>> pay your share! -...

Every year the snowmobile clubs have to clearthe trails due to windblown trees, heavy wetsnow pulling down the willows and, of course,the beaver. Our “busy beaver” just won’t giveup—he has to build a dam, cuttrees for the construction ofthe dam and some for food.For the most part, he justmakes a lot of mess. If wecould get into some of theareas in the summer then wecould control the beaverpopulation and keep thedams open. Whatever hap-pens, Mister Beaver willhave the upper hand andwin the battle. I guess wejust carry on and keepclearing the trails year afteryear. It is the volunteersthat keep the clubs goingand when the trails arecleared they can be proud oftheir accomplishments.

I have talked to some of theclubs and they are having thesame problems. The Westlockclub has logged over 150hours with clearing and sig-nage repairs, etc. Most of thetrails get damaged by thewheeled units through thesummer months becausethere are not many designat-ed areas to ride. If there isenough snow then thegroomer will fill the holesand make the trail decent.

We also find that there are many riders who re-fuse to buy trail passes to help with the trailmaintenance. They claim that it is Crown landand they have the right to ride wherever theywant. This is true, but if they would stop and re-alize who is funding the trail system then com-mon sense should prevail. Then there are thespecial supporters that buy passes and don’t even

EVENTS>>

NEWS>>

PAY YOUR SHARE!IT’S VOLUNTEERS VERSUS BUSY BEAVERS OUT ON THE TRAILSBY LYLE BIRNIE, President

Hosting an event or ride? Don’t forget to post it on the ASA website calendar for all to see!

Snowmobile Sneak PeakApril 9, 2013Produced by the ASA, come seethe 2014 sleds before anyoneelse! In Edmonton at the Hangaron Kingsway (Alberta AviationMuseum, located at 11410Kingsway Avenue)

ASA AnnualGeneral MeetingEdmonton • April 27, 2013InternationalSnowmobile Congress June 5 - 8, 2013Green Bay, Wisconsinwww.isc2013.org

Alberta Snowmobile& Powersports Show October 18 - 20, 2013Edmonton Northlands Expo Centrewww.albertasnowmobileshow.com

2013 Go SnowmobilingTake a Friend Snow-mobiling Campaign

Want to earn $5,000 for yourclub? ISMA (www.snowmobile.org) has sponsored acontest to get your friends outon the trails with you. Checkdetails at the ASA website.

SledNSnap.com launched!The ASA,

along withFlaman Trail-ers and the as-

sociations in Saskatchewanand Manitoba, have againlaunched this online photocontest. Enter to win atwww.slednsnap.com.

ride. Trail riding is a privilege, not a right. Thevolunteers from all the clubs donate a lot of hourskeeping the trails in a safe condition but it stillcosts a lot of money for fuel, equipment depreci-ation and signage. The new year has arrived and

may 2013 see some changes inthe way the trail riderssupport the local clubs.

This time of year thesnowmobile rallies start upand it looks like MotherNature has done her partwith lots of snow in all theareas. Support your localclub rallies as this is a goodfundraiser for them.

Not buying a trail pass islike saying you don’t careabout the volunteer timeyour friends and neighbourshave put in to make thattrail so nice for you to ride.Who do you think clearsthe fallen trees, cuts thebrush back, builds thecabins and stocks themwith firewood? Who doyou think is out there atnight driving the groom-er? It is your local friends,and when you don’t buy atrail pass you are makingtheir job even harder. Didyou know that the clubs allmust have insurance on thetrails in order to get permis-sion to use them? The trailpass helps to pay for the trailinsurance. If you are not

going to buy a trail pass, you are costing us time,money and effort. Shame on you.

The ASA trail pass is just about the cheapest inCanada. At $60 (compared to Ontario at $280)you get access to over 5,500 kilometres of trailsin Alberta. Be fair and pay your share if youchoose to ride our trails.

SPECIAL SNORIDERS ASA REPORT

ASA trail pass funds help run our school safetyprograms and much more besides. www.slednsnap.com

www.slednsnap.comENTER ATENTER ATENTER AT

www.slednsnap.com

One of the many trails maintained by volunteers

Warm-up shelter built by the Pembina Driftbusters

26 SnoRiderswest.com » MID WINTER 2013

CLUBNEWS>>

Alberta Snowmobile Association • www.altasnowmobile.ab.ca

A good running startSAFE RIDERS PROGRAM SEES RECORD-BREAKING NUMBERSBY CHRIS BROOKES, Executive Director

Well, 2013 is off to a better start than 2012 was.We have snow! I remember writing for this issuelast year and most of the snow had melted. Wewere cancelling rides and were worried aboutrides in February being cancelled as well. Thesnow dance worked this year for sure and, as aresult, membership sales are steeply on the rise.What a great problem to have to start the newyear. At the end of last season we had many un-sold passes still in the office. This year they wereall distributed before December was out. Nice!

