2012/2013 Calgary Snowmobile Club Rides

[Kaz Dog]

The first club ride is just over this past weekend, and it was a great success. We went to Quartz Creek, Golden, B.C., Saturday, and Sunday, and enjoyed very good snow. Thanks to all club members who made it a great weekend (and for helping out in the deep pow we found) and thanks to the guests that came along, it was great to meet you.

For the remainder of the season (2013), here is a list of the other locations the club intends to ride at;

January 12 & 13 - Atlas, Crowsnest Pass, AB.
February 2 &3 - Radium trails, B.C.
February 16 & 17 - York, Crowsnest Pass, AB.
February 23 & 24 - Elkford trails, B.C.
March 2 & 3, Fernie trials, B.C.
March 29, 30, & 31 - Parsons trails, B.C.
April 13 & 14, West Castle trails, AB.

Come along and meet some new people, and enjoy a new area if you have not been there before. You are invited to come to one of our meetings beforehand, if you are able to. Better yet, join the club and help us support snowmobiling access in Alberta, and - hopefully - a groomed trail to ride near to Calgary. (More info to come.)

 

[Sledderglen]

The first club ride is just over this past weekend, and it was a great success. We went to Quartz Creek, Golden, B.C., Saturday, and Sunday, and enjoyed very good snow. Thanks to all club members who made it a great weekend (and for helping out in the deep pow we found) and thanks to the guests that came along, it was great to meet you.

For the remainder of the season (2013), here is a list of the other locations the club intends to ride at;

January 12 & 13 - Atlas, Crowsnest Pass, AB.
February 2 &3 - Radium trails, B.C.
February 16 & 17 - York, Crowsnest Pass, AB.
February 23 & 24 - Elkford trails, B.C.
March 2 & 3, Fernie trials, B.C.
March 29, 30, & 31 - Parsons trails, B.C.
April 13 & 14, West Castle trails, AB.

Come along and meet some new people, and enjoy a new area if you have not been there before. You are invited to come to one of our meetings beforehand, if you are able to. Better yet, join the club and help us support snowmobiling access in Alberta, and - hopefully - a groomed trail to ride near to Calgary. (More info to come.)

Waiting for more info on the trail

 

[Titan]

Waiting for more info on the trail

Yeah I signed up to the ASA this year and stated Calgary was my home area...so where is that money going?
Why are all the "Club Rides" so far from town...
If Cataract is the Club's home turf then why are they not clearing the windfall or organizing a work bee to do so (I even posted in the thread that I would help)

 

[Sledderglen]

Yeah I signed up to the ASA this year and stated Calgary was my home area...so where is that money going?
Why are all the "Club Rides" so far from town...
If Cataract is the Club's home turf then why are they not clearing the windfall or organizing a work bee to do so (I even posted in the thread that I would help)

I think the same. I also have offered to help. They want the government to do it for them. Wont happen without some more work. I think Cataract is the right area for them. Geterdone Start something Calgary snowmobile club

 

[Kaz Dog]

For those interested on this thread, a gathering is taking place to discuss possible grooming and improvements to the Cataract Creek Snowmobile area for the future. Those of us already interested (6) and getting together are going to have an open, pie-in-the-sky discussion of the wants and needs for this area. Experience is coming to the table from other clubs activities and southern alberta "locals" wanting more for the area. YOU ALL ARE INVITED, and hopefully you have the time. The date is Wednesday, January 9, at 7:30 pm. Please send me a personal message and I will get back to you with the location. Keep the time booked for this meeting.

This is not meant to be a "take over of the area" or an "exclusive club" of people. The vision is that there are different type of riders with different wants and needs for the area, so let's get together and make progress for all. If you can not make the appointed time (it will be only the first official get-together), and want to contribute/share your ideas, please send them to me in a personal message. I guarantee they will be expressed at the meeting. There have already been some radical ideas brought forward as compared to any thing that has happened in the past or currently been shared on sites like this. We will "throw everything against the wall and see what sticks". I always say there is no such thing as a bad idea, only different thoughts/opinions on a subject.

