Thirty-four clubs, over 6,500 kilometres ofmanaged trails, an active and enthusiastic boardof directors and dozens of events all across theprovince—in a nutshell this is the Alberta Snow-mobile Association.

For me the 2010/2011 snowmobile season waseven busier than my first year as president of theASA. I was relieved that we had the NTC trailprogram behind us, but our clubs still kept uptrail building and trail improvement projectsthroughout the year. Myhat goes off to our trailbuilding clubs for all theongoing work the clubvolunteers put into oursnowmobile trails.

Working with our clubsand helping with trail proj-ects is a fairly big part ofthe behind-the-scenes workthe ASA board and staff doon a regular basis. Our zonedirectors work directly withclubs on trail projects, andthen the trail committee andthe entire ASA board workto make trail projects moveforward. This all consumesquite a bit of volunteertime. Throughout all thisour faithful office stafffills in the blanks andmakes it all happen.

Between working withclubs, the ongoing landuse issues, and the daily business of managingan organization of this size, we also took on andhosted the 2011 International Snowmobile Con-gress (ISC) in Calgary June 1 to 4. This turnedout to be a monumental undertaking for ourboard and especially our office staff. Nobodywithin our group had any experience organizingan event like this and the international ISC com-mittee offered little in the way of assistance. Butafter a rocky start our volunteer group found itsgroove and by the time the event started it went

EVENTS>>

NEWS>>

LEARNING FROM OTHERSQUEBEC SNOWMOBILE TRAIL SYSTEM SETS AN EXAMPLEBY DARRYL COPITHORNE, President Edmonton Snowmobile,

ATV & Off-Road ShowOctober 21 - 23, 2011Edmonton Northlands ExpoCentre, Edmonton

ASA AnnualSnowmobileExcellence AwardsOctober 22, 2011 • 7 p.m.Edmonton Northlands ExpoCentre, Edmonton

ASA Semi-AnnualGeneral MeetingOctober 23, 2011 • 9 a.m.Edmonton Northlands ExpoCentre, Edmonton

Hosting an event or ride? Don’t forget to post it on the ASA website calendar for all to see!

40th Anniversary printsWe are selling limited edi-

tion 40th Anniversary printsby Pat Deputat. Prints will beon sale at all ASA eventsthroughout the year.

off like we had been doing events like this foryears.

A special thank you to the ASA ISC organizingcommittee who put in hundreds of hours of timeto make this event the success it was:

Pat McGrath, Fran McGrath, Denise England,George Deputat, Pat Deputat, Joel Wasnidge,Mike Laing, Lauri Copithorne, Darryl Cop-ithorne, Chris Brookes and Shannon Banting.

As well as our organizingcommittee we had about adozen volunteers who spentfour days working theevent. Thank you to allthose valuable members ofour team.

At Calgary we had:• 183 delegates from the

United States • 141 delegates from

Canada (68 from Al-berta)

• 5 from Sweden• 5 from RussiaFor those of you who

attended the ISC, wehope you enjoyed theevent. I know I did, and ifyou were not there youmissed out on a great con-gress. Remember that youcan attend the ISC everyyear, no matter where it isheld. Next year it is in Stur-bridge, Massachusetts, andthe team from Sled Mass dida great job presenting their

vision for next year at our ISC. At the ASA we continue to maintain a great

working relationship with various provincialgovernment ministries. In June I was invited toand attended a premier’s outing and dinner at St.Paul, where we discussed managed trails with thepremier and a number of ministers and MLAs. Agreat outing for us.

▼Continued on page 2 sidebar

SPECIAL SNORIDERS ASA REPORT

Darryl Copithorne (centre) and Jerry Bidulock

(right) learning about the snowmobile trails in

Quebec.

Darryl Copithorne (second from right) in Quebecwith Minister Cindy Ady, Jerry Bidulock and mem-bers of the Quebec snowmobile federation.

▼Cont’d. on page 3 sidebar

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In February Jerry Bidulockand I had the honour of join-ing the Honourable CindyAdy, Minister of Tourism,Parks and Recreation, on anouting to Quebec to discussand experience the Quebecsnowmobile trail system. TheQuebec snowmobile trail sys-tem is truly amazing and setsan example of how to dothings that we can all learnfrom—33,000 kilometres ofmanaged, groomed snowmo-bile trails with 452 groomerskeeping the trails in fantasticshape. This is possible throughcompulsory trail passes andhundreds of volunteers puttingthousands of hours of theirtime into their trails.

Quebec also has managed,groomed trails for ATVs,which are, for the most part,separate from the snowmobiletrails, only sharing the trailswhen necessary to accessurban areas and infrastructurelike road crossings andbridges, then separating. Min-ister Ady and her executiveassistant saw first-hand howthese systems work and thatwheels do not belong onsnowmobile trails. FortunatelyQuebec has a well organizedATV association as well as theprovincial snowmobile associ-ation, and they work well to-gether to manage a provincialtrail network for all users.

This was a very worthwhileouting for the ASA and fell di-rectly after our CCSO meet-ings in Newfoundland andLabrador, so I was gone foreight days on ASA business.These were just two of theoutings that the ASA took partin, but were probably the mostimportant.

2011/2012 looks to be evenmore exciting for the ASA anda busy time for me.

Welcome to the fall 2011 edition of the AlbertaSnowmobiler! It’s hard to believe that the2011/2012 snow season will soon be upon us(notice I say snow season and not winter—as Itell everyone, I love playin’ in the snow, it’s thecold I can do without). This last part of 2011 willcomplete our 40th season as an association andwhat a time we have been having. We have in-cluded in this issue a copy of the 40th Anniver-sary Sled Raffle poster where we are raffling offa fully restored 1971 Ski-Doo. With the hardwork, time, effort and resources from our friendsat the Alberta Relic Riders, the ASA will facili-tate the raffle and all proceeds will go to RonaldMcDonald House. I can’t think of a better fami-ly-focused charity for the funds to go to.

