For Dan and Derek Morin, father-son time means hopping on a snowmobile and cruising around Sicamous’s uncrowded and tree-laden backcountry.
Dan’s grandfather owned a Moto-Ski dealership, so sledding for Dan was second nature. Since then Dan and his family have moved from Alberta to Sicamous, and he could not be happier about the area’s snow conditions and trails.
“We were out in the Whitecourt, Alberta, area,” said Dan, “and we used to do a lot of riding out there as a family. Then we moved out (to Sicamous) a couple of years ago and this is snowmobiling heaven. People travel for 10 (or) 12 hours from all over Western Canada to come riding here—and we live here…I tell people it is like God placed every one of the trees in Sicamous. They are spaced so nicely and it makes riding such a pleasure.”
Sharing the experience
Dan explained that when his son was little they would ride together on one snowmobile, but now Derek is on his third sled of his own and he loves to ride. Dan said their mutual love of snowmobiling has brought the two of them closer together.
“I used to tell my wife that snowmobiling is my selfish thing,” said Dan, “but now it has turned into my father-son time—which is good too, because that adds another dynamic to it. Now it’s not about me going out, but it’s about me and Derek being out and having that valuable time together.”
Trip of the year
This New Year’s, Dan and Derek, along with Dan’s brother, Norm, spent three days sledding around the Sicamous area at Blue Lake and Owlhead; Dan said they had an unbelievable time.
“We had three days of fresh powder and blue sky,” said Dan. “We kept coming home and telling our wives that it was the best day ever, and then we would come back the next day and say the same thing. They were just getting tired of hearing it because we kept telling them that each day was the best day.
“The thing about snowmobiling is it is not necessarily where you are going but who you are snowmobiling with—if you have good friends…it is just as important.”
