Below average snow levels didn’t prevent the Whitecourt Trailblazers snowmobile club in Whitecourt, Alberta, from having their annual poker rally on February 18 and 19, 2012.
Club members were pleased with the turnout. On Saturday, 279 riders attended the event, and on Sunday, there were 208 participants.
On Saturday, snowmobilers explored the trails on the south side of Whitecourt. According to Crystal Siudy, who is the club’s director of publicity and promotions, it was icy on the hills but everyone had a good time. Attendees found more snow on the following day while riding on the trails on the north side of town.
A sled raffle was held after the rally and Randy Matthews from Whitecourt was the winner of a 2012 Polaris 800 Switchback Assault 144. Siudy said Matthews is a longtime volunteer of the Trailblazers and he has provided a great deal of support to the club.
Since the poker rally, club members have been doing as much snowmobiling as they can before the season ends.
“It is a great season even with minimal snowfall,” said Siudy. “We got around two feet on the north side last weekend so we’re busy playing in it.”