Pilot Peak Project Summary

A set of recommendations for winter use management for the Forest Service was developed through a set of public meetings designed to end conflict between backcountry skiers and snowmobilers.

Pilot Peak conference photoThe purpose of the Pilot Peak project is to define issues of importance for winter sports participants in the Pilot Peak area. The issues and possible solutions were defined in three meetings attended by individuals representing the interested parties. The first meeting included approximately 67 participants and the second meeting included approximately 193 participants. Two ESPRI employees from Boise State University, Dr. John Freemuth and Brett Ingles facilitated the meetings.

Each member at the first meeting had the opportunity to contribute to the list of concerns. Based on the full list participants were given the opportunity to vote on the five issues most important to them. They ranked their choice using a point system, five points for the most important issue all the way down to the fifth choice that was given one point.

Using the point system the following five issues were defined:

  1. Parking
    1. not enough
    2. improper, unsafe
  2. Conflict between users/number of users in the same area.
  3. Need for alternative access and grooming.
  4. Safety issues (relates to both #1 & #2 and others, i.e. avalanche, user education).
  5. Quality of experience
    1. air
    2. smell
    3. noise
    4. growth in number of users

Pilot Peak conference photoAt the second meeting based on the five issues Dick Markley of the Forest Service provided a list of considerations and assumptions for identifying solutions to the winter sports issues in the Pilot Peak area.

Considerations:

  1. Objective is to have a multiple use area that reduces or avoids user conflicts.
  2. No net increases in groomed snowmobile routes permitted.
  3. If additional parking is proposed, assume that USFS will not provide snowplowing.
  4. Any solutions that change the current OHV/over the snow travel restrictions will require Forest Plan amendment. Assume USFS will do required analysis.
  5. Simple solutions are preferable.
  6. If zoning is proposed, use natural topographic breaks to define zones.
  7. Assume no increase in USFS winter patrols and enforcement.

Based on this list of considerations participants were asked to brainstorm solutions to the five issues. The complete list of responses to the solutions is provided in Appendix C. (.pdf document)

This page last reviewed July 2004