LAC LA BICHE - A winter that has brought snow to the Lac La Biche area is being embraced by members of the Lac La Biche Back Country Riders.
Rob Kruk, president of the local snowmobile club, says trails are in good shape with 75-80 per cent of them having been cleared and groomed since the start of the snowmobiling season.
He adds that volunteers have also been installing signage on the trails.
The club has about 180 kilometres of trails in the Lac La Biche area, including access into Lakeland Provincial Park and the Lakeland Provincial Recreational Area.
“The season is going good so far, but we could still use more snow,” Kruk tells Lakeland This Week. “We began grooming before Christmas and will continue as we get more snow.”
While the group of snowmobiling enthusiasts would like to see a bit more snow on the ground, this year is considerably better than last season, which saw very little snowfall.
Events coming up
Each year, members of the Lac La Biche Country Riders have a visible presence in the Lac La Biche region, not only traversing through trails, but also hosting and participating in community events.
The club will be holding its annual chili fundraiser on Jan. 25. As Kruk explains, this event includes a ride through trails, along with a lunch consisting of chili and bannock. The chili is prepared by members prior to the event and served at the halfway point, along with hot drinks.
“The funds raised during this event go towards trail development and installation of fire pits, picnic tables and washrooms along the trail system.”
On March 8, the Lac La Biche Back Country riders will be hosting a snowmobile rally with the Hylo/Venice Recreational Society, which will include an 80-kilometre trail ride, midpoint lunch, and spaghetti supper at the end of the day.
The Lac La Biche Back Country Riders will also return to the Winter Festival of Speed, which has been renamed the Lac La Biche Ice Festival. That event is taking place from Feb. 28-March 2.
According to Kruk, the club has been part of the winter festival for the past four years. In addition to offering an introduction to snowmobiling for youth and adults on a closed course, members will also be taking part in a snowball race on vintage snowmobiles on March 1, along with a show and shine event and a vintage trail ride to the Lac La Biche Mission historical site on March 2.
A pancake breakfast hosted by the club will take place on the Saturday and Sunday from 8-10 a.m.
“We will also be holding a live auction on Saturday prior to the snowball race to help raise some funds for more trail development,” says Kruk.
Memberships
The snowmobiling club has 65 members and is always on the lookout for more people to join. A membership can be purchased online through the Alberta Snowmobile Association (ASA) or in person at Full Tilt Powersports in Lac La Biche.
The membership fee is $100, which gives access to all ASA trails in the province.
“A large portion of the membership fee comes back to our local club for trail development, signage and liability insurance,” explains Kruk.
