What do sledders dream about? Alberta’s Golden Triangle
Cruise 1,000+ kilometres of perfect snowmobile trails through boreal forest trail
Northland Sno-Goers club volunteers keep 250 kilometres of well-maintained trails cleared, offering snowmobilers a tremendous variety of riding options. Photo by Paul Lavoie
The 350-kilometre loop of snowmobile trails through the boreal forest connecting the northern Alberta communities of Swan Hills, Fox Creek and Whitecourt is a snowmobiler’s dream: The Golden Triangle.
More than fifty years ago, this sledder’s dream was launched when Alberta’s Forestry Ministry stepped back from the area’s recreational trail maintenance and the first club members saw the opportunity to step up to take on trail maintenance through the area’s boreal forest.
It was then Harold Bellwood of Fox Creek, Don Kelm of Swan Hills, Dale Gunderson of Whitecourt (and some others) with foresight that stepped up. Left on their own, the trails would fill in with willow, poplar and evergreens and in a few years would be inaccessible. These guys took on the maintenance of the trails for their kids and grandkids that weren’t even born yet.
When you add in each communities’ trails, sled riders have access to 1,000+ kilometres of premium trails through the boreal forest on reliable snow. Making them come alive takes hard work, and this team works to deliver world-class sled trails.
It also takes some financial backing. The Golden Triangle got the financial turbo boost it needed when Woodlands County, Big Lakes County, and M.D. of Greenview stepped up with funding. The club has used the funding to build and upgrade shelters and to elevate the experience to what it is today.
Sled from town to town on The Golden Triangle’s huge trail system
What makes The Golden Triangle sledding golden? The trail system is huge. Snowmobilers can plan day trips from any of the three municipalities or extend the pleasure with overnight stays in hotels accessible right from the trail. Every community has good staging areas and special by-laws that allow snowmobilers legally access food, fuel and accommodation for a sleds-only based multi-day excursion.
Harold Bellwood said, “When I am clearing trails, I think about women and children because nine times out of ten, Mom is going to be at the back with the younger ones. You’ve got to make it so Mom can come along. It's always been family to me. I've never built a trail yet that thinks only guys (advanced-level riders) are going there. I used to take my wife to the mountains with me––just because it's a family thing.”
The trails are designed to be easy to access and easy to ride, but make no mistake, a 350-kilometre run in one day is an intermediate-to-advanced rider’s game.
The folks here are serious about snowmobiling, making the best trail network possible and sharing their trails. Holding the sled-parade world record is one example of just how serious these folks are. But they’re also serious about fun. Regular trail clearing days, snowmobile rides and community rallies are a much-favoured part of the season. You’ll find a warm welcome when you hit the trails for the annual rallies in Whitecourt, Fox Creek and Swan Hills. It’s taken 30 years of effort to make the Golden Triangle what it is today, and the trails are just waiting to be ridden.
For more on the Triangle, check out this SnowSeekers.ca story with tips and info to connect to the Golden Triangle.
Upcoming Events in The Golden Triangle
- Look for the Q.R. code at each Golden Triangle cabin and be sure to check in at each cabin or staging area for a shot at winning a $250 Visa card.
- February 4, 2023, is the Sno-Goers Snowmobile Poker Rally. Check out details on the Fox Creek Northland Sno-Goers Facebook page.
- Family Day weekend is happening February 18-19, 2023, and the Whitecourt Trailblazers are featuring two different routes each day. Register online and, while you’re there, jump in on the raffle for a shot at one of two snowmobiles.
- The upcoming Swan Hills SnowGoers 54th Annual Rally happening Febrary 25, 2023. Registration happens 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Keyano Centre, 5632 Main Street, Swan Hills.
- March 11, 2023 Sno-Goers Snowmobile Poker Rally. Check out details on the Fox Creek Northland Sno-Goers Facebook page.
- Up for the Iron Sledder challenge? Participate in all three Golden Triangle sled events to compete for a shot at the Iron Sledder Title which comes with an Iron Sledder Sweater, the medal and $1,000 cash. And GLORY. Can’t make all three? Jump in on two-of-three events and qualify for a shot at the Gold Sledder Sweater, medal and $250 cash. And glory.
