September Newletter

GETTING READY

By

Richard Demers

September may seem like an odd time to be talking about snowmobiling but if you think about it, a fun snowmobile season is a direct result of careful planning.  There are the everyday chores like getting your machine ready to ride and deciding where you are going to ride during the coming season.  Of course there is the budgeting and licensing/registration.  But most importantly, there is the getting reacquainted with your local snowmobile club and purchasing your snowmobile permit for the new season.

Many of us simply switch hats in the spring and we go through the summer enjoying barbeques and family holidays.  There are all kinds of other activities to fill our days.  But for those who maintain our trails, there seems hardly a time when things stop happening.  Many of our dedicated volunteers are spending their summers riding up and down the trails making sure they are safe for your and my winter fun.

Have you ever wondered what they do?  Have you ever wondered how you could be an active member of your local club?  Have you ever wondered how you can make a difference in ensuring snowmobiling is safe and fun?  Getting involved does require a commitment of some time; however the commitment is not very taxing.  Once every month or so, you might spend a few hours working with friends on a project, or clearing some brush from the trail, or some other small task that makes our sport fun for everyone.  However, the satisfaction that comes from participating can not be expressed in words.  It is a value added feeling that makes riding your snowmobile much more enjoyable.  I guess it is because you had a hand in making it all happen.  You put up that stop sign.  So when you cross that intersection, you take ownership of the spot.  That’s your stop sign!  You cleared that particular section of trail.  So you ride with a little more pride.  Yes getting involved is very rewarding in ways that are often hard to describe.  Just try it and you will understand what I mean.

The other rewarding part of being involved is the friendships that naturally evolve when people gather to complete a task or multiple tasks together.  Some of these connections last a life time.  Families grow together when more than one family member participates in the volunteer activity together.  After all, snowmobiling is a family sport.  Safe snowmobiling involves everyone in the family.

Did you know that a snowmobile is the only vehicle that leaves no environmental foot print?  That is because you ride your snowmobile on the snow.  Also, the manufacturers of snowmobiles have reduced the emissions and the noise of the snowmobile by over 90% in recent years.  So snowmobiling is not only environmentally friendly it is also environmentally quiet.   And when you ride snowmobiles on groomed trails you are in a safe, dedicated environment that protects everyone.

If you’re a land owner near a snowmobile trail or if a snowmobile trail crosses on your land, September is a good month to review your access agreement with your local club to ensure your land is protected and the trail is up to your standards.  Snowmobilers want to enjoy their sport in a safe environment but not at the expense of the landowner.  The land owner plays a vital role in assisting the snowmobiler to have safe access to many of the trails developed by the county.  In the past this relationship may have been tested by some careless individuals.  However, for the safety of everyone, and for the respect of other people’s property it is important that the land owner and the snowmobiler work together to ensure they are doing the right things right.

Snowmobilers owe a lot of gratitude to the generosity of the land owner in allowing safe access to an integrated trail system.  Snowmobilers need to respect the privilege of crossing on private land and be mindful of the benefit afforded them by these generous individuals.  It is only through working with the clubs that the landowner can ensure that snowmobilers respect their property.  By being involved with the club, the landowner can ensure his/her concerns are understood and that safe controlled systems are in place.

So for snowmobilers, new and old, and for land owners new and old, now is the time to join your local snowmobile club.  Now is the time to get involved.  September is the time to prepare for our winter fun.  By being prepared the fun will be safe and enjoyable for all parties involved.  So let’s enjoy another safe and happy Alberta winter.  Let’s make this year the safest and most enjoyable snowmobile year on record.

For more information on the club please visit www.absnowmobileclub.com or email

Marlene2@xplornet.com or write to Alberta Beach Snowmobile Club Box 329 Alberta Beach AB  T0E 0A0