SPECIAL KLONDIKE SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION REPORT

SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Shifting seasons TRACKED ATV RIDERS MUST RESPECT SNOWMOBILE TRAILS o t o h p

s l e i n a

I wrote this article in mid-No - out, not like the snowfalls I re - D

a t vember, as I sat in my home of - member growing up in White - i N fice taking a break from horse. Even my acquaintances It’s a short ride to Haeckel Hill windmills. attending an all-day CCSO who are allergic to shovelling board meeting by teleconfer - say they’d rather have a big Yukon Wide ence. While my paid provincial Mark Daniels dump of snow than daily dust - counterparts were socializing ings that do little more than Adventures and sipping coffee (or whatever) KSA President keep the roads extra slippery. by MARK DANIELS in a hotel boardroom near the I went to Haines Junction last Yukon Wide Adventures (YWA) joined Toronto airport, I looked wistfully out the week for business. Normally, the Junction the KSA this year as a corporate sponsor. window at the meager offering of snow that, gets more snow than Whitehorse and they Yukon Wide Adventures was founded in so far, has hardly covered the grass in my should be riding by now. Even with the 1991 under the name Log Cabin Adven - yard. I’m not complaining about being a vol - storm I drove through to get there, I didn’t tures Yukon. Thomas de Jager took own - unteer. It would be nice if we could afford to see more than four inches of snow on the ership of the company in 2003. In recent send delegates to national and international ground the whole trip. The situation is simi - years, the company developed into a very gatherings all expenses paid like the large lar in Teslin. Like Haines Junction, Teslin successful German- and English-speaking provincial associations. But, if it’s a choice normally gets more snow and gets it earlier Yukon tour operator and outfitter. between going to Toronto and staying home than Whitehorse. Teslin gets lake-effect Thomas’ wife Kelly has been working in to ride, I’ll be here every time. If only we had snow early in the year when Teslin Lake is the company since 2006. Along with her enough snow. open. Friends went out last week and report - adventure tourism studies, Kelly has prac - Sure, it snowed this year. It snowed several ed no more snow there than in Whitehorse. tical experience as a wilderness guide. times so far, but the snowfall reminds me of The trend to less snow has been going on Her skills and education in watersports my winters spent in Ross River—you get this for a while now. For the past few winters, and wilderness first aid, as well as experi - light dusting of dandruff on-and-off with we’ve had less snowfall than average and ence with ski patrol, add an additional daily accumulations so thin you don’t even more mid-winter melts than in winters past. level of safety to their tours.

have to sweep your vehicle before you head Continued on page 2 ▼ Continued on page 2 ▼

Caribou share their home with you. Be a respectful guest. At the end of a great day of sledding in the backcountry, you get to return home. Caribou don’t—the wilderness is their home. As a guest, you should be on your best behaviour. Stay on designated trails when travelling through caribou country. Before you head out into the backcountry, pick up your free MULTI-USE TRAIL GUIDE. It will help you see wildlife while minimizing disturbance. Available from the Klondike Snowmobile Association, Environment o t o h

p Yukon, and snowmobile service businesses.

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WINTER 2015/2016 1 SPECIAL KLONDIKE SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION REPORT ▼ ▼ PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE tions. As with most machines, impact to Continued from page 1 the trail can be minimized by responsible This results in reduced snowpack to ride operation. I could easily burn a trench into a on. The local trails have been bare or trail with my mountain sled but I don’t. I glazed for much of the past couple of lower my impact on the trail by saving my years. thumb for boondocking or riding a trail sled The mountain riding areas have also instead. I don’t want my actions to cause a been affected. Tally Ho on the Annie hazard for another trail user. Likewise, those Lake Road used to be one of my early sea - riding tracked ATVs need to stick to packed son favourites. Now I don’t ride there trails, adjust their riding style to the condi - until after Christmas. The coastal passes tions and be aware of the impact they’re used to average 20 feet of snowfall. I rode having on the trail and other users. ■

o t the Chilkoot area one year on 30 feet of o h p

s snow. Recent years have produced far ▼ YUKON WIDE ADVENTURES l e i less than average snowfall. The face of Big Continued from page 1 n a D

