2013 - 2014 Northeast BC Snow Share

Jump to Ski Hills & Cross Country Skiing Snowmobiling Contacts & Resources

Disclaimer: This report is anecdotal and provided for information purposes To update your contact information or to be only. You are reminded that winter conditions can change quickly and are removed from this list please contact Jody. advised to visit the websites and make individual inquiries as part of your Email: [email protected] trip planning. Phone: 250.782.4714 Fax: 250.782.4719

Bear Mountain Nordic Ski Club , BC Bear Mountain Nordic Located just a few short kilometers south of Dawson Creek are 23 kilometers (12 miles) Ski Association of groomed cross-country ski trails maintained by the Bear Mountain Nordic Ski Club. The network of trails has been built to accommodate skiers of all ages and skill levels. They are groomed for both classic and skate skiing. Maps are posted all along the trails Ski/Rental/Equipment: to help skiers stay on track. Phone Ed 250.782.7257 or 250.784.8598 Trail Info/Conditions: SNOW FALL: < 1cm expected The trail system is in excellent condition! Many skiiers are taking Phone Pat 270.782.8796 advantage of the new snow fall. Trail grooming will commence on SKI STATUS: OPEN Thrusday. www.nordicski.ca SURFACE Groomed for Classic and CONDITIONS: Skate Skiing Snowshoeing on the extreme outside edge of the trails ONLY! Please stay OFF the set tracks and skate pad. Cross Country Ski Trail Map RENTALS: N/A

Bear Mountain Ski Hill Dawson Creek, BC Bear Mountain Ski Hill The ski area is located only 5 minutes from Dawson Creek. The hill has a T-Bar and 10 runs (beginner to intermediate). The hill offers a 500 foot vertical drop and total Information: length of about 800 meters. It is a great place to enjoy a few runs close to town. Phone 250.782.4988 After hours Paul Gevatkoff 250.719.8739 SNOW FALL: < 1cm expected There is fresh snow covering the hill, the conditions are www.bearmtnskihill.com excellent, check out the live webcam for up to date hill SKI STATUS: Schedule conditions.

SURFACE N/A CONDITIONS: RENTALS: Rates

Beatton Provincial Park Fort St. John, BC Beatton Provincial Park Beatton Provincial Park is a year round recreational facility located on the shores of Charlie Lake. During the winter months experience the 15 km of groomed Information: cross-country ski trails designed for novice, intermediate and advancing skiing. Phone 250.785.0973 www.env.gov.bc.ca SNOW FALL: <1cm expected A new layer of snow will make conditions excellent once again after the next grooming, which should be before the weekend. SKI STATUS: OPEN There is a $5 per skier day use fee / $10 per SURFACE Good family. Memberships available at Ferris CONDITIONS: Beatton Trail Map Cycles in Fort St. John. RENTALS: N/A Facebook - Whiskey Jack Nordic Ski Club

Drive BC- Road Conditions Snowmobile Guide for the Columbia & Rocky Mountains of BC USEFUL SITES: Government of Canada Weather Office Canadian Avalanche Centre Ski Hills & Cross Country Skiing Con’t Contacts & Resources

Big Bam Ski Hill Fort St. John, BC Big Bam Volunteers needed!!! Are you interested in what it takes to make a ski hill work? Information: Email your name to [email protected] Phone 250.789.9150

SNOW FALL: N/A Facebook - Big Bam Ski Hill www.bigbam.ca

SKI STATUS: CLOSED

SURFACE N/A CONDITIONS:

RENTALS: N/A

Tumbler Ridge , BC Wolverine Nordic & Mountain Flatbed Creek is less than five minutes from town, and offers a 7 km/4.4 mi Society (return) trail to Flatbed Falls. The trail is rated moderate. There's many other creeks in the area, such as Babcock, Bullmoose, M20 and www.wnms.pris.ca Tentfire are other good choices. The Wolverine Trail system (maintained by the WNMS), begins and ends at the golf course. From here, you glide over the open, snow-covered greens before dipping into the woods, along 10 kms (6.2 mi) of forested trails. The trail system at the golf course is suitable for beginners. Trail Maps

Remember to use caution when following a creek bed. Ski at the edges, unless you Wolverine Ski Trails and Lost Haven know the ice is safe, and take care around rapids and waterfalls. Cabin SNOW FALL: <1 cm expected Expect fresh snow on the trails Flatbed Creek SKI STATUS: OPEN No new update available as of February 12, 2014 SURFACE Fair CONDITIONS:

