Spring Snowmobiling In The Canadian Rockies
Spring time in the mountains brings all kinds of situations. The urge to hit the snowboard park with just a hoodie on, lounge on the patio and BBQ with friends Talk about the season past over a cold pop and maybe even just put your board away in the garage. But, if you’ve got a snowmobile and the patience to watch the weather patterns like money was about to fall from the sky, then you may just cash in on some serious end of season powder days. The Rockies of Canada are a perfect example of this. The Rockies, which are known for less then stable snow conditions in deep winter, start to cooperate a lot more come spring time. The snow pack stiffens up and this is time to ride the more let’s say “extreme” lines that you may have been eye balling all season. Your snowmobile can take you to places so far into the backcountry that just getting there is half the fun and half the misery. It can involve high speed racing across untouched lakes and floating over open powder fields into the unknown. This is the alluring part of it all. What most people don’t know is the frustrating side of it. Riding a snowmobile into the backcountry isn’t as easy as it sounds. You’ll need time to learn how to drive it well and a proper crew. Having all the avalanche safety gear and the knowledge of how to use it is essential.
The worst part about it is getting it stuck and all the digging you’ll have to do. You could easily dig for most of the day and barely even snowboard. Even the most experienced sledders find themselves digging at one point of the day. These machines also break down. Breaking down out in the backcountry is a nightmare so being with people or knowing what to do in this situation is critical. This is just part of the LOVE/HATE relationship that snowmobiles bring to snowboarding. They also stink and are loa\ud as hell. But I’m not complaining…..that much. This past spring in the Rockies of Canada snow was in abundance and storms blew in some serious snow falls up to 50 cm at a time. Snow was even falling deep in the valley bottoms even after ski resorts were long closed. Driving a snowmobile from the valley bottom and busting into the wide alpine is an amazing feeling on a blue bird day with fresh snow covering everything in sight. The entire month of April was like this out in the Canadian Rockies…You could almost say it was the best month of the season up here in Canada for the interior Rockies. Snow fell on a more consistent basis and there was a ton of sunshine. So if you’re interested in snowmobiling and have access to mountain ranges that allow it do some research. Starting at your local snowmobile dealer is a great place to start. Interested in having a crack at snowmobile-snowboarding? Check into rental shops and guides. These places can set you up with maps of the local areas and even get you out there into the goods. Local knowledge is key. Never try and just head out on your own without deep knowledge of where you are going and what’s out there. GSR LOCAL KNOWLEDGE… Go to the RIVERHOUSE to meet like minded snowmobilers and snowboarders for some food or a cold pop….mention this article… |
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