Blue, a glacier in the White Pass area, a

In 2008 and 2009 Yukon Wide Adventures t i used to tower 50 feet above the valley was awarded the Yukon Tourism Award of N A young sledder enjoys the trails. floor. You can see a photo of it in the Excellence, Marketing Innovation Award. gallery on the KSA website. Now you’d be YWA received this award from the Tourism his rental sleds after a couple of years. It’s hard pressed to find it. Industry Association of the Yukon for the well worth keeping in touch with him if Lack of snow has significantly reduced outstanding and creative work in serving you’re interested in a used one. the snowmobile season in this region and tourism. In 2007 Yukon Wide Adventures If you’re new to snowmobiling or just want elsewhere. The North American snow- was listed by National Geographic as one of to check out a new riding area, YWA offers belt has seen flat or declining snowmo - the “best adventure travel companies on single and multi-day guided trips on the Liv - bile sales and increased ATV/UTV sales, Earth.” ingstone Trail, Dawson Overland Trail, particularly side-by-sides, and track con - YWA offers a few options for snowmobil - South Canol and other areas. These all-in - version kits for these vehicles. Almost no - ers. The self-directed rider can rent a snow - clusive trips would be a great way to intro - body in the Yukon owned a tracked ATV mobile by the day, week or month. They also duce visiting friends, family or business just a couple of years back. Now it’s com - rent skimmers in various sizes, including a associates to Yukon winters. monplace to see them on the trails in the 14-foot fibreglass tub that would be handy Other winter activities organized by YWA shoulder seasons and even in the dead of on a bison hunt. They have a fleet of trailers: include snowshoeing, dog mushing, down - winter. two three-place open, a four-place open and hill and cross-country skiing, ice fishing, Tracked ATVs are a blast to ride. Those a 24-foot enclosed V-nose model. They offer winter camping and trips to the hot springs with grip heaters, windshields and power weekend and Christmas deals and a delivery for a relaxing soak after a day of adventures. steering are also comfortable for long for - service. Thomas guided alpine ski groups for many ays. While tracked ATVs are a welcome Their entire fleet of 16 snowmobiles are ei - years in the European Alps. His knowledge addition to the winter snow scene, opera - ther Ski-Doo Tundra 550 Sport or Ski-Doo of winter sport activities is very valuable for tors need to be aware of the potential they Skandic 550 fan-cooled sleds. They buy all any cold-weather excursion. have to damage the trail. They have little their snowmobiles locally to support the in - YWA is an all-season adventure company. to no effect on packed or groomed trails dustry in Yukon. I had a good look at the While I was looking at the snowmobile fleet, but they can deeply rut trails with recent fleet this fall and can tell you that they’re all I also checked out its summer gear. Thomas ▼ new snow or in melting snow condi- ▼ like new and in great shape. Thomas sells off rents Honda Fourtrax 420 ATVs and

MORE FUN. LESS EFFORT.

The ability to go places you never thought. Carving lines through trees your buddies have second thoughts about. It’s all yours when you reach for a 2015 Summit SP snowmobile. No matter which engine you choose, you get all the benefits of E-TEC tech - nology and the most specialized mountain sled out there: the REV-XM.

1 Chilkoot Way, Whitehorse, YT • 867-668-4451 6111 - 6th Ave., Whitehorse, YT • www.micmactoyota.com www.yukonhonda.com • [email protected] 867.667.7202 • 877.667.7202

