Name: Adele Borys
Lives in: Elkford, B.C.
Age: 31
Sledding since: childhood
First sled: Arctic Cat ZR 600
Rides: 2013 Arctic Cat ProClimb
Growing up in Elkford, B.C., Adele Borys, 31, spent many of her childhood days on a sled. Of course, her riding at that time was limited to the trails. She has many fond memories from those days but the sport took on a whole new meaning when she discovered the freedom of mountain sledding.
Borys bought her first sled, an Arctic Cat ZR 600, in 2005, and her fiancé, Tate Clarkson, followed suit. After struggling for a year on the ZR, Borys moved up to a Yamaha Phazer 500, which was better suited to her riding style. Eventually, she came into contact with the Sled Betties Power Sports Network and one of the group’s supporters, Terry Coulombe of T&T Power Sports in Bonnyville, Alberta, offered her a demo 2013 Arctic Cat ProClimb.
Now a director of The Betties Power Sports Network, Borys is active in promoting the sport and encouraging other women to get involved. She enjoys the social aspect of it as well as the opportunity to meet new people.
Riding with different people and trying out new sledding areas, Borys has become a confident mountain rider, always testing her limits and trying new styles of riding.
“I’m getting into tree riding,” said Borys. “That’s my most challenging—my sled tends to like the tree wells. And I like jumping. Nothing beats deep powder though. When I first started riding, it scared me but once you figure it out, it’s actually easier.”
Borys enjoys casual rides too. Every other weekend, she and Clarkson take their three young children for a trail ride.
“We have some flats that we go out and have fires and tobogganing with the kids,” she said.
According to Borys, one of the benefits of living in Elkford is they can access the trails right from their home. She is partial to sledding in Elkford because there are fewer people on the trails, she knows the area well and the weather and snow conditions are ideal.
