Mountain sledding in Revelstoke has come a long way from its humble beginnings over 50 years ago. “The sport, the equipment, the lifestyle: the way sledders live and breathe sledding is evolving” says Teena Rumak, the General Manager of the Revelstoke Snowmobile Club. The Club, which is the largest of its kind in British Columbia with over 800 members launched a new website this week.
New website, new features
Website visitors can expect to be greeted with a fresh visual identify, followed with a comprehensive guide to everything-you-need-to-know about sledding in Revelstoke.
Website improvements include a new member log-in portal as well updated Riding Area descriptions, including the implementation of an ability Rating Guide. Allocating Beginner, Intermediate and Advance ratings to Riding Areas allows new visitors to easily find the perfect terrain to b-rappp their way through this winter.
Determined to provide “a winter experience like no other” to sledders visiting Revelstoke, the Club has created a Sledder Guide. The page list options to eat and sleep, a guide on where to find parts, gear, rentals, guides and so much more. “We wanted to give new and returning visitors the chance to experience Revy the way a local would” says Rumak.
Snowmobiling & COVID-19
The website updates are part of the Clubs commitment to grow sustainable snowmobile tourism in Revelstoke after an unexpected end to their last season. The Club shut down their operations on March 18, 2020 in response to COVID-19 – one month earlier than their scheduled April 18 closing date. As a result, the Club lost one-fifth of its season. “It had a large financial impact to the Club” says Rumak.
“Despite being armed with gloves and helmets, a real risk to staff, members and visitors exists when snowmobiling” says Rumak. “Snowmobilers naturally practice social distancing on the mountain but riders need to be mindful when using shared spaces like the emergency shelter cabins and washroom facilities”.
To limit the risk to riders and staff, the Club is adapting their existing membership system to ensure a safe and strong 20-21 season.
Online Membership Registration
One of the websites new features is an online registration system for members. Memberships to the Club allow riders unlimited trail access to both Boulder Mountain and Frisby Ridge.
“Existing members can reload last years memberships cards online, allowing for reduced contact between staff and other riders” says Rumak. New members can purchase their membership online and pick up their membership card up from the Welcome Centre. “This system is something no other snowmobiling Club has done in Canada” says Rumak.
Memberships are on sale for $225 until Nov 30. Full priced memberships are $250 after Dec 1. The 20-21 snowmobiling season will start in late November, dependant on snow conditions.