With lots of good snow I have one less thing onmy plate to deal with, but a new opportunity hascome our way to take its place. For many years,our four manufacturing partners (BRP/Ski-Doo,Arctic Cat, Polaris and Yamaha) have held aspring Sneak Peek Tour of the coming year’smodels. Run by the manufacturers, the tour washeld for the last few years at the Mayfield Inn &Suites conference centre in Edmonton and fea-tured all the latest models of sleds (and somesummer machines). It was a quick one-day event,advertised through the dealerships and some lim-ited media locally. The ASA was always invitedto participate as the provincial snowmobilingbody in the area.

This year the manufacturers offered the entirenational tour to the Canadian Council of Snow-mobile Organizations (CCSO), of which we are amember. As the producer of snowmobile showsin Alberta for over 25 years, we at the ASA im-mediately recognized the value of this opportuni-ty and jumped at it. There will be shows inEdmonton, Saskatoon and Winnipeg, as well astwo in Ontario and two in Quebec. We, ofcourse, will produce the Edmonton show andplans are already finalized. Tuesday, April 9, atthe Edmonton Aviation Museum (the Hangar onKingsway to locals), the ASA will be pleased topresent the 2014 Snowmobile Sneak Peek Tour(www.snowsneakpeek.com).

Having another snowmobile show to quicklyput together gave us a good running start to getworking on the 2013 Alberta snowmobile show,as we had to book the halls already and are start-ing to contact exhibitors for October. It’s amaz-ing how quickly the year goes by when you areconstantly planning six to eight months ahead oftime. We had to order more ASA trail passes tobe printed in early January for this season and weare now looking at printing next year’s trail pass-es even earlier, to have them available at theSneak Peek show. How many to print for nextyear? Good question!

On the provincial front, the proposed trail legis-

lation that was supposed to be introduced in theLegislature in the fall was removed and may notbe back until next fall. I have mixed feelingsabout this proposed provincial trail authority,only because of the proposed funding mecha-nism, which taxes motorized trail users for thebenefit of all. There needs to be an equitablefunding mechanism brought in to make it fair.The flip side of the proposal is that we may final-ly get formal recognition of our trails and theability to legally protect the hard work and count-less hours that our volunteers put in. Currentlyour trails enjoy little to no protection on Crownland. More times than I can count have I heardand witnessed the trails being damaged and de-stroyed, whether purposely or not. Survey crews,logging, pipelines—all seem to enjoy free reinover our trails. In the winter as well, we are notable to keep other motorized users from ourgroomed trails, where their damage quickly de-stroys the hard work and long hours put in by ourgrooming crews. Under the proposed legislation,our trails may finally enjoy some legal status andgive us the ability to say, “This is our trail—useit respectfully or go elsewhere.”

Our work with the Canadian Avalanche Centre(www.avalanche.ca/cac) continues as we striveto get the message of avalanche safety out to asmany sledders as possible. This season sledderson their way to the mountains of B.C. will seelarge billboards with the message of avalanchesafety on the highways into Crowsnest Pass,Golden and the Yellowhead. Sponsored by theASA, the avalanche centre and Sandman Hotels,the three organizations put our heads togetherand came up with a way to reach more sleddersthan just those who belong to an organizedgroup. Safety is the goal, whether you belong tothe ASA or not (though we would prefer that youdid!).

The ASA Safe Riders program is also allaround the province and we again are on coursefor a record-breaking year for numbers. Last yearour instructors presented our free program to al-most 14,000 Alberta students, who would notnormally get instruction in safe and responsibleoff-road riding. Our free-to-schools programpresents to students the basic fundamentals ofriding with respect—respect for yourself, respectfor the machine, respect for others and respectfor the environment. Using the Ride with Re-spect curriculum that the ASA developed withthe province, our instructors bring this programinto schools as it is not covered anywhere in the

Safety message: beware of fences—by Scott Kruk, Central Region Director

Well everyone, our collec-tive snow dances have paid offand there is some good ridingto be had. If you’re like everyother sledder, you can’t waitto get out there and makesome tracks. Riding is our pas-sion and what we all live for,whether it’s heading downyour favourite groomed trailor across that untouched openmeadow. But let’s not lose ourheads with this “get out and gonow” crazy urge. Keep inmind that cattle pasture loca-tions may have changed, andcattle mean fences.

Every year we hear aboutsome unfortunate soul tan-gling with a fence. Most arelucky to only get somescratches, a torn snowmobilesuit or maybe lose a wind-shield, but a few aren’t so for-tunate. Please everyone, ridesafely and be on the lookoutfor the fences because a fencecan change an awesome rideinto a horrible nightmare inthe blink of an eye.

Something we should all becarrying when we ride is a rollof high-visibility reflectivetape. Then, if you come acrossa fence or hazard, whether youare breaking trail or followingsomeone else’s, mark it—itcould save someone’s life.

That’s my public safety an-nouncement for everyone.Now go out and have a blastand remember to take a friendalong because snowmobilingis the best part of winter.

▼Continued on page 27

Remember...Don’t Drinkand Ride!

MID WINTER 2013 » SnoRiderswest.com 27

CLUBNEWS>>


For Safety’sSake . . .never ride alone!

and we will check schedules for your group. Re-member—it’s free! There’s no reason why yourlocal school shouldn’t book a presentation. It isavailable for Grades K-3, 4-9 or 10-12.

