Swan Hills

tmo1620

Active VIP Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2008
Messages
4,053
Reaction score
8,100
Location
Whitecourt
It aint that hard man, go to swan, unload and follow any tracks going west, they will all lead to trails and usually more west you go the more snow there is
 
Joined
Jan 21, 2013
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Location
Spruce Grove AB
I do know that much. Just hard to guess where a trail is going to end up. We like to ride new areas but a guy can only carry so much gas. Some km markings on the signs out on the trails would be awesome. Seems like a wicked area to explore out there and the best snow around
 

slednk

Active VIP Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2008
Messages
230
Reaction score
107
Location
perryvale,Alberta
It's not that hard to learn the area I've never been to goose tower and I don't know what it's like but it would be nice to find some nice long steep hills


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 

Bogger

Bogger of the GBCA
Joined
Feb 21, 2007
Messages
24,426
Reaction score
18,506
Location
Down by the Bay
So judging from the pictures and reports Swan didn't get the massive thaw we had last week.....

I sure as hell would not have wanted to ride local to my place this past weekend, it'd be better now but still nothing like it was 2 weeks ago...
 

Carrots

Active VIP Member
Joined
Nov 23, 2009
Messages
4,265
Reaction score
2,079
Location
spruce grove, alberta
So judging from the pictures and reports Swan didn't get the massive thaw we had last week.....

I sure as hell would not have wanted to ride local to my place this past weekend, it'd be better now but still nothing like it was 2 weeks ago...

10 mins north of spruce grove we found some epic snow today..
u5esa5eh.jpg
ve3uta5y.jpg


Hopefully gonna go to swan hills this weekend for a ride


Sent from a iPhone
 

kris.fancey

Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2009
Messages
16
Reaction score
0
Location
Drayton Valley, Alberta
Good morning, I was thinking of riding the goose tower area tomorrow but i've never been there. Can somebody please point me in the right direction?

Thanks in advance!
 

ASSAULTrmk

Active VIP Member
Joined
Feb 9, 2011
Messages
336
Reaction score
211
Location
Stony Plain
Just head out of town on main trail & when u get to the road look at the signs & head down the goose tower loop trail & explore from there !!!!!!!!
 

dpimpact

New member
Joined
Nov 24, 2012
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Location
Barrhead
Lots of snow when you're off the trails...but my 1st impression of swan hills sledding is crap really. Unload in town at the designated spot, down an icy snow covered driveway that at the end of the day everyone was spinning their way to the top (couple didn't make it)...it stopped snowing wednesday...guess not enough time to get the grader in there to clean it up a bit??? Very few signs as to where you are and where you're going...found the club house...well sort of...banks pushed up and blocked the entrance that clearly no one had been in the area since the snow fall last week...
We're fairly new to exploring new places with the sleds and in my opinion for a "major hot spot" of sledders fun and ASA area grooming are the worst we've been to yet...not enough support in the area I guess which is surprising considering how many sleds were out yesterday.
 

Sledderglen

Super Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Nov 30, 2006
Messages
7,039
Reaction score
4,658
Location
The Trailerhood
Lots of snow when you're off the trails...but my 1st impression of swan hills sledding is crap really. Unload in town at the designated spot, down an icy snow covered driveway that at the end of the day everyone was spinning their way to the top (couple didn't make it)...it stopped snowing wednesday...guess not enough time to get the grader in there to clean it up a bit??? Very few signs as to where you are and where you're going...found the club house...well sort of...banks pushed up and blocked the entrance that clearly no one had been in the area since the snow fall last week...
We're fairly new to exploring new places with the sleds and in my opinion for a "major hot spot" of sledders fun and ASA area grooming are the worst we've been to yet...not enough support in the area I guess which is surprising considering how many sleds were out yesterday.

I`m Just saying. Pretty hard slam against a small club with low membership. Like many areas lots of sleds very little help from the sledders to make it better. Do you help with the Barrhead trails? They do what they can
 

magnet

Active VIP Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2008
Messages
5,364
Reaction score
1,391
Location
GSBA
Lots of snow when you're off the trails...but my 1st impression of swan hills sledding is crap really. Unload in town at the designated spot, down an icy snow covered driveway that at the end of the day everyone was spinning their way to the top (couple didn't make it)...it stopped snowing wednesday...guess not enough time to get the grader in there to clean it up a bit??? Very few signs as to where you are and where you're going...found the club house...well sort of...banks pushed up and blocked the entrance that clearly no one had been in the area since the snow fall last week...
We're fairly new to exploring new places with the sleds and in my opinion for a "major hot spot" of sledders fun and ASA area grooming are the worst we've been to yet...not enough support in the area I guess which is surprising considering how many sleds were out yesterday.

