Buffalo Pass - Agreement reached between skiers and snowmobilers
Steamboat Springs, CO -- On Wednesday, January 24, 2001, the Steamboat Chapter of the Backcountry Snowsports Alliance came to an agreement with snowmobilers to create separate areas for non-motorized and motorized winter use at Buffalo Pass, located just north of Steamboat Springs. The Routt Winter Task Force, comprised of members of the Backcountry Skiers Alliance, snowmobilers, and hybrid users (those who use a snowmobile to get to places to ski and snowboard) has been collaborating on this area since October 2000. After many somewhat difficult meetings, the group has come up with suggested motorized/non-motorized use areas. The Winter Task Force meetings are moderated by the US Forest Service which is responsible for the management of the public lands near Buffalo Pass. Specific requests from each group were taken into consideration in developing the plan.
These requests include separating the area into somewhat equal acreage for motorized and non-motorized use and dividing the area using obvious terrain features such as ridges, drainages, existing roads, etc. The agreement also allows for loops and play areas for motorized users and quiet areas of untracked powder for the human-powered users.
After agreeing to use areas on the map, member of the task force and the Forest Service took a field trip, and flags have been placed in the area. Maps should be available within the next month showing the different user areas, and signs will be put up. The motorized and non-motorized groups are sharing the costs of the meeting facilitation and production of the signs and maps. The Task Force worked on Rabbit Ears Pass (just south of Steamboat) and reached a similar agreement in 1999.
Founded in 1992, the Backcountry Skiers Alliance (BSA) is a not-for-profit organization that represents the interests of human-powered winter backcountry users by advocating for the creation, preservation and management of non-motorized areas on public lands. The BSA formed due to conflicts on Vail Pass where an agreement was reached for separation of use in 1996.
It is important for the public to understand the reasons for the separation of use, and this type of education helps all users to respect boundaries and the rights of others to use public lands.