so ive narrowed down two places for my first trip whats a better area .....note i am new to mountains ....i was thinkin 2 days mcbride and 2 days valemount but i dont wan2 jump around that much ..pros and cons folks??
Mcbride vs. Valemount
- Thread starter dezmitchell
- Start date
Well, from riding both areas a lot, I would say that both are good in their own ways.
Valemount is a larger town, better selection of restaurants, better selection of accomodation, but more people.
Mcbride has one of the largest riding areas in B.C. (Renshaw) it goes on and on... you can make it to Kakwa, and Grande Cache from there, or so I have been told. There are a couple of other riding areas that you would like, Belle and Lucille. Both have a good terrain that you won't get lost, but they are limited in size.
Valemount, well I guess south of valemount, there is from what I have found a little more snow. Perhaps because of more treed areas, and less wind blown. I find that Valemount has more tree riding, and Mcbride has more Alpine.
Allan creek, has a warming hut, and it has all riding abilities, as well as Clemina. Milledge has no cabin, and it is a long ride in. In general, they get more snow in Milledge though, I think it is on the edge of the Revy snow belt.
You can't go wrong with either, I usually take mountain rookies to Allan or Clemina, lots of areas to explore and not get into trouble.
You see many families going to Belle or Lucille for some reason though.
A lot of times I stay in Valemount and ride mcbride on the last day, or vicey versa. It is not that far away.
Valemount is a larger town, better selection of restaurants, better selection of accomodation, but more people.
Mcbride has one of the largest riding areas in B.C. (Renshaw) it goes on and on... you can make it to Kakwa, and Grande Cache from there, or so I have been told. There are a couple of other riding areas that you would like, Belle and Lucille. Both have a good terrain that you won't get lost, but they are limited in size.
Valemount, well I guess south of valemount, there is from what I have found a little more snow. Perhaps because of more treed areas, and less wind blown. I find that Valemount has more tree riding, and Mcbride has more Alpine.
Allan creek, has a warming hut, and it has all riding abilities, as well as Clemina. Milledge has no cabin, and it is a long ride in. In general, they get more snow in Milledge though, I think it is on the edge of the Revy snow belt.
You can't go wrong with either, I usually take mountain rookies to Allan or Clemina, lots of areas to explore and not get into trouble.
You see many families going to Belle or Lucille for some reason though.
A lot of times I stay in Valemount and ride mcbride on the last day, or vicey versa. It is not that far away.
I have a couple questions bout valemount as well! I recently moved to Edmonton, and havent had a sled for a couple years now since I lived on Vancouver Island... however i have a 154X Smurf on the way, and need to know what I need to ride out in Valemount. Is a BCSF trailpass all that is required, or is there a local club I need to get in touch with?
And for you Edmonton locals, Id also like to bomb around near home a bit to whet the appetite during the week, ive seen many people riding the outskirts of Edmonton, what, if anything is required for that? I
Ill be back on here when the snow starts flying looking for some people to show me around!
Cheers,
Dave
And for you Edmonton locals, Id also like to bomb around near home a bit to whet the appetite during the week, ive seen many people riding the outskirts of Edmonton, what, if anything is required for that? I
Ill be back on here when the snow starts flying looking for some people to show me around!
Cheers,
Dave
In Alberta, I would reccomend insurance and registration. I have heard of people getting fined for just having their sleds on their truck without plates.
I have been going to B.C. for almost a decade, and never got stopped for the above. Insurance is a must, I have fire, theft,and 3rd party liability.
I do not believe that you need a bcsf membership, but if you want to support the cause, go for it.
The only time I fire up my sled in Alberta, is to load it on my truck for the mountains. Goose Tower in Swan Hills is an ok place to ride, they get quite a bit of snow there.
I have been going to B.C. for almost a decade, and never got stopped for the above. Insurance is a must, I have fire, theft,and 3rd party liability.
I do not believe that you need a bcsf membership, but if you want to support the cause, go for it.
The only time I fire up my sled in Alberta, is to load it on my truck for the mountains. Goose Tower in Swan Hills is an ok place to ride, they get quite a bit of snow there.
Thanks for the info, as much as id like to go west every weekend with the price of gas these days, ouch! need to make freinds empty slots on sled decks 
See how many rides i can get in this winter anyway, will be away from home alot doing work up training for afghanistan next july
Cheers,
Dave
See how many rides i can get in this winter anyway, will be away from home alot doing work up training for afghanistan next julyCheers,
Dave
Valemount is more tree riding and McBride is more opener. Renshaw does seem to go on forever... but it your short for time you mite want to hit up Lucille instead cause its a lot close. The trail to the cabin is 30KM, but is will worth it if you have time.
I heard about people sledding from Renshaw to Kakwa but they had A LOT of extra gas. Would be a kool trip
I heard about people sledding from Renshaw to Kakwa but they had A LOT of extra gas. Would be a kool trip
T
Trenchmaster
Well-known member
I prefer McBride myself, we seem to get better snow there. Valemont is more popular and crowded, but has more riding areas. If you get fresh snow both areas offer great riding, but Valemont gets pounded out quicker. The best day I ever had sledding was at the Renshaw in McBride, so much snow we barely made it up the trail, and played all day within site of the cabin. Both areas charge a trail fee of ten or fifteen dollars, the cabins in McBride have propane heat, Valemont cabins have wood stoves but usually no wood. It's easy to check out both areas on one trip as they are only about an hour away.
Prefer McBride for 2 reasons. Usually less people and much larger area to ride.
If you are into exploring and not into the groomed trail thing there are other big places to ride around McBride. Where did you come from on the Island?
If you are into exploring and not into the groomed trail thing there are other big places to ride around McBride. Where did you come from on the Island?
S
Summitstef
Member
THe next time you are headin up to goose, gimme a shout Mark. I work up there. I'll just toss the sled on the back of the service truck
was born and raised in nanaimo, mostly rode mclaughlin ridge behind mt arrrowsmith, joined the military and have since been all over the country until i got posted to edmonton, ill be here for a while now, so i figured it was time to finally buy a sled. stoked to ride valemount and such this year for the first time.
Definitely Stef.THe next time you are headin up to goose, gimme a shout Mark. I work up there. I'll just toss the sled on the back of the service truck
There are times when the snow is bottomless there.
Man I can't wait for snow!!
Cuso
Hopefully we get pounded with snow like last winter!
D
depsnolvr
Well-known member
Sorry, I'm not on the this forum much in the summer. If you would like any info on Valemount or its surrounding areas, you can call or email the VARDA (Valemount Area Recreation Development Association) office at varda@valemount.com or phone 50-566-4817 for any questions. We have mountain hosts that ride specific areas on the weekends and being your first time out, maybe you should try to hook up with one of them for the morning to show you around a bit.
You will love either place, just snow and mountains !
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