Best time to do Blue River?

[RRolsma]

Been dreaming of a Canada trip for a longgg time, I would really like to do Kitimat/Terrace/Smithers/Stewart... but that would take a month. A week or so in the Blue River/Valemount area seems more realistic.

We will have around 24 hours road time one way from South Dakota, so it's gonna be a set dates and go type of trip, not a hop in the truck and go when its gonna dump thing. What month should we plan to go for having the best shot at good snow?

Few more questions-

How far is it typically into alpine riding? Looks like 10km or so for Salmon and Redsands?

Where are North Blue and Holy Grail? I don't see anything about them on the sledblueriver page, but it sounds like they are accessed by the redsands lot. Anyone have a map?

Can a guy get parts in Valemount or Blue River?


Thanks Guys

 

[RRolsma]

I would plan to hire a guide for the first couple days as well.

 

[Summitric]

someone from Blue River area will get to you soon, I'm sure....

 

[coolcam]

I would probably head out mid January. Lots of snow pack by then and still cold enough for good snow. Christmas/New Years crowd will be gone it'll be quieter around here. There'll be good riding from December to March though.
Talk to Terry at Summit River Lodge for accommodations and you'll be close by all the action. Check site sponsors for a guide and you'll ride powder every day.

 

[Pink-Inc]

Blue River Sledz can get you the goods.

 

[Panzerdog]

end of January mid February if I had to pick your best chance don't forget about the renshaw in mcbride it's the biggest area in bc to ride and it's just up the road

 

[adamg]

Personally I like March the most. Deepest snow pack means it has the most area to ride, temperatures are warmer, days are long.

Also I've heard that mountain sledding is mostly done in the States in March, whereas in the Blue/Vale region it is still prime sledding season (and still riding from parking lot). So if you come after riding is done in your part of the country it could open up an additional week on your season, rather than costing you a week at home.

It's hard to find details on the Blue River sledding areas and access online. However once you get into town, places like the Holy Smoke Inn have a great pamphlet that list all the areas and show the access, and once you get that it gets fairly straight forward.

Holy Grail is accessed from the trails on the West side of the highway. Redsands is from the trails that start Northeast of the highway and town.

Details on two of the three main staging areas and their zones:


The third staging area is in town from the gas station, heading West. The main route is a sled trail that goes NW and takes you to a bunch of zones. The staging area can also go SW to another zone.

 

[brian h]

it can be hit and miss for snow conditions and weather no matter when you pick for dates. imo i would not pick mid feb for with b.c. family day long weekend and alberta family day long weekend that covers 2 weekends where there is alot more sledders up there making it more difficult to find the fresh snow unless you know the area really well. i have found beginning of march to generally have good snow. another option for guides is frozen pirates from valemount. some people will post dates of when they plan on being in the mountains and ask if they can tag along with another group but guides is a sure way to be safe and find the snow for type of riding your wanting to do

 

[team dirt]

Mid march is always the best riding. Longer days and the deepest snowpack. Best chance of hitting sun without a mid season dry spell. December January has the champagne pow but it's usually cloudy. Last season the snow pack didn't really ramp up till mid to end of February. When it finally started it didn't stop. Turned out to be one of the best springs I've ever had.