The Coalition for Safe and Appropriate Winter Sports (CSAWS) is a Reno-based affiliate of Snowlands Network. CSAWS is focused on user conflict and safety concerns between snowmobilers and skiers, snowshoers and snowplayers at the Tahoe Meadows. CSAWS has also documented environmental damage created by snowmobiles at the Tahoe Meadows.
Tahoe Meadows is a 4 square mile area west of the summit on the Mt. Rose Highway (Highway 431) between Reno and Lake Tahoe. It is an extremely popular area for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowplay. On beautiful winter days, over 500 cars are often parked along this stretch of road. The Tahoe Meadows offers a variety of terrain for outdoor winter activities, is very accessible for pedestrian users, and is located on National Forest land.
Over the last few years, conflicts between snowmobilers and skiers increased to the point that the Forest Service closed a portion of this small area to snowmobiles. The part that remains open to snowmobiles continues to have safety problems with pedestrians and snowmobiles and continues to have air and noise pollution from snowmobiles. Motorized users have pushed many pedestrian users out of the area. Snowmobiles have continued to tresspass into the closed adjacent areas of the Mt. Rose Wilderness and the Galena Drainage.
CSAWS and Snowlands Network believe that the entire 4 square mile area known as the Tahoe Meadows be designated as an area for non-motorized winter sports. This is in compliance with the summer designation for the same area.
To read about the situation in Tahoe Meadows and the CSAWS success story:
You can support CSAWS by joining Snowlands Network, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting safe and beautiful places to ski and enjoy the snow.