SPECIAL KLONDIKE SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION REPORT

SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE It’s that time again by MARK DANIELS Off-road issue heats up Well, it’s early September and the good ATVs AND SNOWMOBILES ARE ENTIRELY DIFFERENT VEHICLES people at SnoRiders are putting the heat to me for the first edition of the KSA News for the 2010/11 season. I always find it difficult to write about snowmobiling at this time of year. Yester - The issue of off-road vehicle vehicles so we all get tarred with day, we spent seven hours on the lake use has really heated up since the same brush whenever tubing, kneeboarding and waterskiing the Legislature announc- there’s a problem. ATVs and with our kids and their friends; school has ed last spring they would form a snowmobiles are entirely differ - just started; hockey’s a few weeks off; and committee to review the subject. Mark Daniels ent vehicles that are normally I haven’t settled on the details for my fall Environment Minister John driven in entirely different envi - hunt. However, duty calls so I’ll fill you in Edzerza is regularly heard on KSA President ronments. Though there are on what the board has been up to over the the radio nowadays asking rid - some common issues, they need summer. ers to stick to the trails and reduce environ - to be dealt with separately. I’m working with By the time you read this, boating will mental impacts. We have seen the creation the City of and the Yukon gov - be a distant memory and, with luck, we’ll of two new ATV advocacy groups over the ernment to separate, or keep separate, laws be sledding. Please send in your member - summer—the Trails Only Yukon Association related to snowmobiling and all other off- ship dues when you get the notice from (TOYA) (trailsonly.ca) as well as the Yukon road vehicles. Experience across Canada has our office. Every reminder we send costs Off-Road Riders Association (YORRA) shown that combined legislation is not ef - us time and money that could be better (www.yukonriders.com). I won’t regurgitate fective and some jurisdictions have subse - spent on the trails. Keeping with our phi - their policy statements here because you quently separated legislation that was once losophy of snowmobiling being a fun and can find them on the respective websites. combined. safe family activity, I’ve included an edi - The KSA met with both these groups at Several people have asked me to advocate torial piece in this newsletter from one of their request. TOYA was clear that they are on one side or the other in the ATV debate. my kids. Remember: our children are the focused on the damage ATVs cause to the As an ATV owner, I want to see the responsi - future of snowmobiling. Teach them to ground in some areas. Consequently, they ble use of ATVs continue unhindered. As a love the sport and they’ll protect it for us are not interested in snowmobiles. The born-in-the-Yukon Sourdough, I want to see all. problem is this: some people, including the minimum amount of government inter - We continue to strive to bring you more those in a position to create legislation, tend vention in my life. As the president of the organized events in response to your re-

to group snowmobiles with other off-road Continued on page 2 ▼ Continued on page 4 ▼

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FALL 2010 1 SPECIAL KLONDIKE SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION REPORT

▼ OFF-ROAD ISSUE government did not want to designate the Continued from page 1 South so there’s a gap be - KSA, I need to be clear that the KSA is not tween and the Annie Lake Road. an ATV organization. If fact, our insur - From there, the trail is off-road, mainly on ance policy forbids us from engaging in the Copper Haul Road through Whitehorse ATV activities other than trail mainte - to Crestview. Several connectors feed the nance with the two we own. Further, main trail as it passes through Whitehorse. o t

o There is no designated route from Crestview we’re the Yukon agent for the Trans Cana - h p

x to the Dawson Overland trailhead on the da Trail (TCT). There are six recognized o C

s uses of the TCT, and snowmobiling is the i Takhini River Road. The trail follows the r r a Dawson Overland route to Braeburn Lake only recognized motorized use. So, I can’t H advocate for ATV use on TCT trails. Chillin’ at the annual KSA Family Ice Fishing Day. Lodge where it returns to the highway right- Necessity is the mother of invention and of-way and follows the North Klondike it’s long past the time that ATV riders had Trans Canada Trail Highway and the Dempster Highway to the a representative voice. Now they do and Northwest Territories border. it’s up to ATVers to decide how they want development plan We hired Yucan planning consultants, a to be involved in the future of the activity. by MARK DANIELS Whitehorse firm, to develop the trail plan in So . . . what can you do? Make sure your The Trans Canada Trail (TCT) concept was consultation with the TCT, KSA and commu - voice is heard by speaking to the two ATV born out of the Canada 125 initiative in the nity stakeholders. So far, we’ve mapped the organizations. Tell your government rep - early ’90s. The idea was to connect the coun - route, identified the gaps and advised the resentatives (municipal, territorial, First try with a recreational trail that would run stakeholders of our intent to meet with them Nation) what you think. Also, find out from sea to sea. It started with a bang but, in the coming months. The work will contin - what they think about off-road vehicle use after the enormity of the task sunk in, ue over the winter. In the end, we’ll have a and keep that in mind at election time. progress has come in fits and spurts. The plan to close the gaps in route designation The KSA has represented organized TCT is now on a drive to connect all existing and to develop and maintain trail where snowmobiling in the Yukon for 29 years. segments to make a continuous trail across none currently exists. We can then use the Through education and advocacy, we the nation. TCT is funding all provincial/ter - plan to solicit assistance and funding from have helped the sport thrive in the face of ritorial jurisdictions this year to create trail government and other agencies. n opposition from a variety of groups and connection plans. They have earmarked individuals. We’ll continue to push for re - about $70,000 for the KSA. Bridge project focuses sponsible backcountry access of all kinds We’ve worked hard in the Yukon over the (motorized and non-motorized), and safe years to designate trail route and to build on McIntyre Creek multi-use trails. Environmental degrada - trail where user levels and community sup - by MARK DANIELS tion caused by trucks and cars driving on port makes this feasible. Through agreement The KSA continues to work on getting a the trails should be at least as much of a with the Yukon government, much of the bridge across Wolf Creek. We’ve been talking concern for trail users as ATVs. n designated route is within the highway this up for quite some time with anybody rights-of-way. The trail begins at the Yukon who’ll listen. The main sticking point is border near Watson Lake. It follows some money: bridge steel is expensive and the last Snowmobiling and local trails in the area then joins the Alaska quote we got for an installed bridge was alcohol don’t mix — Highway west of town. The trail is on the more than $300,000. don’t drink and drive! highway right-of-way to Jakes Corner where Suddenly last spring, we stumbled upon a

