A winter paradise beckons

Opportunities abound for sledders to ride everything from family-friendly trails to mountainous powdery bowls

person sledding
Mackenzie welcomes all sledders with enthusiasm. Mark Pride photo

Get it all in Mackenzie with easy-access trails that open up to backcountry bliss for riders of all experience levels.

This town has an active sledding community in the Rocky Mountain Riders, which has mapped out the local riding areas, detailing the locations of staging spots, warm-up cabins and popular trails.

From Mackenzie, visiting snowmobilers can reach four different staging areas in a few different major riding areas.

The summit of Morfee Mountain can be reached by access trail right from town and there is a warm-up hut three-quarters of the way up.

Morfee Mountain is ideal for beginners and family rides, said Kerri Borne, the tourism marketing co-ordinator for Mackenzie.

Some trusty old friends

The Pine Pass is another popular area with a network of connecting trails like Old Friend, Mount West and Bijoux, which opens up to pristine bowls, deep powder and mountain slopes.

These sweet spots tend to lure intermediate and experienced backcountry riders.

Two warm-up huts can be found in the area—one near the Pine Pass staging area and the other at the junction of Bijoux, Powderking and Mount West trails.

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