Our friends at the Alberta Relic Riders helpedus put on a fantastic display at the Calgary ISCand will have an exhibit at the Snowmobile &ATV Show as well. These are a bunch of hard-working, dedicated volunteers who work to pre-serve our sledding history and it’s great to beable to help them display the fruits of theirlabours. You can learn some more about them athttp://www.relicrider.ca.

Another nice event at the ISCin Calgary was the presentationby Alberta Tourism, Parks andRecreation Assistant DeputyMinister Bob Scott, where hepresented the Economic ImpactStudy of snowmobiling in Alber-ta. For the first time, a study wasdone solely on the impact ofsnowmobiling, unrelated to otheroff-highway vehicles.

From Bob’s speech: “Overall,the total direct spending attributed to sledding inAlberta in 2009 was estimated at $366 million.Of this, almost 70 per cent was attributed totourism activity with the other 30 per cent spentby snowmobiling enthusiasts and clubs on equip-ment and accessories. In 2009, the total net im-pact, province-wide, is estimated at $387 millionwith almost 6,500 jobs supported province-wide.”

These are some huge numbers! When we aretalking about an economic impact in the hun-dreds of millions, we need to make sure we arerecognized for what we bring to Alberta. TheMinistry of Tourism, Parks and Recreation haseven posted the study on its home page at: http://tpr.alberta.ca/tourism/research/docs/Economic-Impact-of-Snowmobiling-in-Alberta-in2009.pdf.

The ASA has taken a big step towards complet-ing the Trans Canadian Snowmobile Trail(TCST) in Alberta. Working with the Fox Creek,Swan City and Wembley clubs, our contractorhas finalized the route to connect Fox Creek toBig Mountain (south of Grande Prairie), over tothe Wembley area, and then to the B.C. border.Currently, a snowmobiler can get on the TCST inNova Scotia and ride across Canada, reachingFox Creek, Alberta, where the trail ends. TheASA committed many years ago to connectingthe trail through Alberta and it is now becominga reality.

Copies of the plan are at the ASA office for in-terested parties.

Sled Smart, the ASA’s educational school pro-gram, completed another successful season lastyear, presenting our safe riding program to over10,000 Alberta students. Currently, the Albertaschool curriculum does not provide any sort ofeducational component to our kids on how toproperly operate a motorized snowmobile or off-highway vehicle. The ASA decided 10 years agoto help fill this void and bring into the schools,

free of charge, a program thatwill teach them responsiblesnowmobile and OHV use,snowmobile and OHV safety andbasic riding techniques.

Originally borrowing from theOntario Federation of Snowmo-bile Clubs (OFSC) program ofthe same name, the ASA hasbeen working with the provinceto develop an Alberta curricu-lum, to better assist our youth inunderstanding the dynamics of

where they are riding. The ASA and the provincehave completed a new program, Ride With Re-spect, that all safety instruction programs will berequired to use in Alberta, ensuring we are allbringing the same messages and program intoAlberta schools. As the association with thelongest track record in this area in Alberta, theASA was instrumental in the development of thisprogram and will use it in our ongoing program-ming.

As we have grown, developed our own curricu-lum and expanded our program to all corners ofAlberta, we are also rebranding the ASA pro-gram. Our school program will now come underthe Safe Riders moniker, better communicatingthe fact that our instructors teach all-season saferiding, not dependent on machine type. We

Sledding’s impact is hugeENJOY TWO NEW FEATURES WITH THIS NEWSLETTERBY CHRIS BROOKES, Executive Director

▼ DARRYL COPITHORNEContinued from page 1

Don’tdrink & ride . . .snowmobiling is a high!▼Continued on page 5 sidebar

FALL 2011 » SnoRiderswest.com 3

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Economic impact ofsnowmobiling in Alberta

The province has released itsstudy on the economic bene-fits of snowmobiling in Alber-ta. The report is on the homepage of the Ministry of Tour-ism, Parks and Recreation,under the spotlight sectionheading http://tpr.alberta.ca.

2012 Go SnowmobilingTake a FriendSnowmobiling campaign

Want to earn $5,000 for yourclub? ISMA (www.snowmobile.org) has sponsored a con-test to get your friends out onthe trails with you. Check de-tails at the ASA website.

ASA celebrates 40 yearsof organized sledding inthe province

The ASA is celebrating its40th birthday this year andyou can participate! In part-nership with the Alberta RelicRiders, we will raffle off acompletely restored 1971 Ski-Doo, lovingly rebuilt by theRelic Riders. It will be on dis-play at the ISC conference andthe Snowmobile Show, whereit will be raffled off. All pro-ceeds will go to Ronald Mc-Donald House for families ofsick children.

▼ CLUB NEWSCont’d. from pg. 1 sidebar

▼Continued on sidebar

Something was forwarded to me the other daythat got me thinking about what we can do for thesledding community as a whole. We can take afriend snowmobiling! A lot of us have a group ofpeople we choose to go snowmobiling with. Forsome it’s the sleds they ride—Cat riders stick to-gether as well as the turbos or the Ski-Doos andPolaris’s. Maybe this is because parts are easy toexchange or the colours match. The list of rea-sons can be long, including riding ability, assometimes three or four riders can have an awe-some ride because of where they go and the timeit takes to get there.

This is not to take away from the rides that havea great number of riders in which the lack of ex-perience of some of the riders dictates where thegroup goes. I think all riders understand this and,

if they do not, they soon learn.We can all look back and pick out those rides

that bring out smiles and fond memories. Wechat about them with our friends, co-workers andother family members. Some think of us as acrazy bunch of people that are all risk-takers,high-markers, or have total lack of respect for theland that we travel on. Talking with some ofthem, you might as well be speaking another lan-guage—the WOT T-shirts say it the best, “If IHave To Explain It, You Won’t Understand.”That is such a true statement as you cannot smellor taste a picture of food, or experience thebreathtaking views of mountain peaks or theprairie sunset on those cool evenings. The onlyway to get that kind of stimulus is in person.

