Why 2 snowmobile Federations in BC??

[EasternCanadanewbie]

Hi guys. Just new to BC and trying to figure out the whole snowmobile club scene. After a little investigating into different clubs, I find there seems to be 2 different Federations. How does that work. Where I used to ride back home in Ontario and Quebec, there was one Federation in each Province. What`s up with BC. Hope someone can explain and clue me in abit.
Thanks

 

[frock]

As far as I know there is only the BCSF. What other federation are you refering to?

 

[glacier mt lodge]

As far as I know there is only the BCSF. What other federation are you refering to?

He is refering to the ABC of BC also.....as there is two organizations in BC

 

[ferniesnow]

Hi guys. Just new to BC and trying to figure out the whole snowmobile club scene. After a little investigating into different clubs, I find there seems to be 2 different Federations. How does that work. Where I used to ride back home in Ontario and Quebec, there was one Federation in each Province. What`s up with BC. Hope someone can explain and clue me in abit.
Thanks

There are a lot of things......only in BC

I actually belong to both; BCSF and ABCSnow. Why you ask? I belong to two clubs and they are affiliated differently. The ABCSnow club, I join because of the liability insurance while running a SnowCat and buying a local trail pass. The BCSF club, I join because it is a more active club. This has nothing to do with the BCSF, just the members doing things together.

IMHO, both organizations could be run more efficiently and be more proactive toward provincial insurance/registration, a better "trail pass" system, and be more in tune to the Club''s needs rather than the "office" needs.

 

[retiredpop]

For the last few years you could not buy a trail pass for the whole province either like you do in the rest of Canada. You had to buy individually for every area you want to ride in. Is this still the case this year?

 

[ferniesnow]

For the last few years you could not buy a trail pass for the whole province either like you do in the rest of Canada. You had to buy individually for every area you want to ride in. Is this still the case this year?

The words have been changed and changed; trail pass, trail permit, membership, and the club membership decal that is issued by the BCSF or ABCSnow does not apply for individual club's who charge for grooming.

As I said earlier, if the provincial organizations would be more concerned with "club" needs rather than "office" needs, the individual clubs would be able to get monies from the provincial organizations to run grooming programs and we maybe have a system like other places in Canada.

In Fernie, we run our club as a business and it works; SnowCat paid for, mogul master paid for, tow truck paid for, and all that with no help from the provincial organization. Right now, we can only afford to groom 2 days/week but if we ran the trail pass vendors a little more we could afford 3 days/ week.

So, yes, in the case of the FSA we don't honour any other club passes as that cuts into our revenue and other than being "nice guys" we get nothing in return.

 

[Depsnolvr]

not sure what office tasks you are talking about with ABC. Currently it is Strictly VOLUNTEER run with a few computers in VOLUNTEERS houses. A simple phone call and I get all the help I need with club matters, im sorry, but I cant say enough good about this organization and more clubs are joining everyday

maybe you should run for a director spot if you would like to see a change as volunteers are always needed and I know you are active in your club

 

[Steve D]

There's an elephant in the room...

 

[ferniesnow]

not sure what office tasks you are talking about with ABC. Currently it is Strictly VOLUNTEER run with a few computers in VOLUNTEERS houses. A simple phone call and I get all the help I need with club matters, im sorry, but I cant say enough good about this organization and more clubs are joining everyday

maybe you should run for a director spot if you would like to see a change as volunteers are always needed and I know you are active in your club

Good points Curtis! I sent you a PM, fs

 

[Depsnolvr]

thank you, i was hoping to not ruffle any feathers, but felt i had to say something

 

[EasternCanadanewbie]

Thanks for your input guys. Sounds all too political to me. I hate comparing to Eastern Canada but my first take on this is that the BC sled community needs to get their act together. Does the BC Gov't not want to jump into this and formalize things?
Bottom line, in my opinion from what I can see, too many egos and special interests. I'm staying out of it and just gonna ride somewhere. Happy to pay my day fees.
Happy sledding this season folks!!

 

[S.W.A.T.]

I think it all comes down to a money thing. Its funny after our club switched due to money issues, it was like setting fire to the neighbors fence. A good person to talk to about the differences would be whitegold. She knows lots about the two.

 

[S.W.A.T.]

Thanks for your input guys. Sounds all too political to me. I hate comparing to Eastern Canada but my first take on this is that the BC sled community needs to get their act together. Does the BC Gov't not want to jump into this and formalize things?
Bottom line, in my opinion from what I can see, too many egos and special interests. I'm staying out of it and just gonna ride somewhere. Happy to pay my day fees.
Happy sledding this season folks!!

We try to keep the government out of things here in the west. They have a way of messing things up.

Freedom to ride!!!

 

[bbtoys]

we switched 3 years ago to ABC and have never had an issue with no help from them. The pres. always calls me to see if there is anything they can help out with.

 

[EasternCanadanewbie]

So, how does one compare the value for the dollar spent? If I look at a club that belongs to ABC and then look at a club that belongs to the other guys...which organization gives you the better value for the dollar?

 

[ferniesnow]

we switched 3 years ago to ABC and have never had an issue with no help from them. The pres. always calls me to see if there is anything they can help out with.

That's a good thing! I said earlier if the BCSF would pay more attention to the clubs needs and not soo much to "office duties" everyone would be better off.


The Canadian Congress is a good thing; a national organization for sledders. It is a place to send a provincial rep to touch base with all the provincial reps but to send 6 (or was it 8 people that the BCSF sent?) is somewhat of, in my eyes, a poor decision and an expensive decision. I don't think they are still doing that but those kinds of decisions were what forced the break away to gather steam.

A good grass roots organization is needed, one that speaks and listens to the grass root members and the clubs.

 

[Steve D]

Half of Houston would probably like to join the ABC...

As long as it were a "no Homers club" if you get my drift.

 

[ferniesnow]

Half of Houston would probably like to join the ABC...

As long as it were a "no Homers club" if you get my drift.

Yes, it is hard for people to see the "big picture"! Another point that the BCSF does not handle well is a Provincial Race circuit instead of a "highway" specific or "area specific" circuit. Seems to me, all the resources are isolated to the north and it is only to keep the status quoe and not to really advance the sport throughout the province.

 

[Sledderglen]

When the government is looking into provincial issue Ex. Caribou do they look at BCSF or ABC for direction? Is the BCSF the reconized rep for snowmobilers in BC?
Seems that the province would be better represented by 1 group.

Now the BIG QUESTION. What would be needed to mix them together?? Sit down talk or a referee? Gun fight or just a good bar fight?? Just kidding

 

[EasternCanadanewbie]

So, does the Canadian Congress let both federations represent BC?