Why are some areas around Valemount being closed to snowmobiling?
Winter recreation activities like snowmobiling and heli-skiing are a major driver of the local economy between Valemount and Blue River. The closures are being used to mitigate escalating user conflicts, safety issues, as well as protect wildlife and their habitats. A solution to these issues requires stakeholder cooperation, education and legal closures. While closing 200,000 hectares of the total 700,000 hectare plan area to snowmobiling will reduce the total amount of area available for snowmobiling within the SRMP, it will also provide greater long-term security and legitimacy for snowmobiling in the rest of the plan area.
