Hi so I've never snowmobiled in Alberta, really have no idea. Is there people sledding at Cataract Creek trails yet? Is there a specific day it "opens"? Is there enough snow there yet? I'm curious but don't want to drive 200 km there and back just for basic information. I just want to get my new Polaris out for a twenty km test ride. Anyone heading out in the next couple days? I realize a thread will be starting soon, looking forward to it.
New guy no clue - Cataract
- Thread starter Grouser
- Start date
retiredpop
Active VIP Member
The area is not officially open until Dec 1. The Calgary Snowmobile Club is having a trail maintenance day on Nov 30 with snowmobiles as mode of transportation so there must be at least enough snow for that. Why not join the club and go for the maintenance day and get the test ride in at the same time. It would be a good chance to get to know the area a bit as well.
tucker_98
Active member
Hey Grouser,
as indicated above - not legal to ride before December 1st, so opening is this sunday unless you want to head in for some trail cleanup with the club on saturday.
From the pics I've seen in the TeamSnap App discussion (can join if you have a trailpass / ASA membership) it looks like there is enough, and with the dumping of snow this week I will defintely be giving it a go on sunday for sure. There is a thread already started for this seasons updates:
[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Tahoma,Calibri,Geneva,sans-serif]Official Cataract Creek Snowmobile Area Thread for 2019/20 season
Are you familiar with the staging areas / how to get there?[/FONT]
as indicated above - not legal to ride before December 1st, so opening is this sunday unless you want to head in for some trail cleanup with the club on saturday.
From the pics I've seen in the TeamSnap App discussion (can join if you have a trailpass / ASA membership) it looks like there is enough, and with the dumping of snow this week I will defintely be giving it a go on sunday for sure. There is a thread already started for this seasons updates:
[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Tahoma,Calibri,Geneva,sans-serif]Official Cataract Creek Snowmobile Area Thread for 2019/20 season
Are you familiar with the staging areas / how to get there?[/FONT]
- Thread starter
- #4
Thanks guys for the quick responses, great clarification. And I think I have a handle on the staging area thanks for checking. Would love to get out on the weekend but have other obligations........but am retired so depending on what is reported for conditions I am likely to head out Monday. Anyone out there up to do a little coaching on Monday? I am rusty in the game.
I missed seeing the Cataract thread, will follow with interest.
Can someone chime in with what type of terrain we're generally talking about in the Cataract system?
I missed seeing the Cataract thread, will follow with interest.
Can someone chime in with what type of terrain we're generally talking about in the Cataract system?
retiredpop
Active VIP Member
Pretty much trail riding in foothills type terrain with some fairly steep hills on some trails. There isn't any alpine riding. There is a trail that goes over Fording Pass into BC but no off trail riding until you are on the BC side because the Alberta side goes through a park.
mclean
Active VIP Member
I don't! I've brought my sledding in from BC and trying to keep a lot of it in Alberta but I have never been here. Would love a little info
tucker_98
Active member
Basically you have two staging areas to leave from - typically snow is a little better down south in years with less snow but it can go either way depending on conditions. You have Etherington and Cataract staging areas. Here are some pin drops on how to get to them:
Etherington
https://goo.gl/maps/KxKBzeozpT6h1nky9
Cataract
https://goo.gl/maps/m1F9FHBbNyc9ACGg7
Heres a map of the trail system which can be found on the AB Gov website:
No warm up shacks in the area but there is the "Midget Shack" which can be a good spot to take a break and hang out, or get a fire going if there is wood around. You'll understand the naming when you get there. You need to come in from Longview as the 40 is closed north and south of the area in the winter. One thing to note is that it is a "trail system" so you are supposed to stay on the trail which is a little different than you might find in BC.
Directions for the less technology savy: From Longview, head west on Hwy 541 out of town for 43km, hang a left and you will go south down the logging road for 6km to Etherington staging area which will be on your right, or continue on for another 5km on that logging road and it will be on your right. Watch out for logging trucks! They giver' and the road is tight around blind hills/turns. They will not move over much if at all for you, because they can't lol. There are maps with a rivet that indicates where you are at MOST intersections so that is helpful as well when you are on the trail. Here's one but it night be an older pic.
Have fun!
Etherington
https://goo.gl/maps/KxKBzeozpT6h1nky9
Cataract
https://goo.gl/maps/m1F9FHBbNyc9ACGg7
Heres a map of the trail system which can be found on the AB Gov website:
No warm up shacks in the area but there is the "Midget Shack" which can be a good spot to take a break and hang out, or get a fire going if there is wood around. You'll understand the naming when you get there. You need to come in from Longview as the 40 is closed north and south of the area in the winter. One thing to note is that it is a "trail system" so you are supposed to stay on the trail which is a little different than you might find in BC.
Directions for the less technology savy: From Longview, head west on Hwy 541 out of town for 43km, hang a left and you will go south down the logging road for 6km to Etherington staging area which will be on your right, or continue on for another 5km on that logging road and it will be on your right. Watch out for logging trucks! They giver' and the road is tight around blind hills/turns. They will not move over much if at all for you, because they can't lol. There are maps with a rivet that indicates where you are at MOST intersections so that is helpful as well when you are on the trail. Here's one but it night be an older pic.
Have fun!
Last edited:
newbornrider
Active member
Is no one going up into the bowls anymore? 10+ years agaio we usto go ride the mountain bowls up top
tucker_98
Active member
Fording? For sure.
- Thread starter
- #10
If you live in the Calgary area, feel free to join the Calgary Snowmobile Club at the next general meeting. The meeting will be on Tuesday December 3 at 7PM. The location of the meeting is at the Royal Canadian Legion, 755 - 40 St SE. Memberships will be available if you're interested in becoming a member and joining us for club rides and events throughout the year.
Also, there is an "official" Cataract Creek thread here on Snow and Mud that the club will try to keep those up to date who are not club members on TeamSnap.
Also, there is an "official" Cataract Creek thread here on Snow and Mud that the club will try to keep those up to date who are not club members on TeamSnap.
- Thread starter
- #12
Thanks, I did join online the other day. Wish I could have helped out at the trail clean-up today.
1967 Polaris Colt
Member
I highly recommend the Calgary Snowmobile Club. ‘Great people with an emphasis on rides, especially Cataract Creek.
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