Let’s face it, groomed trails are a big part of the reason we visit Snowmobile Clubs. Without grooming here in Revelstoke, sledding on Boulder Mountain and Frisby Ridge would be a lot harder.
Conditions permitted; our groomers are operating seven nights a week to provide groomed trails for the over 30,000 riders that use the Revelstoke Snowmobile Club’s trails each year.
While purchasing the machines, refueling, and maintaining them is hands down the largest expense to the Revelstoke Snowmobile Club, they are without a doubt a necessity.
To go with that, the Club collects a trusted bunch of groomer operators who are the real champions when it comes to keeping those groomed trails smooth. These guys really are the ones you want to be thanking at the end of a big day of shredding.
As well as giving them a wave and saying thanks, here are 10 ways you can help them out this season.
1 Popping on and off the trail can leave craters and lumps of snow that lead to trail deterioration, so please stay on the trail, and save the brapping for the backcountry where there isn’t a wildlife closure in place.
2 Keep a steady throttle! We get it, smooth, freshly groomed trails are the perfect place to release some of that built up excitement, but the reality is, it’ll create uneven wear, whoop out the trails, and cause havoc for riders and groomers that come later in the day.
3 If you stop on a trail, don’t blast the throttle when you take off again. This is sure to build up a lump of snow and lumps of snow turns into whoops.
4 On a busy day, Bolder and Frisby can each host over 400 riders. On days like this, whoops are inevitable, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to get some air. When you use them as jumps, they only get worse and that adds to the operating expenses of the club and the frustration of our groomer operators. If you want to get some airtime, we encourage you to get out there and build a ramp in the huge amount of backcountry you have access to.
5 Zig zagging and dipping into the fresh snow from side-to-side creates a lot of trenches for other riders and isn’t easy for groomer operators to repair.
6 This one should be an obvious one. If you get stuck behind a groomer, just chill and wait for the groomer to stop and the operator to signal that it’s safe to pass.
7 If you pass a groomer that’s just made some fresh corduroy, please keep right so the trail has time to set. This is key to making sure the trail lasts.
8 If you’re out after dark and you approach a groomer, please dim your lights. Just like as if you were driving a car at night, it’s the courteous thing to do and the groomer operator will appreciate it.
9 Our groomer operators work long lonely shifts on the mountains. If you happen to come across one that’s stopped and looking like they might need some assistance, be sure to stop and see if they are okay before you fly past.
10 Just like on the road in your car or truck, keep to the right. This will minimize your chances of a head-on collision, create less trail wear than when you ride in the middle, and keeps our groomer operators happy.
At the end of the day, working together to reduce the frequency of grooming will be doing your Club a huge favor by saving fuel, maintenance, and other costs that it currently takes to maintain our trails.
Looking forward to seeing you out there this season.
Click here to check out the latest conditions at Boulder Mountain Cabin.
Thanks to BCSF for inspiring this blog.
