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BONNYVILLE/COLD LAKE
The great Lakeland
Riding in Bonnyville/Cold Lake is everything snowmobiling should be
by AMBER COWIE
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CRUISING DOWN THE CUTLINE: Snowmobiling in the Bonnyville/Cold Lake area is the best way to get to know the beautiful country of Alberta's Lakeland region.
—photo by Dwayne Brandly |
Riders in the area around Bonnyville and Cold Lake have a lot to be thankful for. Not only do they have dedicated, well-established clubs that own their own groomers—like the Bonnyville Snowdusters, formed over 20 years ago—they also have plenty of rivers, lakes and cutlines to rip around during the beautiful winter season. As if all that is not enough, snowmobilers with a penchant for fishing can indulge themselves at any number of well-stocked lakes in the area.
Trails of excitement
Terry Coulombe, owner of T&T Power Sports Ltd. in Bonnyville, has been an active member of the local snowmobiling community for over 16 years. He enjoys riding in the region for a number of different reasons.
"There's lots of cutlines to play in around here, some little hills, and lots of good places to go," said Coulombe. "As well, we're only one or two hours away from Saskatchewan and they seem to get the snow, so riders can always go down there if they need to."
There are three main trail systems in the Bonnyville/Cold Lake area.
"The South Trail is probably our longest route; it's about two and half to three hours one way," said Coulombe. "It's great for families. The North Route is our first trail system, and we just built a brand new cabin there. It's about an hour and a half to get there from town."
Coulombe's favourite spot in the Bonnyville/Cold Lake area is along the north trail system near the Beaver River, where riders can jump down the riverbank and find meadows and cutlines with no tracks. Winter anglers, however, prefer the rail trail, as it leads them to popular fishing spots.
"The rail trail to Bangs Lake is the shortest one around here," said Coulombe. "It's about half an hour from town, but it will get you to the Iron Horse Trail if you keep going, or to a couple of good ice-fishing lakes if you want to stop and fish.
Gone fishin'
Moose Lake is a popular spot on the rail trail and there are plenty of fish to be caught for an eager ice fisher. The lake is full of perch, pike and walleye all waiting in the icy depths for the right piece of bait to cross their path.
Coulombe and his fellow riders are waiting eagerly for the snow to fall so they can get back on their sleds.
"With the groomer and the trail system all ready, we're just waiting for the snow," said Coulombe.
The Buzz | Bonnyville
Elaborate trails
"We have a pretty elaborate trail system here. There are three different routes you can take from town and three different warm-up shelters along each route. All of our trails are really family-oriented and they all run on loops, so you don't have to double back to get back to town and you're not meeting two-way traffic. Everything is signed really well according to the ASA trail sign standards, with pictures of the cabin on the way there and pictures of the town on the way back. There are maps available in town, so the trails are pretty easy to follow.
"The scenery here is a mix of dense woods and cutlines, with some open meadows. There's access to a lake right by a cabin. It's a really big warm-up shelter for anyone who needs a break. The snowmobile club has built three log cabins with wood heaters that are stocked year round with firewood.
"We have access to the Iron Horse Trail—an old abandoned rail trail that connects to towns across the Lakeland region. The Iron Horse is kind of the main route that will get you to and from Bonnyville, St. Paul and a bunch of different places around here.
"This is a great place to ride. I usually manage to get about 1,200 to 1,500 kilometres on my sled each year—and I don't get out as much as some of the other guys around here."
—Terry Coulombe, avid snowmobiler and owner of T&T Power Sports in Bonnyville
EVENTS
January | Snowmobile Rally
The Bonnyville Snowdusters play an active role in the Lakeland snowmobile community and organize a rally each year that brings riders from across Canada to the lovely Lakeland region of Alberta. Long rides, great bonfires and a friendly atmosphere are the key ingredients to this annual event.
Contact: Terry Coulombe (780) 826-6121
Bonnyville | The essentials
Annual snowfall: 250 cm
Average winter temp: -3°C
Sledding season: December-March
Local dealers: T&T Power Sports Ltd. (Yamaha) and Arctic Cat (780) 826-7433
Info: Bonnyville Chamber (780) 826-3252
Cold Lake | The essentials
Annual snowfall: 250 cm
Average winter temp: -10°C
Sledding season: Dec.-March
Info: Cold Lake Information Centre (800) 840-6140 www.coldlake.com |
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