Some snowmobile communities just seem to lend themselves to group rides. One of the best places to take a sledding trip with your family and friends is Cold Lake, Alberta. The riding is easy to moderate with mostly flat territory, making it suitable for those with less experience. That being said, the snow conditions here make it equally fun for those who have been sledding for years. That's the beauty of the Lakeland: you could invite the most diverse group of snowmobilers and each one would fall in love with the area for a different reason.
Surrounded by interconnected routes, Cold Lake is a well-known gateway to Alberta's Lakeland. You can head out from town in virtually any direction and find choice terrain that will not disappoint. If you start by travelling northeast, you can cruise along the Cold Lake Snowmobile Club trail network, consisting of frozen lakeland, forests and river valleys populated by ample wildlife. The flat landscape will allow you to relax during your ride, so you can fully appreciate the views. If you require a warm-up cabin, you can find one near Crane Lake.
More to explore
Cold Lake is also a connecting point that links the Iron Horse Trail and the Trans Canada Trail. Just west of the Fas Gas station, you can find the staging area for the Iron Horse Trail, which is a main draw for most sledders who visit. This famous recreation route leads to a series of other sled-friendly communities where you can stop, fuel up, eat and chat with other snowmobiling enthusiasts.
Because Cold Lake sits directly on the border of Alberta and Saskatchewan, riders can access Meadow Lake's trail network from the Saskatchewan side. The Meadow Lake and Waterhen clubs have a co-operative relationship with the Cold Lake Snowmobile Club, and the cross-border sledding opportunities allow you to try out even more types of terrain.
Embrace Cold Lake camaraderie
When you're planning your visit, try to pick a time when the local club is having one of its events. Family fun rides are held here on a regular basis, which are suitable for people of all ages and take place twice a year, depending on conditions. Share your passion for sledding with your kids by taking them on a leisurely ride to the cabin, then enjoy a bonfire and social gathering at the staging area.
New and potential members are encouraged to come to the club AGM in November, and there are also charity events and the SSRA Snowmobile Drag Races, so keep checking the club Facebook page.
This is a fantastic way to introduce yourself to the Cold Lake snowmobiling community and learn all the best secret sledding zones.
