The voice of the business community of
the Robson Valley, British Columbia

Dome Creek • Crescent Spur • McBride • Dunster •
Croydon • Tete Jaune Cache
The McBride & District Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to promoting the trade interests and the well-being of the residents of McBride and District. The Chamber is non-profit, comprised of businesses, professionals, residents and other community groups working together to ensure a healthy economic base

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May/June  2009

Grooming has finished for the season.

Renshaw (McKale) snowmobile trail will be closed to truck traffic as of May 14. The road will remain closed until the road firms up and all the drainage systems of the road are functional. For more information please call: 1-250-569-3787

Avalanche Warning! - PLEASE CHECK THE AVALANCHE WEBSITE FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION:  http://www.avalanche.ca

For current weather conditions CLICK HERE

For current road conditions       CLICK HERE

For accommodation information CLICK HERE

The information line, 1-250-569-8871 is up and running and remember to check back at the website for the latest information.

Avalanche Warning!

Please stay informed of avalanche conditions in the North Columbia and North Rockies, and travel prepared.

Remember, as hikers use our trails in the summer it is the responsibility of all sledders to respect the environment and other outdoor recreation enthusiasts. Please pack out any garbage and leave the mountains as you found them - beautiful!

2008/2009 GROOMER is EL-JA Grooming

McBride Info Centre: 1-866-569-3366
EL-JA Trail Info Line: 1-250-569-8871

TRAIL USER PASSES: $15 per day - $40 for 3 days
- available at the trailheads.

Trail User Fees are determined and enforced by the Ministry of Forests and Range. For the exact wording of the regulation, click here

Season's Pass: $250 ($150 for McBride Big Country Snowmobile Club members)

 
Season Pass available at the Info Centre in the train station.

DIGITAL CELL PHONE SERVICE now accessible for Telus & Bell customers through most of the valley, from Legrand (17km west of McBride) to south of Valemount.

There are three designated sledding areas (described below) with groomed trails from the parking lots to the riding areas. Trail passes are sold at the trailheads. Vouchers are available at the Info Centre in the train station (11:00am - 4:00pm).

BELL MOUNTAIN - with a 15km groomed access trail to the alpine, offers awesome scenery and family oriented riding and sightseeing. Access is off Hwy 16, 13km west of McBride. Parking is shared at km 5 with the Yellowhead Ski Club. Snowmobilers please stay to the right on your ride to the alpine. Please respect other recreationalists in this multi-use area. NEW THIS YEAR!! A new cabin is located at the end of the groomed trail, courtesy of the McBride Community Forest (GPS: 53-17-21 N, 120-19-72 W).

LUCILLE MOUNTAIN - offers every type of riding, from trails to extreme hill climbing. Parking is at km 0.5 on Lucille Mtn Forest Road, with a loading ramp and toilet facilities. A heated cabin awaits you (GPS: 53-15-19 N, 120-15-11 W) at the end of a 12.5km groomed trail that starts only 3.5km from town. Access is through the Village, via 1st Avenue to Sansom Rd to Lucille Mtn Rd.

THE RENSHAW - offers the largest mapped out riding area in BC, only 15 minutes from McBride and 30km up a groomed access trail. It is recommended that you carry beacons, shovels, probes and extra gas in this remote area. Access is via Mountainview Road (21 km to the McKale Forest Road - 4WD), just east of McBride and the Fraser River bridge. (Cabin GPS: 53-28-18 N, 119-58-14 W)

Trail Map

CABINS:
McBride Big Country Snowmobile Club is credited with the building and continuing maintenance of the two cabins - one on Lucille Mtn and one up the Renshaw - great for warming up, having lunch or just taking a break!
McBride Community Forest has built a new cabin on Bell Mountain for the 2005-06 season.

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ALWAYS BE PREPARED

Even if you are planning a short day out, you should always be prepared to fend for yourself. The mountains are subject to sudden weather changes - fog, heavy snow, extreme temperature changes - or you could become separated from your group. These 'rules' apply to backcountry travel at any time of the year.

• Make a Travel Plan. Let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return.

• NEVER travel alone. If you injure yourself while alone, your chances of survival are reduced.

• Carry a map and compass. A GPS is helpful - know how to operate it.

• Carry a beacon and probe and know how to use them.

• Prepare as though you plan to spend a night or two out.

• Pack energy bars or similar emergency food - make sure it is fresh.

• Carry spare clothing, especially gloves, socks, touque.

• Carry a space blanket - it can act as a windbreak to keep you warmer.

• Carry fire starter (solid BBQ starter works well, or homemade blocks of paraffin poured over dry sawdust in a muffin tin).

• Carry matches in a dry container with a bit of waxed paper. Wooden matches are a must. If you don't have a waterproof match container, use a 35mm film cannister.

• Carry a good first-aid kit, a flashlight (make sure batteries are charged - LED type are longer lasting), a light stick and signaling devices (flares, a whistle, a mirror, a sheet of red plastic to lay on snow as a ground sheet or use to signal to aircraft).

• Always carry spare gas, a spare drive belt, spark plugs (be sure they are working) and an extra piece of starter rope.

• Carry a length of strong tow rope.

• Carry a hatchet and/or sturdy knife.

• Know how to build a snow or tree shelter. It's a basic skill which could save your life!

• If it becomes obvious that you will have to spend a night out, gather fuel for a fire early in the day - don't wait until dark. Build a shelter near your snowmobile, as it is the source of things you can use to stay alive. It will also serve as a windbreak when there is nothing else.

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OTHER LINKS:

  BC Snowmobile Federation

  SnoRiders West

  Alberta Snowmobile Association

  SnoWest Canada

Snow and Mud