Written by Carol Christian

Photographs by Bri Vos & Patrick Kerby

As riders make their way through tranquil vistas of winter-covered pines, sunlight dances through the branches, glistening off the snow like diamonds in the frigid air. Some of the taller trees bow over the trail, their boughs making for a snowy arch, more reminiscent of a Christmas card than having an exhilarating snowmobile ride.

Taking in this panorama, it’s easy to see why this region has garnered such appreciation for its abundance of scenic groomed trails – about 275 kilometres to be exact – and all thanks to hundreds of volunteer hours of the McMurray Sno-Drifters Association.

Those efforts have paid off for the club after taking four provincial awards in this year’s 14th annual SnoRiders Rider’s Choice Awards – put on by SnoRiders West online magazine.

The club earned gold for favourite groomed trail riding, silver for favourite overall snowmobiling area and most challenging riding area, and bronze for favourite area for family snowmobiling.

“People have ridden the trails, have voted for us and we’ve won these four awards by the riders,” explains David Janes, Sno-Drifters president. “For me and the executive of last year, it was a great feeling. We put a lot of time and effort into getting the trails to the point where they are today.”

“It’s pretty awesome because we did put in a lot of work,” echoes Réal Chartrand, the past president lauded as having played a key role in the club’s success.

“It’s nice to be recognized for a project that was done for the benefit of the whole community and the surrounding area.”

The grooming helps keep the trails smooth and free of potential hazards like fallen trees, but it’s more work than that; it’s installing and maintaining proper signage and keeping the fire pits and outhouses stocked. While smaller signs marking the trails warn of steep hills, S-curves or sharp turns, others yield commonsense messaging like Make Tracks, Not Trash or Ride Safe, Ride Sober.

Then there are the larger single-letter signs at specific spots along the trails. These GPS-mapped signs can be a rider’s lifeline – whether during a mechanical breakdown or a medical emergency.

Both men are quick to thank everyone involved in the club’s success: volunteers and executive, the Anzac Trail Committee, the provincial government, Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and numerous sponsors.

“Everybody has put a vast amount of work into getting where we are today and we’re still working on it,” points out Janes. “We’re trying to build this club every day.”

Réal encourages riders to support the club by buying their trail passes. That’s what helps pay for all the trail maintenance. “It was a big job and we got her done,” says Chartrand. “Now we have nice safe trails the community can enjoy.”

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