2 WINTER 2015/2016 SPECIAL KLONDIKE SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION REPORT

▼ YUKON WIDE ADVENTURES Yukon Wide’s base of operation is in the Continued from page 2 Takhini Hotsprings area. To better serve its Membership Form Honda Pioneer 700 side-by-sides. Like the customers, YWA is opening a storefront lo - Time to renew your KSA membership. Do you know snowmobiles, these units were bought local - cation across from the Visitor Information someone who should become a member? ly and they’re meticulously maintained. Centre on Lambert Street next June. Name ______You can rent a range of tub trailers for work Until then, you can call them at 867-393- ______or hunting. The same transport trailers are 2111, email [email protected] or look Address ______available summer and winter, as are the them up at www.Yukonwide.com. ■ ______weekend specials and delivery service. If ______you’re looking for company, you can join Phone them on a guided ATV tour in the Mt. McIn - The advent Email ______tyre area. of snowmobiling Membership dues for the 2015/2016 season: If is more your thing, they have a ❑ Single $20 ❑ Family $30 ❑ Corporate $105 wide selection of and that by PHIL PERRIN ❑ Gold Corporate $315 including GST they will rent to you along with plans and Most people think of a snowmobile as Please make cheques payable to: advice for self-directed trips. Or you could what we see now, a single track, a pair of skis Klondike Snowmobile Association, choose to take guided trips lasting be - attached to a body with a seat, a windshield 4061 - 4th Ave., Whitehorse, YT Y1A 4H1 tween four and 22 days, depending upon the and other items. It wasn’t that long ago that Membership Benefits destination. a snowmobile was made up of airplane parts • KSA membership card Thomas has over 35 years experi - and a propeller attached to a frame with • KSA newsletters (four per year) ence and participated successfully in more seats and a basic steering wheel. Those • KSA licence plate and decals • Input into the development of KSA policy than 100 national and international compe - models worked reasonably well on lakes but • Assistance with problems, projects and trail development ini - titions in wildwater canoeing. He is very ca - weren’t suitable for general use because the tiatives in your area • A strong, unified voice with government and other agencies pable to pass on his skills to experienced public wanted to head out into remote areas • A guarantee that a team of volunteers are working year- canoeists as well as beginners. Thomas has a and trails in winter. round to enhance and promote multi-use trails throughout the Yukon Territory German-instructor certification and trained Bombardier and other manufacturers took • Four free issues of SnoRiders magazine several years with the Monheimer Canoe us into the 20th century with a two-track • 6% off gas at Tags 4th Ave. Whitehorse (not valid during gas wars) Club. machine with a single ski on the front. This • 10% off food at Trails North (excluding alcohol) YWA can rent you just about everything was the true introduction into snowmobil - • 10% discount at McDonald’s Restaurants Whitehorse (not you need for an outdoor activity: from tents ing as you could purchase a mass-produced valid with other offers) • Access to Last Run Lounge at Mount Sima (please, no drink - to dishes to satellite phones. If you only need snow machine to take the family out on. The ing and sledding) it once, or just occasionally, consider renting reality was most Canadians did not bother to • 10% off at Klondike RV Rentals - www.klondikerv.com • 10% off at Mark’s on regularly priced merchandise (separate rather than buying it and risk losing it in that buy one of these machines as cost and rea - card required, which is issued with membership) pile of stuff we all have in our basements. soning didn’t support the purchase. It • 20% off at Sandor’s (Chilkoot Mall) on regularly priced gog - gles, gloves, toques, snowpants, jackets and snowboards They offer a 10 per cent discount to KSA wasn’t long before cheaper and simpler • Special prices on Haber Vision sunglasses and goggles - see www.habervision.com for details. Member code is “CCSO” members. Continued on page 4 ▼ • 10% off at Mt. Lorne Bed and Breakfast - www.klondikerv.com • Special rates at Choice Hotels - see www.choicehotels.ca/ccso If you have comments, photos or story ideas for the for details. Only available for online bookings. Klondike Report, send them to: • Special snowmobiler rates at the Atlin Inn Mark Daniels, Klondike Snowmobile Association • Corporate Members get a link on our website • Gold Corporate Members - 2 free ads in KSA newsletters 4061 - 4th Ave., Whitehorse,YT Y1A 4H1 • 10% off snowmobile rentals at Yukon Wide Adventures Phone 867-667-7680 • Email: [email protected]

KSA Members receive SSNNOOWMOBILEWMOBILE OPEOPERRATORATOR 10% OFF COURSESCOURSES AANDND YOUR MEAL ATTVV & UTVUTV when you present your membership card RIDERRIDER CCOURSESOURSES • 3 certified instructors • Nationally recognized by the Canada Safety Council • All courses WCB approved MAIN STREET DRIVING SCHOOL 4227 4th Ave..,, Whiitehorse • 867-668-3502 7213 - 7th Ave., Whitehorse, YT 867-668-3502 867-633-2355 • [email protected] This offer is only valid at participating McDonald’s Restaurants in Whitehorse and subject to change at any time.

