2018 / 2019 Valemount Conditions and Updates

[VARDA]

What is the grooming schedule for Clemina, Chappell and Allan. VARDA use to post when you plan to groom each area.

Hey there, we could post a schedule, but it would not be accuarate. We groom a lot! And our trails are always considered to be in groomed condition or we send out the machine.

To make a better experience for the users, we do not base our grooming needs on a numbers game or timeframe. Instead we treat it like a forecast and look at the two main factors that affect trail quality such as temperature and recent snowfall. The number of riders actually comes last as with the first two factors noted, we can tell a lot about how long a trail will last. This way we can increase grooming shifts in less than favourable conditions with lower rider numbers (ie. trail not paid for) and maybe have a long spell in between shifts if the conditions can handle it. It's a balancing act and takes a bit more administration, but it works well and I believe we have some of the best access trails out there.

Hope that makes sense.

 

[rev801]

Curtis you guys do a great job maintaining the trails
everytime we come up, trails are great

 

[lman]

Hey there, we could post a schedule, but it would not be accuarate. We groom a lot! And our trails are always considered to be in groomed condition or we send out the machine.

To make a better experience for the users, we do not base our grooming needs on a numbers game or timeframe. Instead we treat it like a forecast and look at the two main factors that affect trail quality such as temperature and recent snowfall. The number of riders actually comes last as with the first two factors noted, we can tell a lot about how long a trail will last. This way we can increase grooming shifts in less than favourable conditions with lower rider numbers (ie. trail not paid for) and maybe have a long spell in between shifts if the conditions can handle it. It's a balancing act and takes a bit more administration, but it works well and I believe we have some of the best access trails out there.

Hope that makes sense.

Hi Curtis,
VARDA does great job keeping your trails up kept and groomed. I understand the decision making process better in regards to grooming and thank you for that. I sometimes choose which are I ride based on grooming schedules. In the past Chappelle hasn't been groomed as much as Clemina and Allan and have had some rough rides up and down. The things VARDA does for the sledding community is greatly appreciated.

 

[TPOWER]

Hi Curtis,
VARDA does great job keeping your trails up kept and groomed. I understand the decision making process better in regards to grooming and thank you for that. I sometimes choose which are I ride based on grooming schedules. In the past Chappelle hasn't been groomed as much as Clemina and Allan and have had some rough rides up and down. The things VARDA does for the sledding community is greatly appreciated.

Hey Iman ,
Great job Curtis
I know what you mean Iman where we use to pit the schedule but we started grooming Chappell regularly last year that’s why we don’t have a set schedule like we use too , all groomed trails are now maintained and accessed daily for your pleasure and comfort lol
Like Curtis said a lot of factors go in to maintain our buttery smooth trails but when it’s plus 2 one group up ahead can make the trail seem like it wasn’t groomed for days .

 

[VARDA]

Hi Curtis,
VARDA does great job keeping your trails up kept and groomed. I understand the decision making process better in regards to grooming and thank you for that. I sometimes choose which are I ride based on grooming schedules. In the past Chappelle hasn't been groomed as much as Clemina and Allan and have had some rough rides up and down. The things VARDA does for the sledding community is greatly appreciated.

I totally understand and thanks to TPOWER for mentioning the Chappell change. Chappell is a money loser plain and simple, especially mid week. VARDA decided mid season last year that we wanted to keep it maintained full time as a service to our riders. So this is a new thing, but Chappell is now maintained as often as needed and staffed full time.

We are able to do this because of the odd busy days we get where the club can make up the losses from slower times. It's all a big balancing act. This season has been tougher than most with VERY low users numbers the first half of February, but thankfully the cold temps are keeping the trails butter!

Hope this helps. Any other questions, please let me know.

 

[VARDA]

We are prepping for another amazing Family Day Weekend.

Conditions are still a bit chilly but have come down to reasonable levels and the clear skies remain.

Trails are smooth as silk and will be maintained as needed throughout the weekend. We will also have Keyhole groomed up as of this afternoon, so trail passes will now be required for this areas as well.

Everyone loves bluebird days on the mountain, and you should use this time to explore areas you many not be as familiar with. Conditions wise, we have not had a large amount of fresh snow for some time now, but as always, there are fresh lines out there if you go looking and these bluebird skies make every day on the mountain a good day.

When it hasn’t snowed for a while it may be tempting to explore a bit, but when you do, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU ARE WITHIN THE AREA BOUNDARIES AT ALL TIMES! Allan and Chappell Creek are surrounded by wildlife closures. Be aware of your location at all times and be sure to remain within the legal area. Please help others with education and self policing while out in the field.

Visit our website or click here to download the closure lines to your gps or cell phone. This is an amazing tool. http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/…/snowmobile-clo…/gpx-download.html

It could be busy out there this weekend, so please be considerate of others and PARK USING COMMON SENSE. Single trucks with decks, please use the outside edges of the staging areas and larger trailer line of tight facing the highway in both Allan and Chappell as we can get at least two rows in this way.

Thanks everyone and please ride safe.

 

[kanedog]

Varda puts a lot of effort into grooming and sled tourism. This is great to see. Great Job team Varda!

 

[FastFarmer]

I think that VARDA is lucky to have a GM that puts in the time and effort to educate, promote and protect everyone while ensuring accurate information is available so that smart and correct decision making can be a part of the daily habits while enjoying the back country...

 

[Ricki Bobby]

I think that VARDA is lucky to have a GM that puts in the time and effort to educate, promote and protect everyone while ensuring accurate information is available so that smart and correct decision making can be a part of the daily habits while enjoying the back country...

Well said

 

[Foxstar45]

I think that VARDA is lucky to have a GM that puts in the time and effort to educate, promote and protect everyone while ensuring accurate information is available so that smart and correct decision making can be a part of the daily habits while enjoying the back country...

 

[ferniesnow]

I think that VARDA is lucky to have a GM that puts in the time and effort to educate, promote and protect everyone while ensuring accurate information is available so that smart and correct decision making can be a part of the daily habits while enjoying the back country...

Right on Jamie. Curtis is the man!!

 

[FastFarmer]

Call’in it like I see it since ‘79.

 

[dgjordan]

Looking for riding partner or group to join for this Thursday Friday of this week.any takers?

 

[cbaranec]

What were the snow conditions is Valemount this past weekend?

 

[oilplantman]

As a follow up. Anyone have any snow news? How's it looking this week?

 

[Steveratchford]

We're headed down Firday evening, riding blue area sat/sunday . Travel back to Edmonton Monday. Welcome to join us if you so choose.

 

[VARDA]

Sorry for being quiet lately, but there simply is not that much new to report unfortunately.

The upcoming forecast is a mix of bits of new snow and the occasional shot of sun. Conditions wise, the common areas are ridden quite hard as we have not had a large amount of fresh snow for some time now. We are all eagerly awaiting the next big reload. As always, there are fresh lines out there if you go looking and every day on the mountain a good day. We have been hitting the trees and are still finding some amazing snow to play in.

Ride safe

 

[dgjordan]

We're headed down Firday evening, riding blue area sat/sunday . Travel back to Edmonton Monday. Welcome to join us if you so choose.

Pmed u

 

[dwight3566]

Saturday / Sunday if your interested, coming from red deer.

 

[Skidoomiles]

Hey Curtis, I would just like to give a huge shout out to the Valemount groomers. We rode Clemina on Monday and the trail was like glass, it makes the low snow conditions acceptable.

thanks guys keep up the good work.