Center Webinar Highlights Changes in Winter Recreation Landscape

As the first snow falls across the region, leaders in outdoor recreation discuss the future of trail-based winter recreation.

In our November 15 webinar on Winter Trail Management: Responding to User Expectations and a Changing Climate – part of our Building the New Forest Future series – panelists from different sectors of the winter outdoor recreation economy discussed managing trails through the winter months while addressing adaptations to climate change, safety, multi-use considerations, and more.

Joe Fox, outdoor recreation program manager at the Center, facilitated a discussion among the three panelists who gave insight into the current and future strategies to advance winter recreation in our region. We recorded the discussion for you to listen to – just click the link below.

Our panelists were Justin Preisendorfer, Leader of the Eastern Region Winter Sports Team at the White Mountain National Forest, Dave Harkless, Board Member of PRKR MTN Trails and of Littleton Bike and Fitness, and Matt Williams, Executive Director of Catamount Trail Association.

The discussion started with the preparation that each panelist is making to get ready for the upcoming winter season. Additionally, they discussed at length how the work of maintaining trails in the off season has changed in the region as larger flood events have become more common. The largest challenge in the northeast is how to build, retrofit, and upkeep trails with good drainage.

They also talked about grooming techniques, adjusting to more frequent freeze-thaw events, and maintaining trails in working forests. Another focus of the conversation was communicating with users, educating them on proper trail safety and etiquette and balancing different user groups.

We hope you enjoy the recording. Please share it with others who are in this topic.

Building the New Forest Future: Center Webinar Series

Building the New Forest Future is a webinar series that amplifies stories, practices, and lessons from community development, sustainable tourism, and rural economy in the Northern Forest. Read more.

Staff Contact

Isabella Ronson

Program Coordinator

Cell: 804-912-7145