RENTALS: N/A

Powder King Mile 122 John Hart Hwy., BC Powder King Nestled in the pristine wilderness of the , Powder King Mile 122 John Hart Hwy. offers the best of the great outdoors, with an amazing annual snowfall of 41 feet, our terrain ranges from breath taking drops for the adventurous skier, to Phone 1.866.POW.KING (1.866.769.5464) the gentle groomed slopes of beginner runs. www.powderking.com

ELEVATION: 1829m (5500ft) Great combo of powder runs and lots of excellent grooming as of February 12, 2014. SNOW BASE: 212 cm at Daylodge Slopes for hope The hill will be open for Alberta Family Day March 22, 2014 SKI STATUS: OPEN For more details click here Thursday - Sunday February 17, 2014 from 9:00am-3:00pm

RENTALS: Rates Facebook - Powder King Mountain Resort

Whispering Pines Ski Hill Worlsey, AB Whispering Pines Ski Hill Families or groups with a variety of abilities can ski or snowboard together in a relaxed and friendly environment. Come join us for skiing or snowboarding, Phone: 780.685.2594 and spend the day. The area has two T-Bars, a Handle Tow, and many excellent runs. The wide variety of terrain provides excellent skiing and www.telusplanet.net snowboarding, on well-groomed 100% natural snow.

ELEVATION: 1829m (5500ft) 4cm of new snow since Sunday, very good conditions reported at the hill SNOW BASE: 78cm as of February 12, 2014. Alberta Family Day February 17, 2014 from 10:00am-4:00pm SKI STATUS: February Schedule Facebook - Whispering Pines Ski Hill RENTALS: Rates Snowmobiling Contacts & Resources

IMPORTANT!!! Latest Avalanche Report: Avalanche conditions for the Northern Rockies area can be found here www.avalanche.ca Next available report, February 13, 2014 The latest report was issued using very limited field data, and much of the THERE IS ALWAYS A HIGH snowpack discussion is extrapolated from remote weather observations. For RISK OF AVALANCHES IN more details click here THE MOUNTAINS.

Chetwynd Chetwynd Pine Valley Trail Hassler Snowmobile Trail Network Blazers Features numerous routes individually named, such as Bear Den, Sunshine Bowl, and Overhang. Phone: 250.788.2769 The Hassler terrain is largely in the subalpine. However, it does eventually open up into a series of alpine meadows. This area is for intermediate and experienced sledders. Silver Sands Snowmobile Trail Network Catshack The Trail Network covers a wide range of snowmobiling terrain along several kilometers/miles Phone: 250.788.9558 of deactivated logging roads. This area is geared to all skill levels from beginner to advanced, and can be accessed along Highway 97. A warming shelter is located at the end of Saddle Trail, approximately 7.5km/4.7mi from Highway 97.

SNOW FALL: AVALANCHE RATING: New snow fall has covered the hard trails, but excerise caution when travelling in the backcountry as avalanche danger is high in the mountains as of February 12, 2014. Chetwynd Trail Map Leave tracks not trash Chetwynd Activities Map Snowmobiling Tip: weather.gc.ca blogs.avalanche.ca Facebook - Pine Valley Trailblazers

Dawson Creek Paradise Valley Snowmobile The Paradise Valley Snowmobile Club is a small club of approximately 30 members. The riding area is located just out of town and offers nearly 500 km of snowmobile trails. Trails include: Club Bear Mountain Loop, One Island Trail, Alberta Connector (Closed), River Road Trail, Salt Ridge Trail, Puggins Mountain Trail, Muskeg Lake Trail and Murray River/Wasp Lake Trail. www.snowmobiledawsoncreek.ca

SNOW FALL: No new trail conditions as of February 12, 2014. Expect new snow fall on the trails Tracks for Cancer Fundrasier Check out the photo montage from last weekend's Thunder on Dinner/Silent Auction the Mountain Drag Races click here February 27, 2014 at 7:00 pm weather.gc.ca For more details click here Facebook- Paradise Valley Snowmobile Club

Fort St. John, Charlie Lake and Taylor Northland Trailblazers Snowmobiling at Charlie Lake Snowmobile Club Explore nearby trails, cruise on the frozen lake (when ice density and thickness safely allows). www.northlandtrailblazers.com Good places to launch for the day are Rotary RV Park at the south end of Charlie Lake, or Montney Park at the northeast end. Always use caution when riding on ice surfaces and take caution for debris on the lake and snow drifts. Snowmobiling in the Rocky Mountains The Redfern Trail in the Rocky Mountains; located 250km/155.3mi northwest of Fort St. John, and discover the remote and pristine wilderness of the Muskwa-Kechika Management Area. The trail has a 500kg (1100lb) weight limit and riders must also stay within the access corridor on the main motorized access trail. Stewart Lake Trail A family-friendly snowmobiling area, located at the top of south Taylor Hill, south of the break- check pullout at Mile 30 of the Alaska Highway. The trail does include some steeper hills, but is otherwise relatively easy.

