Winter backcountry travel offers incredible opportunities for adventure, freedom, and connection with nature.
For snowmobilers, riding in mountainous terrain can be thrilling—but it also comes with responsibilities.
Avalanches are a natural part of mountain environments, but they pose a serious risk to snowmobilers travelling in backcountry terrain.
Many avalanches are human triggered, and conditions can change quickly, due to weather, wind, and snowpack instability. Understanding avalanche risks and making informed decisions are essential to staying safe.
Before riding, snowmobilers should always check avalanche forecasts on Avalanche Canada web page.
When heading out, they should carry proper safety equipment (beacon, shovel, and probe). They should know their equipment and how everything works.
If you are planning on heading out, take some time to practice locating beacons with your riding crew, as well as how to use your probe to locate a rider under the snow and proper digging techniques.
The best way to learn these techniques is to take safety training courses, known as Avalanche Awareness or AST Level 1 and Level 2 courses.
Good decision making is not about limiting fun; it’s about ensuring everyone makes it home safely.
When we heard about the incident in our area last month our club was deeply sadden as we lost a member from our riding community. Our hearts go out to those friends and family members for their loss.
Avalanches don’t discriminate based on skill level or equipment. A single mistake can have life-altering or fatal consequences, not only for the riders involved but also for riding partners who may be exposed during a rescue attempt.
Equally important is respecting caribou closed riding areas. These closures are in place to protect threatened caribou during critical winter months when they are most vulnerable. Riding in closed areas can stress wildlife, damage habitat, and put the future of snowmobiling access at risk. Please check the active management webpage for closures in the area before you head out riding by respecting closures, snowmobilers help protect themselves, wildlife, and the long-term sustainability of the sport.
The Bullmoose (Holzworth and Windfall)area is currently permanently closed.
