THE NORTH STAY EAT EXPLORE MACKENZIE FRONTIER WINTER IN THE FRONTIER COME OUT AND EXPLORE WINTER IN THE FRONTIER! CONTENTS Whether snowmobiling, ice fishing, cross country skiing, ROCKY LANE 2 skating, or even driving over an ice bridge, there are plenty of cross country ski trails adventures to be had in the Mackenzie Frontier! WATT MOUNTAIN WANDERERS 4 Imagine gazing at the breathtaking Northern Lights under snowmobile club a starry sky or having the surreal experience of sitting on a frozen lake with a fishing rod in your hand. LA CRETE POLAR CATS 6 snowmobile club Celebrate winter with your family and friends at one of the ICE FISHING winter events in our vibrant communities. 8 Become one with nature as you ski along endless trails through BISTCHO LAKE 10 boreal forests. ice fishing and snowmobiling Explore the vastness of the Frontier on snowmobile through MAP 12 untouched landscapes. Keep an expectant eye out for the wildlife you may encounter. TOBOGGAN HILLS 14 Experience the thrill of a fast-paced hockey tournament and marvel at the talent of local figure skaters. ICE BRIDGE 15 Create family memories as you slide down one of the Frontier's FIGURE SKATING & CURLING many toboggan hills. performances and tournaments 16 Cherish time with your horse as you enjoy dynamic trails or HOCKEY 17 practice in the warmth of an indoor arena. tournaments Whatever your interest, the Mackenzie Frontier has something SKATING & CURLING 18 for you. rinks and facilities NORTHERN LIGHTS 20 WINTER WILDLIFE 22 HORSE RIDING 23 WINTER EVENTS 24 EXPLORE 20 WINTER IN THE FRONTIER 19 21 18 22 17 22 23 16 ROCKY LANE 7 PO 16 NT ON CROSS COUNTRY SKI TRAILS RIVER Rocky Lane Agricultural Society provides alluring trails for both 10 classic cross-country and skate-skiing. In-season, the trails are 7 groomed weekly and offer beginner, intermediate, and advanced 8 routes. This stunning 15 kilometers of trails offers a family and pet- P ONTON RIVER 12 24 9 14 15 friendly ski experience along the Ponton River. During summer and 7 10 fall the trails can be used for hiking, cross-country running, mountain 8 biking, bird watching, and horseback riding, free of charge. Pets welcome 6 11 The Agricultural Society was founded in 1984 when community 13 No ATVs members of Rocky Lane started building a recreational area, and in LEGEND 5 1990 the trails were established. The trails have been used by ski 4 Ski Rental Shop teams to train for the Alberta and Arctic Winter Games, the Peace Toboggan Hill Winter Games in 1993, and countless others looking to appreciate the Mackenzie Frontier’s long winters. Chalet 3 Outhouse SEASON SKI RENTAL SHOP 2 Mid-Nov – Mar 780.927.3812 depending on snowfall 1 3 fire pits, Rental equipment, lessons, FREE! HOURS day and season passes, toboggan hill, ski pulk, Nov - Jan group rates, washrooms, and skate rentals, & skating! SAT & SUN 10 am - 6 pm trail maps available Feb - Mar SAT & SUN 10 am - 7 pm Rocky Lane Agricultural Society ROCKY Closed on days colder than -25°C SCHOOL to High Level 2 to Fort Vermilion 3 EXPLORE EVENTS WINTER IN THE FRONTIER MORE INFO Poker Rally Drag Races February During winter months For updated information, events, maps, rules, passes, and Fishing Derby Charity Toy Run membership visit March | Hutch Lake December | High Level www.wattmountainwanderers.ca Watt Mountain Wanderers Snowmobile rentals are available I at Northern Services High Level F G H 35 780.926.3959 O J P N K L M Q E RAILWAY R CROSSING S W BB AA WATT MOUNTAIN WANDERERS U T D ALBERTA’S MOST NORTHERLY SNOWMOBILE CLUB 58 C B 58 CC A V HIGH Fuel Stop LEVEL The Watt Mountain Wanderers Snowmobile Club of High Level, Alberta was officially established in 1997. The club has built and is Emergency 35 Warm-Up Shelter currently maintaining 350 kilometers of world class trails suitable for BUSHE RIVER RESERVE CHILD LAKE RESERVE all age groups. The groomed trail system runs through vast wilderness Rest Stop EE with 98% of these trails on crown land. All the trails are mapped, signed, and available on GPS. The trail system also includes three picnic sites and two emergency warm up shelters. Conveniently, the town of High Level’s bylaws allow snowmobiles to be rode directly from homes or hotels out to the trail system from November to March. DD SAFETY FIRST While snowmobiling as a sport is fun and exhilarating, it is also YOU’LL NEED SEASON inherently dangerous, exposing riders to many risks and hazards, December – March only some of which are foreseeable. Riders should freely and • Insurance and registration depending on snowfall voluntarily assume all risks and hazards associated with the sport, • A helmet and proper