The joy of sledding—pass it onBY VERN PEDERSON, Southern Regional Director

▼ VERN PEDERSONContinued from leftMany people I know who

have gone sledding for thefirst time are now sledders orhave a totally new understand-ing of the sledding experience.This sport is not for everyonebut you will never know un-less you try.

One of my fondest memorieswas an opportunity to take outsome school kids. One even-ing the local club met at aschool field after a nice dumpof snow. The club madearrangements to take Grade 4,5 and 6 students for a coupleof laps around the field. Many

▼Cont’d. on pg. 4 sidebar

Reports are due for the fall edition of SnoRidersmagazine and we haven’t seen too much of sum-mer—2011 to date has been a disaster for manyareas with fires, floods and hailstorms but, on thebright side, we did have a lot of snow for thesledders. The winter rallies were well attendedand Fox Creek hosted an excellent jamboree. To date we do not have a host for the 2012 Jam-boree and it would be nice if a club would stepforward.

The ASA hosted the International SnowmobileCongress in Calgary June 1st through to the 4thwith around 350 registrations. People came fromSweden, Russia, Canada and the United States.The trade show had 19 booths along with fourgroomers on display outside the hotel on StephenAvenue.

There were many information sessions alongwith meetings among the affiliate organizations.There was a video group filming each day withscreening of the resulting footage held duringbreakfast—it was very entertaining to see whowas performing the day before. There were somemembers from my zone who enjoyed the confer-ence. Many thanks to all the volunteers whohelped to make this conference a success.

Some of the clubs in the Northwest Zone arepreparing for the Westlock club’s rally, whichwill be on February 4, 2012. As well, Athabas-ca’s rally is on the Sunday of the Family Dayweekend and Whitecourt is hosting their rally onthe Saturday and Sunday of the long weekend.

I received this write-up from the Athabascaclub: The Athabasca River Runners are excited

about the upcoming season. We have recentlycompleted 88 kilometres of new trails, includingthe Spotted Horse Lake Trail, the Grassy LakeTrail and the Bilsky Loop. Check out our newmap at the Athabasca County tourism booth or atthe ASA trade show in October. Please buy atrail pass to help maintain our trails (buy whereyou ride) as you know the groomer doesn’t runon air. Trail passes are available at AthabascaOutdoor Products (780-675-7009) or from Jeanat 780-675-3229.

For trail information contact Dave Bilsky at780-689-0622 or check the ASA website atwww.altasnowmobile.ab.ca.

Athabasca’s meetings are on the secondWednesday of the month from November toMarch.

To contact clubs in the Northwest Zone I havelisted their email addresses:

• Athabasca: Jean Bilsky - bil3229@telus.net• Alberta Beach: Marlene Eckert - marlene2

@xplornet.com• Barrhead: Alan Breitkreitz - alanbbz@

hotmail.com• Edson: Brant Baron - baron16@telus.net• Fox Creek: Arnie Mostowich - logerlis@

telusplanet.net• Spruce Grove: Leanne Whaling - leannwha@

essentials.ab.ca• Swan Hills: Dwight Steenhart - dssteenhart@

telus.net• Westlock: Lyle Birnie - ljbirnie@telus.net• Whitecourt: Ken Linford - whitecourt

trailblazers@hotmail.com

Athabasca club completes trailsBY LYLE BIRNIE, Northwest Zone Regional Director

4 SnoRiderswest.com » FALL 2011

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of these children had neverbeen close to a machine be-fore—for some it was a totalthrill and for some it was veryscary. At that time some of ushad very loud machines and Iwas one of them. We askedfor consent from their parentsbefore they were allowed toride. It was a total success andthe response from the childrento their teachers was that oftotal appreciation.

There was a young boy whojumped on my sled as we wentaround and said he wanted togo faster—a bit of a thrillseeker I would say! It was get-ting close to the end of thenight so I told him to stickaround and the last ride wouldbe his. I later found out he wasnot alone in his request— sixor seven others wanted thesame. The track had been run-ning all night and was in per-fect shape for some speed—nothing too radical—so weopened up with a nod from theother riders and were off. But,by far, the best ride of thenight for us was not that one,but the ones with the kids whohad never experienced snow-mobiling before that night.The smiles that came fromthose kids spoke volumes.That is what leads people tothis sport. Sure, some of it isthe thrill, the freedom and thecompany of others.That ishow we all got started in thissport—someone took the timeto take us for a ride and nowlook at us!

Summer is now over and Ihope everyone enjoyed them-selves. The snow dance startedin my house a few weeks ago.There is a lot to talk about inregards to what is happeningin the sledding community—that is why I urge you to be-come a part of your local cluband get involved in its activi-ties. Support the efforts of theassociation in its efforts tohave a place for all of us toride in the future.

▼ VERN PEDERSONCont’d. from pg. 3 sidebar

In June the Alberta Snowmobile Association(ASA) hosted a very successful InternationalSnowmobile Congress (ISC) with representativesfrom four countries in attendance. With 400snowmobilers from the U.S., Sweden, Russia andCanada talking snow, the antique sleds through-out the Calgary Hyatt Regency Hotel and thegroomers lining Stephen Avenue, tall tales andfun were had by all as plans were discussedfor the 2012 season. Well done, ASA!

CCSO Excellence Awards were pre-sented at the President’s Awards Ban-quet Gala on Saturday night at ISC.Congratulations to all the nominees anda special thank you to all for your effortsto highlight the many success stories. Theaward winners in each category were:

Outstanding Snowmobile Dealership: the2011 CCSO Snowmobile Excellence Awardgoes to Enns Brothers from Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Outstanding Snow-Related Company: the2011 CCSO Snowmobile Excellence Awardgoes to SnowandMud.com from Alberta.

