We have a variety of terrain including groomed and ungroomed family trails, alpine areas, and high-marking bowls. The heart of our trail system is the Round Prairie staging area located 4.5 km north of town.

Elkford is snowmobile friendly allowing riders to access the trail system right from their hotel provided each machine carries on-road insurance, a license plate and a free RCMP-issued permit. Sledders with loud machines are advised to trailer to the staging area, area riders value this unique privilege and very much understand how easily it could be lost.

Trails and Riding Areas

Family trails generally run up the Elk Valley which stretches more than 60km north from town to the Alberta border. We groom these trails when we can but the last few years the roads have been ploughed due to pine-beetle timber harvesting. When roads are ploughed riders can still access the valley via the power-line trail on the east side of the river.

The north valley trail system also accesses the Aldridge Creek trail which leads to the Fording Pass into Alberta. This is a high steep pass that traverses avalanche zones so definitely not a beginner ride. There are also some excellent bowls on the BC side of the Fording Pass.

By far the most popular riding areas are the meadows and alpine bowls at Koko Claims just a few km west of the staging area. Rec society volunteers groom the 12 km of main trunk trail weekly.

The “Claims” main trail is also the gateway to infinite family riding on unploughed forest service roads in the Bull River valley to the west. The only limitation to how far you can go on those trails is how early you get up in the morning, and the amount of fuel you can carry.

The bowls at Mear Lake and Smith Basin in the Koko Claims area are accessible by intermediate riders. The trails into Tundra and The Gorge are for advanced riders with bigger machines. The amazing valley that is Wayne’s World can be accessed by advanced riders in late winter.

Avalanche activity in the alpine is high so riders are advised to check current conditions, but the valley itself is quite safe.

Club Activities

The Elkford Snowmobile club is a member of the ABC Snowmobile Clubs.

Starting with the pitch-in / clean-up in the spring club members work throughout the year clearing trails and staging areas. The clubs work with local government, land owners and RCMP to address noise, safety and wildlife concerns. Trails are signed and avalanche probes are made available at some of the bigger slide areas. The safety director updates the avalanche condition sign at the gas station weekly.

The snowmobile club owns a cabin located 35 km north of town.The cabin sleeps 12 and is available to members and guests; member bookings are coordinated through the cabin boss.

Events

The snowmobile club meets on the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month at 8:30pm at the Union Hall through late fall and winter.

The club manages checkpoints and does an incredible amount of trail work for the annual Wilderness Classic Sled Dog Derby, this year will be held Jan 18, 19 and 20. The recreation society hosts the Musher’s Ball fundraiser with live band on Saturday January 19. It’s a great time with proceeds to trail grooming.

The snowmobile club’s charity of choice is Easter Seals; their Winterfest fundraiser ride usually held in late February.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How many miles of groomed trails are there to ride?

A. Between 12 km and 100 km depending on ploughed roads.

Q. When is the sledding season?

A. Early to mid December in the alpine, late December up the valley.

Q. How much snowfall does Elkford receive?

A. 4 to 9 metres per year

Q. What makes Elkford a great destination for sledders?

A. In a word, undiscovered! Located at the end of the highway, unlimited wilderness, abundance of wildlife, groomed trails, lots of fresh snow, ride from town.

Contact Us

General Inquiries

Peter Cunningham, 865-2690, peter@elkfordtrails.com

Elkford Snowmobile Association
PO Box 41
Elkford, BC
V0B 1H0

Board of Directors