Dedicated Snowblazers Volunteers Maintain Fly Hills
The Salmon Arm Snowblazers groomer volunteers (L to R) Tim McCoy, Jason Parent, Tyler Kosick, Carter Kosick (pictured shared from Facebook)
By Barbra Fairclough
The Salmon Arm Snowblazers volunteers ride and maintain the family friendly Fly Hills Snowmobile Area. Located just outside of Salmon Arm to the west, it is easily accessible from Highway 1.
Sandy Milne, President of the Salmon Arm Snowblazers confirms there is a long history of sledding beginning sometime in the seventies. In the early years, activities took hold with a casual group of folks and as interest grew, the club became a registered nonprofit society. Sandy acknowledges the dedication and hard work of the many volunteers, “Over the years there has been an amazing infrastructure that volunteers have built.”
The club, through partnership with Recreation Sites and Trails BC maintains over 200 km of trails and the facilities in the Fly Hills trails area. Through trail fees collected from trail users, trails are maintained and groomed, and warming huts are well kept. Important necessities like chopped wood and toilet paper mean that facilities are comfortable and go a long way to make a day of sledding more enjoyable.
Fees help to maintain and pay for trail grooming equipment and the five warming huts located throughout the trail system. The newest hut is the largest at 12 x 12 ft. Fondly called “Harvey’s Cabin”, it is named after a long time dedicated volunteer who has passed. Sandy speaks highly of the volunteers and says, “We strive to treat our volunteers well.”
In December, the BC Snowmobiling Federation announced that member clubs received $500K in funding through Pacific Economic Development Canada- Tourism Relief Fund. As members of the federation the Salmon Arm Snowblazers benefit from this grant with the acquisition of a trail groomer.
“This year you will see the retirement of the old blue tractor as we introduce the BR180 Bombardier snowcat.” says Sandy Milne. “Thanks to club member Jason Parent for heading up the procurement team and Tim McCoy and Tyler Kosick for heading to Smithers to pick up this “new to us” unit.”
As with any used equipment, club volunteers are working through the minor gremlins to ensure the reliability of the machine on the mountain ensuring safety for grooming operators. Sandy confirms “Your trail fees and memberships support initiatives like this.”
Sandy describes the club atmosphere as being one of great times and good people. All kinds of folks are welcome to join in on events. The club hosts a variety of fun gatherings throughout the riding season.
To welcome everyone back there is usually a fall ATV poker run in September or October prior to snow. Friends are welcomed and everyone’s interest is peaked for getting out on sleds in the incoming winter season. The Fly Hills Tour and Open House is a wonderful place to learn on the trails and meet other riders. Information about various poker runs through the season is available on its Facebook page.
The Salmon Arm Snowblazers are pleased to announce that in partnership with British Columbia Snowmobile Federation - BCSF and various levels of government, the club has been awarded grant money to assist in the acquisition of a new groomer - a BR180 Bombardier snowcat. (Picture shared from Facebook)
Sandy says members number around fifty and new folks are always welcome.
They enjoy a good relationship with the ATVers who ride in the area during summer months. It helps keep everything maintained and it keeps vandalism down, Sandy adds.
Some trails have sweeping vistas of the surrounding lake area. Other sledding areas near Sicamous are visible and there is also a view of mountains towards Kamloops.
Trails are groomed at least once per week. Good trail signage makes getting around easy without worrying about getting lost.
With the new highway improvements, access to the Silver Creek Road from Hwy one is through the new exits and through the roundabouts. Be sure to check for directions prior to coming out. The Fly Hills can be reached by a graded forest service road. At the top you have a great parking area with cement blocks placed by banks for easy loading and unloading.
Salmon Arm Snowblazers Facebook is one of the best ways to find out more. Message them or call 250 833 4833.
