Western Canada cleaned house in terms of awards won at the International Snowmobile Congress (ISC) that just took place in Niagara Falls, New York.
It was there on June 13 that the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations (CCSO) announced the winners of the 2015 CCSO Excellence Awards.
And they are:
- Outstanding Snowmobile Dealership: Valley Chainsaw & Recreational Ltd. in Pemberton, B.C.
- Outstanding Snowmobile-Related Company: SnowandMud.com
- Outstanding Snowmobile Promotion & Development: The Betties Power Sports Network, based in Windermere, B.C.
- Outstanding Snowmobile Club: Candle Lake Snow-Drifters Inc. in Candle Lake, Saskatchewan
- Outstanding Snowmobile Family: Marvin and Marlene Eckert with the Alberta Beach Snowmobile Club in Alberta Beach, Alberta
- Outstanding Snowmobiler: Rick Bilous with the Yorkton Sno-Riders in Yorkton, Saskatchewan
- Outstanding Snowmobile Tourism Promotion & Development: Michelle Wolff, executive director for the Sicamous & District Chamber of Commerce in Sicamous, B.C.
- Outstanding Youth - The Pete Greenlaw Award: Brandon Spooner with the Rocky Mountain Riders Snowmobile Club in Mackenzie, B.C.
Donegal Wilson, executive director for the British Columbia Snowmobile Federation (BCSF), accepted the awards on behalf of the B.C. winners. She was inspired to see so many snowmobilers in Western Canada, but especially B.C., recognized for all their hard work and dedication.
“The BCSF is celebrating 50 years representing organized snowmobiling this year, and it is a founding member of the CCSO,” said Wilson. “I think having B.C. youth, businesses, tourism and clubs win half of the national awards at this milestone shows that as a snowmobile community, B.C. remains one of the leaders of our sport.”
According to Wilson, there were more than 450 representatives from Canada, the U.S. and Russia at the ISC this year. Among them were members of national snowmobile organizations, provincial snowmobile organizations and individual clubs.
Snocross champ and freestyle legend Levi LaVallee also made a special appearance at the 2015 ISC, and he sent out this Tweet during the event:
Overall, the 2015 ISC was a huge success for snowmobilers in Western Canada. In 2016, it will be held in Rapid City, South Dakota, on June 9 to 11. For more info, visit the website.
