Mountain Sledder Magazine Issue 15 by Mountain Sledder Snowmobile Magazine

WINTER 2019 | ISSUE 15

LO O K I N G B AC K M OV I N G F O R WA R D

+ Es se n ti a l G e a r | H ow to Si d e fl i p | A l l a n Cr e e k | W est C oast C re w

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FOR DE ALER LO CATIONS SEE PAGE 58

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GET HOME SAFE.

HIGHMARKAIRBAGS.COM SEE A LIST OF CANADIAN AUTHORIZED DEALERS ON PAGE 68

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TEAM RIDERS: ROB ALFORD CODY BORCHERS CHRIS BROWN CHRIS BURANDT JULIE-ANN CHAPMAN CORY DAVIS JON JEAN CODY MCNOLTY NADINE OVERWATER REAGAN SIEG RENE ST. ONGE RILEY SUHAN LOGAN THIBODEAU BRETT TURCOTTE

PHOTO: CALLAN SENYK / THROTTLE OPS PHOTOGRAPHY

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RIDGE 3.0 R.A.S.

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THE

HELMET

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|[ INTERVI IG NIT I ONEW] | SOMETIMES WE NEED TO LOOK BACK to see how far we’ve come. This truth is never more clear than when we’re standing atop a mountain, tracing our trail back—way back—to the distant valley from which we started. Mountain sledding has come a long way from its humble beginnings nearly 50 years ago, and this issue is in part a celebration of that accomplishment. In it, we look back at the early days when Dusty Veideman and friends pioneered mountain sledding in Revelstoke. Their efforts paved the way for the rest of us and the mountain sledding culture that has grown since. Along the way, we paid a price. As more sledders took to the hills, and their machines became more capable, our attention to the danger of avalanches didn’t keep pace. We lost too many of our kin. But there is hope that a coming of age in our culture will stem the loss. But a focus on avalanche safety isn’t the only change that’s resulted from adversity. Ours was once a renegade sport—a suffer-fest for only the most dedicated and hardy adventurers. Now we have high tech gear that keeps us warm, dry and comfortable. And new helmet safety technology has emerged to address a growing understanding of the prevalence and severity of traumatic brain injuries. The other part of this issue is a look around us, and a guess at where we’ll go from here. We’re becoming more proficient riders in general. We have riding goals and high expectations. How else would progression exist? Caleb Kesterke is one rider who is changing what is thought possible on a sled right now, and we can only imagine what he and others will be able to accomplish tomorrow. The way that we live and breathe sledding is also in transition. In these pages, we showcase five West Coast riders who are chasing their snowmobiling dreams, each living a sledder lifestyle that is as unique as their character. Change is always afoot. Old is replaced by new. And we who follow our passion for snowmobiling in the mountains will always find different ways to pursue those dreams. So where will we be in 30, 40 or 50 years from now? Hopefully, standing atop dizzying new heights, looking forward at all the places we’ve yet to go. – Patrick Garbutt, editor

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[ CO NTE NTS ]

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

SMALL TOWNS, BIG BREWS

Fernie Snowmobile Association Replaces Historic Wrangler’s Cabin

By Travis McNabb Epic riding in some of British Columbia’s premier mountain sledding destinations is surpassed only by craft beers brewed with pride in those very same places.

42 THE DUSTY TRAIL

By Nadine Overwater A photographic flashback to the days when Dusty Veideman and friends pioneered mountain sledding in Revelstoke with first snowmobile ascents of today’s popular riding areas.

48 C HASING DREAMS IN

THE COAST MOUNTAINS By Matthew Mallory Five different personalities—who call the Sea to Sky corridor home—each take a unique approach in pursuit of their shared passion for the snowmobiling lifestyle.

TRAILHEAD New Warming Shelter in Allan Creek to Be Dedicated to Late Local Legend Essential Safety Gear for Mountain Sledders! State-of-the-Art Snowmobile Helmet Technology

THE COMING OF AGE OF MOUNTAIN SLEDDING

Mountain sledding culture is currently undergoing a maturation that parallels the path of the heli-ski industry in the ‘70s and ‘80s.

RIDING TIP WITH CALEB KESTERKE

SIDEFLIP

The main focus here should be coming into the in-run as fast and as smooth as possible, with 100% commitment.

RIDE GUIDE

ALLAN CREEK

T his Valemount, BC zone has been a favourite of mountain riders for decades—in no small part due to its average annual snowfall of over fourteen meters at 1800m of elevation.

GEAR GUIDE

EXPOSURE

TAILGATE

THE RIDER

The views, the camaraderie and the desire to challenge oneself have always been there, just like they always will be.

SEND IT

PHOTO: DAVE BEST

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RIDER: JONJEAN

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Patrick Garbutt ART DIRECTION & Lyuba Kirkova GRAPHIC DESIGN COPY EDITOR Steve Crowe PUBLISHER Mountain Sledder Media CONTRIBUTING Marty Anderson, Ben Birk, Cody WRITERS Borchers, Jessica Joy, Caleb

Kesterke, Matthew Mallory, Nicole Matei, Travis McNabb, Cody McNolty, Andy Messner, Nadine Overwater, Curtis Pawliuk, Cassidy Randall, Magi Scallion

CONTRIBUTING Rob Alford, Amon Barker, PHOTOGRAPHERS Justin Befu, Dave Best, Ben Birk,

Brian Brown, Julie-Ann Chapman, Patrick Garbutt, Alex Hanson, Clyde Hewitt, Blake Jorgenson, Aaron Leyland, Brianna Lukkar, Matthew Mallory, Nicole Matei, Andrew Munster, Chris Neibauer, Curtis Pawliuk, Justin Poulsen, Jake Quinn, Mike Reeve, Daniel Roberts, Allan Sawchuck, Dayton Shuflita, Donovan Skelton, Mark Sollors, Billy Stevens, Daniel Stewart, Andrew Turner, Dusty Veideman, Colin Wallace, Todd Williams

BC’s Snowmobile Insurance Leader

ADVERTISING SALES Jessica Joy

Lyuba Kirkova

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ON THE COVER The fact that this image was shot on November 20th of last year made for possibly one of the most unique experiences in my photo career. It felt like mid-winter near Whistler after a storm that dumped two meters of steady snowfall cleared for a bluebird day. Cody McNolty, Andrew Munster and the gang were able to ride bottomless, blower powder at a time when normally we’d be still be waiting to get up into the alpine—let alone hit jumps and dive into deep bottom turns. After, I wondered if this day would turn out to be the best of the year. Luckily, it’s Whistler; there was plenty more snow to come. But what a way to start the season off right!

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PHOTO: BLAKE JORGENSON RIDER: ANDREW MUNSTER

– Blake

T:3.875"

CONTRIBUTORS

PHOTO: BRIANNA LUKKAR

For the last ten years, Nadine Overwater and her now 14-year-old son have settled in Revelstoke, BC. Nadine spreads her working time between her own La Niña Snowmobile Camps and sled guiding in the winter, and forest development in the summer.

NADINE OVERWATER WRITER

In her free time, Nadine enjoys the outdoors on her bikes and in the water. She likes spending time in the garden, being crafty, making bad pottery, building the odd crooked carpentry project and doing what she likes to refer to as “toodling”— which involves minimal mind-capacity and generally touching and moving stuff around in the garage and yard. @nadineoverwater

PHOTO: JUSTIN BEFU

Ben Birk is your classic snowboarder turned sledneck. Originally a professional snowboard photographer, he got hooked on riding a sled and now his snowboards are collecting dust.

BEN BIRK

PHOTOGRAPHER / WRITER

GROUND BREAKING INSTANT RESPONSE ELECTRONIC SUSPENSION ADJUST ON THE FLY PUSH BUTTON CONTROLS 3 SETTINGS: SOFT, MEDIUM, FIRM HIGHLY VISIBLE DUAL SCREENS FOX® iQS SHOCKS

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Ben is deeply involved in his local community of Lake Tahoe, California. When he’s not moonlighting at Fro’s Garage or fighting for sled access on public land through his work with the Sierra Snowmobile Foundation, Ben is on snow five days a week—so keep an eye out for this new guy to the industry. @benbirk

They say you can’t turn a bad girl good. But once a good girl has gone bad, she’s gone forever. After first making the leap from snowboarding to skiing, Nicole Matei went further and found her place in the world as Fernie, BC’s resident two-stroke powder princess.

NICOLE MATEI WRITER

Nicole maximizes personal bandwidth as a full-time ski/bike patroller, paramedic, director of the Fernie Snowmobile Association and, in her spare-time, sled guide and avalanche educator with Elk Valley Snow Shepherds. #bitchesbebraapin @nicolematei Always wear a helmet and don’t drink and ride. ©2018 Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc. All rights reserved.

SNO201800057_iACT_Product_HalfV_3.875x9.815_CE.indd 1

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PHOTO: SNOW VALLEY WRANGLERS

FERNIE SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION REPLACES HISTORIC WRANGLER’S CABIN WORDS AND PHOTOS BY NICOLE MATEI In a growing list of recent infrastructure developments, the Fernie Snowmobile Association (FSA) is wrapping up completion of a new Wrangler’s Cabin in the Morrissey area of the Elk Valley. The original log structure, constructed by the Snow Valley Wrangler’s Equestrian Society, was first used as an overnight refuge for horseback riders. As the number and variety of backcountry users visiting the site rapidly increased over the years, Wrangler’s Cabin became well-established as a social gathering place and emergency shelter. Years of patchwork renovations in a joint effort by dedicated families and the FSA were carried out in an attempt to preserve the historic building. However, with rotten log supports, sagging plywood walls and an inefficient layout, Wrangler’s Cabin was deemed beyond repair in Fall 2017. Planning for a suitable replacement began immediately. Manolakas Designs engineered the creative solution of joining two, 6-meter-long shipping containers together to form the cabin’s skeleton. The use of industrial metal containers helped provide an affordable solution to the short alpine building season. Meanwhile, the containers are durable enough to withstand wildlife, wildfires, and the Fernie Factor—storm cycles which are known to drop an average of 8 m of snow each year on the area.

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With approval by government stakeholders, including a site relocation to a nearby parcel of drier ground, the FSA reached out to community partners for support. The Columbia Basin Trust generously endowed fifty-percent of the total budget ($68,000), while corporate partners provided $26,000 in direct project funding. Additional donations of materials and work-in-kind covered the majority of the remaining balance, resulting in no user fee increases related to the project. Site preparation commenced in July with timber removal, ground levelling, and drainage remediation. The pad sat dormant throughout the August fire season, but work continued in town as crews precast footings and prepared materials to be hauled 16 km up a logging road to the project location. In September, a small crew of skilled volunteers assisted as two Cat 320 hoes lifted the 1800 kg cabin shells up nearly 3 m onto the concrete supports. An open volunteer work party on September 22nd brought out over 20 new volunteers to help “raise the roof” on the new cabin in exchange for discounts on their annual memberships. A key objective was completed on Thanksgiving weekend when installation of the metal roof and windows brought the new cabin to lockup. While there is much work still to do, sledders visiting the area will be able to enjoy the new Wrangler’s Cabin facility this winter. Construction will continue throughout the season before the old cabin is removed next spring with a fond farewell.

