TM 5-803-12
facilities influence the level of use.
parking areas and comfort facilities.
n. Skiing, snow. Facilities for this activity
i. Water skiing. This activity requires a body
should only be developed on installations in lat-
of water of navigable depth and of sufficient size
itudes where mean annual snowfall is sufficient
to allow the operation of power boats capable
to justify them (100 inches of snow per year
of traveling a minimum of 20 m.p.h. The body
without snowmaking equipment and an average
of water should be devoid of protruding or ov-
of 80-85 skiing days annually). For alpine skiing,
erhanging obstacles. Swimming and fishing are
steep slopes are required. On installations with
incompatible with this activity.
gently or only moderately steep terrain but sig-
j. Fishing. Fishing requires a body of water
nificant annual snow accumulation, Nordic or
of sufficient size; a lake or pond of one surface
cross-country skiing is the preferred form of the
acre or more or a stream of at least fourth order
activity. Support facilities for this activity will
(based on the hierarchy of tributaries developed
include ski equipment rental and maintenance
by R. E. Horton--see references) that is either
facilities, lodges, ski lifts or tow ropes and ski
well-stocked or naturally abundant with fish. The
trails. Incompatible activities include mainly
availability of fish influences the level of use the
snowmobiling. Ski slopes for alpine skiing should
body of water will sustain, as does the size of
have a north-northeast exposure with sufficient
the body of water. In general, warmwater fish-
tree cover to provide shade. The physical quality
eries will sustain higher use levels than cold-
of the slope is important. Slopes should be graded
water fisheries (for example, trout streams ). For
and seeded for greater safety, easier mainte-
bank fishing, the stability of bank soils is an
nance, and better performance. Slopes which are
important factor. Support facilities include boat
slower can normally support more skiers per acre.
launch ramps, marina slips and other docking
Beginners' slopes should range from 5 to 20 per-
or pier facilities, trails, concessions, parking areas
cent; intermediate slopes from 20 to 35 percent;
and restrooms. Incompatible adjacent activities
and expert slopes from 35 percent upwards. The
include power boating, water skiing and, for bank
minimum vertical drop for a ski area is approx-
fishermen, ORV trails along the bank.
imately 180 feet, with 350 feet more desirable.
k. Boating. This activity requires a body of
A vertical drop over 200 feet may require a chair
water of navigable depth, either a large lake or
lift. Rope tows should not be used over distances
a flowing stream of fourth order or higher. For
longer than 1,300 feet or slopes greater than 25
power boating, incompatible activities include
percent. There must be adequate waiting space
sailboating (to some degree), canoeing, rafting,
at the base of ski lifts, but large open areas on
swimming and fishing. For canoeing and raft-
top of the mountain should be avoided. Ski trail
ing, a stream with a steep gradient and white-
development should be undertaken only for nat-
water is desirable. One or more rapids of Class
ural snow and should have a minimum 40-foot
II or higher make the stream a sufficiently ex-
width. However, snow-making equipment, which
citing and challenging recreation experience.
necessitates a substantial water supply, is often
Support facilities include boat launch ramps,
essential to economic skiing operations. Skiers
marina slips, docks, concession facilities, boat
are particularly sensitive to aesthetic conditions
and motor maintenance facilities, fuel pumps
and negative towards crowding. One-half acre
and storage tanks, parking areas and rest-
per skier results in a relatively crowded condi-
rooms.
1. Hunting. This activity requires sufficient
tion on trails. Any ski areas located within an
hour's drive from large population centers might
natural habitat, either forest, open or marsh-
land, depending on the type of game animal
consider allowing night skiing. Cross-country
skiing is becoming increasingly popular. As a
sought. In general, the greater the diversity of
the vegetation in the hunting area, the more
rule, conditions which are good for cross-coun-
wildlife it will produce, and the more hunting it
try hiking and horseback riding are good for
cross-country skiing. These three recreational
will sustain. Incompatible activities or incom-
patible adjacent land uses include any devel-
activities can also take advantage of joint fa-
opment or traffic-generating activity without
cilities. Trails adequate for two people to ski
abreast or pass each other should be approxi-
adequate buffering.
m. Archery, gun, skeet and trap shooting.
mately 6 feet wide. Trails should also have trail
These activities should be located in an area re-
markers above the snow line and stopping points
mote from any residential development or traffic-
for winter vistas.
generating activity. Support facilities include
o. Sledding and tobogganing. Slopes for sled-
various support buildings, target structures,
ding and toboganning should have a north-
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