Well folks, with morning temperatures diving quickly, you can feel winter coming. And with such an amazing snowfall last winter, we are hoping for a repeat season that will bring us mild temperatures and deep snow.
If you’ve been riding in Valemount, you know what it’s like; fresh powder, wide open spaces and terrain from simple and suitable to all ages and ability levels, to vast mountain ranges that can challenge even the most experienced mountain rider.
The groomers are being prepped once again to hit the trails of our four managed areas: Keyhole, Clemina, Allan and
Chappell Creek. Grooming operations for our area typically begin the beginning of December and go through until mid-April.
Providing access to some amazing terrain is the main focus of the Valemount Area Recreation Development Association (VARDA), but a close second is the users’ safety and VARDA has gone to a lot of effort to try to promote awareness and to increase the safety of its recreational snowmobilers. It starts with avalanche safety messaging and important contact information printed directly on every trail pass sold at the trailheads. In addition, at each managed trailhead you will find computerized beacon checkers that will help users to determine if their beacon is functioning properly. You may also run into one of VARDA’s snow hosts, who provide last minute safety messages directly to the riders.
The Clemina Creek area has a BCA Beacon Training park located near the subalpine cabin where users can hone their searching skills. The Clemina and Allan Creek cabins also hold Spot locator devices that can be used in an emergency to alert the outside world that help is needed. Valemount has your safety in mind! There are also guide services and snowmobile rentals available in town.
Newcomers to the area would be pointed towards the Clemina Creek area for their first time to Valemount. There is a large parking lot 30 kilometres south of Valemount on the east side of Highway 5. This is an excellent family area where beginners can travel to alpine terrain easily via a groomed trail.
Allan Creek has been the long-time favourite of the adrenalin-seeking snowmobiler. It is accessed 35 kilometres south of Valemount on the west side of Highway 5. There is an eight-kilometre-long, regularly groomed trail with fast elevation gain that leads to the alpine cabin.
Valemount’s prized jewel would have to be Chappell Creek. This area can boast some of the best snow levels in the valley. There is a large parking area located 58 kilometres south of Valemount on the west side of Highway 5. There is a long trail in and the area only gets groomed once or twice a week, so watch VARDA’s website for the grooming schedule. Chappell Creek is a mountain caribou-sensitive area, so users must follow the area’s boundaries to ensure future use.
Keyhole is a smaller area with skate park-like terrain that is accessed from the Clemina parking area 30 kilometres south of Valemount on the east side of Highway 5. The Westridge Family Loop is great for socked-in days or just that casual enjoyable ride close to town. Turn right at the first intersection south of town and follow the road until you reach an open parking area on your right. Follow the main forest service road from here to begin the loop, or go wild and explore the terrain.
Valemount is not just snowmobiling. The three local mountain ranges offer a wide variety of choices. Find all levels of adventure, from winter hiking and snowshoeing to cross-country skiing, heli-skiing/hiking, dog sledding, ski touring or just plain ol’ rest and relaxation. Valemount has a variety of accommodations, from quaint B&Bs, private cabins and full home rentals to the larger chains that travellers are familiar with. For further information on other activities and accommodations, visit: www.visitvalemount.ca.
For more information about Valemount and its amazing recreation opportunities call 250-566-4817 or email VARDA or visit their website.
