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A Case Study of Backcountry Skiing, Helicopter Skiing, and Snowmobiling in the Revelstoke Region of British Columbia, Canada

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A Case Study of Backcountry Skiing, Helicopter Skiing, and Snowmobiling in the Revelstoke Region of British Columbia, Canada EVALUATING THE SUSCEPTIBILITY TO CONFLICT OF OUTDOOR RECREATION ACTIVITIES: A CASE STUDY OF BACKCOUNTRY SKIING, HELICOPTER SKIING, AND SNOWMOBILING IN THE REVELSTOKE REGION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA By LAURIE ANNE COOPER B.R.E. The University of British Columbia , 1989 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE in THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES Resource Management Science (Interdisciplinary Studies) We accept this thesis as conforming to the required standard THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA December 1995 ® Laurie Anne Cooper, 1995 In presenting this thesis in partial fulfilment of the requirements for an advanced degree at the University of British Columbia, I agree that the Library shall make it freely available for reference and study. I further agree that permission for extensive copying of this thesis for scholarly purposes may be granted by the head of my department or by his or her representatives. It is understood that copying or publication of this thesis for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission. Department of Resource. Pr\(X^^mea^- Sc^ance. ^ ^WcW.pWc^ S^*.*) The University of British Columbia Vancouver, Canada Date Dpcov^Wr OA l<?<t5~ DE-6 (2/88) ABSTRACT Powder snow is becoming an increasingly sought-after resource in the backcountiy areas of British Columbia. This thesis focuses on conflicts between backcountiy skiing, helicopter skiing, and snowmobiling in British Columbia, with particular emphasis on the social-psychological causes of the conflicts. The relative susceptibility to conflict of each activity is addressed through an examination of the literature on outdoor recreation conflict, and a series of statements are developed which are aimed at identifying the social- psychological causes of conflict for each individual activity. The statements developed out of the literature are applied to a case study based on research done in the Revelstoke region of British Columbia. Surveys were distributed to backcountiy skiers, helicopter skiers and snowmobilers and, in this thesis, the survey data is presented and analysed with a view to developing an understanding of the differences between the demographic profiles and attitudes of participants in each of the three winter activities. In the case of backcountiy skiing, helicopter skiing, and snowmobiling, it is evident that there exists a sort of "hierarchy of conflict" with backcountiy skiing being much more susceptible to conflict than either of the other activities. This difference in susceptibility is explained through an examination of the qualities of each activity which make it more or less susceptible to conflict, and it is demonstrated that the susceptibility to conflict of ii outdoor recreation activities can be predicted through the examination of a set of particular characteristics inherent to each individual activity. Finally, the policy governing commercial recreation in British Columbia is examined in terms of its efficacy in identifying and preventing potential conflicts. Some suggestions are made for improving policy and policy development. The conflicts between backcountiy skiing, helicopter skiing, and snowmobiling can be seen as a microcosm of the kinds of conflicts which arise between competing users of any natural resource. Some of the findings of this thesis have very broad implications, including the demonstration of the following: the apparent dichotomy between environmental impact and economic interests; the globalisation of the economy; the importance of public participation in the development of policy; the inadequacy of zoning as a means of conflict prevention; the need for an evolution from a "frontier" mentality to future planning; the importance of responsibilities, as well as rights; the need for more tools for managing conflicts. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ii TABLE OF CONTENTS iv LIST OF TABLES vii LIST OF FIGURES viii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ix I. INTRODUCTION 1 A. OBJECTIVES 1 B. DEFINITIONS 2 C. CONTEXT 4 D. SIGNIFICANCE 5 E. METHODOLOGY 5 F. SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS 9 G. ORGANISATION 10 II. CAUSES OF RECREATIONAL CONFLICT 12 A. THE IMPORTANCE OF IDENTIFYING THE CAUSES OF CONFLICT 12 B. SOURCES OF CONFLICT 15 C. EVALUATING THE SUSCEPTIBILITY TO CONFLICT OF ACTIVITIES 30 III. BACKCOUNTRY SKIING, HELICOPTER SKIING, AND SNOWMOBILING IN BRITISH COLUMBIA 35 A. HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF BACKCOUNTRY SKIING, HELISKIING, AND SNOWMOBILING IN BRITISH COLUMBIA 35 iv B. CURRENT STATE OF BACKCOUNTRY SKIING, HELISKIING AND SNOWMOBILING IN BRITISH COLUMBIA.... 44 C. DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKCOUNTRY SKIING, HELICOPTER SKIING, AND SNOWMOBILING EXPERIENCE... 