And just like that, the SledTown ShowDown field of competitors has been slashed from 64 to 32. The pretenders are out and the contenders have flexed their might. Expect the intensity to pick up during Round 2 of SledTown ShowDown.
Here’s how Round 1 played out:
British Columbia:
Most of British Columbia’s heavy favourites made it through Round 1 unscathed, with the major exception being Tumbler Ridge. No doubt B.C.’s biggest shock of Round 1 is Fernie (140 votes, 55%) eliminating Tumbler Ridge (115 votes, 45%). The 2019 SledTown ShowDown champion doesn’t even advance into the 2nd Round.
McBride has been the provincial title-winner for three of the last four seasons, including a SledTown ShowDown championship in 2018. McBride (365 votes, 86%) maintained its provincial dominance during Round 1 by easily ousting Kelowna (60 votes, 14%).
Revelstoke (201 votes, 68%) took a commanding lead versus Whistler (95 votes, 32%) and never looked back.
Blue River (191 votes, 68%) advanced to Round 2 thanks to a sound thrashing of Fort St. John (91 votes, 31%).
It was a tight race between Cranbrook (132 votes, 52%) and Prince George (126 votes, 49%). In the end, Cranbrook emerged as the victor.
Enderby’s first foray into SledTown ShowDown didn’t go as planned. Golden (175 votes, 66%) advanced past the upstart Enderby (91 votes, 34%) during Round 1.
Sicamous (177 votes, 66%) took home the SledTown ShowDown title in 2017 and looks to rise to the mountaintop again thanks to a convincing win over Radium Hot Springs (93 votes, 34%).
Valemount (224 votes, 75%) stomped Fort Nelson (76 votes, 25%) for a spot in Round 2.
Alberta:
Fort McMurray burst onto the scene and claimed its first provincial championship last year. The northern Alberta SledTown, Fort McMurray (229 votes, 58%) carried that momentum to a Round 1 victory versus Bonnyville (168 votes, 42%).
Edson had been Alberta’s standard for excellence for two consecutive years until Fort McMurray knocked them off their perch last year. With a win over Westlock (189 votes, 40%) in Round 1, Edson (280 votes, 60%) is making a case for itself to be a three-time provincial champ.
Fox Creek (201 votes, 64%) slipped past Smoky Lake (112 votes, 36%) to claim a spot in Round 2.
Whitecourt was Alberta’s provincial SledTown ShowDown winner back in 2015 and 2017. Thanks to a win over Lac la Biche (143 votes, 44%) in Round 1, Whitecourt (180 votes, 56%) has a chance to make it back to the top.
Barrhead (181 votes, 58%) scoots through to Round 2 after tallying more votes than Grande Prairie (130 votes, 42%).
Rocky Mountain House (161 votes, 53%) narrowly snuck past Alberta Beach (144 votes, 47%) in a tightly contested Round 1 battle.
Crowsnest Pass represented Alberta as the provincial champion back in 2018. If Round 1’s whupping on St. Paul (99 votes, 29%) is any indication, Crowsnest Pass (239 votes, 71%) looks to make a run at another provincial title.
Saskatchewan:
Nipawin emerged last year and knocked Hudson Bay off its perch as provincial champion of Saskatchewan. After thrashing Prince Albert (90 votes, 16%) in Round 1, Nipawin (483 votes, 84%) is prepared to defend its title against all comers.
Carrot River/Arborfield last represented Saskatchewan as provincial champ back in 2018. The three-name snowmobiling destination, Carrot River/Arborfield (420 votes, 82%), easily breezed by Esterhazy (94 votes, 18%) in Round 1.
Melfort (254 votes, 54%) escaped a super tight battle versus Duck Mountain Provincial Park (239 votes, 38%).
Archerwill (360 votes, 65%) willed its way to a win over Yorkton (191 votes, 35%).
Tisdale (335 votes, 65%) skimmed over Chitek Lake (178 votes, 35%).
Porcupine Plain (349 votes, 72%) spiked Meadow Lake (139 votes, 28%) into oblivion.
Kelvington (376 votes, 76%) dominated the defenses of North Battleford (118 votes, 24%).
Hudson Bay (631 votes, 81%), a 3-time SledTown ShowDown provincial champion, minimized Big River (144 votes, 19%) with a commanding victory.
Manitoba:
Lac du Bonnet is the reigning, defending, undisputed SledTown ShowDown champion. There was no letdown in Round 1. Lac du Bonnet (384 votes, 66%) came out in force to push their way into Round 2 with a win over Interlake (194 votes, 34%).
Snow Lake (314 votes, 69%) powered its way past Russel & Area (143 votes, 31%).
The Pas (296 votes, 55%) advanced to Round 2 on the heels of a victory versus Beausejour (243 votes, 45%).
Duck Mountain Provincial Park (284 votes, 66%) flapped and quacked its way to a victory worth honking about against Woodridge & Area (147 votes, 37%).
Lee River (255 votes, 52%) rushed to a photo finish win over Gimli (236 votes, 48%).
Swan Valley (286 votes, 52%) might’ve lost a few feathers in the process, but the inaugural 2015 SledTown ShowDown winner managed to make it to Round 2 with a narrow win over Pinawa (264 votes, 48%).
Thompson (284 votes, 54%) stomped out Powerview-Pine Falls (245 votes, 46%).
Flin Flon (510 votes, 71%), the SledTown ShowDown champion from two years ago, advances to Round 2 on the strength of a victory against Whiteshell Provincial Park (206 votes, 29%).
Total votes for B.C. in Round 1: 2,352
Total votes for Alberta in Round 1: 2,778
Total votes for Saskatchewan in Round 1: 4,401
Total votes for Manitoba in Round 1: 4,291
Total votes for all provinces in Round 1: 13,822!
It’s up to you to put your favourite snowmobiling destinations in a position to claim victory. The polls are open and it’s time to cast your votes in the 8th annual SledTown ShowDown. You can head over to the main contest page or vote by provincial bracket once a day until the current round closes:
British Columbia
Alberta
Saskatchewan
Manitoba
Round 2 runs February 22 to March 06, 2022.
New to the contest? This is how it works: we start with 16 destinations from each Western province in Canada. Each round, our readers vote for their favourites and the destinations get whittled down. By Round 4, we’ll have our provincial winners, which will go head-to-head until only one town remains to be crowned the 2022 SledTown ShowDown Champion of Western Canada. For a full account of previous SledTown ShowDowns, see our complete history of SnoRiders’ SledTown ShowDown.
Here’s what the winner gets:
A shiny SledTown trophy, bragging rights and feature articles on SnoRidersWest.com. Plus, it is a chance to raise positive awareness of snowmobiling and to recognize local clubs for all their hard work.
Social media plays a big role in this contest so be sure to hit “share” after you vote to let your friends know about the contest. You can also follow SnoRiders on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for quick updates during the contest. Feel free to tag us in photos and use the #SledTown2022 to promote your favourite town.
If you’re on our e-Newsletter list, you’ll also get SledTown ShowDown news, plus our best snowmobiling stories, each month. Not on the list? Sign up here.
Vote every day for the best chance at seeing your favourite SledTown advance to the next round. Good luck to you and your SledTown.
