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WHITECOURT, ALBERTA
Discover endless riding
You will never run out of places to ride in Alberta's snowmobile capital
by KIRSTEN ARMLEDER


WINTER PLAYGROUND: Sledders can explore forested landscapes on well-groomed trails or discover powdery conditions around this snowmobile-friendly community.
—photo courtesy Whitecourt Trailblazers
With hundreds of kilometres of well-groomed trails that cover a variety of terrain, it is no wonder Whitecourt is known as the snowmobile capital of Alberta.

In every direction around Whitecourt, there are excellent places to sled—and since all the trails are interconnecting, you can ride almost forever.

"Probably 150 kilometres in any direction is excellent riding," said Alex Manweiler, special project co-ordinator for the Whitecourt Trailblazers snowmobile club.

A winter playground
One popular place to take the family or spend a day with friends is the Golden Triangle. This 350-kilometre trail system joins the communities of Whitecourt, Swan Hills and Fox Creek. Well-groomed trails that take sledders through forested areas, over rolling hills, across open fields, near lakes and along rivers make for a spectacular riding experience.

Other pleasant areas to ride close to Whitecourt include the Eagle River Trail System, Athabasca Loop and Gold Creek Road towards Silver Summit.

Sledders can enjoy world-class trail riding conditions around Whitecourt, thanks to the efforts of the Whitecourt Trailblazers. Last year, between 500 and 1,000 volunteer hours were spent maintaining and grooming the trails. They have also placed signs and maps along the way so sledders never have to worry about getting lost. The club is very active in the community and organizes a number of major events each year.

The town of Whitecourt offers a variety of services, amenities and accommodations—and residents go out of their way to make sledders feel welcome each winter.