 

[stickman]

It's not that we want the government to do it for us like they have in the past. We want government to recognize that responcible snowmobilers want to be the ones that look after the area in the winter time. That is what this upcoming meeting is for, to get a plan in place to take forward. Like Kaz Dog says, this one is just the idea stage, we will see what comes from there.
Cataract is by no means Calgary's "home turf", it used to be when the gov looked after it, but since they pulled out it has gone by the way side. Many club memebers have spent tons of their own time trying to get the gov to let the club look after the area with very little success. Like anything else, when all you here is "No, you cant do that" for so many years you get discurraged and just stop trying.
As for organizing trail clean ups, without permission to do something like that could set us back even further.
We want to do this the right way and if you can, come out to the meeting this week. Shoot Kaz Dog a message for the meeting place. All are welcome.

 

[Titan]

For those interested on this thread, a gathering is taking place to discuss possible grooming and improvements to the Cataract Creek Snowmobile area for the future. Those of us already interested (6) and getting together are going to have an open, pie-in-the-sky discussion of the wants and needs for this area. Experience is coming to the table from other clubs activities and southern alberta "locals" wanting more for the area. YOU ALL ARE INVITED, and hopefully you have the time. The date is Wednesday, January 9, at 7:30 pm. Please send me a personal message and I will get back to you with the location. Keep the time booked for this meeting.

This is not meant to be a "take over of the area" or an "exclusive club" of people. The vision is that there are different type of riders with different wants and needs for the area, so let's get together and make progress for all. If you can not make the appointed time (it will be only the first official get-together), and want to contribute/share your ideas, please send them to me in a personal message. I guarantee they will be expressed at the meeting. There have already been some radical ideas brought forward as compared to any thing that has happened in the past or currently been shared on sites like this. We will "throw everything against the wall and see what sticks". I always say there is no such thing as a bad idea, only different thoughts/opinions on a subject.

Having worked in/for the Provincial Government for many years I may be of assistance...I'll see if I can make that meeting.

 

[Titan]

It's not that we want the government to do it for us like they have in the past. We want government to recognize that responcible snowmobilers want to be the ones that look after the area in the winter time. That is what this upcoming meeting is for, to get a plan in place to take forward. Like Kaz Dog says, this one is just the idea stage, we will see what comes from there.
Cataract is by no means Calgary's "home turf", it used to be when the gov looked after it, but since they pulled out it has gone by the way side. Many club memebers have spent tons of their own time trying to get the gov to let the club look after the area with very little success. Like anything else, when all you here is "No, you cant do that" for so many years you get discurraged and just stop trying.
As for organizing trail clean ups, without permission to do something like that could set us back even further.
We want to do this the right way and if you can, come out to the meeting this week. Shoot Kaz Dog a message for the meeting place. All are welcome.

Purhaps you could convince ASRD to lease the land to the club?

 

[stickman]

Hope to see you at the meeting. Sounds like you have some good ideas. Bring them forward, this is what this new blood needs, create some buzz about the area so we will be heard.
Hopefully we can make this happen for our community.

 

[Kaz Dog]

The Club is headed to Radium, B.C., for a club ride on Saturday, Feb. 2, & Sunday, Feb. 3. More details to follow.

 

[stickman]

Kaz, count me in. Where are we staying and how many in our group?

 

[Kaz Dog]

I was counting on traveling with you! I will get back to you on where we will stay, and I haven't heard how many are along. I will call the D.C. Sunday night.

Kaz, count me in. Where are we staying and how many in our group?

 

[Taminator]

Hey KazDog, here's the poster for the Newbie Ride you're club is supporting the weekend you're in Elkford
Rhonda and Adele are the hosts for Elkford. Your members and anyone else attending can register on our website on our Events page.

 

[wheels]

Are there any families going on the club ride to Radium? My 10 year old son wants to go really bad I've never been there before what area are they planning on riding? Any info would be great is there a hotel/motel that you stay at and do I need to let someone know if we are attending? I'm a new club member this year that's why all the questions sorry!!!
Thanks Toby

 

[stickman]

Wheels, families are always welcome, last club ride there were three or four families with us. Kaz Dog is going to talk to our destination coordinator tonight to get some info on the areas we will be riding and accomadation. He will likely post the info here but you can go to the Calgary Snowmobile Club's website for more info as well.
I have never rode there either so this is a great way to see some new area.
Hope to see you there.
Dan.