Outstanding Snowmobile Promotion & De-velopment: the 2011 CCSO Snowmobile Excel-

lence Award goes to Cycle Works West from Al-berta.

Outstanding Snowmobile Club: the 2011CCSO Snowmobile Excellence Award goes tothe Wasaga Snowmobile Club from Ontario.

Outstanding Snowmobile Family: the 2011CCSO Snowmobile Excellence Award goes tothe Byman family - Greg, Barb and his son

Bryce from Revelstoke, B.C. Outstanding Snowmobiler: the 2011CCSO Snowmobile Excellence Awardgoes to Laurent Caoutte from Quebec.

Outstanding Youth - The PeteGreenlaw Award: the 2011 CCSO

Snowmobile Excellence Award goes toBlake Schofield from Gravenhurst, On-

tario. CCSO Environmental Recognition Award

for 2011 goes to the Alberta Snowmobile Asso-ciation (ASA).

The Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organi-zations would like to thank everyone for theirnominations and wishes to congratulate all of thisyear’s winners of the 2011 CCSO ExcellenceAwards.

CCSO Excellence Award winners

• Established in 1979• Club meets monthly on the second Wednesday

of each month, October to April each year• One of Alberta’s largest snowmobile clubs with

annual membership/ASA trail pass sales ex-ceeding 300 per season

• 455 kilometres of trail system - Includes portion of theGolden Triangle Trail sys-tem and the Trans CanadaTrail- Golden Triangle is a 350-kilometre trail system thatjoins the communities ofWhitecourt, Swan Hills andFox Creek via developedsnowmobile trails- Also includes the SummitTrail that joins the Whitecourtand Edson snowmobile trailsystems and leads riders to theSilver Summit ski area north ofEdson—a great destination with food and lodg-ing available. It’s a 200-kilometre return tripfrom Whitecourt, so extra fuel is needed.- Club owns one snowcat and drag groomer.Trails are groomed weekly Monday throughThursday; however, due to the size of the trail

system some trails that don’t see as muchweekly traffic are only groomed a few timesper season (Summit Trail south of the Summitwarm-up shelter and Golden Triangle/TransCanada Trail northeast of Carson warm-up

shelter).- Two staging areas, threewarm-up shelters, three look-outs. All staging areas, warm-up shelters and lookouts havewashrooms, firepits and picnictables.RECENT INITIATIVES

• Completed extensive up-grades in 2009/2010 in con-junction with the federalNTC program; $500,000 wasspent on the development of100 kilometres of new trails,100 kilometres of trail up-grades, an upgrade to the

parking lot at our main staging area (Eagle Riversnowmobile staging area) and the developmentof a second staging area south of Whitecourt atthe Groat Creek recreational area.

• Extensive signage program for the 2010/2011season and the 2011/2012 season. More than

Profile: Whitecourt Trailblazers▼Continued on page 5

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1,000 volunteer hours were required to completethe signage program.

• Developed a new website in 2010/2011(www.whitecourttrailblazers.ca)

• More than 2,000 volunteer hours required an-nually to maintain the club trail system, stagingareas, warm-up shelters and lookouts.

• Hosted an avalanchecourse in Whitecourt in2010. This is the third ava-lanche course we’ve hostedin the past nine years. Theclub has provided avalanchetraining to more than 200sledders.

• Hosted the 2009 ASA Jam-boree and Sled Invasion.More than 1,200 sledderstook part in the two-daysnowmobile rally and morethan 9,000 spectators took inthe snowmobile freestyleshows on Friday and Sun-day nights (5,000 on Fridaynight, February 13/09, and4,000 on Sunday night Feb-ruary 15/09). The club had a volunteer groupof 160 volunteers to host the weekend event.

• ASA Club of the Year 2009.• Meeting with SRD, oil and gas and lumber

companies on a regular basis to discuss theirwork and any new industrial development nearour trail system.

ANNUAL INITIATIVES• Host Alberta’s largest snowmobile rallies

each February on the Family Day long weekend.Two-day rally consisting of two different 80-kilometre tracks. More than $15,000 in cash andprizes annually plus a new snowmobile giveawayeach year for the past four years. Tickets on the

snowmobile available for $5each.

• Host annual VIP and mediaride that includes MPs, MLAs,municipal leaders, SRD, Ed-monton and local print, radio,and TV media. 40-kilometretrail ride to warm-up shelterwith trail lunch and wind-upmixer after the event. Snow-mobiles and gear provided

by club members to VIPs andmedia.

• Provide chainsaw safetytraining to club members.

• Clean snowmobile trailsusing quads and chainsawseach year in November to re-move fallen trees. Generally600 to 1,000 volunteer hours arerequired to complete this task.

• Club has a booth at the ASASnowmobile Show each year in October.

• Average of 300 groomer hours over an eight-week grooming season—generally from January15 to March 15 each year, about 40 hours perweek of grooming during the snowmobile sea-son.

▼ WHITECOURT PROFILE cont’d. from page 4

FALL 2011 » SnoRiderswest.com 5

Help celebrate the Alberta Snowmobile Association’s

40th AnniversaryBUY A TICKET TO WIN A

FULLY RESTORED 1971 SKI-DOO TNTAll proceeds will go to Ronald McDonald House® Northern Alberta

Tickets $10.00 each – only 1000 tickets printed

Contact the ASA for details at (780) 427-2695

Raffle licence #31429 Draw to be made October 23, 2011

are proud of the fact that ourefforts have been very suc-cessful in helping to bring themessage of Safe Riding to ouryouth, and we will continue togrow the program.

I would be remiss if I didn’tmention the 2011 AlbertaSnowmobile, ATV and Off-Road Show at EdmontonNorthlands Expo Centre, onOctober 21, 22 and 23 (http://www.albertasnowmobileshow.com). As many of youknow, the ASA owns and pro-duces this show every year,with the proceeds comingback to the ASA. This is ourmain fundraiser for the yearand, with the help of our newshow manager Peri Price, weare making this year’s showbigger and better than previ-ous years. Peri brings manyyears of show production ex-perience to the position andwe have been having a greattime working with her.

