Many snowmobile enthusiasts ask me how to make their dream of riding in the Canadian West come true. Yes, just thinking about it, we all have that little adrenaline rush when we imagine ourselves riding the mountain sides like a pro… But before getting there, apart from the budget and the organization, we have to master our off-road skills and know how to surround ourselves with the right people to have an unforgettable experience. What do we need to know before embarking on such an adventure? Daniel Engel explains how to prepare for British Columbia. In this article, I will try to give you the tools you need to live this unique experience.
Being well surrounded
Before buying your airplane ticket, make sure you are well accompanied. Obviously, you don’t embark on an expedition without a team of professionals by your side. For me, every trip out west is done with the best people and over the years, I certainly have some advice to give you.
For lodging and guiding services, I often deal with Last Spike Lodge in Malakwa; Mark Newman always gives us incredible service in this area! For snowmobile rentals: Full Speed Rental in Revelstoke.
First of all, we NEVER go alone, whether we are in Quebec or elsewhere. To ensure a minimum of safety, I suggest having a group of at least 3 people in case of a breakdown or incident. If you are caught in an avalanche you will be happy to know that two people can dig you out!
Besides the two people who accompany you, you need a guardian angel. This 4th person stays at the camp or at least at the bottom of the mountain and you communicate with him regularly during the hike to make sure that everything is going well. In case of a problem, you have a guardian angel who can come to your rescue or contact the emergency services. This security costs on average 2500$ per day, for the helicopter service in case of a problem: 1500$ but this service is only to bring the snowmobile back, you will have to go back down the mountain on the snowmobile of one of your acolytes!
Training
Besides the team, there is also the training required! You don’t go into the mountains without having all the knowledge you need.
- You must have taken the Avalanche Training Level 1 and have the avalanche safety equipment (avalanchecanada.ca)
- CSA1 (First aid training 20h)
- You must master all the basic techniques at your fingertips!
Rent a snowmobile or bring your own? Insurance?
Is it worthwhile to bring your machine to the West? Yes, but only if you stay for more than 5 days. With a daily rental cost of $500 and more, you need to validate your budget! And then if you bring yours and it breaks: the costs can quickly go up… On my side, I deal with Full Speed Rental and believe me, with all the adventures I had in British Columbia, they have a really VIP service.
Don’t forget that it is important to be well insured when you decide to go. Several insurance companies offer packages adapted to snowmobilers, such as Tugo Insurance. Ask about inclusions and especially exclusions before you leave! Be prepared for any unforeseen event: a breakdown or accident at 5,000 and 7,000 feet may require a helicopter transport: find out about it BEFORE you leave.
What about snowmobiles? Which one should you prioritize? A turbo machine of course! With the elevation at sea level which is important in the mountains, you will have less power loss with a turbo snowmobile. Don’t forget that this is not a country ride. Your snowmobile must be powerful and efficient. If you need to move fast and get away from a danger zone or an avalanche, believe me, you will want the best machine on the market!
How to prepare for British Columbia Basic equipment
Snowmobiling outside of Quebec can be a great challenge. Again, it’s best to be prepared! Most of the places where you will go in the mountains do not have a network, so you must make sure you have what you need in case of unforeseen events:
- Warm and spare clothes (we work hard in off-road, we must stay dry)
- Mechanical spare parts (e.g. spark plugs, belt)
- Satellite phone
- Food (protein bars, liquid in a thermos, soup, chocolate bars etc.)
- Complete first aid kit
- Avalanche bag: in this bag, there is a “probe” (stick to find a buried person), shovel and “beacon” (emits a circular radio signal to be found quickly in case of an incident), it can also be rented for $50 per day.
- Shovel, saw etc.
What we see in the west
To the delight of off-trail enthusiasts, unlike our well-stocked forests, those in the west are rather sparse. Finding your line to your destination will be easier. However, the impressive amount of snow and the lack of knowledge of the area will work against you. Never ride too close to the trees. Every year, many snowmobilers die from suffocation when they fall into the air pockets around the trunks.
When you think of mountains, you think of cliffs… It is obviously essential to look high and far to see the unexpected. In the mountains you can fall from high places if you are not alert and it is better to survey your playground before taking speed to try your new acrobatic maneuvers on the mountain sides.
Slice of life
After 10 years of perfecting my skills, I can finally try the most remote places. This year, I reached the highest peaks of my off-road pro career. As you know, when you go backcountry exploring, you rarely do more than 40 km in a day. As I write this, I have just returned from the longest and most intense hike of my life. One hundred (100) kilometers of mountain, creeks, cliffs, forest sloping to near impossible levels. As I broke through the cloud layer at altitude, I saw the most beautiful sunset of my life surrounded by a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains. The feeling of pride you get when you achieve the impossible is hard to describe. Do you dream of feeling that sense of freedom? Work hard and persevere, it is so worth it…
In summary
Going out west is an enriching and especially exhilarating experience. We are entitled to a type of landscape and snow conditions unique in the world, but to be able to enjoy it fully, you will have understood that you must be well prepared…
The Destination Mont-Valin team is the best to equip you for your hikes in Quebec and in the West. When the time comes for you to make your dreams come true: contact us!
10 rue de Banff, St-David-de-Falardeau G0V 1C0.
+1 418-673-7335
info@destinationmontsvalin.com
