Snowmobiling (aka sledding) is a favourite winter pastime for my family. In Saskatchewan it’s pretty simple – just get on and go! Try to avoid barbed wire fences, rocks and ravines, and don’t hit an approach going 80 km/h (this happened to me last Christmas and it was not a pretty sight!)
Sledding on the prairies doesn’t quite cut it for many enthusiasts however. We just don’t get the same amount or type of snow that the mountains receive. Our snow also turns to a hard packed concrete consistency in a matter of days thanks to the winds that whip through the province. The mountains receive copious amounts of fresh powder for months on end.
Powder is a word that strikes fear in the heart of the inexperienced and causes seasoned sledders to lose their minds. Powder can make or break a trip to the mountains and it can also be responsible for how many times the inexperienced get stuck and have to dig out.
When we go sledding, we prefer to get off the groomed mountain trails and explore the back country, a practice frowned upon by many thanks to the high number of deaths caused by avalanches in areas sledders shouldn’t have gone.
However, there are safe ways to get off the beaten trail. Stay out of marked off areas and watch your surroundings for signs of an avalanche (hint: overhanging snow from rocky peaks is never a good sign!) We’re all equipped with avalanche gear, including GPS beacons, snacks and shovels and we don’t do anything stupid. Well, at least I don’t!
A favourite spot for my family is Valemont, B.C., which is also a great summer destination for everything from white water rafting to hiking. It’s not quite as popular as some of the other sledding spots which means you’ll have more space to yourself and the trails are awesome!
A few other top Canadian sledding destinations are Revelstoke and Fernie. Awesome tour companies abound in all three locations to show you the ropes and take you out to the best spots. JennKSharp