The Fort McMurray Sno Drifters don't mess around—or, they do, but only when it leads to long scenic rides and wild play in the snow.
With nearly 600 members and a 30-year history, the club is successfully making Fort McMurray an exciting and diverse sledding destination with something for every skill level.
The Anzac Loop
One of the club's most highly recommended must-see sledding destinations is the Anzac Loop, which takes off from the Saprae Creek staging area and winds out to 60 kilometres of wide, double-groomed trails.
“It has some long, straight runs and some twisty, windy trails but nothing too technical,” said club president Ron Fetzko. “A person can make it all the way to a community access point, which runs right to Anzac Pizza & Fast Food.”
The family-friendly restaurant is the perfect place to pile in for a warm meal before completing the loop back to the staging area. Zee Bar & Grill, an adults-only establishment, is also accessible from the same community access and has amazing food to fuel the ride home.
The Anzac Loop also beckons families with two always-stocked warm-up shacks—the Bean Fire Pit and Wells Pit—located at the one-third and two-thirds points, respectively, which make the trip completely flexible.
“The trail is also bidirectional,” said Fetzko, “so you can make the trip as long or as short as you want.”
The Anzac Connector
Intermediate riders who want to stretch out a trip along the Anzac Loop can check out the Anzac Connector, a bidirectional, twisty trail that connects Anzac to the Stoney Mountain Loop.
The scenic, medium-difficulty, 50 kilometre-trail offers up some incredible views at various lookouts, including the Connector Trail Lookout where riders will find a nice fire pit on the ridge of the Stoney Mountain foothills.
Riders with longevity and a taste for adventures will love the Stoney Mountain Loop, another 65-kilometre trail connected to the Anzac Loop by the Anzac Connector.
Endless Snow Belt
The Stoney Mountain Loop will accommodate all levels of rider and is the gateway to Fort McMurray's primary snow area—Stoney Mountain Wildland Park.
“This is our snowbelt,” said Fetzko. “I am a mountain rider, but we have had years where I don't even bother going to the mountains because this area is so endless.”
The park offers jaw-dropping scenery, exploring, boondocking, endless cutlines, cutblocks and connecting ponds, dams and creeks.
“It is endless how far you can go out, and it is all barbed-wire-free,” said Fetzko. “In the ASA (Alberta Snowmobile Association) words, we are actually one of the only truly barbed-wire-free clubs.”
Fetzko encourages visitors to give the Sno Drifters a call for directions and recommendations. “We are always around and ready to show off our amazing backyard,” he said.
The club can be reached through its website and Facebook page.
