Snowmobiling on Vancouver Island seems to be growing in popularity despite the pandemic, prompting officials to ask new riders do their research before heading out into the backcountry.
On Jan. 24, the BC Conservation Officer Service, RCMP and BC Parks held a joint enforcement and education day for snowmobilers near Mt. Washington.
B次元官网网址淭he primary objective was trying to promote compliance through education and outreach,B次元官网网址� said conservation officer Steve Petrovcic. B次元官网网址淲e want folks to be doing their research, making sure they know whatB次元官网网址檚 required for their desired operation and the land base they want to be operating on and to certainly be aware of where park boundaries are so theyB次元官网网址檙e not operating within the provincial park.B次元官网网址�
The RCMP were concerned with operators riding on Strathcona Parkway, the road leading up to the Mt. Washington ski area from Highway 19. BC Parks and BCCOS were concerned with where operators were riding. Strathcona Provincial Park is off-limits to snowmobilers, but the lands adjacent to the park fall under different jurisdiction. The Mid-Island Sno Blazers snowmobile club has an agreement with Mosaic Forest Management to allow riders to access certain lands.
Petrovcic said the officers met with a dozen snowmobiler operators, only one of which was in compliance.
B次元官网网址淪ome had openly admitted they hadnB次元官网网址檛 done any research, they werenB次元官网网址檛 aware of the land status and thought it was crown land. Clearly some folks had not done any homework.
B次元官网网址淭he folks we spoke with on that particular morning, only one or two were somewhat familiar with the avalanche and backcountry snow stability concerns,B次元官网网址� Petrovcic added. B次元官网网址淲hen we get these funny temperature changes itB次元官网网址檚 a melt-freeze layer and it can really create a serious unstable snowload and itB次元官网网址檚 something thatB次元官网网址檚 really important that backcountry travellers are aware of.B次元官网网址�
With more people venturing out into the backcountry, it becomes more important that they are aware of the risks associated with those kinds of activities. Vancouver Island has had multiple avalanches within the past few months, and the rapid changes between low and high temperatures can create unstable snowpack in the alpine and sub-alpine regions.
Russell Janssen, president of the Mid-Island Sno Blazers recommends a minimum of an avalanche probe, beacon and shovel when riding. He also says that avalanche safety gear is one thing not to skimp on.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e mentioning to people about avalanches,B次元官网网址� Janssen said. B次元官网网址淲e try to keep people aware, making sure theyB次元官网网址檝e got the proper equipmentB次元官网网址ou can buy a $30 shovel or the $100 shovel. WhatB次元官网网址檚 going to have better results?B次元官网网址�
Despite COVID-19, the club has seen a jump in membership. The Mid-Island Sno Blazers saw a jump between around 112 members in 2019/20 to over 200 this year. The North Island club saw a similar jump. With the recent snowfalls and cold weather, conditions are improving for snowmobilers on the Island.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been good,B次元官网网址� Janssen said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e starting to get the snow we wish we had in early January and December. The seasonB次元官网网址檚 not over yet.B次元官网网址�
Though not all the riders stopped on Jan. 24 were club members, the clubs are looking for more riders to join. This year, there seems to be a large number of people who are interested in snowmobiling on the Island.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e seen a huge influx of riders this year,B次元官网网址� said Janssen. B次元官网网址淎 lot of it is to do with COVID, people are not travelling and either buying sleds or going backcountry skiing. All winter activities are going up.B次元官网网址�
New riders can join their local snowmobile clubs online.
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