Creston, British Columbia
On the trails with the Red Neck Sled Cru
Don’t expect to find Stuart Durning relaxing on Sunday mornings—he’ll be out on the trails with Creston’s Red Neck Sled Cru
Sledding is for everyone: Members of the RNSC are all different ages. —photo courtesy of Stuart Durning
Stuart Durning moved to Creston, BC, in 2005 from Hamilton, Ontario. He had never been on a sled before his friend Ricky Chilson introduced him to the sport. Durning knew within the first kilometre of his first ride that snowmobiling was for him.
His passion for the sport led to the formation of the Red Neck Sled Cru (RNSC), a group of nearly 20 avid sledders from Creston. The men and women of the RNSC have varying sledding experience and range in ages from nine to 50.
Ready to ride: Avid snowmobiler Stuart Durning on his sled. —photo courtesy of Stuart Durning
“We meet every Sunday at a restaurant and ski mostly in the mountains around Creston,” said Durning. “The Kokanee Country Snowmobile Club just started up again and two members of the RNSC attended the meeting, and we’re all going to join this year.”
The RNSC has plans to travel to Revelstoke for its legendary bowls, basins and powder. In the meantime, Durning will be exploring trails closer to home on his 2001 Polaris 800 RMK, such as those around Blaze Creek, Sanca, and Bayonne. Google Earth has proved useful for discovering new riding locations, though the RNSC are careful not to sled in closed areas.
Take pride in your ride
In his four years of sledding, During is most proud of how his highmarking abilities have improved.
“The adrenaline rush of climbing something you wouldn’t even be able to walk up is incredible,” he said.
Powering through the powder: In the background, Stuart Durning’s wife Michelle boondocks. —photo courtesy of Stuart Durning
Durning summed up his sledding experience by saying that it is a fun, social event with added exercise benefits. One thing he hopes to see is an increase in the number of women participating in the sport.
“It’s a shame that it’s such a male-dominated sport. We have a few women who sled with the RNSC and they’re keeping up with the guys, no problem. Sledding really should be for the whole family,” he said.
Overall, though, Durning said it is the interpersonal aspect that he most enjoys about snowmobiling.
“Sometimes the sleds break down five kilometres from the truck, but you’re not worried that you haven’t been sledding because you’ve been talking and having a fun time socializing.”
