Boasting the second largest snowmobile trail system in Saskatchewan, the Battlefords area guarantees sledders a memorable ride. Located in west central Saskatchewan along the North Saskatchewan River, the 440 kilometres of trails extend in a web to the north, east and south of the city of North Battleford.
The terrain consists of hills and valleys, a few frozen streams, open prairie and bush areas, so snowmobilers of all ages and skill levels can easily quench their thirst for a snowy adventure.
A local favourite
Tim Charabin, vice-president of the Battlefords Trail Breakers, handles the grooming of the Denholm Loop, one of his favourite jaunts.
“It’s a 70-kilometre ride that starts just east of North Battleford,” Charabin said. “This trail goes southeast to Denholm, then north to the Whitewood Lakes area. It’s flat and wide open.”
One of the highlights on the Denholm Loop is the warm-up shelter, an old granary.
“The Barley Bin is very unique,” Charabin said. “The seats are all along the outside and the stove is in the middle so everyone can sit around the fire. The Barley Bin is often a full house on the weekends.”
The Battlefords Trail Breakers’ snowmobile trail system has 10 warm-up facilities, and the Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association has named them the best in the province. Each shelter has wood-burning stoves, battery-powered lights and solar panels.
For visiting sledders, Blue Mountain Resort offers cabin rentals and there are a number of hotels, motels and restaurants that can be accessed from the trails. Snowmobilers can purchase fuel at North Battleford, Meota, Cochin, Glaslyn, Moose Country, Moose Range and Rabbit Lake.
The Battlefords Trail Breakers club, which has 70-plus members, maintains the trails regularly and just purchased a second groomer to help them stay on top of the vast system. All the trails are well marked and join up with trails maintained by Thickwood Trails Snowmobile Club Inc., based in Meeting Lake, and the Northern Lights Snowmobile Association, based in Meadow Lake.
“There’s always lots of wildlife around,” Charabin said. “You will see moose, deer, antelope and even porcupines. (The porcupines) are often up in trees, chewing on the branches.”
