B.C. tourism operators struggle as conflicts over backcountry land use rise

It’s safe to say heli-biking wasn’t on the radar in 1871 when B.C.’s first lands department was established to manage Crown land.

Today, the Ministry of Forests administers B.C.’s tenure system, granting companies the right to harvest timber in public forests — or helicopter clients to a remote mountain peak so they can bike down.

But as groups compete for use of a limited land base, conflicts are increasing.

Scott Ellis, co-chair of the Adventure Tourism Coalition, said B.C.’s backcountry has long been a “Wild West,” where the interests of large corporations trump smaller tenure holders, like ski guides, outfitters and sport fishers.

“Adventure tourism is kind of an afterthought,” he said.