[ TR A I L HEA D ]

NEW WARMING SHELTER IN ALLAN CREEK NEAR VALEMOUNT TO BE DEDICATED TO LATE LOCAL LEGEND, TONY PARISI

FOR RIDERS WHO DEMAND THE ABSOLUTE BEST

BY CURTIS PAWLIUK PHOTOS COURTESY OF VARDA A new warming shelter in the Allan Creek snowmobiling area near Valemount, BC, will replace an aging structure that currently exists in the zone. The planning and construction has been undertaken by the Valemount and Area Recreation Development Association (VARDA). This new facility will be bright, spacious and a much more pleasant space for friends and families to rest from the chill of winter. Although the design of the new Allan Creek shelter is very similar to the one recently constructed in the nearby Clemina Creek snowmobile area, the logistics of constructing this particular shelter have created some unique challenges. Due to the remoteness of the building site, almost all of the construction materials have had to be flown in by helicopter or transported to the site via all-terrain vehicles. Combined with the very short building season and general difficulties of construction, this has proven to be the organization’s most challenging infrastructure project to date. Most of the funding for the project has come from years of saving by VARDA, along with strong support from many businesses and individuals in the

snowmobile community. Over $50,000 value in cash and materials has been raised to support this initiative. Currently, the construction of the shelter is at lock-up, where it will remain until the next building season. A grand opening of the completed shelter will be scheduled for early December of 2019. VARDA is very proud to announce that the new Allan Creek shelter will be dedicated to recently fallen local legend, Tony Parisi. Tony lived for the feeling of being in the highcountry on sleds, and he helped pioneer the industry that continues to feed Valemount today. He fought hard for backcountry access and was one of the main reasons that conversations—which eventually led to the creation of VARDA—began. Allan Creek was Tony’s second home, and this new shelter will forever act as a memorial for our good friend, mountain legend, true cowboy and the original Snowfarmer.

VARDA will continue to accept donations towards the completion of the project, and donations of over $100 will receive recognition on a permanent plaque inside the shelter.

SKINZCANADA.CA

ESSENTIAL SAFETY GEAR FOR MOUNTAIN SLEDDERS! Here’s our list of key safety items that every sledder should consider packing along for a ride in the mountains. We’ve broken the list down into three levels of priority, from highest-to-lowest: mandatory, invaluable and beneficial gear. Depending on the specifics of your planned adventure, some items might move up or down the list in priority, and extreme adventures might call for even more specific equipment, e.g. rope rescue gear for glacier travel. Use your own best judgement and when in doubt, bring it!

BENEFICIAL GEAR

The decision to carry these useful items can make or break your day. Generally, these can be stored on your sled to help move some weight off your body.

6 SAW

MANDATORY GEAR

These items are necessary for ALL riders venturing into avalanche terrain. Riders should carry these items on their person so they are ready for immediate use in the event of an emergency. Time is of the essence when these tools are called for!

1 TRANSCEIVER, SHOVEL AND PROBE Together with an avalanche shovel and probe, the transceiver is the most vital piece of safety equipment for riding in avalanche terrain. Without all three of these tools—along with the knowledge of how to use them—riders completely buried in an avalanche will have little-to-no chance of survival. Don’t go without them.

INVALUABLE GEAR

All gear that might be required to deal with an emergency should be carried on your person, because you never know when you might become separated from your sled. For that reason, it’s a good idea to keep these essential items close by—whether that be in your backpack or an outerwear pocket.

2 AVALANCHE AIRBAG Okay, this doesn’t go in your pack, it IS your pack. No one plans to be involved in an avalanche, but it happens. This is one tool that can actively help prevent you from becoming buried in an avalanche.

3 FIRST AID KIT At least one member of each party should carry a well-stocked first aid kit. A better idea is to disperse two or more first aid kits amongst a group.

4 SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE There may come a time when even the most well-prepared and self-reliant group of sledders might require outside help—as in the case of a life-and-death emergency. Most mountain riding zones don’t have mobile phone service, which often makes satellite communications the only option for contacting emergency services.

5 FRS/VHF RADIO It’s easy to quickly become separated from your group while sledding in the mountains. The ability to communicate within the group is crucial for convenience and safety. FRS radios are a popular option, while VHF radios can do double-duty for communication with vehicle traffic while travelling on resource roads.

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A good quality saw is a necessity for tricky tree extractions or firewood gathering in a survival situation.

7 HEADLAMP/FLASHLIGHT Ever try fixing your sled by moonlight? Fat chance. LED lights are lightweight, longlasting and powerful.

8 SURVIVAL KIT/BIVY SACK These are more important for travel in remote areas than, say, a riding area with a shelter. But if you have to overnight it anywhere, you’re going to want a decent survival kit that provides a way to make fire. A small roll of toilet paper tucked in your kit can save your ass in a bowel emergency.

9 REPAIR KIT The ability to make small repairs in the field can be the difference between limping your sled out and going back for it another day.

10 GPS It’s easy to get lost in a whiteout, even in a familiar area. Helicopters can’t fly in these conditions either. A GPS will help you find your way home.

11 TOW STRAP If you can’t fix it on the spot, it’s often easy enough to tow out a busted sled with a good quality strap, rather than fly it out later at great expense.

12 FOOD You might never need extra food in the backcountry. But if you ever do, you’ll be glad you brought it, and it’ll forever be on your packing list thereafter.

13 WATER Sure, you can melt snow if you brought a stove (but few do!). Or find an open creek if you’re mobile. At the very least, bring a bottle that can be refilled and capped.

14 SPARE GOGGLES Really wet conditions can cause even the best goggles to fog up beyond recovery. It’s easy to restore your vision with a second, dry pair.

15 SPARE GLOVES Gloves are usually the first things to get wet. A dry, backup pair can be a godsend when the temperature drops later in the day.

16 HAT/TOQUE/BALACLAVA Unless you want to try to eat lunch with a full-face helmet on, it’s a good idea to pack a toque or hat for those downtimes. A buff or balaclava is a great option for keeping snow out of your neck while you’re riding.

17 SUNGLASSES Likewise when you’re sitting around throughout the day, a pair of sunglasses will help protect your eyes from bright sunlight reflecting off the snow.

18 LIGHTWEIGHT DOWN JACKET A highly compressible, insulated layer can be a lifesaver in an overnight situation. It’ll get more use keeping you warm when you’re taking a break from riding though.

19 EXTRA FUEL While not strictly necessary, extra fuel will allow you to stay and keep shredding just a little while longer!

[ TRAILH E AD ] 3

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16 19 M OUNTA IN SLED D ER //

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STATE-OF-THE-ART SNOWMOBILE HELMET TECHNOLOGY BY JESSICA JOY

BR AIN INJUR Y RE SE AR CH RE SULT S I N NE W T E CHNOLO GIE S T HAT I MPR OVE HEL ME T S AFE T Y Researchers are learning more about Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) every day, which is currently the leading cause of death and disability for Canadians under the age of 40, according to Brain Injury Canada. As motorsports enthusiasts, we are particularly prone to this type of injury. Along with our increased understanding of exactly how brain injuries occur, helmet technology has improved to help prevent TBI. To protect our brains from injury as best we can, it’s important for us to be outfitted with the latest helmet technology available. With that in mind, here is a rundown of some of the most recent helmet safety developments.

DIRECT IMPACT PROTECTION TECHNOLOGY E XPANDED P OLYST YR EN E

Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) is the bread-and-butter of helmet safety, and has been for a long time. It’s still the most common impact absorption material built into helmets today. EPS is the same material used in those white styrofoam picnic coolers, though the stuff used in helmets is of higher quality. Today’s helmets commonly use combinations of EPS of varying degrees of density. This is sometimes called multi- or progressive-density EPS. The varying densities work together to spread out the forces of an impact and offer better protection in both low- and high-speed impacts.

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KO R OYD

Ever received a package with a fragile item packed in a honeycomb-like material? It works! To understand how Koroyd is similar, consider a paper towel tube standing on end; now create a grid of thousands of those tubes standing up, all fixed together. This is essentially the structure of Koroyd. Koroyd consists of tens of thousands of co-polymer extruded tubes, thermally welded together to create an engineered core. This core is then shaped into a protective layer in your helmet. In a high-speed impact, the Koroyd honeycomb core buckles homogeneously, reducing energy transmission very effectively. But Koroyd has another advantage over EPS as well. Before reaching the threshold that will cause Koroyd to buckle, it can also deform elastically. The result is that Koroyd can provide energy absorption in low-speed impacts better than EPS. The final benefit of Koroyd is that its hollow, tube-like structure allows air to easily flow through the material—unlike EPS which acts like insulation inside your helmet.

WHICH H EL ME T S USE KOR OYD?

The Klim F5 Konroyd Helmet is the first motorsports helmet on the market to utilize Koroyd technology.

TECHNOLOGY DESIGNED TO ABSORB ROTATIONAL FORCES Research has established that brain injuries occur not just as a result of direct impact. Rotational forces applied in a crash can cause the brain to move or stretch, which can also result in traumatic brain injuries. Several new technologies have been developed to help reduce and absorb the rotational forces applied to the brain in a real-world crash.

LEADING THE INDUSTRY. USED BY PROFESSIONALS.

MULT I-DIRE C T IONAL I MPAC T PR OT E C T I ON SY S T EM

First developed in Sweden in the mid-90s by a team of scientific and medical researchers, MultiDirectional Impact Protection System (MIPS) is a technology that has recently been implemented into dozens of brands of helmets. A helmet with MIPS has a special “Low Friction Layer” built between the EPS foam and the comfort liner. In an angular impact, the inner layer conforms to the head and the low friction layer allows the helmet to slide, relative to the head. This helps absorb and redirect the rotational forces and energies placed on the outer shell.

WHICH H EL ME T S USE MI P S ?

509 Altitude with MIPS and Altitude Carbon Fiber with MIPS Fly Racing F2 MIPS and Toxin MIPS Scott 550 Angled and 350 Evo Helmets Klim F5 Koroyd Helmet

mammut.com

[ T RA I LH EAD ] C O NEHE AD T E CH NOLO GY

The Conehead Technology liner is a shock-absorbing EPS foam liner that uses cone shapes to help absorb energy in an impact. The inner layer, which features coneshaped structures directed outwards, is made of a low-density EPS. The density of these cones varies by region, to account for the structure of the skull. The outer layer, which fills in the gaps around the Conehead inner layer, is made of a more dense EPS. The most important benefit of Conehead Technology is that it allows the helmet to absorb impact energy more effectively. Impact energy is directed sideways, away from the brain, rather than straight on. Conehead Technology also allows the use of a thinner liner, resulting in a lighter helmet.

WHICH H EL ME T S USE CON EHE AD T E CHN OLO GY ? Scott 550 Angled ECE and 350 Evo ECE Helmets

IMPACT

COMPRESSION

OUTCOME

HEAD 0ms

HEAD 6ms

HEAD 12ms

O MN I-DIRE C T IONAL SUSPENSI ON

Omni-Directional Suspension (ODS) is a new technology developed by 6D Helmets—a moto, street and bicycle helmet manufacturer—which significantly improves protection in low-force impacts. With ODS, two layers of EPS are separated and suspended by a series of isolation dampeners. In a low-speed crash, the dampeners can compress and shear in any direction to reduce the stress of angular deceleration. In a higher-force impact, the two EPS liners do their job in the same way that they would in a helmet with a standard EPS liner.

WHICH H EL ME T S USE OMN I-DI R E C T I ON AL SUSPENSIO N?

ODS is an exclusive technology of 6D Helmets. ODS is used in the 6D ATR-1 and ATR-2 Helmets.