gear and understand that the use of Alberta Snowmobile Association (ASA) trails and participation in ASA events is entirely at the rider’s • A valid ASA Trail Pass own risk. BE RESPONSIBLE • Do not drink and drive • Operate your snowmobile at a safe and appropriate speed for the terrain • Stay on designated trails • Respect wildlife and their habitats 4 5 BE RESPONSIBLE YOU’LL NEED EXPLORE • Do not drink and drive • Operate your • Insurance and registration WINTER IN THE FRONTIER snowmobile at a safe and appropriate speed • A helmet and proper gear for the terrain • Stay on designated trails • Respect wildlife and their habitats • A valid ASA Trail Pass and membership NOTE Snowmobilers in La Crete must Tuffline Power Sports 780.928.3932 take the shortest route to the trail system. True North Power Sports 780.928.4422 FIND OUT MORE LA CRETE POLAR CATS For updated information, events, and questions call SNOWMOBILE CLUB Brent Holick 780.926.7606, or George Wolfe 780.841.1253 [email protected] Get ready for an unforgettable journey. With breathtaking scenery by La Crete Polar Cats Snowmobile Club B18 day, chances of spotting the dazzling Northern Lights by night, and access to Wadlin and Talbot lakes for ice fishing, the possibilities for MACHESIS TO KM 5 ICE CROSSING B17 CROSS AT YOUR OWN RISK B15 adventure on the La Crete Polar Cats' snowmobile trails are endless. F 60 KM TO HIGH LEVEL Riders may even encounter wildlife such as moose, wolves, coyotes, SANDHILLS TRAIL SYSTEM B14 B1 lynx, and prairie chickens. 88 TEEPEE CORNER NEUFELD 40 KMS STAGING AREA B13 FLAT B12 In the decades since their establishment in 1993, the La Crete Polar B2 Cats Snowmobile Club has developed and maintained more than PRAIRIE POINT B11 E B10 300 kilometers of snowmobile trails in and around the Sandhills, PEACE RIVER B3 Neufeld Flats, and Buffalo Head Hills. Members have access to PEACE RIVER D B hundreds of kilometers of trails, C B4 B8 B7 B POLAR CATS CABIN W4 both groomed and ungroomed 679 (for adventurous riders), multiple K D1 B5 W1 W2 W3 J G B6 WADLIN LAKE trail systems, and warm up JAKE’S LAKE A D2 I H V D3 cabins. U T LA R DONALDSON T1 Y LAKE D4 D6 With the vital help of D5 O LINTON LAKE X L M N snowmobile-loving volunteers P from to 40 km S Q T2 and generous donations, the from to 65 km club88 provides races, poker from to 90 km rallies, and family fun WEST LA CRETE T3 T4 T8 from T12 to 20 km T7 R T5 events each year. T W? Z T6 T BUFFALO HEAD HILLS TALBOT LAKE T10 TRAIL SYSTEM T12 STAGING AREA 240 KMS SEASON EVENTS December – March depending on snowfall Family Day Poker Rally Drag Races Buffalo Head Hills Poker Rally February early March March/April 6 7 Winter EXPLORE access via REGULATIONS snowmobile WINTER IN THE FRONTIER and summer Anglers over the age of 16 must have a Wildlife Identification access via air Number (WiN) card and a licence before fishing. Fishing licence and WiN card can be purchased at selected retail stores or ICE FISHING online at: www.albertarelm.com Each lake in Alberta has specific guidelines beyond the general fishing regulations. Mackenzie Frontier is zoned NB3. To find REQUIRED EQUIPMENT Ice fishing is a popular Canadian winter the fishing guidelines for specific lakes visit: www.albertafishingguide.com • Ice fishing rods pastime enjoyed by all ages. Walking • Ice auger (gas powered is over frozen water, drilling a hole in the recommended) ice, and catching fish through it, is an Regulations change every year. They include daily/trip • Ice scoops to clean ice and snow experience that not many people have possession limits and cleaning/transporting fish. For from the hole in their lifetime. So what are you waiting updated fishing regulations visit: albertaregulations.ca for? Let's go ice fishing! RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT Ice tent, propane heater, chair, warm drinks, food, fire supplies RECOMMENDED BAITS Spoons, rapala jigging rap, jig heads with various bits, flies TYPES OF FISH If it is your first time going ice fishing Northern Pike, Walleye, Burbot, and you would like to go with an Rainbow Trout (Machesis Lake only), experienced guide, contact Lake Whitefish, and Yellow Perch. Chris Adamson 780.841.2939 [email protected] SEASON December – March depending on temperatures SAFETY FIRST snowmobile only The key to ice fishing is to play it safe. Please be extremely cautious. ALWAYS know your location, and never ice fish alone. It is important to note that those on foot require at least four inches of clear blue ice, while those on a snowmobile or ATV need a minimum of eight inches. Stay clear of open water, pressure cracks, and areas with current.