Chase Opsal said he started snowmobiling when he was a baby—strapped and secured to his mom or dad while they blazed the trails. Dylan Opsal said when he was four his parents surprised him with a Sno-Scoot and he was hooked from that moment on. Chase, now 10, and Dylan, now 14, love to sled with their parents, Doreen and Shane Opsal, who are avid sledders themselves.
Shane and Doreen both began snowmobiling when they were kids; when they moved to Whitecourt in 1997, they figured they were in the perfect place to rediscover their passion for the sport.
“It is snowmobile heaven here,” said Doreen. “It is truly incredible, and as a family we love riding the trails.”
Picking favourites
This foursome have explored every inch of trail around Whitecourt but they each have their favourites. Shane is a fan of the new Manweiler and Goodwin Lake trails, while Dylan said he is happy anywhere.
“(I like to ride) pretty much anywhere and everywhere,” said Dylan.
Chase is a little more particular.
“My favourite area to go sledding is on the trails by the Carson Cabin,” said Chase, “and in the big open fields.”
Shane and Doreen also enjoy snowmobiling in the mountains. This February, they are heading to Grizzly Lodge near Scotch Creek, B.C., to sled. Typically, Shane and Doreen go with about 10 other couples and this year they are taking Dylan along for his first mountain riding experience.
“We are all really pumped,” said Shane. “We will spend about four days there.”
