Yellowstone visits were up this winter

BILLINGS, Mont. — More people traveled Yellowstone National Park by snowmobile and snowcoach this winter during what many considered a more normal and stable snowy-weather season.

But the traffic never approached the daily parkwide limit of 720 snowmobiles. Some conservationists say that points to the growing popularity of mass-transit snowcoaches — a travel option they contend is more environmentally friendly than snowmobiles.

"We have informed consumers, and they're choosing to take the mode of transportation that is not only the most enjoyable to them but also the most protective of park resources," Amy McNamara, of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, said Friday.

The winter use debate — snowmobile vs. snowcoach — is beginning to heat up again as the National Park Service studies what should be allowed on the snowpacked winter roads of Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks and the parkway connecting the two.

A draft proposal is expected this fall, and agency officials are looking at a wide range of options — from a ban on snowmobiles in favor of snowcoaches to an increase in snowmobile numbers over what is now allowed.

Currently, snowmobiles in Yellowstone must be part of commercially guided trips and meet park standards as being cleaner and quieter than the once-popular two-stroke machines. There are no restrictions on snowcoaches under a temporary set of rules the park expects to have in place one more winter.

Those rules took effect last winter and were meant by the Park Service to provide area business owners and tourists a measure of certainty while the long-term plan was developed. Confusion arising from court battles over winter use shrouded the winter of 2003-04 and, business owners say, kept tourists away.

The situation was looking up this winter: Park figures show that 21,932 snowmobiles were in Yellowstone from Dec. 21 to March 12. Last winter, when poor snow conditions also curtailed the season, there were 18,364 snowmobiles.

There were 2,491 snowcoaches in the park this winter with 20,152 visitors, the figures show. Last season, there were 2,201 snowcoaches and 17,218 riders.

Dec. 28 marked the peak day for snowmobiles, with 494 machines, park spokesman Al Nash said; the busiest day for snowcoaches was two days later.