There’s always a beginning. I’m surrounded by amazing riders on a daily basis—some who are well known, others not so much. But where did it all begin?
I recently posted a question on the powersports forum, SnowandMud.com. I asked the users who they felt was the most influential mountain snowmobiler. My heart was warmed by the feedback. There was a common theme, as post after post had confirmed my suspicion. The riders considered the most influential weren’t those who were simply “wild and crazy” on the big screen. It was a combination of qualities. Sure, the riders they nominated were skilled, but the common denominator for those considered most influential were the ones who gave their blood, sweat and tears to forward the sport of mountain snowmobiling.
The power of one can spark a chain reaction felt for generations.
The master link—Ron LaRoy
For 43 years, Ron LaRoy has been carving it up in the mountains of B.C. He started off his journey in Golden, B.C., racing and mountain riding. Ron is most recognized for his efforts surrounding mountain caribou research and his efforts fighting against land closures. That’s 30 years of Ron’s dedication to protecting snowmobile riding areas from closure for everyone to enjoy. All of us need to stop and think about this for a moment the next time we have the most “epic” ride of all. No matter who you talk to, Ron is considered one of the most open-hearted, strong, outspoken and dedicated snowmobilers on the planet. As far as being tenacious, Ron suffered a heart attack that resulted in a double bypass surgery. Do you think that slowed him down? Nope, he was out riding that same season.
Here’s how Ron got started (in his own words):
“I started my snowmobile career in 1969 riding a 1964 Polaris Colt. This powerhouse weighed at least 700 pounds with a solid steel chassis and fibreglass hood as thick as your finger—all powered by a 12-horsepower engine. Remember those steel skis and the deep lug track and how the sled sat a total of about six inches off the ground? Taking this sled for a demo ride in the parking lot of a Shell service station, I was hooked and haven’t looked back since.
“From there I moved into a 1971 Scorpion, 400 Sachs engine, (which was) the biggest sled in town at the time. My evolution through the years has included riding Arctic Cats, Ski-Doos, the odd Yamaha (which I really didn’t own but my son did), the Scorpion and, of course, the Polaris Colt.”
Recently inducted into the Iron Dog Brigade, Ron joins a group of very esteemed “old-timers” who share this honour.
You can’t help but be inspired by the stories countless riders told of their experiences with Ron. It was very clear to me that Ron was responsible for many riders who are out there grinning from ear to ear. Within that group of riders, there are two phenomenal people that jump to the forefront of the list. One, of course, is Ron’s daughter and Ski-Doo ambassador Stephanie Schwartz, and the other is Kathy (Powderpuff) Burke—two powerhouse women shredders.
Bringing out the Burkes
Thirteen years ago, Ron introduced Kathy’s family to mountain riding. The boys would go out for the day, then come home at night and share the stories of their adventures with Kathy, which was fine at first, but true to Kathy’s strong and independent nature, she wanted to get out there and play. She wanted to have stories and fun too. No more staying at home while her family went out and slayed the pow—she was going to ride with her family. Kathy’s sons—Adam, who was 10 years old at the time, and Dylan, who was then 14 years old—weren’t kids who were into bonding over baking cookies and neither was Kathy, so sledding was the ideal activity for her to bond with her boys.
Through Ron’s mentoring and encouragement, Kathy developed confidence and skill, which ignited an even greater love of the sport. Ron, who was extremely active in the Revelstoke Snowmobile Club and the Snowmobile Revelstoke Society, urged Kathy to become involved—and wow, did she ever. Kathy was the first woman president of the Revelstoke Snowmobile Club and she has served as either president or vice-president for the past seven years. For the past nine years, Kathy has also worked tirelessly for the Snowmobile Revelstoke Society, helping to maintain Revelstoke’s title as one of the most epic sled zones on the planet.
Teaching the kids
Ron likes to share his love of snowmobiling with his kids. When they were young, he would spend hours shuttling his bundled-up children in a little “ski-boose.” Is it any wonder that his daughter Stephanie is one of the most dedicated and influential women riders of today?
Stephanie’s dad never pampered her or tried to sugar-coat backcountry snowmobiling—it was quite the opposite. He would sled them into a remote area in the B.C. backcountry and then ask Stephanie to find their way out—even during times of extreme weather. Stephanie is eternally grateful that her father did this, for she repeatedly heads into their wild backyard with confidence, knowing the Revelstoke and Golden areas like the back of her hand.
Stephanie has had her own struggles in life—life-and-death struggles. Stephanie was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer. Ironically, even before she was diagnosed with cancer, Stephanie volunteered her time and energy raising money for cancer research and support. Thankfully, her cancer is in full remission and Stephanie is able to continue her humanitarian efforts, organizing her own fundraising relays and functions to support others in need. She is an amazing woman with a gigantic heart.
And she keeps on trucking. Recently, Julie-Ann Chapman from Pemberton, B.C., hosted an all-girls riding clinic in Whistler, B.C. Julie-Ann recruited Stephanie to help out as a coach. Julie-Ann speaks with so much love and admiration as she describes Stephanie and her coaching technique. Full of laughter and encouragement, Stephanie urges novice riders forward. Her nurturing and fun-loving demeanour inspires everyone to want to learn more and become a better rider. She takes away the fear that some riders have and replaces it with the knowledge that they can complete whatever task is in front of them.
Many more to come
And the chain reaction continues. The mountain rider of today changes the stereotypes that existed from days before. We are all linked together, and through this connection we will continue to grow the sport—while propelling the positive, responsible and inspirational face of the true mountain snowmobiler into the spotlight.
