Province considering reinstating fee for cross-country skiers in ...

Cross-country skiers could soon be charged a fee to use trails in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park to help the province offset grooming costs.

The government made the proposal in a recent meeting with the Kananaskis Trails Advisory Group but said it is only a preliminary discussion as part of the normal budget process.

?It?s something that?s on the table as part of our usual considerations,? said Katrina Bluetchen, spokeswoman for Tourism, Parks and Recreation. ?We?re looking at our options and what we can do for next year?s budget.?

Bluetchen said it?s too early to say how much skiers could be charged. The province grooms approximately 147 kilometres of trails in Kananaskis at a cost of about $200,000 to $250,000 each season.

Cross-country skiers have enjoyed free use of the trail system since 2004, when the province eliminated fees in a bid to encourage healthy living.

That?s why the proposal doesn?t make sense, according to Albi Sole, the mountain programs co-ordinator for the University of Calgary?s Outdoor Centre.

?It is short-sighted, unsophisticated thinking that goes against the government?s own policy. It is exactly the wrong route to go,? he said.

Sole, who also serves as the executive director of the Outdoor Council of Canada, believes it?s hypocritical for the Tories to claim to support programs that encourage healthy lifestyles while putting up financial barriers to family-friendly sports like cross-country skiing.

?It makes sense for the government to support this because we know that being physically active is tremendously good for people?s social, psychological and physical health. And it will help the province lower its health bill, which is the elephant in the room.?

But not everyone thinks the idea is ridiculous.

Lynn Bowers, a co-ordinator with the Calgary Ski Club, said people would probably be willing to pay a small fee to ski in Kananaskis provided the money was put to good use in the region.

?It would work if there is going to be an increase in the number of facilities for skiing and an improvement in the quality of the ski experience in terms of grooming,? said Bowers.

?I assume it wouldn?t be a cash grab, but a way to maintain and improve trails.?

tgignac@calgaryherald.com

Twitter:/TamaraGignac

Source: http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/alberta/Province+considering+reinstating+cross+country+skiers/7562690/story.html

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