OTHER HELMET SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS NO ISE R ED U C T IO N

Helmets should provide some degree of hearing protection. Got one of those pesky, loud aftermarket cans? Either wear earplugs or look for a helmet with additional sound-dampening properties.

VISIBIL IT Y AND VENT ING

The size and shape of the helmet eye port can have implications on the user’s field-of-view. Also, not all models of goggle fit well with all helmets, which can result in undue fogging. Reduced visibility is always a legitimate safety concern.

WEIGH T

Not only is a lighter helmet more comfortable to wear and less tiring, but it can also significantly reduce the forces applied to the neck in a vicious wipeout.

SE C UR EM ENT

Threading and unthreading a chin strap through a D-ring can be arduous to the point that some riders are known to ride with an unsecured chin strap! Not safe. Fortunately, the recent development of quickrelease buckles such as Fidlock and other ratchet-style systems allow for quick and reliable securement and release of the chin strap.

NE CK-BR ACE R E ADY

Helmets were in existence before neck braces became popular, so generally speaking all neck braces should be designed to fit with any full-face helmet. However, on some modern helmets you will see a flange (or rear diffuser) around the base of the helmet that is specifically designed to interface with a neck-brace. These allow the neck brace to start doing its job more quickly and effectively in a wreck.

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Photo by Dave Best

What you see, is what you get.

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WINSTON LODGE A rustic, warm and inviting Lodge & Bar. Located at the base of Kicking Horse Resort with ample parking for large trailers and groups.

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PHOTO: RYEN DUNFORD | RIDER: BRODIE EVANS

Revelstoke snowmobile trail maps are now available for free on Boonmaps. PLAN YOUR TRIP: www.SeeRevelstoke.com @SeeRevelstoke #TheRealStoke

OFFLINE USE

GPS TRACKING

SEARCH TOOLS

THE

COMING OF AGE OF MOUNTAIN SLEDDING BY CASSIDY RANDALL

In 2003, Jeremy Hanke looked over his shoulder to see a hungry wall of snow barrelling down the mountain straight toward him. Through his peripheral vision—as he tried to outrun it on his sled—he saw his two most trusted riding buddies swallowed by the size 3 avalanche before he was engulfed himself. As he lay entombed in avalanche debris, slowly losing hope of rescue, his thoughts weren’t of himself—they were of all those he would leave behind. After he was dug out and brought back to life, several years would pass before he was able to wrap his head around the experience enough to channel the trauma into Soul Rides, one of the few sled-specific avalanche education operations in existence at the time he founded it in 2010. It was one of the early signs of the coming of age of mountain sledding.

In the mid-70s, the pursuit of untouched powder sparked an increase in the number of heli-skiing avalanche fatalities. Since then, both the heli-ski industry and the community of backcountry skiers have undergone something of a maturation, resulting in a stabilization of the number ski-and snowboard-related fatalities each year. However, the rise in the popularity of mountain sledding decades later led to a parallel spike in the number of sledder avalanche fatalities. More than half of all avalanche fatalities each year since the late 2000s, on average, have been snowmobilers.

MECHANIZED SKIING

SNOWMOBILING

12 10 8 6 4 2 0 2018

2014

2010

2006

2002

1998

1994

1990

1986

1982

1978

1974

Today, mountain snowmobiling is undergoing a similar maturation; a coming of age like the sport has never seen. From mind-blowing leaps in sled technology which have vastly increased capability and spurred increased participation; to the birth of the first-ever motorized guide association to meet demand for qualified big mountain guides; and to the last grisly piece of the puzzle, an increased fatality rate that echoes those same hard lessons that hammered backcountry skiing decades ago.

AVAL AN CH E FATAL I T I E S I N C AN ADA BY YE AR

SOURCE: AVALANCHE CANADA

M OUNTA IN SLED D ER //

“

It was more than just a gap in avalanche education that put sledders at risk; over the same era—from the early 2000s until now—sled technology has evolved so exponentially that riders today can literally cover the same amount of terrain in a day that a heli-ski operation might.”

The winter of 2008-09 was infamously deadly, and the weight of it would drive everything that followed. 26 people died in avalanches that season. 19 were sledders, and nearly half of them were killed in a single day: the notorious Harvey Pass accident that claimed the lives of eight snowmobilers from Sparwood, BC. Two successive avalanches buried the entire group of 11, and only three survived, forced to walk out of the mountains without all of those with whom they had ventured in. The magnitude of Harvey Pass and the shocking number of snowmobiling fatalities over that winter spurred the BC Coroner’s Office to strike a Death Review Panel the next fall, a tool used on rare occasions to explore a pattern with a specific trend of fatalities. The report came out in January of 2010, and its recommendations provided Avalanche Canada with a road map for this growing issue. Avalanche Canada received a three-year federal grant to begin sled-specific avalanche outreach and develop online educational tools. Just months later, the massive Turbo Hill accident on Boulder Mountain sent new shock waves through the community. A sledder triggered an avalanche on the slope which buried ranks of onlookers below, including children. No one knows the exact number of people involved, but estimates range from 32 to more than 100. Amazingly, only two died, thanks to a number of well-trained sledders on scene and an all-out rescue response from every search and rescue team and heli-ski operation in the Columbia Valley. It was the second major event in just two years, another nightmarish sign in the crossroads at which mountain sledding had arrived. In the years between 2007 and 2017, 63 sledders died in avalanche accidents in Canada, and 88 in the US between 2008 and 2017. But it was more than just a gap in avalanche education that put sledders at risk; over the same era—from the early 2000s until now—sled technology has evolved so exponentially that riders today can literally cover the same amount of terrain in a day that a heli-ski operation might—but without the same thousands of hours of training in managing big mountain environments and avalanche risk that heli-ski guides are required to possess. Dusty Veideman remembers when it took three days and quite a bit of skill just to summit Boulder Mountain with the sleds of the early ‘70s. A legend in the Revelstoke snowmobile community, many say that Veideman discovered that mountain, along with other Revelstoke giants. Over the course of the next few decades, he and his riding crew innovated modifications to their sleds to match their drive for exploration, adding paddles

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to tracks and plastic to the bottom of skis—upgrades that the snowmobile manufacturers caught onto quickly. “That led you into dangerous territory,” recalls Veideman. “And I knew exactly how dangerous it was with my avalanche training.” As the Columbia River Basin snowpack professional for BC Hydro, he had a depth of avalanche knowledge that few came close to matching at that time—and he might have been one of the first to recognize that modern technology allows unprepared riders to push farther and deeper into high hazard situations with the ultimate consequences. “Engine technology has vastly changed over the last decade,” confirms Gerry Dusessoy, a BRP employee for 33 years. “There’s more for boondocking and driving in and among the trees, and track technology has led to people going higher. Now, you can park on the side of a hill and be confident that you can take off anytime.” But there’s a positive side to all this, the bright Yang to the dark Yin that’s driving this coming of age. In the professional arena, stakeholders from commercial guiding operations in BC, professionals at the Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA) and members of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) are working together to curtail a renegade culture and bring new legitimacy to big mountain snowmobile guiding. On the recreational side, there’s been something of a revolution in avalanche education to help equip snowmobilers with knowledge to match the capability of the machines. Over the last ten years, the number of snowmobile avalanche skills training (AST) course instructors has shot up from 6 to 31—a 416% increase. Last winter 1,119 snowmobilers were trained in AST courses, a number that has more than doubled from the 460 or so sledders trained in the winter of 2008-09. In the years since his own burial and the success of Soul Rides, Hanke started up the Skadi Foundation in 2015 in an attempt to minimize risk in avalanche terrain for recreational motorized users. Skadi works from within the avalanche industry to incorporate sled-specific messaging. Over this coming winter, Skadi will continue to share the safety message with riders throughout North America in an effort to draw sledding communities together. It’s the phoenix rising from the ashes of all those hard lessons; an era in which mountains are still summited and powder still shredded, but riders come home and no one has to make the longest walk out of the mountains alone.

SLED KOOTENAY Ride it. Live it.

www.sledkootenay.com Big mountain terrain. Endless deep powder. Warm cabins. Hundreds of kms of groomed trails. Winter at its most adventurous.

#sledkootenay Cranbrook

Fernie

Super, Natural British Columbia* is a trade-mark of Destination BC Corp.

Golden

Kimberley

Revelstoke

R idi n g T i p

with Ca le b Keste r ke

“ IMAGES COURTESY OF DONOVAN SKELTON

STARTING OUT LAST SEASON, I KNEW I WANTED TO DO SOMETHING BEYOND MY NORMAL FOCUS ON TREE RIDING. IT WAS TIME TO PROGRESS IN THE AIR. EVERY RIDE WAS LIKE A MENTAL GAME, PLAYING FEATURES OUT IN MY HEAD AND TRYING TO PUT TOGETHER DIFFERENT RAMP-TO-LANDING SCENARIOS. FINALLY, I HAD A GOOD MENTAL IMAGE OF WHAT I WANTED, AND I STARTED SHOVELLING RAMPS. FOR THIS PARTICULAR MOVE, I FOUND THAT SHOVELLING A SIDEHILL TRENCH INTO A PILLOW WORKED BEST. IT TOOK SEVERAL WEEKENDS OF FAILED ATTEMPTS AND TRYING DIFFERENT ROTATIONS UNTIL ACTUALLY LANDING A SATISFYING FLIP. YOU DEFINITELY HAVE TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX ON THIS ONE. – CALEB

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”

[ Rid ing Tip ]

APPROACH

TAKE-OFF

3 4 5 6 7 8

ROTATE

Your in-run and ramp should be well-packed, to the point that you can run across it without sinking in deeper than your ankles. The main focus here should be coming into the in-run as fast and as smooth as possible, with 100% commitment. You’ll want a forward and aggressive stance, ready to soak up the g-forces of the ramp. Remember, always keep a tight grip on the bars and one finger on the brake!

You should already be fully-pinned as you reach the lip; now look over your uphill shoulder and pull backwards twice as hard as you think you should. You don’t need to consciously think about pulling the sled sideways because looking over your shoulder and pulling back on the bars will automatically do that for you.

By this point, you’ve already initiated every essential part of the flip. Now you need to let the gyroscopic force of the track do its job to rotate the sled around.

INVERT Grip the tunnel with your feet and the seat with your knees to stay tightly linked with the sled in the air.

SPOT YOUR LANDING While maintaining a neutral stance on your sled, you should now begin to spot your landing. Start to mentally picture where the sled will be when it touches down, and what rider input will be required to ride away.

PREPARE FOR IMPACT Since you still have your finger on the brake, you are now ready to slow your track speed from wide-open to roughly the same speed you are traveling. This will slow your rotation down and also save your chain from excessive abuse on landing.

TOUCHDOWN Knees and elbows must be slightly bent, and your body braced to absorb all the excess impact your suspension can’t handle. The skis should be pointed in the direction of travel and your feet properly placed on the running boards, directly under your body.

RIDE AWAY Landing and riding away is the most satisfying part. It generally calls for abnormal amounts of excited shouting and rogue wheelies wherever possible. Now that you are safely back on the ground, you may celebrate your success with a round of high-fives, a frozen candy bar and whatever is left of your Mountain Dew slushy.