The show this year has ex-panded and added another hallto the floor plan, as we growto meet the demand. Manyparts of the show experiencefor attendees are not con-trolled by us (parking, conces-sions, etc.) but the parts we docontrol are being tailored tomeet the requests of show pa-trons and exhibitors alike.

Also this year, same as theprevious two, we will hold theASA Snowmobile ExcellenceAwards Banquet on theevening of Saturday, October22. Conveniently held at theExpo Centre with the show,our annual awards night cele-brates and recognizes the bestof Alberta snowmobiling. As avolunteer organization, we re-cognize the dedication andcontributions our membersmake, helping this last year totake our trail system to over6,200 kilometres of managedtrails in Alberta. Nobodybuilds, grooms and maintainstrails like the ASA!

▼ CHRIS BROOKESContinued from page 2

▼Continued on page 8

6 SnoRiderswest.com » FALL 2011

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President Darryl Copithornedarryl@westech-auto.com

Past PresidentPatrick McGrathfmcgrath@albertacom.com

Vice-President - Janet Riopel mriopel@mcsnet.ca

Secretary - George Deputatdeputat@telusplanet.net

Mighty Peace Regional DirectorDon Hodges, hodgesd@xplornet.com

Central Alberta Regional DirectorJesse Johnston, jessejohnston27@gmail.com

Northwest Regional DirectorLyle Birnie, ljbirnie@telus.net

Northeast Regional DirectorAddam Saruk, asaruk@telus.net

Southern Alberta Regional DirectorVern Pedersen, skeeter05@shaw.ca

Director at LargeArnie Mostowich

ASA Office:Executive Director: Chris BrookesEmail: chrisbrookes@altasnowmobile.ab.caMarketing & Program Director Shannon Banting • 780-427-2695Email: shannon@altasnowmobile.ab.ca

Snowmobile clubs are an integral part of this popularsport with activities including development of trail net-works and staging areas, competitive events, trail rides,picnic/bonfire rides, safety clinics, fundraising for chari-ty, camping trips, search and rescue and maintenanceclinics. Club activities are often family oriented, so allages join in the fun and also the work to make the funpossible. Check out the list of member clubs. Is your cluba member? The ASA can help you form a club if thereisn’t one in your area. Call us at our office (780) 427-2695 or visit www. altasnowmobile. ab.ca.Alberta Beach Snowmobile Club

Marlene Eckert Box 329, Alberta Beach T0E 0A0 780-924-3255 • Fax 780-924-3257marlene@eckomarine.com

Athabasca River RunnersDave & Jean Bilsky, Box 1162, Athabasca, AB T9S 2A9 • 780-675-3229Fax 780-675-2580 • bil3229@telus.net

Bassano SnowpunchersTodd Schaffer, Box 148, Bassano, AB T0J 0B0403-641-3799 • Fax 403-641-2682mandy00@telusplanet.net

Bonnyville SnowdustersGlen Smith, Box 8090, Bonnyville, AB T9N 2J4780-826-7119 • Cell 780-812-6016g51smith@telus.net

Brazeau Snowmobile ClubLorne Standishlorne@lornessmallengine.ca

Calgary Snowmobile ClubJoel Wasnidge16 Big Spring Green, Airdrie, AB T4A 1L2wasnidge@shaw.ca

Caroline Snowmobile ClubWes Eror, 5008 - 59th St. Close, Rocky Mountain House, AB T4T 1G4403-845-2461 • jdbrady@telusplanet.net

Cold Lake Snowmobile ClubNorman Rourke, 12 Millar Crescent,Cold Lake, AB T9M 1E9780-639-2755 • nrourke@telusplanet.net

Crow Snow RidersVern Pedersen, Box 732, Blairmore, AB T0K 0E0403-564-4225 • skeeter05@shaw.caKaren Kersch • kkersch@telus.net

ASA CLUB MEMBERS

ASA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Tail Creek SnowbirdsScott Kruk, Box 362, Alix, AB T0C 0B0403-747-2129 • Fax 403-340-4811crwoods@telus.net

Trail Seekers Snowmobile ClubLeAnn Whaling, #31, 53522 RR 274, Spruce Grove, AB T7X 3T1 • 780-962-1183Fax 780-962-1183 • Cell 780-717-0924leannwha@essentials.ab.ca

Tri-County Snowmobile ClubBrian Beebe, 374 Twin Brooks Drive, Edmonton, AB T6J 6T2 • 780-437-4706brianbeebe@shaw.ca

Vermilion Ridge RidersJim Zadorozny, 6007 - 52nd Ave., Vermilion, ABT9X 1X3 • 780-853-2068 • Fax 780-853-8497jim.zadorozny@lakelandc.ab.ca

Watt Mountain WanderersJerry ChomiakBox 3574, High Level, AB T0H 1Z0780-926-8885 • Fax 780-926-3277Cell 780-926-1596 • ideal4u@telusplanet.net

Wembley Snowmobile ClubHeather Tomshak, Box 593, Wembley, AB T0H 3S0 • Cell 780-831-5287

Whitecourt TrailblazersKen Linford, Box 607, Whitecourt, AB T7S 1N7780-778-0043 • Fax 780-778-6025 whitecourttrailblazers@hotmail.com