it follows the Tagish Road to Carcross. The bunch of available materials and what ▼

• 3 certified instructors • Nationally recognized by the Canada Safety Council MAIN STREET DRIVING SCHOOL 7213 - 7th Ave., Whitehorse, YT 867-633-2355 • [email protected]

2 FALL 2010 SPECIAL KLONDIKE SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION REPORT

bed—winter or summer. The KSA secured just over $12,000 in funding from the TCT Membership Form and the City put up the remainder for the Time to renew your KSA membership. Do you project. The plan is to twin the existing lami - know someone who should become a member? nated wooden beam pedestrian bridge near Name ______the pumphouse to accommodate motorized ______o

t traffic. The work should be completed by the o ______h p

time you read this newsletter. Stay alert for x

o Address ______

C the resulting trail reroute and please use the

s i ______r r new bridge instead of driving through the a

H ______open creek. KSA donates proceeds of the annual Charity Poker Run Phone ______to the Whitehorse Food Bank. We have since found a new source of used bridge steel and are, once again, working Email ______

▼ started out as a plan to bridge only Wolf with the City to have an engineer draw up Membership dues for the 2010/2011 season: Creek turned into a bridge-building pro - plans for bridges over Wolf Creek and Sima ❑ Single $20 ❑ Family $30 gram: McIntyre, Wolf and Sima (McRae) Creek. We currently have a wooden bridge ❑ Corporate $100 ❑ Gold Corporate $300 Creeks. We partnered with the City to get the over Sima Creek. We refurbished it last sum - Please make cheques payable to: permits in place and designs stamped by an mer but the City would prefer to eventually Klondike Snowmobile Association, Box 9034, engineer. But, like most things that sound replace it with a wider steel beam structure. 29 Wann Road, Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 4A2 too good to be true, this one was and we had We expect to get an updated cost estimate to scale back our plans again. this fall and we’ll be looking for funds over Membership Benefits the winter. Cross your fingers—we may get it • Access to current snowmobiling and Trans Canada Trail When it became apparent that we would information (local and national, rallies, trails, events not be able to bridge Wolf Creek this year, done next summer. n and trail accommodations) the City suggested we focus on McInytre • Four issues of SnoRiders magazine • KSA newsletters Creek between Porter Creek and the college. Through the eyes • KSA decals and membership card This has been the main Trans Canada Trail • KSA licence plate of a young rider • Input into the development of KSA policy (TCT) connector trail from Porter Creek to • Information on the latest research and trends the haul road since we relocated it there last by NATALIE DANIELS • Assistance with problems, projects and trail develop - summer. Last winter, the creek did not stay Hi. My name is Natalie. I am 10 years old ment initiatives in your area • A strong, unified voice with government and other frozen and it was pretty tough sledding at and I like to ride snowmobiles. I have been agencies times to make that crossing. Sleds had to riding snowmobiles since I was tiny. My par - • A guarantee that volunteers are working on your behalf to enhance and promote trails in the Yukon Territory venture out onto the marsh where the ice ents bought me a red XCR120 when I was • 5% discount at Airport Chalet rooms can be spongy. McIntyre Creek is identified three. I outgrew it and now it belongs to my • 20% discount at McDonald’s Restaurants - Whitehorse as a sensitive area and one of the last re - brother. I’m writing this article because I • 6% off gas at Tags 4th Ave. - Whitehorse • 2 cents a litre off gas at Goodies - Porter Creek maining wildlife corridors in the city. We want other kids to see how much fun snow - • 10% off at Mt. Lorne Bed and Breakfast - www.yukon recreation.com don’t want motorized traffic in the creek Continued on page 4 ▼ • 10% off at Klondike RV Rentals - www.yukon recreation.com • Special rates at Brewery Bay Chalet - Atlin, B.C. If you have comments, photos or story ideas for the • 10% off snowmobile rentals at Kluane Ridin’ - Haines Klondike Report send them to: Junction Mark Daniels, Box 9034, 29 Wann Road, • Corporate Members can link to our website free • Gold Corporate Members get 2 free single issue 1/8 Whitehorse,Yukon Territory Y1A 4A2 page ads a year in our newsletters. Phone 867-667-7680 • Email: [email protected] WORKPLACE & RECREATIONAL in men’s & women’s outdoor armour SNOWMOBILE TRAINING