M OUNTA IN SLED D ER //

WITH MASSIVE SNOWFALL AND VAST AREAS OF TREELINE AND ALPINE RIDING, ALLAN CREEK HAS SOMETHING FOR RIDERS OF EVERY ABILITY LEVEL

ALLAN CREEK BY CURTIS PAWLIUK

Allan Creek is best known for quick access to the alpine and vast expanses of varying terrain. With a bit of something for everyone, Allan Creek caters to both the newer rider and the most seasoned mountain veteran. Situated not far from the community of Valemount, BC and managed by the Valemount & Area Recreation Development Association (VARDA), Allan Creek has been a favourite of mountain riders for decadesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;in no small part due to its average annual snowfall of over fourteen meters at 1800m of elevation. RIDING Mainly alpine bowls and upper treeline terrain

OTHER FEATURES Very quick access to alpine

DRIVE 36 km paved from Valemount

Large caribou closure adjacent to riding area

TRAIL 9 km regularly groomed trail

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LOOKING BACK INTO SUPERBOWL, ONE OF THE MAIN ZONES IN ALLAN CREEK.

THE GOODS AWAITING YOU IN THE FAR BACK REACHES OF ALLAN CREEK.

New shelter ready in Fall 2019

Great family riding near shelter

PHOTOS: CURTIS PAWLIUK

[ RID E GUID E ]

“

ALLAN CREEK HAS BEEN A FAVOURITE OF MOUNTAIN RIDERS FOR DECADES—IN NO SMALL PART DUE TO ITS AVERAGE ANNUAL SNOWFALL OF OVER FOURTEEN METERS.”

TO THE TRAILHEAD From downtown Valemount, head south on Highway 5 and hold steady for 36 km. The staging area is located directly adjacent to the highway on the right as you approach. There is a small sign, but have your foot ready to hit the binders as somehow this parking lot tends to come up fast. Turn off the highway into an enormous and regularly-maintained staging area. There are no gravel roads or battles with logging trucks to contend with here. The parking is broken up into two lots—upper and lower. Big rigs and trailers should park in the lower lot, while smaller units may proceed to the upper lot.

TO THE ZONE With just a short, 9 km groomed trail, Allan Creek provides very quick access to the alpine. Riders can expect a few steeper sections and some switchbacks, but the trail is accessible to everyone. There are some techy goods that can be accessed on the way in, however. To explore the South Burn, head left off the groomed trail between the 7 and 8 km markers. This reaches a burned zone along a south-facing slope that goes on for miles. Keep your wits about you though, as it can get steep and tight. Yours wouldn’t be the first group to find themselves unexpectedly spending the night there. The more common option is to ride the full length of the groomed trail, which travels through a large open meadow as you crest into the upper-treeline terrain. The warming shelter is located smack-dab at the end of the groomed trail.

THE RIDING Allan Creek is naturally set up with a linear layout. Riders typically start out near the shelter, and most of the riding is generally west from there. One major benefit of this layout is that you don’t have to go through or near complex or challenging terrain to enjoy good family riding. Around the shelter there are meadows ideally suited for all levels of rider. The farther you push into the area, the more riding skills and training are needed to be safe and successful. Directly east from the shelter and up a mellow little hill is an area known as the Family Lakes. This area, which features a series of short hills and small alpine lakes, can offer hours of quality riding for newer riders. Travelling west from the shelter towards the main riding area will funnel riders down a short, tight little path through some trees to where another large, flat meadow awaits. On the northeast side of this meadow is a thick treeline which generally distinguishes the boundary for the Mountain Caribou closure to the north. The southwest side of this meadow offers some great riding which ultimately leads down into the South Burn area.

PHOTO: BOOSTED IMAGERY PHOTO: BOOSTED IMAGERY

o get the most out of riding the Allan Creek area, it is recommended that riders download the Allan Creek GPS file from the VARDA website onto their smartphone or GPS device. This will help riders to be sure they are always within the designated riding area, staying out of the Mountain Caribou closure and also to help find little gems that exist all throughout Allan Creek. The main travel route follows the center of the meadow for 1.5 km before things begin to get a bit more real. The first feature is a popular bowl known as Caribou Bowl; this historic location was one of the main play areas back in the day. If you could climb this hill back then, you were doing something right. The main path into, and through the bowl, leads down a narrow ridge. As you drop in, you will find the first bit of technical terrain. The ridge leads down into a sharp creek crossing before you pop up onto the lower plateau of the bowl. There are only three real exits out of Caribou Bowl. One way is over the top. The main route is via a narrow goat path through the timber on looker’s right. And the third way is the best, but you’ll have to find it for yourself… The next main feature heading northwest is known as the Ol’ Hillclimb, where sledders used to hold races back in the late 90s. With modern sleds it resembles a hill more than a mountain climb, but it can still be a good pull on a fresh snowfall day. The route up the center presents the steepest option, while looker’s left offers a more gentle route to the ridge top.

M OUNTA IN SLED D ER //

[ R IDE G U I D E ]

PHOTO: BOOSTED IMAGERY

There is a route around both Caribou Bowl and Ol’ Hillclimb via the South Burn, but again, I’ll leave that up to you to explore. Once riders have gained the ridge atop Ol’ Hillclimb, they will get their first real view of the vastness of Allan Creek. If you are lucky enough to have clear weather, your eyes will most surely be drawn towards the area we call Avalanche Alley, to the west. Dropping down the backside the Ol’ Hillclimb is an open, undulating area that features several mini-zones. These can entertain riders for a long time, as the snow there is often protected from the sun and wind. The main trail through the zone leads to the entrance of Avalanche Alley. This is an extremely large and unavoidable terrain feature. If you plan to venture into some of Allan Creek’s best riding, there is no way around. Avalanche Alley consists of a massive, stepped slope on the left, with a deep creek draw on the right—with no real options available to reduce your exposure. Riders must skirt the lower edge of the slope for approximately 1 km before reaching relative safety on the other side. Now, it should be stated that hundreds of people pass safely through this zone every week. However, it has also been known to produce some very large avalanches and riders always need to be aware. Good travel habits are key here.

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AVALANCHE ALLEY

PHOTO: CURTIS PAWLIUK

Once safely beyond Avalanche Alley, there is a series of small, steep chutes that can be a blast on days with good stability. But for the everyday rider there is one main path through. This route steps up through various features and eventually emerges into a beautiful piece of terrain known as Superbowl. Superbowl is a massive alpine and treeline feature, boasting every aspect of riding you can ask for, and is big enough to easily be divided up into several smaller zones. Pushing west to the end of Superbowl, riders will arrive at what might seem to be the end of the riding area. But the adventure is not close to over yet. Reaching the summit of a climb beyond will put riders into what is known as The Premiers. This massive south-facing zone is primarily off-camber. Losing your line here may send you off track into, yet again, the South Burn (I told you it was big!). The south-facing side of the Premiers holds many jewels and secret stashes, but is also the access point to several massive riding zones in the far reaches of Allan Creek. Riders who are able to push on and drop back over into the northeastern terrain features will be awarded some of the best protected snow in the area. But it can get tricky to navigate back there; so if the weather comes in, it may be time to think about heading back out the way you came.

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M OUNTA IN SLED D Er //

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M OUNTA IN SLED D ER //

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// WIN T E R 201 9

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| INTERVI EW |

LOCAL CRAFT BREWERIES TO EQUAL THE EPIC RIDING IN BRITISH COLUMBIA’S TOP SLEDDING DESTINATIONS

S N W TO

L L A SM

G I BBREWS AVIS BY TR

ABB

MCN

Beer is a product of the place where it’s brewed. So logic dictates that a town with epic riding will also have epic beers. And what better way to celebrate a day ripping around in the hills than to sample a cold beer that was crafted in that very same environment? Sure, you can still kick it old school and tear into a case of Wildcat Strong with the boys back in the motel. But you’ll be depriving yourself of two major things: 1. Good beer 2. A chance to check out the local scene Not to mention, Wildcat Strong often leads to a night in the drunk tank. And that’s probably not the “local scene” you want to familiarize yourself with. Either way, the craft beer movement has really taken off in Western Canada, and the mountain towns that we love so much are making beers that just can’t be ignored. Here’s a list of craft breweries in some top sledding destinations which are definitely worth checking out once the snow ponies are parked for the day.

LOCAL MOUNTAIN RANGES: PURCELLS, ROCKIES, SELKIRKS TASTING ROOM: YES TAKEAWAY BEER: YES TOURS: AVAILABLE ON REQUEST MENU: SNACKS, OCCASIONAL FOOD TRUCK WINTER HOURS: 2-10PM, DAILY ESTABLISHED IN 2016

WHITETOOTH BREWING CO. GOLDEN, BC

Whitetooth Brewing is the result of an ex-pat Calgarian—Kent Donaldson—and a local Goldenite—Mark Nagao—coming together and sharing their love of craft beer with the community they call home. “My Dad has always been into craft beer,” says Brenna Donaldson, the brewery’s Tasting Room Manager, Social Media Manager and all-around workhorse. “For as long as I can remember he was brewing beer in our laundry room.” As far as the beer goes, Whitetooth has both Belgian-inspired and West Coast-influenced styles. “We’re doing pretty wide experimentation with different types of yeasts,” says Head Brewer, Evan Cronshaw. “And that’s where the West Coast and Belgian styles stem from, is the yeast specifically.” Basically, West Coast styles (like Whitetooth’s Blower Pow IPA) are fairly hoppy, often with a citrusy punch that balances out the bitterness of the hops. And Belgian styles (like their Thread the Needle Witbier) have a spicier, fruitier taste. One of their more distinct beers is the Icefields Pale Ale, which takes notes from both styles. No matter what your style is, though, Whitetooth will have you covered. The brewery’s a happening place after a good day of shredding up at Gorman Lake or any of the numerous other zones that make Golden so damn good for snowmobiling.

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| INTE RV IE W |

LOCAL MOUNTAIN RANGES: CANADIAN ROCKIES, LIZARD RANGE TASTING ROOM: YES TAKEAWAY BEER: YES TOURS: NOT AVAILABLE MENU: LIGHT BAR SNACKS WINTER HOURS: 11-7PM MON-THURS; 11-8PM FRI-SAT; 11-6PM ON SUNDAYS; ESTABLISHED IN 2003

“

FERNIE BREWING CO. FERNIE, BC

Fernie Brewing Co. takes a piece of small town BC and puts it into the hands of many thirsty Canadian beer lovers. Of all the breweries mentioned here, FBC has the highest output. From the shores of BC’s West Coast to the plains of Saskatchewan, Fernie Brewing’s selection of core beers is widely available wherever beer is sold. “We incorporate a lot of Fernie into our beers,” says FBC’s Hilary Hoogsteen. “A lot of our beers are named after local trails, local legends and tie back into Fernie in different ways.” And while their First Trax Brown Ale and Lone Wolf IPA are notable brews from their core lineup, Fernie’s winter seasonal beers reflect the town’s—and indeed the brewery’s—love for the winter season. A Java the Hut Coffee Milk Stout, Black Mammoth Winter Ale and Sap Sucker Maple Porter are all great ways to warm up your belly after a long day in the cold hills. And their tasting room on the east side of Fernie is easy to find after a long drive.