 

[Kaz Dog]

Thanks a lot. We were shown this poster by Doug, our Destination Coordinator last meeting. I am looking forward to riding the trails again at Elkford, it has been too long.......!

Hey KazDog, here's the poster for the Newbie Ride you're club is supporting the weekend you're in Elkford
Rhonda and Adele are the hosts for Elkford. Your members and anyone else attending can register on our website on our Events page.

 

[Kaz Dog]

I exchanged e-mails with the destination coordinator and he is yet to hear back from his contact there, but expects to later tonight or tomorrow. I will post info as soon as I am able with regards to hotel/motel and areas that the coordinator chooses to ride. The areas will accomodate all skill levels, at least that has been my experience on club rides I have attended.

Are there any families going on the club ride to Radium? My 10 year old son wants to go really bad I've never been there before what area are they planning on riding? Any info would be great is there a hotel/motel that you stay at and do I need to let someone know if we are attending? I'm a new club member this year that's why all the questions sorry!!!
Thanks Toby

 

[Taminator]

If you're riding the Radium area, there are lots of motel options for sure. Don't stay in Invermere, it's not worth the extra drive IMO. Hot pools in Radium too. The Park Inn is an older motel, as are lots in Radium, but they like snowmobilers and have good rates. If you want a hotel, the Prestige Inn is right on the corner as you hit the 4way stop in Radium, it has a restaurant in it and decent rates. Forster is your main riding area around Radium, haven't heard much about Brewer creek this year, but it wouldn't be an area to take a new to the area group. Silent Pass is about 45mins highway from Radium, then about half hour to the staging. Park at 35km then it's about 30ish km to the riding area from there. Forster and Silent Pass are both areas for all abilities.

Something to keep in mind around here, is that there is some logging going through the weekends now. The FSR road to Silent Pass is 7 days and the Horsethief FSR behind Radium has active logging right now, not sure on weekends there though. They have a radio at the trail fee booth at the bottom of Silent Pass, she radios up for sledders, but you're on your own on the Horsethief. If you have anyone in your group that has a radio, make sure they bring it.

 

[Kaz Dog]

Here is some information on the upcoming club ride:
I wanted to send out an update regarding the Radium club ride. We will be staging at the
Lower area, which is the Dogsleg Lake staging area. We will ride up to the upper staging area to pay our Trail fee. Please be aware that a trail fee is due at Upper location, they do not always have somebody collecting but the trail pass fee can be paid at the trail head or at the Cabin (Sled Shed) which both have donation boxes. To get to the lower staging area at Forester Creek is fairly easy; I have included the directions below. Please ensure that all riders have all required safety equipment, you will not be permitted to join the ride without a beacon, probe and shovel. These items can be rented for a minimal fee from the University of Calgary Outdoor Centre. We hope to get going up the trail at between 9:30 am & 10 am. A couple of places where some members are staying are at the Prestige Inn and Park Inn. Of course there are other Accommodations too.


Directions to Staging Area
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Once at Radium, you will head West at the Hwy 95 and Hwy 93 intersection. It’s a 4 way stop sign that will lead you towards the Sawmill. Once you get down the hill take a left on Horse thief Creek Road (this turn can sneak up on you). Stay on this road, going across the Columbia River, up the Big Hill continuing for about 4km - stay left of the ‘y’ in the road, continue on this twisty road for 6km until you reach a stop sign. Make a right at the stop sign and follow this Westside Bench road for about 5km until you see what appears to be an old Airstrip field on your left; this is the Dogsleg Lake staging area.



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[Kaz Dog]

Our group had a great time out at Radium/Forrester this past weekend. The local club laid in a groomed trail to get up close to the cabin for Saturday, and the powder was excellent. Sunday was spent traveling some lower FSR's, looking to get into an area. It was a fun, fast day on "sugar" powder breaking trail, and doing some "landscaping" on adventureous routes, great time! Looking forward to the S.T.A.R.S. ride on Saturday, Feb. 16, at York Creek, in the Crowsnest Pass.