Remember, ride safe and ride sober.

current Alberta school curriculum. If your schoolhasn’t had a presentation yet this year, it mightnot be too late. Get in touch with the ASA office

▼ CHRIS BROOKESContinued from page 26

This year the Myrnam River Ridge Riders tookon the task of putting on the jamboree on Febru-ary 16 and 17, the Family Day long weekend.This club has run a rally on this weekend for over25 years. People come from all over the provinceto take in this event.

This time the club did a pre-registration online,which helped with lineups on Saturday morning.Pre-registration was also available on Fridaynight from 7 to 11 p.m. and registration was stillavailable Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon.

The ride took us through the area’s rural land-scape as well as the North Saskatchewan RiverValley and north to Derwent and back again. Amidway lunch was provided to participants; it

was donated by local businesses and run by theMyrnam Elks. Supper was held at the MyrnamElks Hall at 6 p.m., followed by the prize presen-tations, dance and beer fest. The cost of the rallywas $20 per driver and $20 for supper.

The following day the club hosted an antiquesnowmobile Show & Shine, along with a ride.This event is one of the largest antique snowmo-bile shows in the province. It ran from 11 a.m. to1 p.m. and the $10 cost included dinner andprizes. The prize presentations started at 2 p.m.,followed by the ride to one of the local cabinsalong the groomed trails.

It turned out to be a successful weekend and agreat time was had by all!

Another successful jamboreeBY ADDAM SARUK, Northeast Regional Director

With governments giving low priority to smallorganizations, it is time for the local clubs acrossCanada to stand behind their provincial organiza-tions. As individual groups we don’t have achance to save sledding areas across the country.As a whole, however, the sledding communities,both provincially and nationally, will have astrong voice within the government. As of 2006there have been over 700,000 snowmobiles reg-istered in Canada. The economic impact of sled-ding on local communities is huge, but I am notsure that all the local governments know just howlarge this number is.

Based on estimates, I figure that in one day Ispend $60 for sled fuel, $80 for truck fuel, $60for meals, $20 on two-stroke oil and, say, $20 formiscellaneous items for a total of $240 per day.In an average winter, if I go out 12 weekends, thetotal spent in my local community is $5,760. Ifthe 550 members of the Swan City SnowmobileClub, of which I am a member, each average thesame, the total dollars being spent in our commu-nity would be $3,168,000. This figure does notinclude large-ticket items such as groomers,groomer fuel, sled trailers, trucks, hotel rooms, ortruck, sled and trailer maintenance. In addition,what about the accessories like beacons, ava-lanche gear, jackets, boots, or the most importantitem—the sled. Where does it stop?

The government is on a campaign for healthier

Canadians and spending large amounts of moneyon advertising to that end.

I would estimate there are more than 1 millionsnowmobilers in Canada and as a group wewould have a voice with our local and nationalgovernments in promoting our sport as a healthylifestyle.

We, the sledding communities, need to promoteresponsible no-trace snowmobiling—this in-cludes staying within open sled areas. Andmaybe with some letter writing by our snowmo-bile communities to our local politicians, we canget provincial and federal governments to realizethat we are an important part of the healthy eco-nomic growth across Canada. The governmentalso needs to be made aware that sled clubs alsohave an interest in forestry, parks and wildlifehabitats and we, as a community, understand thatthere needs to be a balance within these areas. Sosome areas may need to close, and as responsiblesnowmobilers we understand that. We also knowthe importance of keeping these areas here forthe next generation of up and coming snowmo-bilers.

As Canadians we have the most majestic coun-try anywhere, and as snowmobilers we get to seeparts of our country that most people will neverget to see. As a mountain snowmobiler, as I sit atthe top of the Canadian Rockies on a bright

Sticking together nationallyBY VINCENT KIRKHAM, Mighty Peace Regional Director

▼Continued on page 28 sidebar

A happy compromise—by George Deputat, Secretary/Treasurer

Peter Kent, our federal envi-ronment minister, announcedthat they would not be allow-ing drilling in the SuffieldBase.

One could say that thiswould be an industrial calami-ty, not a victory. We are con-stantly being told that we mustdo our part in preserving areasfor species at risk—the moun-tain and plains caribou, thegrizzly bear, the burrowingowl, and the list goes on.

The snowmobiler has beenclosed out of many areas, butoil has not because it producesjobs that we cannot fill withlocal people. So we importpeople to work these areasand, of course, more people,more environmental damage.Our politically correct will notadmit that the reason we havemore pollution is we havemore people, so we must setaside areas with little or no de-velopment, but we must alsokeep in mind that if we shutout access entirely we aredenying existing citizens theright to Alberta’s nature.

Non-motorized trails are agood idea for short, easy-access areas but for large expanses we need good, well-maintained and policed motor-ized trails or no one will usethem. In Alberta we haveagain tabled the trail corridorsissue. I’m not sure the waythis system was set up was theright way to proceed but it wasa start.

Call your local MLA orwrite the premier about get-ting this initiative going again.

