If you’re looking for a new place to go sledding, look no further than the most recent SnoRiders award-winner. Last year, McBride, B.C., took home the prestigious distinction of being declared SnoRiders’ 2018 SledTown ShowDown Champion. As you can see from the photo above, Mayor Loranne Martin and the rest of McBride embraced the accolade by integrating SledTown Champion posters into their downtown marketing.
As our readers will attest, there’s a whole lot to like about snowmobiling in this Central British Columbia village. Find out everything you need to know below about McBride and their snowmobile club, the Big Country Snowmobile Association.
Bell Mountain
Bell Mountain, located 13 kilometres west of McBride, is one of the most family-friendly riding zones in the area. Watch for signs on the highway, which will lead you to the snowmobile staging area. Parking is shared at Kilometre 5 with the Yellowhead Ski Club, so snowmobilers are asked to be respectful of the shared parking lot and ski club trail.
A well-groomed 12-kilometre trail to the alpine and warm-up shelter provides a quick ride no matter the weather conditions, allowing users of all ages to enjoy the backcountry. Around the cabin, you’ll find many meadows. Beyond, there are areas for more advanced riders, including Big Bell.
Lucille Mountain
Lucille Mountain’s staging area is located just minutes from McBride on the Lucille Mountain Forest Service Road. A warm-up cabin, located 12 kilometres up the groomed trail, opens up to alpine access. This is a great mountain that offers family-to-expert riding, containing treed areas to open bowls.
Access to riding areas and bowls can be gained from the groomed trail, which is great when riders are wanting to transition gradually from simple to more challenging terrain. A marked trail dubbed the Granny Trail provides access to the bowl, allowing easy access both in and out.
Renshaw
Renshaw boasts being the largest riding area in all of B.C., providing exceptional backcountry snowmobiling opportunities for the hardy beginner to the pure extremist. Head east out of town across the Fraser River, then turn left on Mountain View Road. After 21 kilometres, you’ll find a staging area with ample parking.
A 30-kilometre trip on a groomed trail will lead you to alpine and the Renshaw cabin. Around the cabin is moderate terrain, but as you explore further, you’ll find more technical terrain for advanced riders. There are so many hidden gems within this ride zone, it is advised to be prepared and use safety precautions.
Directions to the staging areas can be found on the club’s website, McBride Big Country Snowmobile Association.
All staging areas have ample room for trucks and big trailers. They are all plowed regularly.
Trail passes are $25/day age 16 and up. They are available at the booth on the trailhead.
An annual club membership fee is $50.
Trail passes can be purchased at the trailhead and also at select accommodations in town.
We have a meeting the first Wednesday of every month. Sometimes the location can vary so we post meetings on Facebook to ensure everyone knows where to go.
Anyone can join the club by coming to a meeting.
Vicki Barrett.
Vicki Barrett usually coordinates the events and can be contacted by emailling [email protected].
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 useful information you can use before planning a snowmobile trip to McBride, B.C.
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