50 D. GROWTH OF BACKCOUNTRY SKIING, HELISKIING, AND SNOWMOBILING IN BRITISH COLUMBIA 55 E. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HELISKIING AND BACKCOUNTRY SKIING 59 F. RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN BACKCOUNTRY SKIING, HELISKIING, AND SNOWMOBILING 62 G. RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER RESOURCE ACTIVITIES 64 IV. CASE STUDY OF BACKCOUNTRY SKIING, HELISKIING AND SNOWMOBILING IN THE REVELSTOKE REGION 67 A. REVELSTOKE SURVEY PROJECT 67 B. SURVEY RESULTS 72 C. APPLICATION OF SUSCEPTIBILITY TO CONFLICT MEASURES TO REVELSTOKE SURVEY DATA 93 D. SUSCEPTIBILITY TO CONFLICT PROFILES 102 V. LAND USE POLICY GOVERNING COMMERCIAL BACKCOUNTRY RECREATION IN BRITISH COLUMBIA 110 A. AN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE ON RECREATIONAL LAND USE POLICY IN BRITISH COLUMBIA 110 B. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMMERCIAL BACKCOUNTRY RECREATION POLICY 114 C RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE POLICY DEVELOPMENT 125 VI. CONCLUSION 139 BIBLIOGRAPHY 153 APPENDIX A: COMMERCIAL BACKCOUNTRY SKIER SURVEY 160 APPENDIX B: INDEPENDENT BACKCOUNTRY SKIER SURVEY 169 APPENDIX C: HELISKIER SURVEY 178 APPENDIX D: SNOWMOBILER SURVEY 186 v APPENDIX E: DEMOGRAPHIC DATA LIST OF TABLES TABLE III -1: SKIER DAYS AND PERCENTAGES FORBC HELISKI OPERATORS 47 TABLE IV-1: SUMMARY OF PARTICIPANT SURVEY RESPONSE RATES 71 TABLE IV-2: DISTRIBUTION OF SNOWMOBILE SURVEYS 72 TABLE IV -3: COMPARISON OF ALL RESPONDENTS BY ACTIVITY 78 TABLE IV-4: BACKCOUNTRY SKIERS BY INCOME 82 TABLE IV-5: HELISKIERS BY INCOME 83 TABLE IV-6: SNOWMOBILERS BY INCOME 84 TABLE IV-7: ALL RESPONDENTS BY INCOME 85 TABLE IV-8: BACKCOUNTRY SKIERS BY PLACE OF RESIDENCE 88 TABLE IV-9: HELISKIERS BY PLACE OF RESIDENCE 89 TABLE IV-10: SNOWMOBILERS BY PLACE OF RESIDENCE 90 TABLE IV-11: ALL RESPONDENTS BY PLACE OF RESIDENCE 91 TABLE IV-12: CONFLICT FACTORS 103 vii LIST OF FIGURES FIGURE III-1: WORLDWIDE RETAIL SALES OF SNOWMOBILES - 1959 TO 1994 43 FIGURE 1V-1: SUSCEPTIBILITY TO CONFLICT PROFILE - BACKCOUNTRY SKI VS HELISKI 105 FIGURE IV-2: SUSCEPTIBILITY TO CONFLICT PROFILE - BACKCOUNTRY SKI VS. SNOWMOBILING 106 FIGURE IV-3:SUSCEPTIBILITY TO CONFLICT PROFILE - HELISKI vs. SNOWMOBILING 107 viii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I would like to thank all of the people who have supported and encouraged me throughout the writing of the thesis. My supervisor, Tony Dorcey, and committee members, Hans Schreier and Les Lavkulich, have demonstrated infinite patience and commitment to this thesis and I am very grateful for everything they have done. Peter Williams of Simon Fraser University generously shared his ideas and insights about recreation conflict and helped me gain a clearer understanding of the literature on the subject. Andy Kliskey provided invaluable assistance and insights during the development of the survey tools and in the early stages of the thesis writing. Karim Dossa helped me find my way through a maze of statistics. Julian Griggs was always supportive and his confidence in my abilities helped me keep going. Julia Gardner made it easier for me to think clearly about my thesis topic. David Roberts of Canadian Pacific Hotels and Resorts provided me with time off from work and logistical support. Walter Bruns and Hans Gmoser of CMH Heliskiing, Peter Schlunegger of Selkirk Tangiers Heliskiing, and Ruedi Beglinger of Selkirk Mountain Experience, were exceedingly generous with their time and information. Dave Butler and Charles Porter of BC Lands helped me understand the government perspective on my thesis topic. Michelle Fulford and Lisa Beech made it easier for me to get my work done. Frances Kirson was my inspiration and support throughout the development of the thesis. Without her help, I would never have finished. And finally, I would like to thank my husband, George Vodarek, and my children, James and Julia. All of them were patient and supportive as I struggled to complete my work. They kept me supplied with lots of love and hugs. ix I. INTRODUCTION A. Objectives The principal objectives of this thesis are to identify the social-psychological causes of recreation conflict, based on the literature which addresses such conflict and to determine whether these causes are present in the three winter recreation activities which were studied: backcountry skiing, helicopter skiing, and snowmobiling. Also the relative susceptibility to conflict of each activity is addressed and recommendations made in terms of policy development for the regulation of these activities, given their specific characteristics and susceptibility to conflict. In order to achieve these objectives, the literature on outdoor recreation conflict is reviewed and a series of statements are developed which address the susceptibility to conflict of outdoor recreation activities. A case study of these three activities is presented, focusing on the region around Revelstoke, in eastern British Columbia. The nature, history of development, and growth outlook of all three activities is discussed. The results
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