Until next time ride safe,ride sober and get involved intrail reform.

CLUBNEWS>>


sunny day, looking around Iam in absolute awe of what wehave, and without national,provincial and local clubsfighting to keep these areasopen we will lose it all to bet-ter organized interest groupsthat will do what they think isbest.

Support your local clubs; tellyour fellow snowmobilerswho do not have membershipsto these clubs that we needtheir support, which then alsosupports provincial clubs.Provincial clubs need to helpother provincial clubs and ifwe all work together we willhave a strong voice of respon-sible Canadians with a com-mon interest. We all have alove for this sport no matterwhich province or territory welive in. Governments work for

▼STICKING TOGETHERContinued from page 27

The other day I realized that, as ASA boardmembers, we are always asking you to volunteeryour time and energy for the sport of snowmobil-ing. It doesn’t matter whether we ask as a clubmember or a board member, but we are alwaysasking.

You know it is always for the good of snowmo-biling; often it is for help with building or clear-ing the trails, help with the fundraising or just todo some of the paperwork—it all helps in theend. But I wonder if you all know some of theperks of volunteering for the snowmobile com-munity. I call it community because it is morethan just your local club that benefits from yourvolunteering hours; it is the whole communityand, in many cases, all of Alberta benefits fromyour volunteering time and efforts. You may beasking by now what benefits you get from donat-ing your time to snowmobiling.

Well, let me tell you how it enhances your life.Many people start off with just attending theirlocal club meeting. By attending the meeting youcan see what the club has planned for the upcom-ing year and also what the long-term plans are.

Many of the clubs have three- to five-year plans,and would much appreciate the help from morevolunteers. After you attend some meetings youthen know when the work committee plans onworking and what all has to be done to put on theplanned event—that is when you can really shineby stepping up to the plate and volunteeringsome of your time. And what is the perk to that?Well, you have just met more snowmobilerswho, just like yourself, have a passion for snow-mobiling and would like to see the club grow bykeeping the trails clear and building new trails.So your circle of friends has grown, and you cannever have too many friends. And that, myfriends, is the best perk of all!

Let me tell you about a couple of experiencesthat I have had. A few years ago my email andFacebook page were hijacked, and all of my con-tacts were sent an email saying that I had gone ona trip and my passport purse with all my ID andcredit cards had been stolen, and could someoneplease send me some money to get home. Well, Ihad 12 snowmobile friends call my house and

The perks of volunteeringENLARGING YOUR CIRCLE OF FRIENDS IS A BIG BENEFITBY JANET RIOPEL, Northwest Regional Director


THE 2014 SLEDS ARE HERE

Tuesday, April 9, 2013 • 10 am - 7 pm

Edmonton Aviation Museum (the Hangar on Kingsway)11410 Kingsway Avenue, Edmonton, AB

snowsneakpeek.com

SHOW YOUR BUDDIES THE TAIL LIGHT THEY’LL BE CHASING — ONLY AT

THE 2014 SNEAK PEEKBe the first to see the 2014 snowmobiles

from Arctic Cat, Polaris, Ski-Doo and Yamaha at the 2014 Manufacturers’ Sneak Peek. Don’t miss it!

Admission is FREE

▼Continued on page 29 ▼Cont’d. on pg. 29 sidebar



CORPORATESPONSORS>>

Supporting Trackson the SnowThe ASA has many partners/sponsors that support the over-all goals and objectives of theassociation and assist in deliv-ering many of our importantprograms and services. Thesponsorship program has beendeveloped to provide informa-tion outlining the opportunitiesfor sponsors and partners to as-sist us in our mission and dulyrecognize the sponsors for theirefforts.

Sponsors 2012 - 2013Platinum SponsorAlberta Sport, Recreation,

Parks & Wildlife Foundation

Gold SponsorDrayden Insurance Ltd.Portage CollegePower Merchants

Silver SponsorCapri InsuranceGlacier House ResortSnoRiders magazine

Bronze SponsorAmerican Income Life InsuranceAthabasca Outdoor ProductsATV WorldBack Country AccessCycleworksEcko MarinePiasta PrintingPrinothSnowandMud.com

The Alberta SnowmobileAssociation further thanksour Safe Riders partners:Alberta TransportationAlberta Sport, Recreation, Parks

& Wildlife FoundationInternational Snowmobile

Manufacturers Association

that everyone who came into the shop was in-formed about all the activities that the club hasgoing on for this year. But the hugs were a greatperk to receive by just showing up to a club ac-tivity. Not only did I receive some great hugs, butMarlene introduced me to her son, Steven, whonow owns Ecko Marine, and before we left I wasthe proud owner of a glorious sled at a fine price.Gerry Picard, who has been after me to get a newsled for the last couple of years, chipped in for anew helmet. So that is another perk to volunteer-

ing—all the great deals youget.

There is also the ASAExcellence Awards, wherethe clubs nominate otherclub members and snow-mobile-related people andbusinesses each year andit is a great honour to benominated for any one ofthe awards.

