BCSF Fall 2025 Advocacy Update: Strengthening Land Access and Partnerships Across BC

A Season of Momentum

As the mountains start to turn white and riders across BC gear up for another season, the excitement is unmistakable. Clubs are hosting work bees, readying groomers, and stocking firewood at the cabins. The trails are almost ready, and the buzz of sleds in the valleys is just around the corner.

At the BC Snowmobile Federation (BCSF), that same momentum has been building behind the scenes. While member clubs prepare their local trails, the Federation focuses on the broader systems that support them; advocating for land access, developing programs, and strengthening partnerships that keep snowmobiling safe, strong, and sustainable for generations to come.

photo: New day use warming shelter in Tommy Creek |McBride Snowmobile Association

Advocacy doesn’t come with a ribbon-cutting or a photo at the trailhead, yet it’s the foundation that keeps snowmobiling possible. It’s the meetings, relationships, and quiet progress that ensure access, recognition, and support for every club and rider across BC. Together, we form a province-wide network that keeps BC’s recreation system strong and unified—because access and advocacy only work when we all pull in the same direction.

This update is a snapshot of recent advocacy and partnership work. It doesn’t capture every effort underway but highlights several key initiatives driving snowmobiling forward this season.

Raising Awareness Through the BCSF Print Annual

Alongside our advocacy efforts, the BCSF has created a new BCSF Print Annual: a province-wide publication distributed to clubs, government, dealerships, industry events, and visitor centers.

The magazine raises awareness of the value and vibrancy that organized snowmobiling brings to BC’s outdoor recreation economy. It’s filled with case studies, travel inspiration, and stories showcasing the important work being done by the Federation and our member clubs on the ground.

Provincial and Industry Advocacy in Action

This summer, Executive Director Amber Lane and Vice President Doug Brackett travelled to Vancouver for meetings with senior staff from Environment and Parks, Forests, and Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport to discuss priorities around recreation strategy, funding, and access.

The Federation also contributed formal feedback to the BC Budget Consultation 2026 and met with Scott McInnis, MLA for Columbia River–Revelstoke, to advance conversations on tourism, land use, and partnerships with First Nations.

At the Motorcycle & Powersport BC Dealership Summit in Richmond, Amber presented on the power of partnerships; connecting riders, dealerships, and the Federation to grow membership and strengthen our community.

Connecting Clubs with Government and Recreation Leaders

This fall, the BCSF hosted two Club Congress sessions designed to connect member clubs with valuable resources and insights.

In the first session, we welcomed MLA Donegal Wilson, Member for Boundary–Similkameen and Official Opposition Critic for Water, Land, Resource Stewardship and Wildlife Management. She shared strategies for building stronger relationships with local government officials—helping clubs raise awareness about their work, challenges, and community impact.

The second session featured the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC (ORCBC), which provided an update on the broader outdoor recreation landscape and highlighted how organizations like the BCSF are collaborating across sectors to advance shared advocacy and land-use planning priorities.

Collaborating Beyond BC

Beyond BC, the BCSF continues to collaborate with Avalanche Canada, the Alberta Snowmobile Association, the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations (CCSO), the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association (ISMA), and our manufacturer partners.

These discussions focus on shared successes and challenges—and how we can best align messaging, safety initiatives, and advocacy efforts across jurisdictions.

Across every conversation, the message was clear: snowmobiling matters—to rural economies, small businesses, and BC’s outdoor recreation identity.

Supporting Clubs Across BC

The BCSF continues to work with the Caribou Recovery team to renew expiring Stewardship Management Agreements (SMAs) - the Ministry has confirmed that all existing SMAs will be honored until at least September 2026.

In Fernie, the Federation is supporting the club’s involvement in a large-scale Trails Master Development Plan involving 11 recreation groups across 8,263 km².

In Revelstoke, we’re helping the local club develop a Land Use Strategy that brings together stakeholders, First Nations, and government partners around future access planning.

Looking Ahead

This winter, the Federation will launch a new Socio-Economic Impact Study to update data on snowmobiling’s contribution to BC’s economy and rural wellbeing.

These insights, alongside an updated Stewardship Guide, will support our ongoing collaboration under BC’s Outdoor Recreation Strategy. 

Strength in Membership

Advocacy doesn’t happen by accident—it’s powered by the clubs and members who stand with the Federation. Each participating club strengthens our collective voice when decisions about access, policy, and recreation funding are made.

Federation member clubs can access the full Executive Director Update, including detailed advocacy summaries and resource links to support your local work, through Club Connect.

Not yet part of the Federation? Join the organization that represents, protects, and advances snowmobiling across BC.

Snowmobiling succeeds because we work together, riders, clubs, and the Federation, to protect the places we all ride.