Snowmobile trail groomers are the unsung heroes of our sport and quite often the ones that do the most for our trails. This is especially true for those who groom our vast network of snowmobile trails throughout British Columbia. Here are some tips to show your support for the groomer operators work while also ensuring everyone has a smooth trail to ride:

Snowmobilers are a different breed of humans. Set apart somewhat from the general population by our passion for snow, when others are cursing it, try as we may, we simply don’t fit into the general population. We try though. We try to be logical, and responsible with our decision-making processes, but sometimes even we don’t believe the words coming out of our mouths. Here are some examples.

The BC Snowmobile Federation received information on August 2020 about a new proposed project in the Elk Valley area called the Elk Valley Cumulative Effects Management Framework. (EVCEMF) This project intends to restore industrial roads in the Elk Valley that will restrict public access to areas for the protection of habitat for Grizzly Bears, Big Horn Sheep, and Westslope Cutthroat Trout.

While the most exciting time of the year for snowmobilers is in the winter months, the off season isn't the time off for snowmobile clubs that people think. There are so many administrative and infrastructure obligations to address along with meetings especially in relation to land access issues during the summer months. Once the riders have parked their sleds for the season the clubs kick it into high gear!

Before you volunteer with your local snowmobile club this summer please review the attached resource.

Along with summerizing your snowmobile for storage, it is a good idea to prepare your equipment and gear as well. This can save you from future headaches and keep your gear in pristine condition. Here are some suggestions:

Here is a fun activity to keep the kids busy during social distancing and give them a chance to win a $100 Visa Gift Card from the BCSF. All you need to do is download one of the great colouring pages from our partners at the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association website, get your child to colour it, and take a clear picture of your child’s artwork.

They say knowledge is power. How about horsepower? Here is a deeper look into the sport of snowmobiling, with a little history lesson along the way. Be prepared to see these trivia facts on our next BCSF Quiz. Enjoy!

Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic has been eye opening, especially for those who enjoy backcountry recreation. Initially, many thought that getting out for a good snowmobile ride during self-isolation would be a good thing, but it became painfully clear quickly that was not always the case. There was still risk of exposure to riders in parking lots, collection huts, and in our backcountry shelters. It also became apparent that in order to get to the hill we still had to purchase fuel at gas stations, travel through communities and interact with the public. According to BC's top Dr. self-isolation means staying home if we want to flatten the curve. Not only does staying home prevent the possibility of infecting you or others with the virus but it also ensures that snowmobilers are not adding any pressure to the medical system.

Often, we are contacted at the BCSF by riders looking for trail information or where to stage. What we rarely get contacted for is to recommend a guide for their group. We believe that the best way to experience unfamiliar terrain is to attend an organized club event or to hire a professional guide. This is because mountain riding in BC almost always occurs in the open backcountry and not on a clearly marked trail. This makes it easy for a group to get lost in unfamiliar terrain or to expose themselves to risks they may not be aware of. It really brings to light the importance of hiring a professional guide when riding new areas and some of those reasons to hire a guide may surprise you!

As we reflect upon technology advancements, especially over the past decade, it is awe inspiring to see how far we have come. Get the gear, get the training, get the forecast....then you are good to go, right? Wrong, for no matter the technology advancements there is still the human factor to consider.

Keremeos, BC (July 2, 2019) – MNP LLP (“MNP”) was engaged by the BC Snowmobile Federation (“BCSF”) to conduct a study to quantify the contributions that snowmobiling makes to the BC economy. Snowmobiling impacts BC’s economy through the expenditures of snowmobilers, and the operations of snowmobile dealers, snowmobile rental and guiding operators, and snowmobile clubs.

The study released today by the BCSF show that this past winter snowmobiling generated 299.2 million dollars and contributed 21.8 million dollars in revenue to the various levels of Government. The study also demonstrated that during the winter months 4,272 jobs are supported by the sport of snowmobiling with the largest benefit being felt in the Thompson Okanagan Region.

Blair Lekstrom's report "the Path Forward to Recover the Caribou Plan in Northern BC" was released today. The BCSF submitted our comments to Mr. Lekstrom to help inform his report and we also submitted our recommendations to all proposed signatories on the Agreement at the end of May. You can read our full list of recommendations here.

The B.C. government, the federal government, West Moberly and Saulteau First Nations have been negotiating an Inter-Governmental Partnership Agreement for the Conservation of the Central Group of the Southern Mountain Caribou (“Partnership Agreement”). The draft Partnership Agreement applies to the Central Group of Southern Mountain Caribou in the South Peace.

The BCSF reviewed the draft agreement and submitted the attached comments to Government on behalf of BCSF Member Clubs.