So now that you knowabout a few of the perks

of volunteering for your local snowmobileclub, please sign up and help shape Alberta’ssnowmobile trails. Until we meet, remember toride safe and ride sober. See you on the trailswith my new sled and helmet!

cellphone asking how they could help. It mademe feel that I had some wonderful friends and Iknow that if I ever do get into trouble some-where, I have some awesome friends I can callfor help.

The other experience I want to tell you about ishow snowmobilers can make you feel special.Every time we go to Fox Creek, we are wel-comed with open arms by the club and the towns-people. When we check into the Foxwood Inn &Suites to meet up with Harold and Helen Bell-wood and family, we re-ceive hugs from every-one, and who doesn’t likehugs? I did tell you thatsnowmobilers are huggers,didn’t I?

This year when we wentto Alberta Beach to see howthey were doing at the openhouse for Ecko Marine Ltd.,we were met with open armsby Sara Gilles, followed byTyler, Marlene, Marvin, Donand Gerry Picard, who is arep for BRP in Alberta. The club was having agreat time cooking hotdogs for everyone whocame out to the open house and was making sure

▼ JANET RIOPEL Continued from page 28

Well, another riding season is underway inSouthern Alberta and snow conditions are goodand improving each week. The early seasonsnow conditions in the mountains were betterthen average this year, which resulted in a massmigration of sledders to their favourite southernmountain riding areas during the holiday season.Between Christmas and New Year’s it seemedthat every third vehicle heading down Highway 3toward the mountains was hauling sleds and thestaging areas on both sides of the divide werevery busy in spite of some cold temperatures inlate December.

On the Alberta side of the mountains, trailgrooming was started in early January both northand south of Highway 3. The trails are all in goodcondition, although some caution should be exer-cised when riding in the old Lost Creek fire burnarea, as deadfall on the trails may be present aftera strong wind. Avalanche conditions in the areahave been low below the treeline and moderateabove the treeline so far this season, but be sureto check conditions before heading to higher ele-vations. The trails in the Cataract Creek snow-mobiling area in Kananaskis Country, which

The annual sledder migrationSOUTHERN ALBERTA SNOW CONDITIONS ARE EXCELLENTBY BOB JONES, Southern Regional Director

have traditionally been the home riding area ofthe Calgary Snowmobile Club, are no longerbeing groomed at this point in time.

I’ve been involved with the Crow Snow Ridersclub in the Crowsnest Pass area of Southern Al-berta for many years and have a lot of experiencewith how many volunteer hours go into maintain-ing the trails, shelters and staging areas, doingfundraising, etc. This is true of all other snowmo-bile clubs in Alberta and those in B.C. as well.I’d like to say a special thank you to all those in-dividuals who so selflessly donate their time andexpertise to making snowmobiling an enjoyableexperience for us all. The next time one of thesevolunteers asks you for your trail pass or wants tosell you a day pass, consider saying thank you forthe cleared staging area, the groomed and clearedtrails, the warm-up shelter with its stockpile ofcut wood, etc., rather than complaining about thecost of the pass. All things considered, that trailpass is one of the few financial bargains there isin the sport of snowmobiling. Anyway, the sea-son is off to a good start and hopefully (at the riskof jinxing it) this is only the beginning to an awe-some snow season.

us, but only if we are able totell them as a unified groupwhat we want. As an avidsnowmobiler I believe weneed to come together and beone voice nationally.

▼ STICKING TOGETHERCont’d. from pg. 28 sidebar



President Lyle Birnie • [email protected]

Past PresidentDarryl [email protected]

Vice-PresidentDenise England [email protected]

Secretary-TreasurerGeorge Deputat • [email protected]

Mighty Peace Regional DirectorVacant

Central Alberta Regional DirectorScott Kruk • [email protected]

Northwest Regional DirectorJanet Riopel • [email protected]

Northeast Regional DirectorAddam Saruk • [email protected]

Southern Alberta Regional DirectorBob Jones • [email protected]

Director at LargeArnie Mostowich • [email protected]

ASA Office:Executive Director: Chris [email protected] & Program Director: Christie Sugden • [email protected] orInformation: [email protected]

Snowmobile clubs are an integral part of this popularsport with activities including development of trail net-works and staging areas, competitive events, trail rides,picnic/bonfire rides, safety clinics, fundraising for chari-ty, camping trips, search and rescue and maintenanceclinics. Club activities are often family oriented, so allages join in the fun and also the work to make the funpossible. Check out the list of member clubs. Is your cluba member? The ASA can help you form a club if thereisn’t one in your area. Call us at our office (780) 427-2695 or visit www. altasnowmobile. ab.ca.Alberta Beach Snowmobile Club

Marlene Eckert, Box 504, Onoway, AB T0E1V0780-967-3091 • [email protected]

Athabasca River RunnersDave & Jean Bilsky, Box 1162, Athabasca, AB T9S 2A9 • [email protected]

Bassano SnowpunchersTodd Schaffer, Box 148, Bassano, AB T0J 0B0403-641-3799 • Fax 403-641-2682

Bonnyville SnowdustersGlen Smith, Box 7675, Bonnyville, AB T9N 2H9(H) 780-826-7119 • (C) [email protected]

