Cold Lake is an excellent place to begin a sledding excursion, and it serves as a connecting point that links the Trans Canada Trail to the Iron Horse Trail. The community is a gateway to popular routes, and you can ride through all types of terrain - from sprawling meadows to attractive woodland areas.
Cold Lake Snowmobile Club trail network
The Cold Lake Snowmobile Club manages a network of trails northeast of town. The landscape consists of frozen lakeland, forested terrain and river valleys, and you are likely to see wildlife while you're exploring. The terrain tends to be fairly flat, so the riding is easy and relaxing, yet varied enough to be interesting. The club maintains a warm-up cabin near Crane Lake, so you can stop and take a break mid-ride if you desire.
Iron Horse Trail
Cold Lake is positioned at the end of the northeast branch of the Iron Horse Trail. This famous route will take you through Alberta's Lakeland region to a series of sled-friendly communities, and allow you to ride for hundreds of kilometres on vast, expansive terrain. There is a staging area for the Iron Horse Trail just west of the Fas Gas station in Cold Lake.
To learn more, check out this article about snowmobiling on the Iron Horse Trail.
Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association trail network
Just a short distance from town, you can cross the provincial border to the Saskatchewan side of the lake, and delve into the Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association trail network. The Meadow Lake and Waterhen clubs have a co-operative relationship with the Cold Lake Snowmobile Club.
To learn more, check out this article about snowmobiling networks near Cold Lake.
Sledders in Cold Lake must have their machines registered and insured, and they also need to purchase an Alberta Snowmobile Association (ASA) Trail Pass. You can get one online, from the ASA website, or in person at Lakeside Marine and Offroad (during business hours).
Check the Cold Lake Snowmobile Club's Facebook page for updated information on trails and conditions in the area.
Snowmobile drag races are held in partnership with the Cold Lake Ag Society and the Straightline Snowmobile Racing Association (SSRA). They are held on the Family Day long weekend, and coincide with the City of Cold Lake winter festival, Snow Fever.
Family fun rides
The club hosts family fun rides on a regular basis. The events are suitable for riders of all ages, and take place twice a year depending on conditions. Take a relaxing ride to the cabin, and afterward enjoy a bonfire and social gathering at the staging area.
Cold Lake Snowmobile Club AGM
This yearly meeting takes place in November, and new members are encouraged to attend. Learn about the latest trail expansions, upcoming events, Iron Horse Trail Society activities and other local snowmobile-related topics.
Sleds & Threads
This dinner, dance and silent auction is another annual favourite event in Cold Lake. It is held in November, and has been running for more than 20 years. You can see displays from snowmobile dealers, purchase a trail pass and eat a delicious meal all in the same evening.
For more information on these or other events, check the club's Facebook page for updates.
The Cold Lake Snowmobile Club has an up-to-date Facebook page with information on their current activities. They not only take care of their own trail network, but also work together with neighbouring clubs to improve the sledding opportunities for everyone.
From Calgary, Alberta: 6 hours
From Edmonton, Alberta: 3.5 hours
From Saskatoon, Saskatchewan: 4.5 hours
“In town, you can ride from your doorstep to the nearest trailhead—that is a great thing about here.”
- Dean Dube, Cold Lake Snowmobile Club
"In the springtime you can tell when the winter's turning and it's getting brighter. Everything seems a little more lively. The moose were across the trail in front of us, within a couple hundred feet. It's good to see wildlife. You usually come across something while you're out here."
- Chris Rourke, Cold Lake Snowmobile Club
The laws governing snowmobile use differ by province and can be confusing. Here, we make it easier to understand what local and out of province snowmobilers will need in terms of insurance, registration and licensing to ride B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Trail maps, top snowmobile trails, club contacts and other information you can use before planning a snowmobile trip to Cold Lake.
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