Snowcat Skiing in Steamboat Springs, Colorado with Steamboat Powdercats

U.S. Forest Service administrators are currently in the process of deciding how the future of winter recreation will look on the Routt National Forest. They are asking for your public comment as to how they should best manage winter recreation. Steamboat Powdercats and the future of commercial snowcat skiing operations on Buffalo Pass will be affected by this decision. You have until August 30th to submit your comment.

In your own words, please explain to the Forest Service why you feel that now is the time to preserve an area on Buffalo Pass as a non-exclusive, non-motorized use zone where backcountry skiers and snowcat operations can enjoy their respected backcountry experiences without the smell, noise and most importantly, the danger of having to share routes and terrain with snowmobiles. Click here to email the Forest Service.

In your comment, mention that Alternative Two is your preferred alternativeand please provide the Forest Service any insight you may have with regards to the enforcement issues, parking problems and other logistics that will need to be addressed in order to make this happen. The Forest Service is recommending Alternative One which would not establish any acceptable non-motorize use zone. The snowmobile groups are recommending Alternative Three and backcounty users including Steamboat Powdercats would like to see Alternative Two. See below for a list of proposed alternatives.

Routt National Forest - Actual Forest Service statements and maps of area including list of alternative management schemes which they are reviewing (we support Alternative 2 - with some revisions).
Friends of Routt Backcounty - Local backcountry skiing group dedicated to creating snowmobile free zones in the Steamboat Springs backcountry.
Backcountry Snowsports Alliance - A Colorado not-for-profit organization that is advocating the creation, preservation, and management of non-motorized areas on public lands.
Colorado Snowmobile Association - Goals are to promote and protect the sport of snowmobiling in Colorado

The “No Action” Alternative: maintains the winter “suggested use” boundaries established by a citizen task force. Snowmobile riders are requested to restrict their riding to designated trails within the designated snowcat operating area near Dry Lake and to not operate within the suggested boundaries of the non-motorized areas elsewhere. While not enforceable, 74,543 acres (67.1% of the project area) would be suggested as motorized use area and 31,582 acres would be suggested as non-motorized only use.

Alternative 1: This is the Forest Service’s Proposed Action which would formalize (make enforceable) the current winter motorized and non-motorized “suggested use” boundaries that separate uses in selected areas. In the snowcat operating area near Dry Lake, snowmobiles would be required to remain on groomed and designated routes. Snowmobiles would be prohibited on Long Lake and Fish Creek Reservoir since they are a municipal water supply. A total of 74,543 acres (67.1% of the project area) would be designated as “mixed use” area where motorized use is allowed and 31,582 acres would be designated as non-motorized area.

Alternative 2: would expand the non-motorized area to include all of the snowcat operating area near Dry Lake, the Fish Creek drainage and north and east to the Mt. Zirkel Wilderness boundary. Snowmobiles would be restricted to the Buffalo Pass Road through the snowcat operating area and snowmobiling on Long Lake and Fish Creek Reservoir would be prohibited. 4,163 acres in the Muddy Pass Lake area would be closed to snowmobiling to provide a lynx/wildlife protection corridor. A total of 59,453 acres (53.5% of the project area) would be designated as “mixed use” area where motorized use is allowed and 42,517 acres would be designated as non-motorized area.

Alternative 3: would expand the motorized area to open more areas east of the Steamboat Downhill Ski Area to snowmobiles as well as the Soda Mountain area to the north. Snowmobiling on Long Lake and Fish Creek Reservoir would be prohibited. 391 acres in the Muddy Pass Lake area would be closed to snowmobiling to provide a lynx/wildlife protection corridor. A total of 78,857 acres (71% of the project area) would be designated as “mixed use” area where motorized use is allowed and 26,827 acres would be designated as non-motorized area.

Alternative 4: would reduce the amount of motorized area by 1%. The amount of non-motorized area east of the Steamboat Ski Area would be reduced and the amount adjacent to Highway 40 would be increased. Snowmobiles would be required to remain on groomed and designated routes inside the snowcat operating area. Snowmobiling on Long Lake and Fish Creek Reservoir would be prohibited. 1,649 acres in the Muddy Pass Lake area would be closed to snowmobiling to provide a lynx/wildlife protection corridor. A total of 73,824 acres (66.5% of the project area) would be designated as “mixed use” area where motorized use is allowed and 30,653 acres would be designated as non-motorized area.

- Is it possible to have a separation of uses in the Steamboat Springs backcountry? -

It sure is. The Buffalo Pass road offers a perfect boundary line where the Forest Service should establish a non-motorized area to the north of the road and allow for the south side to remain open for all motorized uses including snowmobiling and snowmobile assisted skiing. These motorized users would also have access to the miles and miles of National Forest that exists beyond the close in skiing terrain.

Good luck with composing your comments and call us if you need to discuss this more in full: 970-871-4260.