Brazeau Snowmobile ClubLorne Standish • [email protected]

Calgary Snowmobile ClubRandall Callan • [email protected]

Caroline Snowmobile ClubJames Brady, #1 Baywood Link,Sylvan Lake, AB T4S 0A8403-848-0706 • [email protected]

Cold Lake Snowmobile ClubBox 447, Cold Lake, AB T9M [email protected]

Crow Snow RidersDoug Cox, Box 732, Blairmore, AB T0K 0E3403-563-0428

David Thompson SnowRidersLorraine & Roger Pillman Box 772, Eckville, AB T0M 0X0403-341-3524 • [email protected]

Edson Snow SeekersNorm Giroux, Box 5155, Edson, AB T7E 1T4780-723-5236 • [email protected]

ASA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ASA CLUB MEMBERS

Vermilion Ridge RidersJim Zadorozny • [email protected] - 52 Ave., Vermillion, AB T9X 1X3

Watt Mountain WanderersBarry Andrews, Box 1634, High Level, AB T0H 1Z0780-926-4783

Whitecourt TrailblazersKen Linford, Box 607, Whitecourt, AB T7S [email protected]

Agro Equipment Sales, CalgaryAll Season Equipment, Sherwood ParkArgo, StettlerArgyll Motorsports, EdmontonCamrose Farm Equipment, CamroseCars RV, Marine & Motorsports Group, LeducC.C. Cycle, WestlockChecker’d Flag Sports, HannaChuck Motorsports, High RiverDon’s Speed Parts, WainwrightEcho Cycle & Power Products, EdmontonLac La Biche Sporting Goods, Lac La BicheMedicine Hat Moto Sports, Medicine HatNorthside Motorsports, EdsonOutlaw All Terrain, VegrevillePerformance Motorsports, St. PaulPrecision Powersports, LethbridgeRalph’s Arctic Cat Sales, CalgaryRed Deer Power Sports, Red Deer CountyRough N Tough Powersports, LloydminsterT&T Powersports Ltd., BonnyvilleTop Gear Motorsports Inc., Drayton ValleyTracker Marine Boat Center, Rocky View

Athabasca Outdoor Products, Athabasca• www.athabascaoutdoors.ca

Lorne’s Small Engine, Drayton Valley• www.lornessmallengine.ca

Tuffline Power Sports, La Crete• www.tuffline.com

Xtreme Power Products, St. Paul• www.xtremepowerproducts.ca

Power Merchants, St. Paul • www.powermerchants.ca

Alberta Cycle Motorsports Ltd., EdmontonAll Season Cycle, BrooksArgyll Motor Sports, EdmontonBeauchamp Alberta Marine & Auto Ltd., NantonBorder City RV, LloydminsterCamrose Cycle, CamroseCentral Sled & Cycle, WetaskiwinE&S Motorcycles Ltd., RedwaterFour Seasons Moto-Sports, Fort McMurrayGlenn’s Sports Line, Rocky Mountain HouseMaximum Powersports Ltd., Peace RiverMountain’s Edge Cycle & Sled Ltd., SundreMountainside Sales & Rentals Ltd., EdsonNorthern Services (High Level) 1978 Ltd.,

High LevelO.J.’s Yamaha & Leisure Products,

WainwrightParkland Cycle, Stony PlainPrecision Power Products, St. PaulPro-Am Motorcycles (1990) Ltd., CalgaryR. Johansen Sales Ltd., PonokaRed Deer Power Sports, Red DeerRed-Line Power Craft Ltd., Grande PrairieRiverside Yamaha-Suzuki, St. AlbertRocky Mountain Yamaha, Pincher CreekRomar Power Sports Inc., StettlerScanalta Power Sales Ltd., Hines Creek

POLARIS DEALERS

ARCTIC CAT DEALERS

BRP DEALERS

YAMAHA DEALERS

Seitzco Motorsports, OkotoksSlave Lake Yamaha, Slave LakeSouthland Power Sports, Medicine HatStetson Motorsports, Drayton ValleyT&T Powersports Ltd., BonnyvilleWalt Healy Motorsports Inc., CalgaryWhitecourt Yamaha, WhitecourtYamaha Cycle Sales & Service, Lethbridge

509 Inc.AJ & The Worx ClothingAbsolute Power & PerformanceAFD PetroleumAirdrie Trailer SalesAlberta Beach Snowmobile ClubAlberta Iron Horse TrailAllan Dale TrailersAll Season EquipmentAlpine Motor SportArctic Cat Inc.Argyll Motor SportsAthabasca River RunnersAvalanche Safety SolutionsBack Country AccessBase Camp Guest HouseBest Western ValemountBoondocker CanadaBoondocker MoviesBrandt MotorsportsBrewster West MotorsportsBRP Ski-DooBulldog Superdecks Inc.Calgary Snowmobile ClubCaliber Products Inc.CamoplastCamrose Arctic CatCanadian Avalanche CentreCanadian Council of