WINTER 2015/2016 3 SPECIAL KLONDIKE SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION REPORT KSA corporate members A special thank you goes out to all the businesses that help support the Klondike Snowmobile Associ - ation via corporate memberships! For more info on becoming a corporate member, please see the Be - come a Member page on our website: ksa.yk.ca. Alpine Aviation - Whitehorse Alsek Valley Contracting - Whitehorse Atlin Mountain Inn - Altin, BC

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Bombardier Recreational Products - o h p Sherbrooke, QC s l e Braeburn Lodge - Braeburn i n a

Brewery Bay Chalet - Atlin, BC D

a t Canada Flooring - Whitehorse i Capital Helicopters - Whitehorse N On our first quad ride of the season, we found a burnt vehicle—an all-to-common sight on local trails. Centennial Motors - Whitehorse Checkered Flag Recreation - Whitehorse

▼ THE ADVENT OF SNOWMOBILING greatly limit your trail access. City of Whitehorse Continued from page 3 It wasn’t long until some individuals de - Fireweed Helicopters - Whitehorse Klondike Visitors Association - Dawson City sleds came onto the market. I feel the 1970s sired the lighter machines again, and some Locksmith Services - Whitehorse were the era of the introduction of the af - companies started producing short sleds Nomad Air - Whitehorse fordable machines with the advent of the that were nothing more than a small seat Quality Bearing - Whitehorse Elan from Ski-Doo in 1971 and the Yamaha with tracks and skies. SnoRiders magazine - Cranbrook, BC Bravo a little later in 1982. The years in-be - Now we have come full circle. There are Territorial Contracting - Whitehorse tween saw many other snowmobiles includ - many who appreciate the performance of Tourist Industry Association - Whitehorse ing the OMC Snow Cruiser and the Johnson mountain and trail sleds and there are oth - Village of Mayo ers who look for the machines that fall be - Wilderness Tourism Association - Whitehorse Golden Ghost. Although many of these earli - Yukon Alpine Association er machines were single cylinder and light in tween. For example, many hunters and ice Yukon Avalanche Association weight, snow machines became heavier as fishermen prefer the Ski-Doo Skandic with Yukon Meat and Sausage - Whitehorse greater speed and comfort became desir - its long track and reliability over a high-per - Yukon Quest able. formance machine. Yukon Trappers Association - Whitehorse When snow machines became more pop - What is ironic is most experienced trap - Yukon Wide Adventures - Whitehorse ular and heavier, items such as a cigarette pers and hunters would give their eye teeth Corporate Gold members: lighters, hand warmers, seat heaters and for a Bravo or Elan with their simple one- Main Street Driving School - Whitehorse even command start became common - cylinder engines and simple drivetrains that McDonald’s Restaurants - Whitehorse place. The desire for more options eventual - are easy to fix and even easier to get unstuck. Mic Mac Toyota - Whitehorse ly resulted in sleds that were not unlike cars As great as reverse is, there is nothing better Safe Trails North Training Services - Whitehorse both in comfort and weight. At one point than a lightweight snow machine when Trails North Car & Truck Stop - Whitehorse Triggs Family - Whitehorse even the introduction of side-by-side snow - you’re buried. U-Brew Yukon - Whitehorse mobiles, such as the Ski-Doo Elite, occurred. It doesn’t really matter what sled you want Yukon Honda - Whitehorse As much as the benefit of a partner next to to ride as long as you’re outdoors enjoying Yukon Yamaha - Whitehorse you is nice, the increased width and weight the winter safely with your family. ■

SAFETY TRAINING FOR Conquer SNOWMOBILE AND ATV/UTV snow... seize the Great • WCB recognized operator courses White North • Workplace and recreational training available YUKON YAMAHA • Mobile training services available to meet your needs 8:30 - 5:30 Monday to Friday, 10 - 4 Saturday 867-668-2101 or 1-800-661-0430 Safe Trails North Training Service 91311-B Alaska Hwy., Whitehorse, YT Canada Safety Council/BC Snowmobile Federation Courses • Professional Instruction Services Whitehorse, YT • 867-335-1932 • [email protected]

4 WINTER 2015/2016