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FALL 2010 3 SPECIAL KLONDIKE SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION REPORT

KSA corporate for running regular family rides and poker members runs out of the coffee shop. n

AFD Fuels - Whitehorse ▼ YOUNG RIDER cont’d. from page 3 o t

Airport Chalet - Whitehorse o mobiling is. I think you will love the fresh air h p Alpine Aviation - Whitehorse x as much as I do. I like driving a snowmobile o

Alsek Valley Contracting - Whitehorse C

s on my own. You don’t have to go too fast or i r

Assante Financial Mgmt. - Whitehorse r a too slow. Riding on my mom’s sled is fun, Blue Kennels and Dog Sled Trips H Braeburn Lodge - Braeburn It’s lonely at the top—a KSA sled on Mount McIntyre. too. I stay warm when I’m behind my mom. I Brewery Bay Chalet - Atlin, B.C. like to climb the big hills with my dad. Snow -

Capital Helicopters - Whitehorse ▼ IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN cont’d. from pg. 1 mobiling is a great family sport. Centennial Motors - Whitehorse quests. Keep in mind that we’re a small vol - It’s fun to ride in open areas. It’s good to Checkered Flag Recreation - Whitehorse unteer board that serves double duty as the have lots of space. Smooth ground is good to Choko Design - St. Leonard, Quebec territorial snowmobile association and the ride on and I like trails that were just City of Whitehorse Crystal Services - Whitehorse Whitehorse snowmobile club. We’re also groomed. I don’t like to go fast. I just like to Fireweed Helicopters - Whitehorse the Yukon agent for the Trans Canada Trail. cruise. Heritage North Funeral Home - Whitehorse These same executives do the bulk of trail Snowmobiling is a good way to get to see Hurlburt Enterprises - Whitehorse maintenance—winter and summer. What things you can’t see from the car. You can go Icy Waters - Whitehorse I’m really trying to say here is that we could to places you can’t get to in the summer, like Kanoe People - Whitehorse use your help. You name it, we could use it: on frozen lakes. It’s nice to see the outdoors. Klondike Visitors Association - Kluane Ridin’ - Haines Junction update the website, organize a ride or fund- One of the things that you can do with a Locksmith Services - Whitehorse raising event, groom a trail, help with the snowmobile is a poker run. I ride by myself Quest Engineering Group - Whitehorse membership drive . . . anything. Please call or with a parent. We also go ice fishing. SnoRiders magazine - Cranbrook, B.C. the club line if you have some time to spare. Snowmobiles are good to have when you go Tagish Store, Cafe, Motel - Tagish We’ll have our AGM on November 1 this tobogganing. You can get to the good hills Tourist Industry Association - Whitehorse year. I was encouraged last year to see a few and toboggan down, then get your dad to U-Brew Yukon - Whitehorse more hardy souls grace the meeting. I hope tow you up the hill with the snowmobile. Uncommon Journeys - Whitehorse Up North Adventures - Whitehorse we’ll get even more people out for this next Taking pictures when we’re out sledding is Village of Mayo one. And, despite the fact that we’re all up to exciting. I like to take action pictures of my Wilderness Tourism Association - Whitehorse our necks, we do plan on hosting the follow - brother on his sled. The winter scenery Yukon Trappers Association - Whitehorse ing events this season—resources and makes good pictures. weather permitting: the poker run at Tagish, Some things I know about safety are: you CORPORATE GOLD: a media ride where we invite the dealers and need to always wear a helmet and you Bombardier Recreational Products - Valcourt, QC local media personalities to share a day on shouldn’t drive on the road very much. Be - Canada Flooring - Whitehorse the trails, the annual Charity Poker Run in fore you start the sled you should always MacPherson Rentals - Whitehorse Whitehorse, a group ride on the Dawson check the throttle to make sure it doesn’t Main Street Driving School - Whitehorse Overland Trail from Takhini to Braeburn, stick. You should also check the brakes to McDonald’s - Whitehorse and the annual Family Ice Fishing Day. make sure that they work properly. Dressing Polaris Industries - Winnipeg, Manitoba Safe Trails North Training Services - Whitehorse We’ll see if the wildlife viewing biologists in warm clothing is always a good idea. I Yamaha Canada - Toronto, Ontario from Environment will host another caribou never ride without my mom or dad. Yukon Honda - Whitehorse viewing ride. We’re also talking to the owner I am glad Mom and Dad take me snowmo - Yukon Yamaha - Whitehorse of a local business to see if there’s support biling. If you haven’t tried it, you should. n

KSA Members receive 20% OFF YOUR MEAL when you present your membership card

4227 4th Ave..,, Whiitehorse • 867-668-3502 This offer is only valid at participating McDonald’s Restaurants in Whitehorse and subject to change at any time.

4 FALL 2010