Snowmobile Organizations (CCSO)Capri InsuranceCheetah Factory RacingChoko DesignCooper’s Recreational PowersportsCrazy Mountain MotorsportsCrow Snow RidersCrystal‘s Grave Creek CabinsCVTech-AABCycle Works SouthDays Inn GoldenDialed In MotorsportsDistrict of ChetwyndDon’s Speed PartsDrayden InsuranceE & S MotorcyclesEagle Valley Snowmobile ClubEcho CycleFast Enterprises/Millennium TechnologiesFlaman TrailersFort McMurray Sno-DriftersFort Saskatchewan Snow AngelsFourcastFrankensledGateway Power SportsGPRC Fairview College CampusGT Performance Ltd.Harvey Mountain Adventures Ltd.HiLine Polaris SuzukiHTR DesignsH2R DistributingInfinite Powersports/Revy Sled RentKey Maintenance TechnologiesKootenay Rockies TourismLacustoms Performance ProductsLiquid Customs Inc.Main Jet Motorsports

CORPORATE PARTNER LIST

contactsElk Point Trail Riders

Rusty Berg, Box 675, Elk Point, AB T0A 1A0780-724-3442 • [email protected]

Fort Saskatchewan Snow AngelsBrad Hooks, Box 37504,101 Bremnar Dr., Unit 5, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 0M7 • 780-445-9588 • [email protected]

Iron Horse Trail Grooming FoundationDanny Smyl, 4410 - 45B Street, St. Paul, AB T0A 3A3780-645-3607 • [email protected]

La Crete Polar CatsBrent Holick780-928-3088 • [email protected]

Lakeland Breakers Outdoor SocietyAlan Zaparnuik, 5001 - 47 Ave., Two Hills, AB T0B 4K0 • (H) 780-657-2485(W) 780-657-2133 • (C) 780-603-0249

Lamont River RatsMiles Melnyk, RR 1, Star, AB T0B 4E0780-478-3597 • Fax [email protected]

McMurray Sno-DriftersDavid Janes, Box 30217, 300 - 19 Riedel St., Fort McMurray, AB T9H 5P8 • [email protected]

Northern Lights Snowmobile ClubAlan Breitkreitz, Box 4003, Barrhead, AB T7N 1A1780-674-7770 • Fax [email protected]

Northland Sno-GoersHarold Bellwood, Box 332, Fox Creek, AB T0H 1P0780-622-3743 • Fax [email protected]

Olds Snowmobile ClubLyle Statham, Box 17, Site 1, RR 4, Olds, AB T4H 1T8 • 403-556-7297

Peace Valley Snow RidersTim Legace8333 - 101 Ave., Peace River, AB T8S 1N3780-624-5249 • [email protected]

Pembina DriftbustersCliff Bromberger, Box 5861, Westlock, AB T7P 2P6780-674-5789 • Fax [email protected]

River Ridge RidersAddam Saruk, Box 214, Myrnam, AB T0B 3K0 • 780-366-2506Cell 780-210-0230 • [email protected] Maksymiuk, Box 215, Myrnam, AB T0B 3K1780-290-2178 • Cell [email protected] • Fax 780-724-2211

Smoky Lake Trail TwistersVern Billey, Box 1004, Smoky Lake, AB T0A 3C0780-656-4142 • [email protected]

St. Paul TrailblazersDanny Smyl, 4410 - 45B St., St. Paul, AB T0A 3A3780-645-3607 • [email protected]

Swan City Snowmobile ClubRick Bennett, Box 1332, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 4Z1780-539-9277 • Fax 780-538-9272Cell 780-897-0416 • [email protected]

Swan Hills Snow GoersDwight Steenhart, Box 38, Swan Hills, AB T0G [email protected]

Tail Creek SnowbirdsMonte Turre, Stettler, [email protected]

Tri-County Snowmobile ClubBrian Beebe, 374 Twin Brooks Dr., Edmonton, AB T6J 6T2 • PO Box 20039, #15, 5201 - 50 St., Leduc, AB T9E 6T4780-437-4706 • [email protected]



Mansion On MainMartin DeerlineMartin Motor SportsMcBride Big Country Snowmobile AssociationMenz ToysMinistry of EnvironmentMountain MagicMountain Sledder MagazineMS Society of CanadaMuck Boots 4 SaleNextech Industries Inc.Northland Sno-Goers (Fox Creek) Ontra SalesOver The Top RentalsParadis Motor Sports Ltd.Parkland MotorsportsPeaks LodgePembina Drift BustersPolar SpasPolarisPowder Lites Inc.Power Cycle Prairie ConcessionsPrairie RecreationPrestige Hotels & ResortsQuickie Tie DownR & M PromotionsRapid RevolutionsRecreation Sites & Trails, Province of BCRocky Mountain XtremeSandman Hotel GroupSaskatchewan Snowmobile AssociationSledix Apparel Inc.Sled SicamousSmoky Lake Trail Twisters

Snobunje CanadaSnoRiders MagazineSnowmobile Hood CleanerSouthgate PontiacSpecialty SledsSpiralus DesignSplit Rail SkiStarting Line ProductsSwan Hills Snow GoersT&T Power Sports Ltd.TB RacingTerracana Ranch ResortTherma-Relief Inc.The Sled ShopThunderstruck FilmsThuya Creek RV ShowTNRD - Blue River TourismTop Secret ShopTourism ValemountTown of WhitecourtTri-County Snowmobile ClubTriple M MotorsportsTruck BossTrue North Log HomesUTV CanadaWhitecourt TrailblazersWhite Knuckle MotorsportsWillerton Ski-DooX Truck Deck (A & B Enterprises)Xtreme Power ProductsXXX Mod RodsYamahaYellowstone Tour & TravelYorkton Group InternationalZac’s Tracs Avalanche & Snow SafetyZbroz Racing

The ASA is dedicated to the preservation and promotion ofsafe, responsible recreational snowmobiling in Alberta.

