A Study of Conflict in Recreational Land Use: Snowmobiling vs. Ski-Touring

Conflicts over the use of public land for recreation may be more than the result of a simple effort to gain or retain territory. Fundamental differences in attitudes toward the environment and public land management may exist between participants in different forms of outdoor recreation. A recreation activity may become associated with a particular social grouping; thus the conflict may become increasingly polarized. A well recognized conflict is evident between those who utilize motorized vehicles and those who prefer self-propelled forms of recreation. This study revealed a consistent and significant difference in attitudes between snowmobilers and ski tourers. These attitudes may be indications of larger cultural trends. An important question is: do attitudes help to determine participation in certain forms of recreation? If so, recreation planners and area managers may do well to observe these cultural trends rather than to base their predictions of future demand entirely on extrapolations from current participation rates.The study was supported by Hatch Act funds and published as Scientific Journal Series Paper No. 8083 of the University of Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station.