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BILLINGS - The National Park Service on Tuesday released six preliminary alternatives it considers on the table as it looks at the future of winter activities in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. The wide-ranging options included an all-out ban on snowmobiles and an increase in snowmobile numbers over what is allowed currently.

The Park Service did not identify a preferred alternative among the draft options or indicate a direction in which it's leaning, as it works on a long-term winter use plan, Yellowstone spokesman Al Nash said.

Some of the alternatives tinker with the temporary plan set to be in place through next winter. That plan allows 720 snowmobiles a day in Yellowstone, though all snowmobiles must be part of commercially guided trips and meet park standards as cleaner and quieter. The plan also allows for 140 snowmobiles a day, with no guiding requirement, in Grand Teton and on the parkway connecting the parks.

One alternative would boost snowmobile use from current levels and allow some snowmobilers to tour Yellowstone without a commercial guide after completing a special training course. Another would essentially adopt the temporary plan but place limits on the number and type of snowcoaches. For examples, snowcoaches also would have to meet "best available technology" standards.

Other alternatives include a ban on recreational snowmobiling in favor of mass-transit snowcoaches and eliminating most road grooming in Yellowstone.

Some conservationists, who have previously sued over winter use in the parks, have argued that snowcoaches are the more environmentally friendly way to tour Yellowstone in winter. Some business owners in park gateway communities and recreationists, however, have said there's a place for both types of machines.

Greg Mumm, executive director of the BlueRibbon Coalition, said he had not seen the draft, preliminary alternatives. But, he said his group has pushed for a "meaningful consideration" of a mix of snowmobile access that includes unguided trips and those led by commercial or noncommercial guides.

Nash called the release of the preliminary alternatives - the centerpiece of two open houses this week - an extra step in the planning process, and an opportunity to "share with people our thinking." Though there will be no formal comment period, the Park Service still welcomed public insights, Nash said.

Telephone messages left for two environmental group representatives, said to be attending the open house in Bozeman Tuesday, were not immediately returned.

Nash said it is likely that a variation on some of the options would be incorporated into the draft environmental study expected out this fall. The Park Service is aiming to have its long-range winter use plan finalized by late next year, he said.

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