Get Off the Couch and Enjoy Winter on Local Snowmobile Trails

The day dawns bright, crisp, and clear—one of those winter days where the sun turns the new-fallen snow into a million sparkling diamonds and every breath makes a new cloud in the air.

If you love snowmobiling, these are the days you live for. And, thanks to over 185 km of groomed trails in the Peace Region, maintained by the Peace Valley Snow Riders (PVSR) snowmobile club, you can make cool winter memories any day of the season.

“There’s nothing that beats a cold day with the sun glistening off fresh snow on the trail,” says Dwayne Buchholtz, who has been involved with the club since its inception. “I think if people just get out on the trail, they’re going to be awestruck. We want you to get off the couch and enjoy winter.”

Photo by Move Up Magazine.

Snow Much Fun

Bundle up, load up your gear and head to the staging area for any one of the four trails. Keep on track throughout the trek by downloading the trail map from the PVSR website and loading it into the free Avenza Maps app. Posted signs will also keep you aimed in the right direction.

Take in the spectacular woodland beauty north of Leddy Lake on the Osmand/Get Away Cabins Leddy Trail to Driftwood Lake. Sled the loop east of St. Isidore on the Wesley Creek Trail. If you want a really long run, hit the combined Hines Creek/Smith Mills Trail, with over 100 km between them that includes a loop around the stunning Montagneuse Valley.

Be sure to pack the hot chocolate and hot dog supplies—every trail has rest areas with fire pits, stocked wood sheds, and outhouses. And because communication is important even while off-grid, keep an eye out for the posted “Cell Phone Service” signs.

No matter what type of sled you use, you’ll love the comfortable ride these groomed trails offer. Whether you want a day out in nature with the kids or a chance to churn some powder between adventure trips with your buddies, these trails deliver—with the advantage of being close to home.

Photo by Move Up Magazine.

A Rally For the Whole Family

The club’s biggest event of the year is the annual Poker Rally. Kids rip around on the trails along with the adults, who can pick up a card for their ‘poker hand’ along the way. Lucky winners even take something home. The focus is entirely on the fun, though.

“You hit the trail when you want and take it at your own pace,” says Chrissie Davis, Director of Special Events/Publicity for PVSR.

You can purchase annual passes (good on any Alberta Snowmobile Association trail) from Maximum Powersports, Mighty Peace Powersports, and Thomas Homes & RV Center in Peace River, Scanalta Sales in Hines Creek and online at www.albertasnowmobile.ca, or grab a day pass at any trail head.

So the next time you wake up to a cold, crisp morning and look outside and think, “Let’s stay in,” don’t. Bundle up the kids, load up the machines, and hit the trail.

You’ll be glad you did.