[Geysers] Snow coach Stats: Billings Gazette

[TSBryan at aol.com]

In a message dated 2/13/2005 23:16:18 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
srlb at eskimo.com writes:
Though typically brilliant rule
making, the NPS has reduced the number of winter visitors to Yellowstone's
interior by nearly two thirds.

As pointed out by the article, some of this may be due to a "new attitude" 
among visitors, and quite a lot due to the court cases and NPS decisions -- but 
I also wonder how much might be due to the snowpack (or lack thereof). I 
haven't gone to the effort to look at specifics for West Yellowstone and vicinity, 
but I do know 1) the snowpack in western Montana is said to be about 25% 
(only) of normal, where at least five ski resorts are closed because of the lack of 
snow; 2) the YNP daily report has cited Fountain Flats snow as "thin"; and 3) 
there have been times this season, I believe, when snowmobiles were _not_ 
allowed into the park but coaches on rubber track and even wheeled vans _were_ 
allowed in. Seems to me that all this can make quite a difference.

If there is a "new attitude," the success or lack of success of the "1st 
Annual" big snow mobile festival to be held in West in March might be especially 
telling. It will, I think, be held the weekend after the park closes. (If 
there's snow!)

Scott Bryan
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