Hudson Bay, Candle Lake, Big River and La Ronge all have superlative snowmobiling—this is something many sledders know. In these communities and others throughout the province, generations of families have ridden and will continue to ride for many more years to come.
Three generations of sledding
The town of Hudson Bay offers an abundance of snowmobile trails set amidst unspoiled wilderness. It is no wonder that Stan and Verna Martin, longtime members of the Hudson Bay Trail Riders snowmobile club, introduced their children to the sport.
“We have two children,” said Verna, “and we went sledding with them even before there were trails. Now our daughter lives in Regina and so we ride with them and with their children. Together we have covered just about everything around here.”
Stan and Verna’s family always have a great time while out snowmobiling, whether they are out on a big family trip or just getting away for the afternoon to have a fire and hot chocolate on the trails with granddaughters Kierra and Kailey.
“Kailey is my youngest one,” said Verna. “Her favourite thing to do is just to have a weiner roast on the trail somewhere or gather firewood.”
Recognizing a family sport
The president of the La Ronge Snowmobile Club, Rob Tesch, said if anyone is looking for a good ride full of family fun, they should be sure to take part in the La Ronge Poker Derby on March 14. With prizes to be won and a rib-eye dinner and social after the derby, the event will be a blast.
“There are lots of fathers and sons and lots of third generations riding,” said Tesch. “Our poker derby is more of a family ride. We get a lot of families and the same ones are coming back every year. We are not interested in making all kinds of money—it is just more of a fun time.”
Taking in the scenic riding
Ron Connolly, an avid snowmobiler for more than 30 years, said his hometown of Big River is one of the best kept secrets around. He fondly remembers the times when his son and grandchildren would come to Big River for a weekend sledding trip.
“My two boys came up and brought my grandson,” said Connolly. “We went cruising for about 80 miles in the bush, having a weiner roast, looking the country over and showing the young lad the good parts of snowmobiling. He was very enthusiastic and he liked to be with the boys—you know how that is with a young man.”
A snowy playground
Dan Jackson was 25 years old when he started sledding and since that time he has never looked back. Jackson lives in Candle Lake and he said the region has plenty of powdery fields to play in. Jackson enjoys going for rides with his daughter, family friends and his great-nephew, Kole.
“I have a great-nephew (Kole) and he is seven,” said Jackson, “and we got him snowmobiling—he probably has about 100 kilometres on that thing now.”