Bring your peeps, SNOW FALL: AVALANCHE RATING: The overflow on the lakes are frozen for the most Snowmobiling Tip: part. Always exercise caution when riding on ice surfaces. probes, and shovels No new trail update as of February 12, 2014

weather.gc.ca blogs.avalanche.ca Fort St. John Trail Map Stewart Lake Trail Map

Drive BC- Road Conditions Snowmobile Guide for the Columbia & Rocky Mountains of BC USEFUL SITES: Government of Canada Weather Office Canadian Avalanche Centre Snowmobiling Con’t Contacts & Resources

Fort Nelson Red Line Recreation Polaris Lake Trail Phone: 250.774.6886 The Polaris Lake Trail (20km) is an easy one for families and beginners. This trail leads to the cabin, where sledders can enjoy a hot chocolate and have a fire. Snowmobiling Tip: Check your peeps and Evie Lake Loop change your batteries The Evie Lake Loop is the Fort Nelson club’s longest trail and it is the farthest from town (50 km). What makes this trail a little more difficult is the deep snow. The cabin is about halfway to the lake, where families can enjoy some beautiful scenery. Parker Lake Head north from Fort Nelson about 20 kilometres on the Alaska Highway. Where the old Alaska Highway and the new highway meet, turn left and travel for two kilometres; watch for the Parker Lake road sign. The runs are groomed and after crossing the lake there are routes in every direction.

SNOW FALL: AVALANCHE RATING: No new snow is forecasted, the trails are groomed and hard packed Snowmobiling Tip: Pack out what you as of February 12, 2014. Good conditions overall. pack in

Fort Nelson Trail Map weather.gc.ca blogs.avalanche.ca Facebook - Fort Nelson Snowmobile Club

Mackenzie Mackenzie Rockie Mountain Morfee Mountain Snowmobiling Trails Riders Enjoy excellent powder conditions at Morfee Mountain with fantastic views of the northern www.mackenziesnowmobileclub.ca Rockies and the Rocky Mountain Trench, and sled through the forest along the Gagnon Trail to Mackenzie Junction. Along the approximately 50km/31mi of trails, there are two warming huts with wood stoves, which provide an opportunity to escape from the cold. Regional sledding areas can also be accessed from Mackenzie, such as the Murray Range, Pine Pass Trail and Powder King. Snowmobiling Tip: NEVER ride alone!

SNOW FALL: AVALANCHE RATING: In the last seven days, the Pine Pass area has received approx 35 cm of new snow in the last 7 days, expect that conditions will be good with lots of fresh powder. No new update available as of February 12, 2014

Mackenzie Trail Map weather.gc.ca blogs.avalanche.ca Facebook - Rocky Mountain Riders Snowmobile Club

Tumbler Ridge Tumbler Ridge, Ridge Riders Popular destinations for snowmobilers of all experience levels include Bearhole Lake, Core Snowmobile Club Lodge, Moose Lake, Thunder Mountain, Mount Spieker, Bullmoose, Wapiti River, and Information: Wolverine areas. More detailed info here. Adam 250.242.3008 Core Lodge: Reports of up to 2-3m of snow in the higher elevations. At the trail www.trridgeriders.com head 1-1.5m of snow. Due to a warm streak of weather the snow has hardened SNOW FALL: AVALANCHE RATING: up. 8 inches of fresh snow has fallen since Feb 5th to 7th, expecting more this week. Snowmobiling Tip: Ride safely, your life Bullmoose: Great Snow. Riding is good, but snow is hard with some bare areas depends on it! from a big wind storm in mid Jan. Currently receiving snow, so there should be some fresh powder on top of the crusty snow as of February 7,2014. weathernetwork.ca blogs.avalanche.ca Tumbler Ridge Trail Map 1 Tumbler Ridge Trail Map 2 Facebook - TR Ridge Rider’s Snowmobile Club

For more info on northern BC visit, www.hellobc.com