F OR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER HE WAS BREWING BEER IN OUR LAUNDRY ROOM.” LOCAL MOUNTAIN RANGE: COAST MOUNTAINS TASTING ROOM: YES TAKEAWAY BEER: YES TOURS: AVAILABLE ON REQUEST MENU: PIZZA, SNACKS WINTER HOURS: 12-10PM, DAILY ESTABLISHED IN 2017

BACKCOUNTRY BREWING SQUAMISH, BC

What’s one thing that sets Backcountry Brewing apart from the rest? Comedy. These guys brew their sense of humour into every beer they create, especially their Limited Releases. With names like “Hold the Onions” or “I Was in the Pool!” (an ISA whose alcohol content had experienced significant shrinkage), this is a brewery that knows how to have a good time. That’s not to say their beer is laughable; their staple beers have won multiple awards. Also, their tagline is, “Never Hit the Backcountry Alone”, and that’s something we can all get behind.

M OUNTA IN SLED D ER //

“

T HIS RED ALE IS DEDICATED TO SERVICE MEMBERS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE, AND ESPECIALLY TO THOSE WHO GAVE ALL.”

THREE RANGES BREWING CO. LOCAL MOUNTAIN RANGES: ROCKIES, MONASHEES, CARIBOOS TASTING ROOM: YES TAKEAWAY BEER: YES TOURS: AVAILABLE ON REQUEST MENU: LIGHT SNACKS, OCCASIONAL FOOD TRUCK WINTER HOURS: 3-8PM MON, WED-SAT; 1-6PM SUN; CLOSED TUES ESTABLISHED IN 2013

VALEMOUNT, BC

Valemount is a small town with BIG mountains. Flanked by three mountain ranges (hence the brewery name, eh!), the riding in Valemount is the stuff of legend. And thanks to an American ex-pat named Michael Lewis and his Canadian wife, Rundi, so too is the town’s local beer. The whole Three Ranges lineup is very drinkable, and both the Snowdance Porter and The Tail Slap IPA are worthy of an honourable mention. But the Sacrifice Red Ale really stands out above the rest. Lewis is a veteran from the American military, and 3% of the profits from the Sacrifice Red goes toward organizations that support veterans. “This red ale is dedicated to service members past, present and future, and especially to those who gave all.” Lewis is a community-minded business owner, one who supports the local snowmobile club and donates a portion of the company’s profits toward new bike trails. He’s a self-taught brewer whose process has been validated with a series of awards. And he’s created something really special in an otherwise sleepy town.

MOUNTAIN RANGES: COAST MOUNTAINS TASTING ROOM: YES TAKEAWAY BEER: YES TOURS: AVAILABLE ON REQUEST MENU: SNACKS, OCCASIONAL FOOD TRUCK WINTER HOURS: 3 -7PM, MON-THURS; 1-8PM, FRI-SAT; 1-7PM ON SUNDAYS ESTABLISHED IN 2018

PEMBERTON BREWING CO. PEMBERTON, BC

When asked about his relationship with snowmobiling, Pemberton Brewing Co’s Geoff Macdonald just laughs. “Oddly enough, I Just sold my 1998 Summit 500 two days ago,” he says. “My business partner Jeff has a sled,” he adds. “But neither of us has spent as much time as we’d like with recreational pursuits, especially in the last 12 months.” Of course that’s just the reality of a two-man operation that only opened within the past year. Time in the mountains gets trumped by time on the brewery floor. “But when you drive around Pemby in the winter, every third vehicle has a sled hanging out of it,” adds Macdonald. “I expect we’ll see a lot of those snowmobiles in our parking lot over the course of the winter.” Two of their more notable brews are most certainly a product of their environment. The Valley Fog Hazy IPA is a good one to look forward to after ripping around on glaciers above a sea of clouds. And the Blackwater Stout is named for a tributary of the Birkenhead River, which is the water source for PBC’s delicious brews.

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LOCAL MOUNTAIN RANGE: COAST MOUNTAINS TASTING ROOM: YES TAKEAWAY BEER: YES TOURS: NOT AVAILABLE MENU: LIGHT SNACKS WINTER HOURS: 12-10PM, POSSIBLY LATER ESTABLISHED IN 2016

COAST MOUNTAIN BREWING WHISTLER, BC

Whistler’s Coast Mountain Brewing opened its doors in 2016 and has been making an impact on The Sea to Sky beer drinking scene ever since. But (at least for now), you’re gonna have to go to Whistler to drink it. “The main thing behind Coast Mountain is that we’re a boutique craft brewery,” says Owner and Head Brewer, Kevin Winter. “The beer only stays here in Whistler.” Conveniently located next to Revolution Powersports in Function Junction, you can enjoy a beer or two at Coast while a mechanic assesses the damage you did to your machine up Brandywine Creek. “We have a lot of beers that go well with the mountains,” says Winter. Their Daydreamer IPA is enough to convert any lager drinker into a fan of hazy, hoppy ales. But if you’re dead-set on crushing a cold, crispy lager after a hard day of blasting through glaciated terrain, the Treeline Lager’s got your back.

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LOCAL MOUNTAIN RANGES: SELKIRKS, MONASHEES TASTING ROOM: YES TAKEAWAY BEER: YES TOURS: 4PM, DAILY MENU: TAPAS, PIZZA, SNACKS AND DESSERTS WINTER HOURS: 11:30-9PM, MON-SAT ESTABLISHED IN 1996

MT. BEGBIE BREWING CO. REVELSTOKE, BC

Mt. Begbie Brewing can actually be partially credited for the snowmobile community’s collective thirst for craft beer. Sledding in Revelstoke really took off in the late 90s, which coincided with Bart and Tracy Larson opening the doors to Mt. Begbie Brewing in 1996. “Sledders historically are a Budweiser crew,” says Darryn Shewchuk, the Director of Sales and Marketing at Mt. Begbie Brewing. “But then all those Bud drinkers tried our Kolsch and thought ‘this is like Bud, only better.’” The Kolsch—a crisp, easy-drinking ale—is what Shewchuk calls a “gateway to craft beer”. “People are catching on,” he says. “They get that craft beer isn’t just better for you, but that it also tastes better.” Of course, Begbie pumps out more than just Kolsch; they’ve got a full line of core beers, plus experimental ones which can all be sampled in their massive new tasting room. Their Nasty Habit IPA in particular deserves a nod. Even though it’s brewed with seven different hops, it’s not nearly as bitter as most traditional IPAs. “In a lot of ways, the Nasty Habit is a gateway beer as well,” says Shewchuk with a laugh.

The

Dusty Trail BY NADINE OVERWATER IMAGES BY DUSTY VEIDEMAN

// WIN TE R 201 9

“

A spectacular sunset on Mt. Revelstoke with a friend that I doubled up in 1971.

”

- Dusty

Dusty Veideman Revelstoke Backcountry Sledding Pioneer IN THE EARLY ‘70s, I wasn’t even a twinkle in the eye of my parents; they were still kids back then. Apollo 14 was launched. Greenpeace was established. Bobby Orr signed the first million-dollar contract in NHL history. Disney World opened. Tupac was born. And Dusty Veideman—a true pioneer of the Revelstoke, British Columbia snowmobiling community— was preparing to ride a snowmobile to the top of Boulder Mountain.

M OUNTA IN SLED D ER //

“Here is the 1971 Nordic up Keystone, with Frenchman Cap in the background.”

“My brother Arnie was instrumental in these trips. This one is up Mt. Revelstoke, which was allowed in those days.”

“This shows the method we used of pushing each other in a train to get up the mountain in deep snow.”

Road to the Top

Long before Revelstoke became the mountain sledding destination it is today, Dusty Veideman was there with the ambition to ride his snowmobile to the tops of many of the peaks surrounding the resource town.

And he had the support crew to help get it done. Dusty’s brother, Arnie, was a helicopter pilot for Canadian Mountain Holidays at the time. This afforded some internal privileges—he could listen in on the guides’ VHF banter to get current beta on the snowpack and avalanche conditions.

His desire was sparked, in part, because he knew what was up there. With a fixed-wing pilot’s license, a plane and exceptional camera skills, Dusty had buzzed these alpine areas and fuelled his longing to explore them. With his aerial photos, he could pick out the most probable routes to attempt—decades before satellite imaging technology made this possible for anyone with a computer and an internet connection.

A new machine would be the final piece of the puzzle. Dusty jumped on the chance to upgrade from his 371 cc Ski-Doo Nordic (which was one of the more powerful machines of its day) to a new, elite, trail-breaking machine aptly named ‘Everest’. After a little clutching and the addition of variable jets, this yellow rocket was ready to sing to the top of Boulder Mountain for her first ascent.

// WIN TE R 201 9

“ O ur threesome, on the way up to the top of Boulder.”

“ M y brother Arnie, on the very first ascent of Boulder Mountain.”

The Big Push on Boulder Mountain There had been unsuccessful attempts before, prior to the existence of the roads which now reach up to 1500m elevation. But that was about to change. There was word on the street that Revelstoke TV was feeling the financial burden of using a helicopter to perform regular maintenance on their antenna, which was inconveniently located at the southeast end of Boulder Mountain—pretty much directly upslope of where the trail booth sits at the east entrance today. Local rumour suggested that the broadcaster planned to use a bulldozer to push a trail up there for ease of access, and it came true! That old Detroit diesel engine had barely cooled down from building the trail before Dusty, his brother Arnie and Bill Roger had their sleds all tuned up to go. Even with the trail opened up, by no means did it deliver the guys right to the top. It was a full, three-day mission for Dusty and gang just to reach the location where the Boulder

cabin sits today. Those three days were no walk in the park; they were gruelling, sweating, cursing, ski-pulling epics. It’s easy to imagine how poorly a 300 lb machine with quarter-inch paddles and a 121” track might fare, breaking through an unsettled Revelstoke snowpack that had never seen winter traffic. It’s safe to say that Dusty and his crew were doing the trail-breaking; the sleds were just along for the ride. The crew would work to boot-pack a trail ahead so that the machines could push forward. But Dusty’s determination was relentless, and it proved to be both rewarding and contagious. From these early pioneering days, we have the Veideman Trail (although it does not sit precisely where the original did). From that point of access came all the future trails which would be blazed by fellow riders including Waldy Piatrowski, who would crack into the alpine and discover for us the playful, rolling zone we know nowadays as Waldy’s World.

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Tools for the Job After a 10-year stint collecting snow pillow data for BC Hydro, during which he also worked as a standby tail-guide for Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing, Dusty’s thirst for exploration was strong. By then, his skillset had been expanded to include advanced avalanche training and an intimate knowledge of the snowpack. Boulder Mountain was the gateway to the rest.

Safety was not taken lightly with this crew. They had avalanche gear and overnight supplies with every member as it was fairly common to have a breakdown. Dusty had the skillset to dig pits, read the snowpack and use safe route-finding. Being up in that big country was no joke, and Dusty knew it from witnessing firsthand on his recce flights the huge alpine start zones that dominate the landscape.

The boys would meet at The ‘Ol Frontier for steak and eggs, then head out to bumper-push each other up every mountain possible. Begbie, McRae, Area 51, Turtle, Copeland, MacPherson, Fostall—if it was on the map, they were going to be the first ones up it on a sled.

Word of alpine riding areas with surreal backdrops eventually started getting out. Some people were excited to join, and others were in disbelief—but Dusty’s photos were proof of the beauty of Revelstoke’s backcountry sledding possibilities.

