WMC has no issue with snowmobiling in general or offroad snowmobiling, we just do not want to be on the same slope as is the opinion here. Please read this thread to get answers so that they do not have to be asked and answered repeatedly.

Thanks everyone for the mutual respect and continuing discussion.

I share skiing locales with sledders, b/c I realize they also have a right to recreate.

I am sure they do not understand my feelings just as I can not understand theirs.

I have never suspected a snowmobiler of having any desire to take anything away from me, yet I feel they are efficient at destroying exactly what I am looking for

WMC... you also have to entertain this idea if you are going to have a more complete picture of backcountry use:

In the past, Backcountry access to skiers was pretty limited untill the modern Teli, Rondi and Touring skis have come to the fore. Before that, there were very limited numbers of Skiers in the "Pristine backcountry" as well.

Ski touring Technology has advanced, prices have dropped on the gear and it is readily available at most sporting outlets (eg REI, Sportsbarn, Mountain Gear etc). Also instruction clinics for BC ski access and BC ski/snowboard clubs have been growing in numbers as well as numerous BC Touring books and maps for skiers. Sure, Franz Klahmer may have been ski touring in the late sixties... but he would have been pretty alone in the BC.

So that you might understand You have also proposed a closure to what is already a greatly shrinking snowmobile access-ability of snomobilers in the BC. There is a reason that snowmobilers feel that the Public Lands that they currently enjoy is under siege from groups that keep "inching thier way" into closing down more and more areas to our way of enjoying the backcountry beauty and expansiveness.

Also, snowmobile registration numbers have grown, but not as much as the population percentage... that number, in relation to pop size has diminished.

People have been ski touring in the Cascades, in the remotest areas, since the 1930s and '40s. While equipment has improved, the increased number of non-motorized users in the backcountry is more likely due to increased participation.

As has been stated here before, just today for example, there has been no major closure on the OWNF to motorized use since the early 1980s.

And finally, snow mobile registrations have remained relatively constant for over a decade and sales are declining with dealers going out of business.

Mountainhorse, you compared this issue with Whites Only drinking fountains -- it's not a big leap to make a comparison to racism.  As you say, let's keep the discussion factual and respectful.

Thanks.

Is anyone interested in talking about how to improve access to wilderness areas during the winter for non-motorized users? Seems like that could reduce some of the conflict since most of the friction boils down to folks competing for the same land, near a finite set of access points.

Maybe it will be expensive (financially and administratively) to get skiers into the wilderness for day trips. But the alternative probably is carving up land that's fairly close to plowed highways until both user groups are equally dis-satisfied. Of course, both groups will think they've gotten or are still getting the shaft with that outcome. But if the administrators and pols hear an equal level of complaining from both sides, then they'll know they're safe.

yeah, we had that as a suggestion earlier, ultimately it's a win/win. What areas would be most popular for this type of system? Then have to look at frequency method etc after that.

If I remember it was squashed by the others on here as not being feasible.. I think if everyone of the 151k backcountry users paid in 10 bucks for the next 10 years that it would be a very easy possibility.

  Areas such as Suncadia eliminating large areas of riding that once was used by motorcycles and sleds, is gone.