Agro Equipment Sales, CalgaryAll Season Equipment, Sherwood ParkArgo, StettlerArgyll Motorsports, EdmontonCamrose Farm Equipment, CamroseCars RV, Marine & Motorsports Group, LeducC.C. Cycle, WestlockChecker’d Flag Sports, HannaChuck Motorsports, High RiverDon’s Speed Parts, WainwrightEcho Cycle & Power Products, EdmontonLac La Biche Sporting Goods, Lac La BicheMedicine Hat Moto Sports, Medicine HatNorthside Motorsports, EdsonOutlaw All Terrain, VegrevillePerformance Motorsports, St. PaulPrecision Powersports, LethbridgeRalph’s Arctic Cat Sales, CalgaryRed Deer Power Sports, Red Deer CountyRough N Tough Powersports, LloydminsterT&T Powersports Ltd., BonnyvilleTop Gear Motorsports Inc., Drayton ValleyTracker Marine Boat Center, Rocky View

Athabasca Outdoor Products, AthabascaBaddock’s Power Products Ltd., VermilionBarrhead Motor Sport Ltd., BarrheadBDEF Holdings Ltd., Buck LakeBoisvert Power Products Ltd., St. PaulBroker’s Marine & Sport Ltd., CamroseCountryside Motor Sports Inc., Grande PrairieCross-Country Sales & Service, SedgewickCycle Works Motorsports, EdmontonCycle Works West, Spruce GroveElk Island Sales, Fort SaskatchewanRed Line Recreation, Fort NelsonFSJ Hi-Performance Motor Sport, Fort St. JohnGaudin’s Honda, BeaverlodgeHebert’s Motor Sports, High PrairieHi Line Farm Equipment Ltd., WetaskiwinHyper Toys Inc., Dawson CreekMotion Motor Sports, BonnyvilleNorthstar Powersports Ltd., EdsonPeace River Chrysler Inc., Peace RiverQuadra Truck, Fort McMurrayTracks & Wheels Small Engine Repair,

Drayton ValleyTuffline Power Sports Ltd., La CreteWhitecap Motors, Slave Lake

POLARIS DEALERS

ARCTIC CAT DEALERS

A&E RV Sales & Service, BrooksCamrose Motorsports, CamroseCivic Tire, WestlockDoug & Doug’s Honda & Ski-Doo, LloydminsterEcko Marine, Alberta BeachGibbons Motor Toys, GibbonsGrassland Trailer & Ski-Doo, GrasslandGrizzly Ridge Honda, Slave LakeHi-Line Distributors, ValleyviewHillside Power Merchants, St. PaulMartin Equipment Ltd., EdmontonMr. R’s Ltd., MiloPower Merchants, St. Paul Raven Truck Accessories, Fort McMurrayRiverside Honda & Ski-Doo, St. AlbertSkyline Performance & Recreation, EdsonStojan’s Power Sports, SexsmithThomas Homes & RV Center (1997) Inc.,

Peace RiverTrackside Sales & Service, OldsTurple Bros. Ltd., Red Deer CountyWest Country Leisure, Buck LakeWetaskiwin Motorsports, WetaskiwinWillerton Ski-Doo & E-Z-Go Golf Cart,

WainwrightWindsor Auto & RV, Grande PrairieWolverine Ford Mercury Sales Ltd., High Level

Alberta Cycle Motorsports Ltd., EdmontonAll Season Cycle, BrooksArgyll Motor Sports, EdmontonBeauchamp Alberta Marine & Auto Ltd., NantonBorder City RV, LloydminsterCamrose Cycle, CamroseCentral Sled & Cycle, WetaskiwinE&S Motorcycles Ltd., RedwaterFour Seasons Moto-Sports, Fort McMurrayGlenn’s Sports Line, Rocky Mountain HouseMaximum Powersports Ltd., Peace RiverMountain’s Edge Cycle & Sled Ltd., SundreMountainside Sales & Rentals Ltd., EdsonNorthern Services (High Level) 1978 Ltd.,

High LevelO.J.’s Yamaha & Leisure Products, WainwrightParkland Cycle, Stony PlainPrecision Power Products, St. PaulPro-Am Motorcycles (1990) Ltd., CalgaryR. Johansen Sales Ltd., PonokaRed Deer Power Sports, Red DeerRed-Line Power Craft Ltd., Grande PrairieRiverside Yamaha-Suzuki, St. AlbertRocky Mountain Yamaha, Pincher CreekRomar Power Sports Inc., StettlerScanalta Power Sales Ltd., Hines CreekSeitzco Motorsports, OkotoksSlave Lake Yamaha, Slave LakeSouthland Power Sports, Medicine HatStetson Motorsports, Drayton ValleyT&T Powersports Ltd., BonnyvilleWalt Healy Motorsports Inc., CalgaryWhitecourt Yamaha, WhitecourtYamaha Cycle Sales & Service, Lethbridge

49 North Lubricants509 Inc.Absolute PowerAdrenaline JunkiesAJ’s & the WorxAlberta’s Iron Horse TrailAlberta TransportationAll Season EquipmentAllan Dale IndustriesAlpine Country RentalsAlpine Motor Sport

YAMAHA DEALERS

CORPORATE MEMBER LIST

BRP DEALERScontactsDavid Thompson Snow Riders

Roger Pillman 3920 - 35A Ave., Red Deer, AB T4N 2S5403-341-3524 • Fax 403-309-7358lnrpillman@live.ca

Edson Snow SeekersNorm Giroux, Box 5155, Edson, AB T7E 1T4780-723-5236 • NGiroux@talisman-energy.com

Elk Point Trail RidersRusty Berg, Box 675, Elk Point, AB T0A 1A0780-724-3442 • rusberg@telus.net

Fort Saskatchewan Snow AngelsBrad Hooks, Box 3133 Station Main,Fort Saskatchewan, AB T8L 2T1780-463-7668 • Cell 780-445-9588bhooks@shaw.ca

La Crete Polar CatsBrent Holick, Box 1323, La Crete, AB T0H 2H0780-928-3180 • Fax 780-928-3211brent.holick@ufa.com

Lakeland Breakers Outdoor SocietyJoanne Kohlman, Two Hills, AB780-657-2705 • kohlman6@telus.net