A True Pioneer We have Dusty Veideman to thank for opening up our eyes to the endless opportunities for snowmobiling in the mountains around Revelstoke. The unique skillset of pilot, photographer and dreamer—combined with his grit, determination and avalanche awareness—allowed Dusty to pave the way for what mountain snowmobiling is today. I consider myself lucky to be able to sit down with a 77-year-old and listen to stories of trail-breaking exploration into the areas I ride to this day. And it is wonderful to see photographic proof of the happiness and friendships these mountains create, going back to the earliest days.

“

Of course my non-snowmobiling friends were always curious...those who did not know the sport always looked at it as backbreaking work.

”

In Conversation with Dusty Veideman Nadine: What was one of your most memorable or difficult first ascents? Dusty: One of the most memorable and most difficult ascents was Mt. McCrae, in which two of us started basically from the bottom and—with very little logging clearcuts available at the top half of the mountain—just worked our way up to the top. My partner at the time for this journey was Ken Soetaert, and we were both using Ski-doo Nordics. These were a heavy, wide-track machine that could carry all but your kitchen sink; but they had reverse gear, which really helped when zig-zagging through the steep timber. Also about even with Mt. McCrae was Mt. Begbie, which my crew did not believe we could conquer. But through persuasion and knowledge from flying the area, we managed to do it. Nadine: What did your riding gear consist of? Dusty: The riding gear started out with [the] basics in the early seventies, but quickly changed to helmets and avalanche beacons and overnight supplies with shovels and axes later on in the ‘70s. [Our] clothing was always from the Ski-Doo dealer, as we had a very good dealer at the time.

Nadine: What did your non-snowmobiling friends and family think of you spending so much time and money pursuing this sport? Dusty: Of course my non-snowmobiling friends were always curious, and some followed my footsteps later on. But those who did not know the sport always looked at it as backbreaking work. Nadine: What were some of the best or “game-changing” modifications you did to your machines in the early days to help get you up the mountain? Dusty: Mods that helped me up the mountain in those early days [included] expert clutching by Terry Fleming in his dealership, and also variable jetting on some of the machines. Mostly stock, though, on the engines in the early days, and [we] went to extreme mods in the later years with long-tracks and souped-up motors and different clutching, etc. In 1995 I had a handmade sled which led my crew to many other areas for the first time. This sled has over 35,000 miles on it and I have it still, and it still runs well. Nadine: If you could go back in time, would you do anything differently? Dusty: I don’t know if I would have done anything differently. I had some very good friends who went on weekend trips as a very tight group, [friends] who looked after each other well.

M OUNTA IN SLED D ER //

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m 1 9 00

0m 25

11 00m

Having tried his hand at several different m the Chozie has settled on two pastimes, m his life to them. In the warm and dedicated 5 months, Khan is out every chance he can

0m 18

to-play-sport, the Chozie has paid his 0 dues 5 0m both monetarily and sleds 14 in blood—wrecking 1 500 m and injuring his body. But he keeps coming back for more.

800m

ake

1 70

Straight out the 00m 11 50m back of his1 Whistler 750 1 200 2 m 14 home is a trail that 1 15 5 0m leads directly to the m 0 50 0m 1 1 massive Brandywine 0 His other passion is freeride snowmobiling. 50 m Lately, Khan has started to gain more exposure m 00 riding zone.” m 1 55 for his go-big attitude. Unfortunately, in a pay16

650m

Khan is one of a kind. With a Chinese/Aussie heritage that spawned the portmanteau nickname ‘Chozie’, Khan fell for the Coast Mountains shortly after arriving in Whistler. m 00 most get trapped in the flash that is 7While the Whistler scene, Khan pulled away. Living 0 in an RV doesn’t lend to flash, after all. But the truth is that Khan’s home-on-wheels is more spacious than many of the shared and confined living quarters that other Whistler residents—the ones who aren’t insanely 0m wealthy 1 15 anyway—call home.

50m 18

1350 m

1 050m

0m 85

get, trying to hook and land finnedm critters. If you ever go to visit him, you’re sure to find fly rods strewn about and wafts of a fishy aroma 0m Khan’s drifting from the smoker. 13commitment 00m 2 and love for angling is affirmed by a tattoo of a fly-line that twists itself up his arm and over his shoulder to his neck.

0m 10

650 m

Whistler

“

PHOTOS: MATTHEW MALLORY

m 205 0m

0 m 00m 05 12

8 5 0m

m 950

m 70 0

1250 m 1 4 5 0m 0m 1650 m 1 m 50 m 19 00 m 22 0 1 0m 15 0 m 20 m 00 m 2 050m

80 0m

9 00m

Green Lake

0m 2 100 m m 0 23 0

50 m 17 220 50m 1 90 m 1 0m 2

m 50 15 0m 140

75 0m

FIFTEEN KILOMETERS SOUTH OF WHISTLER is a road that twists and climbs west off Highway 99. This rough piece of blacktop leads to another universe, far removed from the collection of ridiculously huge, empty houses that dot the Whistler landscape. When the climbing stops and the land levels out, row upon row of trailers and RVs fill a clearing on the hillside. On a sliver of land near the end of the road sits an RV that Khan Yong Gee calls home. 0m

0m 75

Alpine Meadows

m 1 55 0m 16 0 0

0m 70

95 0 m

y Sk o t

16 50 m

1500m

50 m

m 650

0m 75

6 50m

8 WHISTLER,mBC 00 m

1150 m

0m 135 m 0 140

80 70 0m 0m

5 10

1 45

17 19 0 0m

m 650

00 17

Garibaldi Provincial Park

6 0 0m

A DIFFERENT SORT OF WHISTLER LIFESTYLE 00

85 0m 0m 10 50m 100

m 00m 9 00

m 00

0m 95

m 12

m 50 13

m 00 50m 14

1 050m

950m

K H AN YO N G GEE

M OUNTA IN SLED D ER // 185 0m

21 5 0

195

850m 80 950m 0m 750m 10 50 900 m 12 0 0m

10 00m 110 0m

135 0m

19 5

1800 m

igh w ay

250 0m 2 400 m 3 5 2 0m 2400m

1600

130

2 2 50m

230

0 m 2 25

m 2 050

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m 50 20

2 1 00

19 5 0m

0m 21 50 19 m 00 17 5 0m m 1 95 0m

225 0m 215 0 m

0 0m

00 m

17 5 0 m

185 0m

m 900

155 0m 1700 1 m 65 0m

175 0 m

m 85 0

2000 m

0 21 0m 200 0m

5 1

00 m 190 0m

0 14 m 50 m

m 160 0

1950 m

1400 m 1

1 80

1 100m 1 0 m150

0 0m 22

m 00

1 7 0 0m

19 5

50 m

15 00m

m 00

22 0

m 00 13

15 5 0m 00 m

0 16 5

900 m

2 3 0 0m

m 2 450

14 00 m

0 m 18 00m

25 5 0 m

10 0

2000 m

2 05 0m

m 50

m 210 0

19 5

26 00m 75

1 200 m

2050m

m 1 9 00

PHOTO: ANDREW MUNSTER

0m 180 0m

50m

1 800 m

5 0m

0m 1 85

0 0m 13

// WIN T E R 201 9

50 m 15

0m 25

m 50

16 0

17 00

50m

Sam has found a balance that finds him spending two weeks spinning wrenches in exchange for two weeks of playtime.” 0

1 70

1350 m

13 00 m

5 0m 14 1 500 m

1 050m

“

950m

0m 10

0 m 00m 05 12

m 950

m 70 0

m 50 15 0m 140

8 5 0m

9 00m

80 0m

0 00

PHOTO: MATTHEW MALLORY

75 0m

een ake

WHISTLER, BC

0m 85

m 650

y Sk to

0m 70

6 50m

0m 75

5 Upon moving to Whistler in 2005, the While Sam is plenty capable of22muscling Smithfield, Ontario transplant quickly his machine through tech, he also likes realized that living in the Sea to Sky corridor to send it big. Pro filmer Aaron Leyland m 2 100 m requires a solid income. Add motorized 0 has said is super 0mthat while Sam’s riding 50 m 23 0 and exciting, he is 24one of two recreation to the equation, and sled, snow creative m 2550Munster) bike, parts and fuel will drive the cost even 5 0 riders (the other being who m 2 6 it 220 so hard on big features that higher. Ride hard, ride often, and1 7 you’ll pushes 50mgo1 90 00m 250 0m through all those things regularly, which,1 0 m makesm him nervous to watch. Which is a 2 if that’s your passion, makes a hardy work legitimate concern given that a couple 1250 m m 205 ethic and a good-paying a necessity. of years ago, going m 0m too big sent Sam to 0 1 4 job 5 the emergency room with a broken back 0m 1650 m BC to the mine from launching a big drop to an overly It’s a long way from Whistler, 1 2 350 m north of Stewartmwhere Sam works, flat landing. 0 ma trip 95 0 m 22 1 0 he makes there and back once a month to 0 1 0m fill the bank account. Juggling the1cost of Sam’s passion for living life to the fullest and 5 living a life in pursuit of fun,0 m and2 having that chasing fun on a sled can’t be dampened m 0 fun, Sam has found a balance that00finds m him 205 by setbacks. Poor conditions and obstacles spending two weeks spinning wrenches as 0mdon’t hold him back, and a two-week work a heavy equipment mechanic in exchange stint away from sledding only fuels the fire m for two weeks of playtime. 1850 when he’s home again. 1150 m

80 70 0m 0m

m 650

WORK HARD, PLAY HARDER

0m 235

2300 m

TWO-ON, TWO-OFF: SAM STANDING is On days off, Sam is one of those quiet, 00 who sends it for 16 shredders the embodiment of work hard,1play harder. 5 unassuming 45 0m 1 00m 50 m m Whether he’s getting after it on his sled, nothing more than the pure love of sending snow bike, trials moto, mountain bike or it. He rolls with a solid crew of shredders m 16 0 0m 5 0Andrew ripping around in his jet boat, Sam is killing 1 5 like Munster and Wilson Prewitt, m 2 0 5 Sam’s it at life and it all comes down to finding which, in itself, speaks volumes about that work/play balance. ability on a sled. 0

6 0 0m

S AM STAN D IN G

2 00 m

00m 1 7 5 17

Garibaldi Provincial Park

85 0m 0m 10 50m 100

m 50 13

m 00 50m 14

19 0 0m

POCKET CHAINSAW

FOLDING SAW

SNOWMOBILE TOW STRAPS

Essential Gear for the Backcountry MOUNTAINLABGEAR.com

ROAM FREE

1000 lumens flashlight kit

M OUNTA IN SLED D ER //

ST. ALBERT

Absolute Power & Performance LTD abspow.ca

780.460.9101

Riverside Motosports

CANADIAN DEALER LISTINGS Gibbons Motor Toys

ACHESON

Cycle Works West/Acheson cycleworksacheson.com

gibbonsmotortoysalberta.com 780.960.1920

eckomarine.com

grandeprairiepowersports.com 780.924.3255

BARRHEAD

windsormotorsports.ca

cccycle.ca

780.674.5414

CALGARY bowcyclecalgary.com

grasslandtrailersales.com 403.288.5421

cycleworks.com

Ralph’s Motorsports

ralphsmotorsports.com

Mighty Peace Power Sports

403.230.1920

Thomas Homes & RV Center

1.877.972.5747

PONOKA

houseofthunder.ca

780.608.2000

403.746.5000

Martin Motor Sports (South) martinmotorsports.ca

Martin Motor Sports (West) martinmotorsports.ca

synikclothing.com 780.440.3200

Turple Bros.

