Recreation Conflict among Skiers and Snowboarders

Abstract

Abstract Jacob and Schreyer's (1980) four determinants of recreation conflict, along with a measure of perceived safety, were used to examine both out-group and in-group normative beliefs about unacceptable behaviors reported by skiers and snowboarders. Data were obtained from surveys distributed at five ski resorts in Colorado. Bivariate analyses indicated that skiers reported more unacceptable behaviors by snowboarders than by fellow skiers, and snowboarders also identified more out-group than in-group conflict. The skiers and snowboarders in this sample varied in terms of activity style, resource specificity, mode of experience, lifestyle tolerance, and concerns with safety. Two structural equation models were used to identify which determinants influenced beliefs about unacceptable behavior. Only activity style significantly influenced both out-group and in-group conflict in both the skier and the snowboarder path models. The relative influence of the other predictors varied according to activity (skiing or snowboarding) and type of conflict (out-group or in-group). Keywords: Activity Style Resource Specificity Mode Of Experience Lifestyle Tolerance Safety In-GROUP Conflict Out-GROUP Conflict Normative Behavior