Also troubled: snowmobilers who found themselves barred from two trailheads for several hours.

The second annual Ullr Race, sponsored by Utah State University Campus Recreation and Nordic United began at the starting line in Franklin Basin of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest.

The skiers were joined by a group of nearly 10 snowmobilers, who revved up for the latest battle between motorized and nonmotorized users.

"There was a group of about four or five trucks and their snowmobiles showed up at our event and made sure they were there at 7 a.m. - just to get in our way and exert their presence," said Paul Grams, director of the Ullr Chase race.

The flare-up came after negotiations failed during the pre-race-planning process. Ranger Rob Cruz, of the forest's Logan Ranger District, opted to close, for several hours, two trail heads and another 12 kilometers to motorized travel to facilitate racers from 12 states.

Idaho officials did not agree to close any motorized trails that spilled over onto their side of the state line.

Discussions between Ullr planners and the snowmobilers veered off course after hosts formally requested participation from the Top of Utah Snowmobile Association in a January letter to its president, Kelly Leishman of Nibley.

"For this event to be successful, we need to ensure a quality ski experience for the racers. We ask for your cooperation in accomplishing this by agreeing to encourage snowmobilers to avoid the race course during the race," said the letter from Ullr course directors Paul Grams and Kevin Kobe.

Leishman responded with a five-page letter, which included the following statements in bold type:

"We will not agree to any trail head or trail closures on the Utah side. Not this year or any year . . ." and, "We would expect you to use less than 50 percent of the parking on both parking lots."

Leishman said snowmobilers only have access to the trail system at four or five spots in Logan Canyon, and the parking lots are often overflowing on the weekends.

And, he pointed out, skiers have access to 1.2 million acres in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest, with only 568,000 acres available to snowmobile riders.

Grams said the race and its course were unrelated to the ongoing dispute between motorized and nonmotorized users.

"We, as skiers, agree that this is a road that's a motorized route," Grams said. "If they want to do a snowmobile race, or an event like that, we would absolutely agree to stay out of the way."

Cache County Councilman Cory Yeates said a solution between the groups is within reach.

"Frankly, I think the terrain is big enough to support both groups; it should be a multiuse area," he told the Cache County Council on Tuesday. "I made a promise to snowmobilers and skiers alike that we are going to sit down this spring and bring all parties - skiers, dog-sledders, snowmobilers - and we're going to put together a calendar."

abrunson@sltrib.com