780.438.2484

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE

780.481.4000

EDSON

Freedom Powersports Edson Ltd. freedompowersports.ca

Riderz

riderz.ca

jeepheadz@outlook.com

// WIN TE R 201 9

turplebros.ca

Gateway Sales and Service gatewayss.net

780.723.4533 780.723.5775

780.646.0650

SWAN HILLS

Wilderness Playground Tours WAINWRIGHT willertonskidoo.com

JAB Motorsports jabmotorsports.ca

westlockpowersports.ca 780.617.8080 780.624.2720

HiLine Polaris Suzuki hilinepolarissuzuki.com

780.352.7887

WHITECOURT

RPM Powersports rpmpowersports.ca 403.704.0489

780.349.5277

WETASKIWIN

780.706.2411

BRITISH COLUMBIA BLUE RIVER

403.357.1578

Blue River Sledz blueriversledz.com

250.673.8317

BURNS LAKE 403.346.8019

Lino’s Sales Ltd

403.346.5238

CAMPBELL RIVER

linossales.ca

Seymour Services seymourservices.ca 403.845.2421 403.844.0907

playmorpower.com

GVP East 780.384.2215

gvps.ca

SPRUCE GROVE

CLEARWATER

Specialty Motorsports

Greffard’s & Greenscapes 780.960.0571

250.692.7045

250.287.3505

CASTLEGAR/NELSON

CHILLIWACK

specialtymotorsports.ca

780.586.2867

Westlock Powersports & Marine

SEDGEWICK crosscountrysales.com

780.842.4775

WESTEROSE

Playmor Power Products

Cross-Country Sales & Service

780.333.2800

Willerton Ski-Doo & Golf Cart

Snow Commander Snow Bike Rentals snowcommander.ca

ELK POINT

Jeepheadz

780.525.5820

RED DEER COUNTY

Synik Clothing

403.638.3885

WESTLOCK

RED DEER cycleworks.com

EDMONTON cycleworksedmonton.com

thomashomesandrv.com

Cycle Works Red Deer

ECKVILLE

Cycle Works Edmonton

mightypeacepowersports.ca

redneck.barbie@hotmail.com

House of Thunder

rainycreekpowersports.com

1.877.539.1666

Redneck Barbie Inc.

CAMROSE

Rainy Creek Powersports

780.538.2934

PEACE RIVER

403.441.1299

bowcyclecalgary.com

1.888.532.8010

GRASSLAND

GTS Powersports & RV

Bow Cycle South

Cycle Works Calgary

stojans.com

Windsor Motorsports

CC Cycle Ltd.

Bow Cycle North

Stojans

Mountain’s Edge Cycle & Sled

swanhillssledfixer.com

GRANDE PRAIRIE

Grande Prairie Honda & Powersports

ALBERTA BEACH

Ecko Marine & Powersports

780.923.3796

780.458.7272

SUNDRE mountainsedgecycleandsled.com

GIBBONS

ALBERTA

rideriverside.com

greffards.ca

1.866.969.7111

604.795.7800

250.674.3562

MANITOBA SAINTE-AGATHE

SELKIRK CRANBROOK

Westside Honda/Polaris

Peak Performance Motorsports

westsidehonda.ca

peakperformancecranbrook.ca

250.417.3310

Mountain Motorsports mountainmotorsports.ca

ennsbrothers.com 250.344.6100

KAMLOOPS 250.828.2200

Robin’s Marine & Snowmobile Service robinsms.ca

250.851.0084 250.374.3141

innerspacewatersports.com

M&M Performance

mmperformance.com

thruwayrecreation.ca 250.491.4800

GVP West gvps.ca

rapidpowersports.com 604.888.8700

BDC Performance Centre (Boondocker Canada) 1.877.449.2699

NELSON 1.877.352.3191

REVELSTOKE

Full Speed Rentals

fullspeedrentals.com

Infinite Powersports

infinitepowersports.com

Rough Country Marine Ltd rough-country.ca

250.837.8883 250.837.2027

shuswapxtreme.com

250.837.6738

carlkuster.com

VALEMOUNT

Alpine Country Rentals alpinecountryrentals.com

Terracana Ranch Resort terracana.com

250.566.9774 1.866.968.4304

innerspacewatersports.com

Riders Edge Suspension ridersedgesuspension.com

709.739.6662

motoducharme.com

Moto Sport La Sarre motosportlasarre.com

Groupe Contant contant.ca

Prairie Recreation Parts & Access Ltd

Universe Satellite Sales universesatellite.com 1.800.754.8899 450.755.4444

306.525.8366

Proline Motorsports prolinemotorsports.ca recreationsupply.ca

819.333.2249

ricksperformance@sasktel.net

306.664.3560

306.861.0125

WHITE CITY

Powersports Regina powersportsregina.ca 450.434.6676

306.978.7881

WEYBURN

Rick’s Performance 450.666.6676

306.645.2669

SASKATOON

Recreation Supply

306.586.2900

YUKON WHITEHORSE

SHERBROOKE rockmotosport.com

agrisports.ca

306.763.8001

ROCANVILLE

MIRABEL

Rock Moto Sport

306.825.4481

PRINCE ALBERT prairierecreation.com

JOLIETTE

Moto Ducharme

306.948.2426

LLOYDMINSTER

REGINA

contant.ca

250.542.0269

oktirearcticcat.com

boundarymotorsports.com

1.800.265.2970

418.805.0222

BIGGAR

Boundary Motorsports

1.833.442.4046

1.800.463.4340

SASKATCHEWAN

Agri-Sports

Groupe Contant 250.549.2040

KLIMQUEBEC - Extreme Limite

OK Tire Arctic Cat

LAVAL

VERNON

Innerspace Watersports Inc.

709.639.1695

LA SARRE 250.836.3401

admsport.com

GUELPH

lapointesports.com

514.360.6676

VILLE DE QUÉBEC

Royal Distributing

LaPointe Sports 250.832.3883

contant.ca

extremelimite.ca

QUEBEC

SICAMOUS

Carl Kuster Mountain Park

1.877.978.7787

HFX Motorsports

royaldistributing.com

1.888.454.9711

ADM Sport

ONTARIO

SALMON ARM

Shuswap Xtreme Rec

709.651.3335

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hfxmotorsports.com

generation-sport.ca

Groupe Contant

GOODWOOD

Main Jet Motorsports mainjet.ca

atlanticrecreation.com

Generation Sport VAUDREUIL

MOUNT PEARL

Atlantic Recreation

MIDWAY bdcperformance.ca

1.877.524.5717

LITTLE RAPIDS

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LANGLEY

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GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR 250.763.2040

1.800.463.5938

ADM Sport

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KELOWNA

Innerspace Watersports, Inc.

204.233.3667

GANDER

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lanteignesports.com

819.326.6626

SAINTE-LUCE

NEW BRUNSWICK Lanteigne Sport

contant.ca

J.E. Goulet

CARAQUET

Outlaw Motorsports outlawmotorsports.ca

1.888.482.7782

WINNIPEG

Enns Brothers

GOLDEN

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819.564.8008

Checkered Flag Recreation checkeredflagrecreation.com

1.867.633.2429

M OUNTA IN SLED D ER //

EX PO SU RE 60

// WIN T E R 201 9

PHOTO: ALLAN SAWCHUCK RIDER: RENE ST ONGE

M OUNTA IN SLED D ER //

[ EXP OSU RE ]

PHOTO: ROB ALFORD RIDER: JEREMY HANKE

PHOTO: BILLY STEVENS RIDER: KURT SORGE

M OUNTA IN SLED D ER //

[ EXP OSU RE ]

PHOTO: BEN BIRK/ASG RIDER: JUSTIN BEFU

// WIN TE R 201 9

PHOTO: AARON LEYLAND RIDER: DAVE DOBSON

[ EXP OSU RE ]

PHOTO: ANDREW TURNER RIDER: ANDY MESSNER

TOP PHOTO: CALLAN SENYK RIDER: LANDON PAVAN

BOTTOM PHOTO: KRIS EIDINGER RIDER: GREG CRITES M OUNTA IN SLED D ER //

AUTHORIZED CANADIAN DEALERS HIGHMARKAIRBAGS.COM

Salmon Arm

Shuswap Xtreme Rec 250.832.3883 shuswapxtreme.com

BRITISH COLUMBIA Blue River

Blue River Sledz 250.673.8317 blueriversledz.com Campbell River Grande Prairie

ALBERTA

Stojans 780.538.2934

Acheson

Cycle Works West/Acheson 780.960.1920 cycleworksacheson.com Alberta Beach

Ecko Marine & Powersports 780.924.3255 eckomarine.com Barrhead

CC Cycle Ltd. 780.674.5414

cccycle.ca

Calgary

Bow Cycle North 403.288.5421 bowcyclecalgary.com Bow Cycle South 403.441.1299 bowcyclecalgary.com Cycle Works Calgary 403.230.1920 cycleworks.com Ralph’s Motorsports 877.972.5747 ralphsmotorsports.com Camrose

House of Thunder 780.608.2000 houseofthunder.ca Cochrane

Bow Ridge Sports 1.888.466.0928 bowridgesports.com Eckville

Rainy Creek Powersports 403.746.5000 rainycreekpowersports.com Edmonton

Cycle Works Edmonton 780.440.3200 cycleworks.com Martin Motor Sports (South) 780.438.2484 martinmotorsports.ca Martin Motor Sports (West) 780.481.4000 martinmotorsports.ca Mountain Magic 780.474.9400 mountainmagic.ca Edson

Freedom Powersports Edson Ltd. 780.723.4533 freedompowersports.ca Riderz 780.723.5775 riderz.ca Gibbons

Gibbons Motor Toys 780.923.3796 gibbonsmotortoysalberta.com

64 | VOLUME 12

Seymour Services 250.287.3505 seymourservices.ca stojans.com

Grassland

GTS Powersports & RV 780.525.5820 grasslandtrailersales.com Peace River

Mighty Peace Power Sports 780.617.8080 mightypeacepowersports.ca Thomas Homes & RV Center 780.624.2720 thomashomesandrv.com Red Deer

Cycle Works Red Deer 403.357.1578 cycleworks.com Synik Clothing 403.346.8019 synikclothing.com Red Deer County

Turple Bros. 403.346.5238

Rocky Mountain House

Gateway Sales & Service 403.845.2421 gatewayss.net Spruce Grove

Specialty Motorsports 780.960.0571 specialtymotorsports.ca St. Albert

Absolute Power & Performance LTD 780.460.9101 abspow.ca Riverside Motosports 780.458.7272 rideriverside.com Sundre

Mountain’s Edge Cycle & Sled 403.638.3885 mountainsedgecycleandsled.com Swan Hills

Willderness Playground Tours 780.333.2800 swanhillssledfixer.com Westerose

JAB Motorsports 780.586.2867 jabmotorsports.ca Wetaskiwin

HiLine Polaris Suzuki 780.352.7887 hilinepolarissuzuki.com Whitecourt

RPM Powersports 780.706.2411 rpmpowersports.ca

Vernon

Cranbrook

Innerspace Watersports, Inc. 250.549.2040 innerspacewatersports.com Riders Edge Suspension 250.542.0269 ridersedgesuspension.com

Peak Performance Motorsports 250.417.3310 peakperformancecranbrook.ca

Selkirk

Chilliwack

GVP East 604.795.7800

gvps.ca

Golden

Avalanche Safety Solutions 250.344.8606 avalanchesafety.ca Mountain Motorsports 250.344.6100 mountainmotorsports.ca Grand Forks

