Alternate riding areas

[moparmadman40]

I'm interested if anyone has ever done any snowmobiling at Indian graves or the porcupine hills. I ride a snowbike and am always looking for places close to calgary. We aren't "allowed" to ride in any of the provincial areas like cattaract so this limits us to crown land or BC.

 

[Bunn]

You can ride either Mclean Creek or Waiparous. Both are west of Calgary/Airdrie and would have good riding for a snow bike.

 

[LBZ]

If they ever get snow.

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[Eldereldo]

Actually in Alberta, you are not allowed to ride anywhere except private land, or areas specifically designated for riding. I think that means if designated for OHV use, then sledding is OK at well. There are areas like Cataract and Powder Face that are sledding only, no summer access and nothing but snowmobiles in the winter. Not sure how the government views snow bikes and whether they lump them in with sleds.

in additional to the ones already mentioned. You can ride Powderface trail, think that is after dec 1st. But it is seldom worth doing as it is basically a gravel road, and depending on the wind, that may be what you are riding on. There are a couple of trails leading out of Dawson staging area which is the access to Powder Face that are also allowed for sleds, but the last time I was out there were a lot of logs down, may have been cleared since, but the access bridge was also washed out so there needs to be a good bit of snow to get to the trails. Again, you need an good year to actually have enough snow to ride. Out of McLean sleds are allowed to access the Elbow loop (After Jan?). Probably enough snow if you can get to it, but as mentioned Mcelan seldom has enough, and if it does, it is usually rutted from the quads.

Here is a link to a site that lists the designated AB OHV use areas.



And clubs and trail associations

 

[moparmadman40]

Per the fish and wildlife officers "a dirtbike with a track and ski is still a dirtbike, if the registration doesn't say snowmobile the it's not a snowmobile" which means we cannot legally ride on snowmobile only trails. We normally go ride west of Caroline and rocky mtn house but would like to find other areas. The fact that they allow ohvs in the summer should mean that sleds are allowed in the winter. So then the porcupine hills are game in my books, asking the fish cops to see. Just wondering if anyone else has ridden there in the winter. mclean and waiprous don't seem to ever get enough snow and tend to still be quad areas all winter.

 

[Summit X]

Usually see guys with snowbikes riding at Castle too... not sure of the legality around it as I have no reason to look into it, so i'm just throwing it out there.

 

[moparmadman40]

I believe we are no longer allowed to ride at castle, it has been re zoned as a protected area. Can someone confirm this? I have ridden there a couple times in the past

 

[wickster1970]

Snow bikes are still riding out of Castle! It has been re zoned as a protected area but at this time they are allowing ohv's and sleds.

 

[alberta60]

Looks like Castle is still 'good to go' for now anyways, ESRD wording is `Snow Vehicle``. I plan to go sledding there once the ski hill opens, nothing beats a beer & pizza at the T-bar pub after a day of riding. Super vibrant après scene, and still good value for food & lodging. Rode there twice in 2013 and 3 times in 2014. Not enough snow last year, ski hill had to close in late Feb iirc.

Porkies, not sure they`d ever get much of a base. Might be alright on a snowbike right after a big dump.

 

[SnoFro]

Has anyone ridden castle this season yet? I think the ski hill opened today. I was thinking of trying castle on Dec. 29.