Is it just me?

[helgy]

Yeah we met at the peaks lodge too. The snow was sick!!!! I've had a good season. 32 days in the mountains. Just got back from a 8 day trip to stewart and hyder alaska. Best trip of my life. hands down

Speaking of Stewart/Hyder, we have sold less memberships this year than ever. There are hardly any local riders left, and wayyyy less sno mo tourists. I did drop off a membership book at Rhett and Keenans for you fellas, but they didnt hit you guys up.....

Mickey Texas

 

[DaveB]

i stayed away in jan and feb to let the avys calm down.... normaly i go 1 weekend a month..... well this month im going twice..... so im 2 shy of normal

I'm with Tex...a couple weekends off of a "normal year". Left Jan and most of Feb alone for the same reasons.

To be honest, I'm slowly losing interest in sledding. Avys, bad press, and that long-a$$ drive both ways to get there....I look forward to camping/quadding.

 

[oler1234]

I'm with Tex...a couple weekends off of a "normal year". Left Jan and most of Feb alone for the same reasons.

To be honest, I'm slowly losing interest in sledding. Avys, bad press, and that long-a$$ drive both ways to get there....I look forward to camping/quadding.

i think this is a good point here, it seemed for a while people just got into sledding because that was "the thing to do" (not saying this is you dave) and now these people are slowly phasing out as well the above stated.

 

[DownhillBill]

Definate decrease ive noticed, my best guess is money...as well it used to seem more of a social thing in our area. People would trail ride up for the day, not really play around much and head down.
Im not complaining though...less of them, MORE FOR ME!!:d:d

 

[Beels]

I'm on pace for as much as last year, which isn't near enough. My excuse is work. Going to take some steps to alleviate that problem and get more in next year. Fingers crossed that the snow is as good.

 

[Snohog]

i think the numbers are down this year, i only put a few hours on my sled this year due to break downs

 

[duck]

This has been the best year for me and alot of my buddies.... I bought a new sled this year and now has over 3150 km's....(engine maintenance required this summer)
The other guys are on their second engines....
When there is this much snow here in the Morinville area and north to Athabasca and Whitecourt, I have rode trails and areas never ridden before by me. The grooming on those trails has gotten so much better in the last few years that it is now alot of fun.
I will still make the odd mountain trip but having been sledding vale/mcbride/revy/golden/sicamous/yellowstone since 1980 it is nice to ride at home and support the ASA.
I send emails out to all my friends before every weekend trying to generate interest and we usually end up with 4-5 of us every weekend....

 

[Barry Barton]

Same for me I've only been out twice this year and last year I made it out 8 times. I have found that the best sledding is on sunday because if it snows on saturdayeveryone seems to leave on sunday . This leaves know one in the areas and I have had my best rides on sunday. MOst of the time we will have 20 or less sleds in the valley and if it snows it the best of times since theirs not a mark in the valley. I agree it's a long drive back to the city and I us to be the only driver but now that my daughter can drive it's it's great so why don't more peaple sled on sundays especially if u have two drivers. Yes their is great snow down hear this year and it a lot cheaper to stay hear and in most of the areas the lake riders don't go off the trails much and we have been finding some great snow in the hard to get to areas. This makes for some great riding in different areas but it's not the mountains hope to be back their soon.chowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

 

[snoqueen]

I think you have a point here....I notice way fewer sledders in our area too!! I don't know what it is, lack of funds, weather, etc... I mean the snow is awesome this year, lots of it, but maybe peeps are more wary of avalanches and playing it safe??

Due to our families situation (injuries, working out of town, etc) we haven't been putting on the miles this year either. Hopefully spring riding will be awesome around here and we can get out more.

 

[Bogger]

Biggest reason is going to be the "local" snow in the flatlands....

Best riding conditions around here in a long time.... it's not the mountains but it's also not 8+ hrs of driving...

If we had no local snow there would be more peeps heading west to find snow...

 

[Longhorn]

I can offer another opinion...

I know as far as the guys I know they all work in the patch. Oilfield has been dead for the past 2 years, so lots of time for sledding, and this season its been quite busy. Never turn down work in the patch, so lots that I know havent even made the first trip yet, but breakup is right around the corner, so I see a bunch of guys getting ready for the first trips of the season...