MANITOBA West Side Honda/Polaris 1.888.482.7782 westsidehonda.ca QUEBEC Sherbrook

Rock Moto Sport 819.564.8008 rockmotosport.com Ste-Luce

Revolutions Power Sports

J.E. Goulet 1.800.463.5938

701.746.4997 revolutionspowersports.com

St-Michel

Kamloops

Outlaw Motorsports turplebros.ca

Valemount

Terracana Ranch Resort 866.968.4304 terracana.com

250.828.2200 outlawmotorsports.ca Robin’s Marine & Snowmobile Service 250.851.0084 robinsms.ca RTR PERFORMANCE 250.374.3141 rtrperformance.com

Generation Sport 888.454.9711 generation-sport.ca Ville de Quebec

KLIMQUEBEC - Extreme Limite 418.805.0222 extremelimite.ca SASKATCHEWAN

Kelowna

Biggar

Innerspace Watersports Inc. 250.763.2040 innerspacewatersports.com

OK Tire Arctic Cat 306.948.2426 oktirearcticcat.com

Langley

Boundary Motorsports 306.825.4481 boundarymotorsports.com

GVP West 604.888.8700

Lloydminster

gvps.ca

Midway

Prince Albert

BDC Performance Centre (Boondocker Canada) 1.877.449.2699 bdcperformance.ca

Prairie Recreation Parts & Access. Ltd. 306.763.8001 prairierecreation.com

Nelson

Proline Motorsports 306.978.7881 prolinemotorsports.ca Recreation Supply 306.664.3560 recreationsupply.ca

Main Jet Motorsports 1.877.352.3191

mainjet.ca

Prince George

Prince George Motorsports 250.562.4151 pgmotorsports.ca Revelstoke

Full Speed Rentals 250.837.8883 fullspeedrentals.com Infinite Powersports 250.837.2027 infinitepowersports.com Rough Country Marine Ltd 250.837.6738 rough-country.ca

Saskatoon

Weyburn

Rick’s Performance 306.861.0125 ricksperformance@sasktel.net YUKON Whitehorse

Checkered Flag Recreation 867.633.2429 checkeredflagrecreation.com

[ TALIGATE ]

THE RIDER

BY MARTY ANDERSON

he Rider always felt at home here, resting at his favourite lunch spot— with the valley below and the rocky peaks above. It’s been thirty years, thought the grizzled mountain rider, since I first carved up these alpine meadows. He glanced down at his fuel supply, out of habit. He didn’t really need to, as there was still plenty, and he knew it. But for many years, simply breaking trail up to these meadows had resulted in a body and sled both out of gas. The capabilities of the new sleds still surprised him. It had been decades since a 136” track was considered extreme. New sleds had less weight, more power, better traction. Out of the box, they could far outperform even full mod sleds from his past, and with a reliability that he couldn’t possibly have imagined back then. As The Rider sat and pondered this, a young hotshot crested over an adjacent ridge. The sledder panel-slid down to a bench below, before picking her way down the face to where it opened up enough for some downhill turns. The veteran chuckled as he thought, I could have done that—if only he’d had a machine like that, back in the day. But then again, would he have even considered going up there in the first place? Probably not. A low rumble filled the densely-treed gulley below. No one goes down into those trees and comes back out, thought The Rider. But that was old-fashioned thinking; those rules no longer apply. Two riders on snow bikes emerged from the ravine. They stopped for an enthusiastic holler and a high-five, before re-firing their thumpers and dropping back down where no sledder would dare venture in the days of yore. The Rider found himself once again lost in thought, reflecting on the changing times. Sure, a lot had changed, with fancy new gear and equipment. But weren’t they all here for the same reasons today as The Rider was back then? Yes, they must be. The views, the camaraderie and the desire to challenge oneself have always been there, just like they always will be. And so too, will the search for endless adventure.

PHOTO: CAM UNGER

M OUNTA IN SLED D ER //

[ CLASSIFIEDS ]

P A R T S // S E R V I C E // G E A R // R E N TA L S

UTV, SNOWMOBILE, ATV • PERFORMANCE PARTS & SERVICE Turbo Kits • Big Bore Kits • Custom EFI & Carb Tuning Chassis Fabrication & Accessories Full Test Area On Site

780.460.9101 | 2-25210 TWP Road 552, Sturgeon County, AB www.abspow.ca

Cycle Works Motorsports Edmonton carries a wide selection of new & used inventory, including motorcycles, snowmobiles & ATVs. Plus RZR, RANGER and GENERAL from trusted manufacturers like Polaris, Indian Motorcycles, Victory, KTM, and Husqvarna. We also offer parts & accessories, repairs, out-of-province inspections, salvage certifications, insurance appraisals & more!

780.440.3200 | 5688-75th Street, Edmonton, AB www.cycleworksedmonton.com

THE OKANAGAN’S MOST UNIQUE SNOWBIKE EXPERIENCE Try before you buy! Explore the most beautiful riding areas in BC with Innerspace Watersports and try one of their six demo snowbikes this winter. Timbersled vs. Yeti, Long track vs. short track, buy a seasons punch pass and try the whole line up! Plus.. if you buy a kit or complete bike you will receive a percentage of your demo dollars towards your purchase.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MONTHLY DEALS AND SPECIALS. SHIPPING CANADA WIDE AND USA. Aftermarket parts for all snowmobile brands since 1974. KLIM, 509, HJC, HMK, CKX, GMAX, starting line products and RSI

Call for pricing 1.877.549.2040 250.549.2040 | 3006 - 32nd Street, Vernon, BC 250.763.2040 | 2781 BC-97, Kelowna, BC www.okanagansnowbikes.ca | www.innerspacewatersports.com

1.800.667.SNOW (7669) | 2414 Millar Avenue, Saskatoon, SK www.recreationsupply.co

HOME OF THE SPECIALTY X SILENCER & SPECIALTY SYNCRODRIVE

SNOWMOBILE TOURS AND RENTALS, GOLDEN BC

OUR FOCUS IS HIGH PERFORMANCE & REPAIR FOR ALL MAKES AND MODELS OF SNOWMOBILES, ATVS, UTVS, DIRTBIKES & WATERCRAFTS. From YAMAHA, SKI-DOO, POLARIS and ARTIC CAT we do what we can to take you to the extreme. Big bores, turbo kits, belt drives, parts, accessories, repair, insurance appraisals & more!

780.960.0571 | 90 Oswald Drive, Spruce Grove, AB www.specialtymotorsports.ca

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Quick and easy rental process to allow you more time on the trails and in the mountains. We have one of the best mountain snowmobiles on the market today. The new Ski-Doo Summit X Gen-4 Rev 850cc make it even easier to maneuver in the mountains and the E-TEC’s 165 horse power motor lets you get anywhere you want. Extreme back country Snowmobile Tours and Kicking Horse Trail Snowmobile Tours right from the resort.

1.877.950.7533 | 1500 Kicking Horse Trail (Parking Lot #2), Golden, BC

www.rockymountainriders.com

P A R T S // S E R V I C E // G E A R // R E N TA L S

RIDING WITH RED DEER SINCE 1956! SELLING SKI-DOO SINCE 1965! Full service department and extensive parts & accessory departments to help you with all of your attire and sled needs. Your one stop shop for non-stop fun with Ski-Doo, Sea-Doo, Can-Am, Spyder, Honda, Suzuki, KTM & Yeti Kits.

[ CLASSIFIEDS ]

It’s all about the ride... NEW & PRE-OWNED, PARTS & ACCESSORIES Our dealership has a rock solid reputation of providing excellent service, support and satisfaction. We pride ourselves on giving our customers the best service available, the best parts and accessories, and a staff that understands all aspects of our business.

403.346.5238 | 175 Leva Avenue, Red Deer County, AB www.turplebros.ca

780.723.5775 | 53227 Range Rd 170, Yellowhead Country, AB www.riderz.ca

BC’S FASTEST GROWING SNOWMOBILE DEALER

We welcome you to our BRAND-NEW facility. We offer the best customer service around and specialize in exciting products including, BOONDOCKER TURBOS & TRUCKBOSS Decks!

A dealership owned and staffed by enthusiasts at the hub of some of the best mountain riding in the world.

AFTER HOURS PARTS CALL OUT TILL 11PM 780.723.4533 (OCT – MAR) OVER 50 YEARS OF COMBINED EXPERIENCE IN THE INDUSTRY.

Brands We Carry: TOBE, FXR, Klim, Snowpulse, BCA, Fox, Boondocker, SLP, 509, Skinz and many more.

We have a wide variety of new & used inventory, ranging from Snowmobiles, Generals, RZR, Ranger, Sportsman & Ace, and some exciting new products on the way! With a fully operational Parts, Apparel, Accessories & Service Department we can fill all your needs.

1.877.943.RIDE(7433) | 1455 Iron Mask Road, Kamloops, BC www.outlawmotorsports.ca

We are a team of enthusiasts who has been serving you for over 50 years. Recreational vehicles, motorcycles, mega boutique, counter parts, maintenance and repair shop, all under one roof to serve you better. Nous sommes une équipe de passionnés qui vous sert depuis plus de 50 ans. Véhicules récréatifs, motos, Méga boutique, comptoir pièces, entretien et esthétique, tout sous un même toit pour mieux vous servir. BRANDS WE CARRY / MARQUES QUE NOUS AVONS: BRP, 509, CKX, Tobe, FXR, KLIM, Fox, Titan, Oakley.

Laval: 6310 Mille-Iles Blvd | Mirabel: 18000 J.A.-Bombardier Ste-Agathe: 1300 Impasse de la Tourbiere Vaudreuil: 140 Aime-Vincent | Beloeil: 2109 l’Industrie Road Québec | 1.844.646.6676 | www.contant.ca

780.723.4533 | 213 – 63 Street, Edson, AB www.freedompowersports.ca

FULL LINE POLARIS DEALERSHIP. LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED. We carry a full stock of Polaris parts and accessories. We offer experience, fair prices, and a friendly atmosphere. We’re big enough to cover the broad range of equipment needs you may have, yet small enough to greet you on a first-name basis. Our goal is to provide quality products and service at an affordable price. Call or stop in today and see what we can do for you. You’ll be glad you did!

780.532.2210 | 12001 - 99 Avenue, Grande-Prairie, AB www.countrysidesports.com M OUNTA IN SLED D ER //

[ S END I T ] On a hot day last May, Shawn Endel, Tyler Sedlmeier and I were out riding in tee-shirts and sunglasses. After filming some hits, we decided to venture up high onto the glacier to catch some views for lunch. Passing glacier seracs and crevasses, we came to a large cliff-band of ice with a huge cave formed in the side. Inside the cave we could see immense blue depths, cutting deep towards the heart of the mountain. We ventured in far enough to reach the end of the fading light and turned around to take in the awesome sight of the Coast Mountains behind us. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; PHOTOGRAPHER, CHRIS NEIBAUER

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rid e5 0 9 . c o m

2019

SIDEWINDER M-TX LE 162 /// UP HERE, TORQUE IS KING

NEW STEALTH CONTROLS I 998 GENESIS TURBO ENGINE I FOX® FLOAT® QS3 SHOCK PACKAGE

HOYER AND MATECHUK APPROVED

*Model may not be exactly as shown. Shown with optional accessories.