Lamont River RatsMiles Melnyk, RR 1, Star, AB T0B 4E0780-478-3597 • Fax 780-496-1625Cell 780-918-1612 • miles.melnyk@edmonton.ca

McMurray Sno-DriftersReal Chartrand, 195 Weiss Drive,Fort McMurray, AB T9H 5B4780-743-0088 • real.c@shaw.ca

Northern Lights Snowmobile ClubAlan Breitkreitz, Box 4003, Barrhead, AB T7N 1A1780-674-7770 • Fax 780-674-9612bhdelec@telusplanet.net

Northland Sno-GoersHarold Bellwood, Box 476, Fox Creek, AB T0H 1P0780-622-3743 • Fax 780-622-3743zaphod4@telusplanet.netbare1@telusplanet.net

Olds Snowmobile ClubLyle Statham, Box 17, Site 1, RR 4, Olds, AB T4H 1T8 • 403-556-7297Fax 403-556-4712 • Istatham@oldscollege.ca

Peace Valley Snow RidersTim Legace8333 - 101 Ave., Peace River, AB T8S 1N3780-624-5249 • ZAL1@telus.net

Pembina Drift BustersCliff Bromberger, Box 5861, Westlock, AB T7P 2P6780-674-5789 • Cell 780-305-1022powerhound@live.com

River Ridge RidersAddam Saruk, Box 214, Myrnam, AB T0B 3K0 • 780-366-2506Cell 780-210-0230 • SFL@telus.netDennis Maksymiuk, Box 215, Myrnam, AB T0B 3K1780-290-2178 • Cell 780-210-0295dmaksymiuk@mcsnet.ca • Fax 780-724-2211

Smoky Lake Trail TwistersVern Billey, Box 1004, Smoky Lake, AB T0A 3C0780-656-4142 • dketsa@mcsnet.ca

St. Paul TrailblazersDanny Smyl, 4410 - 45B Street, St. Paul, AB T0A 3A3780-645-3607 • Fax 780-645-3564dsmyl@telusplanet.netDave Noel • 780-645-4341

Swan City Snowmobile ClubRick Bennett, Box 1332, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 4Z1780-539-9277 • Fax 780-538-9272Cell 780-897-0416 rbennett60@hotmail.com

Swan Hills Snow GoersDwight Steenhart, Box 38, Swan Hills, AB T0G 2C0sharoncallihoo_49@hotmail.com

FALL 2011 » SnoRiderswest.com 7

www.altasnowmobile.ab.ca

Arctic Cat Inc.Argyll Motor SportsAvalanche Safety SolutionsBack Country AccessB.C.S.F.Best Western Valemount Inn & SuitesBighorn Meadows ResortBirch Grove ChaletBlue River Tourism GroupBoondockers Snow SportsB.R.P.C3 Power SportsCanadian Avalanche CentreCandle Lake Golf ResortCars MotorsportsC.C.S.O.Center Point PerformanceCheetah Factory RacingCR RacingCV-Tech AABDistrict of MackenzieDon’s Speed PartsDrayden InsuranceEcho CycleFactory Direct Deerskin GlovesFast ENT/Millennium Tech.Flaman Group of CompaniesFort Saskatchewan Snow AngelsGlobalstar CanadaGo Video MotorsportsGolden Triangle ConsortiumGrassland Trailer SalesGrizzly LodgeImpact Coatings Inc.Kootenay Rockies TourismKrazy Canadian AdventuresMartin Motor Sports (badges)Martin Equipment/John DeereMcBride Big Country Snowmobile AssociationMcBride Mountain SportsMcCarthy SignsMenz ToysMotion MotorsportsMountain MagicMuck Boots 4 SaleN.A.I.T.Nashcar TrailersP.J. Trailers

Polar Spas (Edmonton) Ltd.PolarisPowder KegPowder Lites Inc.Powder Pete’s Recreational Products(The) Powder StationPower CyclePrairie ConcessionsQuickie Tie-DownRapid RevolutionsRevolution Performance GroupRipit ‘n DipitRND CustomsRocky Mountain XtremeRon Hodgson Pontiac Buick GMCRPM Powersports/Trans Can ImportsSable Resorts Inc.Saskatchewan Snowmobile AssociationSledix Apparel Inc.Sledshot ServicesSnobunje CanadaSnowandMud.comSnowmobile Better BoardsSnowmobile Hood CleanerSouthgate Pontiac BuickSpecialty SledsStarting Line Products Inc.Super 8 ValemountT&T Power Sports Ltd.T.B. RacingThompson Okanagan Tourism AssociationThunderstruck FilmsTourism FernieTrader CorporationTrailseekers Snowmobile ClubTri-County Snowmobile ClubTriple-M MotorsportsTwisted TurbosU.T.V. Canada Inc.V.A.R.D.A.Wholesale Trailers of Alberta Ltd.WOT MotorwearX-Deck (Worldwide Imports)Xtreme Power ProductsYamahaYorkton GroupZ-Broz RacingZac’s Tracs

The ASA is dedicated to the preservation and promotion ofsafe, responsible recreational snowmobiling in Alberta.

A valid ASA trail pass is required to ride on the ASA snowmobiletrail network and is available from your local club representativesor through the ASA. You can also purchase them at specific retailsnowmobile dealerships situated near the trail network.

Visit our website to find contact information for ASA clubs inyour area, to learn about the benefits of membership and how tobecome an Alberta Snowmobile Association member.

www.altasnowmobile.ab.ca • Phone 780.427.2695

Buy where you ride!Contact your local snowmobile club.

$60 prior to January 1; $70 after January 1, 2012

Memberships now due!

