they want, where they
want without restriction and for a long time now, as a cross country skier, I have had to
put up with the snowmobilers ever increasing negative impact on my experience in the Snowy
Range- it is a one sided negative impact that needs to be addressed in order to give
skiers an opportunity to have the kind of experience they want, too. Some snowmobilers are
wondering what the problem is- why is the Forest Service holding meetings about winter
use- because they have a situation that is great for them- do what they want, where they
want, when they want-why change a thing.
- I have had good experiences.
- Courtesy in congested areas is essential.
- This meeting is the biggest initiator of conflict that I have seen. Im sorry it
was promoted in my community.
- Certain access points, i.e. Albany, are sometimes so crowded that single use patrons
(snowmobilers) make it difficult for other users. I personally have looked for other
access points to enter the forest to gain access to my personal property in the mtns.
- There are no user conflicts! This group is just trying to make up issues.
- I dont feel there are any user conflict where we go all the people seem to get
along just fine.
- Everybody should enjoy their sport & the others & this group needs to not create
issues
- The user conflicts arise because the minority of users (skiers) are louder then the
majority. (snowmobilers)
- Probably best to separate motorized & non motorized for safety reasons. Noise from
motorized lowers value of experience for those who enjoy quiet and solitude. Could a
mountain be used to stop the noise?
- 1. High speeds by (some) snowmobilers in congested areas & when passing skiers on
the trail
2. Lack of understanding by the different user groups about what aspects
of the backcountry experience are important to each other
3. High country use- there is only so much untrackd snow
4. Too many people in high congestion areas & no mutual spirit of consideration
- As a skier, I would be happy to pay user fees if the area was not packed with
snow-machines. If I am forced to ski a mile or so in congested. smoke filled corridors
where I am considered a slow moving hazard, or a human slalom pole, I will probably
continue to be disenfranchised in my own backyard.
- SNOW MACHINES PASSING SKIERS GOING WAS TOO FAST. THE BIG BLUE CLOUD AT THE PARKING
AREAS. NO LAW INFORCEMENT.
- Snowmobilers ruin the reason we go to ski in the mountains- peacefulness, fresh air,
quiet, exercise. They are the opposite of all that- Its hard to get away from them
if youre skiing.
- Skiers think they own the entire forest even though 90% of them only go 2-3 miles from a
trailhead on a groomed trail.
- Some snowmobilers are rude to skiers (and other riders).
- Skiers have been violent to snowmobilers (pole assaults, flattened trailer tires).
- EDUCATION/RESPECT IS KEY
- I am tired of the issues- we all need to get along. I am tired a ski poles getting swung
at me, dogs chasing, standing in middle of road etc.
- Need more user regulations near Green Rock Parking. I.E. Snowmobiles stay on groomed
trails only at a reduced speed. These regulations should be enforced within a 3 mile
radius.
- WHERE (?) is it possible to not hear and smell internal combustion engines?
- Please keep slow moving traffic off of high speed trails
- If there are no real issues Lets not make fake ones.
- I snowmobile, and in the 30-40 times at Snowy Range I have seen over 2000 snowmobilers
and only 1 cross country skier. There was no conflict.
- I am a recreational snowmobile rider I ride with my family and children. 90% of the time
I am courteous to each individual I meet along the trail.- slowing down-moving over-
greeting other winter users in a friendly manner. Yet I constantly get a cold stare or the
finger from cross-country skiers and snowshoers that I meet. Why are we so hostile?
- Skiers have manufactured their user conflicts to get restrictions imposed.
- Noise/high use of snowmobiles significantly impact other winter recreation users.
- Not enough of "bowl" areas available for skiers that area overrun with
snowmobilers
- Congested access areas
- Parking conflicts
- Too high of speeds
- Too many people- breed rudeness/danger
- Separate parking motorized and non motorized
- Separate use areas for snowmobiles and skiers
- Rules and enforcement
- Non-motorized traffic is "a dead skunk in the shoulder of the road" at top of
highway 130. skiers and snowshoers are forced, by parking, to travel narrow snowmobile
paths to trailheads, annoying motorized traffic and leading to real conflict.
- We are skiers. Please do not disallow access to Snowy Range Ski area.
- I feel like Im going to be run over by snowmobilers
- Too much interaction between too many snowmobilers & backcountry users
- As a snowmobiler paying a registration, I dont mind sharing the area with
everyone! Our money pays for the grooming. We all deserve to use the area. If theres
an issue with sleds getting in the way, the skiers can get into area that have been shut
off to us. Its not fair to keep pushing snowmobilers out of areas because some
groups complain. Most sled riders just go with the flow. 1 group shouldnt have their
way. All groups should be able to use and enjoy!!!
- As a cross country skier, I am concerned that areas that are off limits to snowmobilers
are often entered by snowmobilers, Snowy Range Natural Area, designated cross country ski
trails.
- Snowmobilers cross areas without snow-tearing up vegetation & soil
- Snowmobilers top trees
- Compaction of snow by snowmobiles may be a problem in the subnivean zone
- Parking is limited at the access points to the high country.
- Some uses motorized & non- motorized are not compatible for safety reasons and for
aesthetics.
- Motorized used creates damage when show coverage is insufficient.
- I find it interesting that They set up an air monitoring station beside a parking lot to
see what emissions are. What are the levels a mile from this point in all four Directions.
I would guess not very high, but then that would not show the Detrimental effects of
snowmobiling and there would not be an environmental reason to stop their use. So if
thats the Desired outcome why just say so and force us out of use of the forest out
in the open!
- General lack of understanding of another's sport preference
- Everyone has a preference or ability & it may not be the same as another persons.
- Snowmobilers are a conflict with snowshoers and skiers, yes. But they are a conflict
with snowmobilers. Snowmobilers pay for permits for their sleds. This goes to the forest
service/grooming of our trails and etc. We snowmobilers have to get to the high if
we own mountain or powder sleds, so we use our trails. Skiers and snowshoers need
separate trails. Not all snowmobilers drink or do drugs. So not all of us are bad.
Lets get along on separate trails!!!
- There are just too many people from Colorado coming here to recreate.
- Prove that conflict exists. People get along & have for centuries. Let people take
care of themselves.
- There are really no issues! The area is so big with the # of people using it everybody
should be able to get along
- I am a snowmobler, one conflict is the snowmobiler not slowing when they approach a
skier. I do this and can understand why skiers don't care for snowmobiles high use areas
between the both users could use speed limits- common courtesy of slowing- someone to
enforce violators- I am not sure who or how it could be enforced.
- I do all winter sports. Snowboard, cross country ski, snowmobile, downhill ski,
snowcamp, etc. As a whole there are very few conflicts. There are mean, dispirited people
in all sports Don't let a few ugly people ruin it for the whole. Let this process end!
- Currently it is unsafe to take a family crosscountry ski trip to the Snowy Range.
Snowmobilers are often speeding and/or drunk by the end of the day. They need their own
park for that non-sense. The highway would be a good park for them. They should not be
allowed to leave it. There are more snowmobilers every year and absolutely no controls on
their use.
- Speed or Recklessness of snowmobiles
- Use of same areas by skiers& snowmobiles parking
- Belligerent snowmobilers
- The skiers & boarders have no problem w/ the snowmobilers since we find different
places to have our fun.
- No conflicts- skiers & other users are polite to me & I to them
- Access to different user areas already set aside
- Parking
- Rules and Manners in parking areas such as (unleashed pets, speed, unmannerly parking)
- Litter by both groups
- I don't believe there is a user conflict.
- There are major issues! Snowmobilers just want to not have to give up their desire to
tear up the country and make lots of noise and ignore other users.
- No problem