LAC LA BICHE - Among the long list of events to take in at the Lac La Biche Ice Festival is the Lac La Biche Back Country Riders snowmobiling club's Snow ‘n Shine Vintage Sled Display.
According to Rob Kruk, president of the Lac La Biche Back Country Riders, vintage snowmobiles from all over Alberta will be on display during the event, which takes place on March 2 from 2-4 p.m.
Some of the sleds will also be participating in the trail ride to the Lac La Biche Mission. According to information from the Lac La Biche Ice Festival Society, the 2025 edition of the annual trail ride starts at 10 a.m. Those wanting to participate can register on the ice where representatives of the snowmobiling club will be located.
“When the vintage sleds return from the trail ride, they will be on display and judged by the general public,” Kruk told Lakeland This Week.
Kruk explained that for this year’s Snow ‘n Shine, there will be prizes awarded for different classes and years, as well as the oldest combined age of a snowmobile and rider. Since entering the exhibit of vintage sleds into the winter festival, the club has had vintage snowmobiles dating back as far as 1955.
“Many of the machines that will be on display are no longer produced,” he said.
Over the past four years, the Lac La Biche County Back Country Riders has been adding different snowmobile-related events to the festival. This year, in addition to the Snow ‘n Shine and the trail ride, the club will also be providing both kids and adults with instruction in snowmobile rider training, and hosting an event called the Snowball Race, which takes place on March 1 at 4 p.m. and also features vintage sleds. There will also be a live auction held as a fundraiser for the club.
“We, as a club, find it important to do a number of events to promote snowmobiling and to be able to see where the sport has evolved from,” Kruk said.
