Fairbanks trails commission to discuss standards for commercial tours on borough trails

The Fairbanks North Star Borough Trails Advisory Commission will meet with Parks and Recreation staff Monday, Oct. 26, to work on standards for how commercial motorized vehicles could use public trails and easements. The agenda lists the session as discussion only, with no final action planned.

The borough Assembly adopted a resolution in November 2025 asking the commission to recommend standards to the mayor and Assembly for commercial tourism operators using recreational trails through residential areas. It cited safety, noise and traffic. As Alaska News reported in July, the borough has more than 1,000 miles of trails and no rules governing commercial tours on them.

In April the commission approved a revised draft letter of recommendation. That letter calls for operators to pay 15 percent of proceeds into a trail fund that does not yet exist.

Two residents raised the issue at the commission's July meeting, according to the minutes. Emma Lewis cited safety concerns about meeting commercial snow machine tours on narrow, winding Goldstream Valley neighborhood trails. Karen Deatherage objected to the borough buying easements that would bring commercial tourism into neighborhoods and asked for signs on the Ballaine Lake Trail posting right-of-way rules.

At the same meeting, Parks and Recreation Director Matthew Boyer said the administration wants more objective standards from the commission rather than subjective guidelines. Commissioners then discussed holding a work session on commercial use of Category B trails.

That work session came Sept. 28. Trails Coordinator Nicole Swensgard presented, and discussion covered a process for adopting definitions and standards for off-road vehicles and snowmobiles consistent with state regulations, and which borough Class B motorized trails are most appropriate for commercial use, the clerk's action memo says.

The trail inventory in Monday's packet sets the winter motorized season as Oct. 15 through April 30. It names one business: beside the Big Eldorado Creek Loop Trail off Goldstream Road, a staff note reads "Fairbanks Snow Sleighers at entrance goldstream." That company advertises guided snowmobile tours, including a nighttime aurora tour, from 1686 Goldstream Road, describing them as small-group recreational experiences.

The work session follows the commission's regular 6 pm meeting, which opens with public comment.