A valid ASA trail pass is required to ride on the ASA snowmobiletrail network and is available from your local club representativesor through the ASA. You can also purchase them at specific retailsnowmobile dealerships situated near the trail network.

Visit our website to find contact information for ASA clubs inyour area, to learn about the benefits of membership and how tobecome an Alberta Snowmobile Association member.

www.altasnowmobile.ab.ca • Phone 780.427.2695

Buy where you ride!Contact your local snowmobile club.

$60 prior to January 1; $70 after January 1, 2013

Memberships now due!

SPONSORSSure-Rider Snowmobile

Insurance ProgramTrail permit riders are eligible for:

• Group Rates• Limited Waiver of

Depreciation Available• Loss of Use

Toll Free: 1-800-463-2300Edmonton: 780-482-6300

Official Insurance Broker of the ASA

Has your school booked its FREE all-season safe riding program?Our instructors will come to your school and instruct your kids on the

fundamentals of safe snowmobile, ATV and all off-highway riding.

Have your dealership listed here for only $100 per year.

Contact the ASA office to get your name on the listings today!

Alberta Dealers



My name is Mario Côté, vice-president of theCanadian Council of Snowmobile Organizationsand chair of the environment committee. I’vebeen involved in organized snowmobiling for 35years, as club president, director, vice-presidentand even president of the Quebec Federation ofSnowmobile Clubs.

Today, I would like to discuss the environment,something we all care about dearly and whichwe have a duty to protect.

Certain environmental extremistswould like snowmobiling to disappear.Snowmobiling, like numerous other ac-tivities, must be part of sustainable de-velopment. In order to do so, an activityhas to, among other things, have a socio-economic character and programs designedto improve its ecological footprint.

Allow me to explain: the socio-economic as-pect is rather obvious, for snowmobiling is a so-cial activity that brings people together and theeconomic impact in Canada exceeds $7 billionannually.

All activities have an environmental impact andin order to survive in a sustainable development

framework, it is this impact that must be reduced,but how?

Firstly, with new engine technologies such asfour-strokes and direct injection two-strokes, themanufacturers have made significant gains and Iam convinced that this evolution will continue.

For snowmobile clubs managing trails, wemust ensure that all applicable environmental

rules are respected and adhered to—from wet-lands and the construction of bridges and

culverts to proximity to residential areas.Where and when possible, establishtrails that are as permanent as possibleso as to reduce as much as possible ourecological impact.For individual snowmobilers, we must

ride only in designated areas and keep ourvehicles in good working order as it’s proven thata well-maintained snowmobile has a reducedecological impact. We must be responsible whentrail riding and when the time comes to purchasea new snowmobile, choose one equipped withthe latest available technology.

Have a great season and please be respectful ofthe environment!

February is Environment Month

Coast to Coast by Dennis Burns

Clarity Conferencing Inc.

Dennis Burns

Please support businesses that support the CCSO—the nationalvoice of organized snowmobiling!

The CCSO would like to thank oursponsors for the 2012/2013 season..

Snowmobileresponsibly

From safety to the environ-ment, we all make personalchoices in our daily lives, in-cluding our snowmobiling ac-tivities. Here are some smartchoices to consider.

Know Before You Go -This applies to the thicknessof the ice, the weather and av-alanche conditions. You andyour riding partners should allpractise good trail riding eti-quette as well.

Be Prepared - Your check-list should include sunglasses,good tie-downs, your trail orriding passes and a sparebelt—how many times haveyou seen a rider with no sparebelt? Oh yes, then you willneed a tow rope and maybe acrazy carpet to get that sledout.

Arriving home safely aftereach and every ride dependsprimarily on planning, deci-sions and actions, so choose tosnowmobile responsibly thiswinter. Remember, you arethe one who can keep yourselfout of trouble.

If You Pack It In, Pack ItOut - If you can carry contain-ers full surely you have theroom to carry them when theyare empty—from water bottlesto oil containers, not to men-tion blown belts. Remember,snowmobilers care about theenvironment and keeping na-ture beautiful!

Respect Sensitive Areas -There are lots of other placesto ride, so avoid areas markedas sensitive or protected.

Spread the Word - Snow-mobiling is a good news storybecause snowmobiles haveimproved continuously.

Protect Wildlife - Animalsare more vulnerable in winter,so keep your distance andleave them alone.

>> pay your share! -...

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