Sorry you had a bad experience there are bettere areas to go out that way. I understand your frustration on the trail system hard to find maps and directions if you have no idea of the area. We usually stage out of town less people more space usually just a crappy road to get there some days. It is a great area once you have found a couple "spots" hope your next trip is better
 

Summiteer

Active VIP Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2006
Messages
5,883
Reaction score
3,508
Location
Whitecourt, Ab
Lots of snow when you're off the trails...but my 1st impression of swan hills sledding is crap really. Unload in town at the designated spot, down an icy snow covered driveway that at the end of the day everyone was spinning their way to the top (couple didn't make it)...it stopped snowing wednesday...guess not enough time to get the grader in there to clean it up a bit??? Very few signs as to where you are and where you're going...found the club house...well sort of...banks pushed up and blocked the entrance that clearly no one had been in the area since the snow fall last week...
We're fairly new to exploring new places with the sleds and in my opinion for a "major hot spot" of sledders fun and ASA area grooming are the worst we've been to yet...not enough support in the area I guess which is surprising considering how many sleds were out yesterday.
Swan Hills is better know for the off trail riding, which brings nothing in to the club. The club right now is almost a one-man show, small town with few able to put in the hours that it takes to clear and maintain a trail network. They do what they can with limited resources.
 

ronmexico

Active VIP Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2008
Messages
367
Reaction score
205
Location
Beaumont
Rode friday and saturday. Sunny both days. I read reports on here about 2' & 3' powder, but did not believe it till we got out there. Once you got off the main trails it was easily over the knee to balls deep in the cut-lines. 102.jpg 441.jpg
 

slednek

Active VIP Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2006
Messages
307
Reaction score
153
Location
West of Stony Plain
Rode with ronmexico and his group saturday. Had a great day with good snow. Road down to the ball diamonds was a little rough and rutted but not that bad. 3rd time to swan and like it more each time. I guess it depends on what kind of riding you want but I have no issues with the signage that is in place.
 

Bogger

Bogger of the GBCA
Joined
Feb 21, 2007
Messages
24,426
Reaction score
18,506
Location
Down by the Bay
Lots of snow when you're off the trails...but my 1st impression of swan hills sledding is crap really. Unload in town at the designated spot, down an icy snow covered driveway that at the end of the day everyone was spinning their way to the top (couple didn't make it)...it stopped snowing wednesday...guess not enough time to get the grader in there to clean it up a bit??? Very few signs as to where you are and where you're going...found the club house...well sort of...banks pushed up and blocked the entrance that clearly no one had been in the area since the snow fall last week...
We're fairly new to exploring new places with the sleds and in my opinion for a "major hot spot" of sledders fun and ASA area grooming are the worst we've been to yet...not enough support in the area I guess which is surprising considering how many sleds were out yesterday.

As Mitch has pointed out below Swan is better known for it's "off trail" riding, wide open areas & cut lines with 50-100% more snow than anywhere else locally. pretty hard for a club to make a go of it when 90% of the users either buy thier passes thru another club or in many cases refuse to buy them at all.... If your looking for top notch trails, clearly marked everywhere Whitecourt may be better suited for you. I rode the entire AB Beach trail system this weekend for the first time, we are not nearly as well signed as WCt however I was surprised with the amount of snow up in the Rangeton/Stanger Hills area, very Swan-esque......

Swan Hills is better know for the off trail riding, which brings nothing in to the club. The club right now is almost a one-man show, small town with few able to put in the hours that it takes to clear and maintain a trail network. They do what they can with limited resources.
 

TylerG

Super Mod Geek
Administrator
Moderator
Joined
Nov 7, 2006
Messages
31,426
Reaction score
29,240
Location
Parkland County
As Mitch has pointed out below Swan is better known for it's "off trail" riding, wide open areas & cut lines with 50-100% more snow than anywhere else locally. pretty hard for a club to make a go of it when 90% of the users either buy thier passes thru another club or in many cases refuse to buy them at all.... If your looking for top notch trails, clearly marked everywhere Whitecourt may be better suited for you. I rode the entire AB Beach trail system this weekend for the first time, we are not nearly as well signed as WCt however I was surprised with the amount of snow up in the Rangeton/Stanger Hills area, very Swan-esque......

lands among that same snow belt as the Swan Hills area....
 

RZonetwenty

Member
Joined
Feb 3, 2012
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
Location
Fort Saskatchewan
Rode friday and saturday. Sunny both days. I read reports on here about 2' & 3' powder, but did not believe it till we got out there. Once you got off the main trails it was easily over the knee to balls deep in the cut-lines.View attachment 148344View attachment 148345

How far out of town was this? and Which direction?? I grew up in Swan Hills and should be heading out that way on the 4th. Need to know where the snow is?!
 
Top Bottom