Volunteer Spotlight: Honouring Two Whistler Snowmobile Legends
Celebrating Nelson Bastien and Doug McDonald—two lifelong friends who helped shape a snowmobiling legacy in British Columbia.
If you have snowmobiled at Whistler, BC’s Brandywine area, you've likely felt the ripple effect of two men who helped shape snowmobiling in the Sea to Sky corridor. Nelson Bastien and Doug McDonald—founding members of the Powder Mountain Snowmobile Club (PMSC)—were recently honoured with Lifetime Memberships in recognition of their decades of service. Their contributions have left a lasting legacy not just in their club, but across British Columbia.
Doug and Nelson were two of the original five directors when the club launched in 1990. They’ve been pillars of the organization ever since, helping transform it from a fledgling group of enthusiasts into one of B.C.’s most respected snowmobile clubs. When the club brought its grooming operations in-house this past year, they named their two new snowcats “Doug” and “Nelson”—a fitting tribute to two men who have always answered the call to serve.
Nelson Bastien’s snowmobile story started back in 1977 when he hopped on a BC Hydro dam keeper’s sled “just to see what it was like.” Since then, he’s been hooked. His leadership has spanned local and provincial roles—including President of the PMSC, Secretary/Treasurer and President of the BC Snowmobile Federation. A champion of land access, Nelson is known for “twisting arms” to get things done—like securing the 600-car parking lot post-2010 Olympics that remains a cornerstone of Powder Mountain’s staging area.
Nelson’s long list of accolades includes the Governor General’s Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and the BCSF Pat Whiteway Snowmobiler of the Year award. Outside the snowmobile world, he also gave 33 years of service as a volunteer fire chief.
Doug McDonald, the club’s former Vice President and Nelson’s longtime friend, has always been the kind of guy who shows up, puts in the work, and makes sure others are having a good time while doing it. His steady presence and passion for the sport have made him a trusted leader, mentor, and friend to many in the riding community.
Together, Nelson and Doug embody the spirit of the 2025 National Volunteer Week’s theme: Volunteers Make Waves. Their ripple effect is seen in every trail groomed, every club meeting chaired, every policy changed, and every rider welcomed. Their friendship, leadership, and shared passion have helped snowmobiling in British Columbia thrive.
From the BC Snowmobile Federation—thank you, Nelson and Doug. You’ve made waves that will carry this sport forward for generations to come.
