The Pembina Valley Snowkickers Club plays an essential role in maintaining the snowmobile trails that crisscross the region. Beyond setting up trail signs, their responsibilities include organizing meetings, coordinating with regional snowmobile associations, and ensuring trail safety.
Kory Van Damme, President of the Pembina Valley Snowkickers, explains the club’s structure and its need for volunteers.
“We have meetings throughout the winter, starting in October and running until April,” Van Damme shares. “It’s typically one meeting per month, but there are also regional and Snowman meetings that higher executives, like the President or Vice President, often attend.”
Van Damme notes that while the club welcomes involvement from anyone, they are particularly seeking individuals to fill roles in areas like St. Leon and Manitou.
“Even myself in Glenora, I’d love to have someone learn the ropes, help with signage, and spread the workload,” he added. “Succession planning is key to keeping the club running smoothly.”
A growing passion for snowmobiling
Snowmobiling is experiencing a resurgence among young men and women, particularly those in their 20s. Van Damme sees this as a prime opportunity to bring fresh faces into the club.
“Two years ago, I’d never seen our trails used so much,” he says. “It would be great to have more people involved, especially in key areas where we need immediate help with signage and trail maintenance.”
The club offers a free trail signing course to ensure volunteers are well-equipped. “It’s a simple step that makes a huge difference for us,” Van Damme emphasizes.
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Trail respect and safety concerns
While the Snowkickers work hard to maintain the trails, they’ve faced challenges with trail misuse, including vehicles damaging groomed paths and unsafe practices at warm-up shacks.
“Cars on the trails are a big issue,” Van Damme says. “It creates ruts and liabilities. We want to keep everyone safe, and vehicles with tires just aren’t suited for these conditions.”
He also highlights a recent near-miss incident at a warm-up shack: “Logs were left on the wood stove, and we were minutes away from losing a brand-new shack that many people had donated toward. Thankfully, someone caught it in time.”
Supporting the Snowkickers through their annual lottery
The club’s annual lottery provides much-needed funding for maintenance, repairs, and fuel. This year, the early bird draw will take place in February, with the main draw scheduled for March.
“We print only 1,000 tickets, so the odds of winning are good,” Van Damme says. “The lottery has been selling out in recent years, and it’s a vital cash injection for the club.”
Tickets can be purchased from local representatives or by reaching out through the club’s Facebook page.
An invitation to get involved
Van Damme encourages anyone interested in snowmobiling or supporting local trails to consider joining the Snowkickers.
“We’re a fun group, and we make sure to show appreciation with a director’s ride when weather permits,” he says. “It’s rewarding to hear compliments from visitors about how well our trails are maintained.”
The club’s regular meetings are usually held on the first Tuesday of each month. For more information or to get involved, visit the Pembina Valley Snowkickers Facebook page.
“It’s hard work, but it’s worth it,” Van Damme concludes. “If you love snowmobiling, this is a great way to give back and ensure our trails remain some of the best in the region.”
