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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Snow Riders West
2006 Rider's Choice Awards


Platinum Award:

Most Scenic  Sledding Area

Silver Award

Overall Favourite Riding Area

Bronze Award:

Most Challenging Trails

Bronze Award

Best Overall Area in Western Canada

 

Visit us and see why!

 

 

McBRIDE . . . where the ride is

H I G H  &  W I D E !

SNOWMOBILING INFORMATION

April 20, 2008

There is a fantastic base for sledding on all three mountains, Bell, Renshaw and Lucille!

Great spring sledding conditions.

Grooming has ended for the year - there is still good sledding on all three mountains and conditions should remain good until the end of the month and perhaps into May.

Lucille:                  Good condition

Bell mountain:   Good condition

Renshaw:            Good condition

The trails skies are cloudy and snow is in the forecast so have fun and sled safely.

The Renshaw road has been repaired and there is good access to all three sledding areas.

Avalanche Warning!

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

2006/2007 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)


Membership available at Ride n Hide, 940 2nd Ave;
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
.

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McBride has some of the best alpine powder riding in the country, with an average snowfall in excess of ten feet. Riding elevations vary from 3,500' timber riding to 9,000' hill climbing. If you are a beginner, looking for some family fun, an intermediate or experienced rider, we have it all!

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

Contact us


This page is hosted by
The McBride & District Chamber of Commerce


For McBride & Area community information, please visit
mcbride.ca, hosted by The Village of McBride.

  Designated Sledding Areas:
   BELL MOUNTAIN
   LUCILLE
   RENSHAW
   Cabins

Avalanche Conditions
Awards
Other Snowmobiling Links
Other Winter Activities
Safety Tips
Ski Conditions
Trail Map
Trail Pass Prices

Valley WEATHER


McBride accommodations
McBride general info
 
"RULE OF THE BUSH: What you pack in, pack out."
Please do not litter our beautiful mountains.
 
New cabin on Bell Mtn.
Photos courtesy of Bob Elliott.
 
     McBride WEATHER: Please note that this is Valley weather and does not reflect the snow conditions in the alpine.

 
 
 
 
Cross Country and Heli Skiing areas are off limits to sledders. Please stay in the designated sledding areas.

 

 
Please respect the area and the rights of all users to enjoy our winter season.
 
Leave nothing but tracks....
Take nothing but pictures....
 

Click on image for larger view

Maps are available in most accommodation facilities and at the
McBride Visitor Centre
Located in the Train Station at 1st and Main St.