SPONSORSSure-Rider Snowmobile

Insurance ProgramTrail permit riders are eligible for:

• Group Rates

• Limited Waiver of

Depreciation Available

• Loss of Use

Toll Free: 1-800-463-2300Edmonton: 780-482-6300

Official Insurance Broker of the ASA

8 SnoRiderswest.com » FALL 2011

CORPORATESPONSORS>>

www.altasnowmobile.ab.ca

Supporting Trackson the SnowThe ASA has many partners/sponsors that support the over-all goals and objectives of theassociation and assist in deliv-ering many of our importantprograms and services. Thesponsorship program has beendeveloped to provide informa-tion outlining the opportunitiesfor sponsors and partners to as-sist us in our mission and dulyrecognize the sponsors for theirefforts.

Sponsors 2010 - 2011Platinum SponsorAlberta Sport, Recreation,

Parks & Wildlife FoundationPower MerchantsSouthgate Pontiac Buick GMC

Gold SponsorDrayden Insurance Ltd. &

Intacts InsuranceInternational Snowmobile

Manufacturers AssociationWells CargoWholesale Trailers

Silver SponsorAthabasca Outdoor ProductsBurger BarCapri InsuranceGlacier House ResortGlobalstar CanadaPortage CollegePrinoth Inc.Quadra Truck ServicesSnoRiders magazine

Bronze SponsorAmerican Income Life InsuranceATV WorldBack Country AccessCycle WorksElk Island SalesEcko Marine Ltd.Gibbons Motor ToysTerracana Ranch Resort

The Alberta SnowmobileAssociation further thanksour Sled Smart partners:Alberta TransportationRCMPAlberta Centre for Injury Control

and ResearchInternational Snowmobile

Manufacturers AssociationAlberta Sport, Recreation, Parks

& Wildlife Foundation

Ride safe,ride sober...sled smart!

It’s trail pass time again. Yep, fall is here and itis time to get out and support your local club.Many of the clubs will be at the Snowmobile,ATV and Off-Road Show on October 21, 22 and23 at Northlands Expo Centre, along with manyother exhibitors. The Alberta Snowmobile Asso-ciation has been putting on the show for 40 yearsnow and to celebrate the association’s 40th an-niversary we are having a raffle to win a fully re-stored 1971 Ski-Doo TNT. Thanks to the AlbertaRelic Riders who restored and donated the Ski-Doo for the prize. At $10 a ticket and only 1,000tickets printed, they will go fast. The draw willbe made October 23, 2011, at the show, withall the proceeds going to Ronald McDonaldHouse.

For those of you who made it down to Calgaryfor the International Snowmobile Congress(ISC), I hope that you had a great time andlearned lots. It was great to have the first presi-dent of the Alberta Snowmobile Association,Mike Welykochy, attend and address the entirecongress. Mike had some great stories about theASA and how it got started along with the firstAlberta Snowmobiler magazine. It is pretty goodreading and was a big hit at the ISC. In the maga-zine it talks about a three-day trip to Jasper Na-tional Park on sleds—can you believe that? Themagazine also talks about the InternationalSnowmobile & Winter Fun Show. The first para-graph about the show says, “More than 50 differ-ent models will be unveiled at the EdmontonInternational Snowmobile & Winter Fun Show,September 25 - 27 at the Sportex Building at theEdmonton Exhibition Grounds.”

Can you believe that—more than 50 differentmodels of sleds! Emphasis on safety, dependabil-ity and noise reduction highlight the 1971 snow-mobiles. It is unbelievable that not much has

changed in 40 years. OK, maybe there are not 50different models of sleds each year, but safety,dependability and noise reduction are still on thetop of the list for Arctic Cat, Polaris, Yamaha andBRP. I know that there are still a few reprints ofthe first Alberta Snowmobiler at the office if youwould like to have a great read.

There have been a few changes to the board ofdirectors since the spring meeting in Red Deer—Jesse Johnston will be acting Central director andGeorge Deputat is secretary/treasurer. Shannonhas resigned and Robyn Morrison has taken overher role in the office. We wish Shannon all thebest and are sorry to see her leave the office, butshe will still be an ASA member so we will beseeing her on the trails.

I am hoping to get to many club events this yearand if you would like me or any other boardmember to attend your event please give us ashout so we can put you in our datebook. At thetime of writing this article we still do not have aclub that has stepped forward to host Jamboree2012—it will be the first year in 40 years thatthere will be no jamboree. I do hope that there isa club that will take on this endeavour.

ISMA has a new contest out this year for the“Take a Friend Snowmobiling” campaign. Thecampaign this year is designed to encourage theassociations to work with their local snowmobileclubs, visitor and convention bureaus, and otherinterested parties in developing and holdingsnowmobile demonstration rides this winter. Thesnowmobile riding events may be held any timebetween January 1 and March 31, 2012. Theentry forms are due at the ISMA office by April30, 2012. Your regional director has all the infor-mation and entry forms for this contest.

So here’s to another great year. See you soonon the trails and remember to ride safe and sober!

Great memories from ISCNOT MUCH HAS CHANGED IN THE PAST 40 YEARSBY JANET RIOPEL, Vice-President

On Sunday morning, also at the Expo Centre,the ASA will hold its semi-annual general meet-ing, bringing together all our clubs and execu-tive, to discuss the business of the ASA. We planthis year to bring in the executive director of theCanadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations(CCSO), Dennis Burns, to give us an update onnational matters. Dennis joined us last year andenjoyed the weekend experience and will be backagain this year.

You will also notice in this issue of the AlbertaSnowmobiler two new features. The first is an ar-

ticle that will present to you information fromDennis and the CCSO. We will provide space forthe CCSO to present items of interest, concernsor just plain FYI for you from the national per-spective. The other new feature will be a clubprofile. This issue features a description of theWhitecourt Trailblazers and who they are. With34 clubs among us, it’s sometimes easy to missout on who is with us. This feature will allow theASA clubs to re-introduce themselves to us, sowe know who we are on the trail with. I am look-ing for the next issue’s club to profile, so if youwant to write up who you are, send it to the ASAoffice and we’ll get busy.

▼ CHRIS BROOKEScontinued from page 5 sidebar