Snowmobiling near Calgary

[Newf]

Been tossing around the idea of getting a sled. Haven’t been on one in 20 years, used to thoroughly enjoy it, but it got pushed aside after moving to AB.

For those of you that do any sledding, care to offer up any info about the trails that available not too far from Calgary? Are they crazy busy? Good riding? Etc? PMs are welcome if you would rather not post publicly about it.

I’m trying to learn as much as I can before I splurge on a sled. I may even rent a few times first. Maybe something like a grand touring, or a renegade with a 2-up seat attachment that could be taken off if my wife doesn’t want to tag along all the time.

Don’t think I’m into the mountain climbing stuff, high marking and riding in avalanche zones. I used to work with a guy that did that stuff, some of his stories I honestly don’t have the guts for it. Maybe when I was 20 years old.

I’m more interested in trails, maybe some alpine meadows. Ride, stop, have lunch. Ride some more.

[Albertadiver]

In all honesty, I sold mine due to living in Calgary.

There are a few places like Cateract creek with trails, but often our chinooks blow out the snow. You can tour around on frozen lakes, but that's pretty limited too.

Have to drive a long ways from Calgary to find decent snow for the last 10yrs or so.

[urban rednek]

Besides the Cataract Creek snowmobile trail area, the 4X4, quad, and single track trail systems in Mclean Creek PLUZ and the Ghost PLUZ (includes Burnt Timber connector) allow sleds. You can download the .pdf maps from the alberta.ca site. Make sure you get the most current version, as the government run site is notorious for leaving up links to older maps that will not have current trail information.

The bigger issue is whether we'll get enough snow in southern Alberta to sustain the trail systems for the full riding season.

[Sleddawg]

You can also check out the Snow and Mud forum as it has trail and condition updates and anything else to do with sledding.

https://www.snowandmud.com

[Drewski Canuck]

My baby brother sold his sled after many years of little to no snow and alot of rocky trails with worn in horse paths that made riding tough.

North of Edmonton can also be tough like last winter. Not alot of snow and it mostly turned to ice in the warm spells.

Some years in the Athabasca area we have an honest 4 foot of snow, and trails are alot of fun then. But down south it will all be brown and rocky.

Drewski