Backcountry skiers and snowboarders will find plenty of untouched powder terrain in local mountains. While most areas are accessed with a snowmobile, which may necessitate trail fees if at Belle, Lucille or the Renshaw – see the Sled McBride website for more information, others areas can be accessed directly from your vehicle, particularly west of McBride at Driscoll Ridge, Viking Ridge and at the Sugarbowl.
Overnight ski trips are possible in the Dore River area, as there are a number of backcountry cabins available to book at ozalenkaalpineclub.ca/bookings
Ski touring, by nature, leads recreationists into avalanche terrain. Everyone in your group needs to carry avalanche safety equipment (transceiver, shovel and probe), and know how to use this gear. An Avalanche Skills Training (AST) course is your place to start and is a must for everyone recreating in the backcountry. Check the local Avalanche Forecast from Avalanche Canada before heading out.
McBride boasts three amazing snowmobiling areas, including the largest managed riding area in BC, ensuring riders experience some of the best alpine and trail-riding snowmobiling in the country.
In 2018 McBride was crowned SledTown ShowDown Champion and McBride was voted SnoRiders Favourite British Columbia SledTown, in 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022!
In cooperation with Rec, Sites and Trails BC, the McBride Big Country Snowmobile Association manages McBride’s three sanctioned snowmobiling areas including ensuring trail access grooming, coordinating trail pass sales and maintaining the warming cabins at each riding area.
Everyone in your group needs to carry avalanche safety equipment (transceiver, shovel and probe), and know how to use it. An Avalanche Skills Training (AST) course is your place to start and is a must for everyone recreating in the backcountry.
McBride and the surrounding area boasts groomed and track set nordic ski trails as well as opportunities for “off-piste” cross-country skiing.
The Yellowhead Ski Club, in cooperation with Rec Sites and Trails BC maintains, grooms and track sets 17 km of cross country ski trails at Belle Mountain. These trails have a remote, wilderness feel to them and skiers will often come across tracks from moose, lynx, hares and weasels. Trails range from easy to moderate and feature a warming hut at the trail head and a day use/overnight cabin deeper in the trail system.
The Pine Lake Cabin must be booked for overnight stays by contacting yellowheadskiclub@hotmail.com. Trails are groomed by volunteers and the club relies on membership fees to maintain the trails and the cabin. Trail and road conditions as well as membership forms are available on the club’s Facebook page at Yellow Head Ski Club
The Belle Mountain Ski Trails are located at 4.5km up the Bell Mountain Forest Service Road, accessed from Highway 16, 8.5km east of McBride. The trailhead parking area is shared with snowmobilers accessing the Belle Mountain Snowmobiling area, higher up the mountain. Watch for trucks and trailers on the way up and down the forest service road.
Trail Safety & Etiquette:
When the conditions are right, locals can be seen skiing on the Fraser River sandbar, on Horseshoe Lake in McBride, at the McBride Mountain Trails, and on the numerous Forest Service Roads surrounding the community. Check in at the McBride Visitor Centre in McBride’s Historic Railway Station for more information.
This local volunteer run, non-profit organization grooms and track sets 17 km of cross-country ski trails at the Belle Mountain Recreation Area, only a few minutes east of McBride.
The club also maintains a warming hut at the trail head and a day use/overnight cabin on the trail network. The club collects membership fees from skiers to cover the cost of trail and cabin maintenance and requests that skiers reserve the Pine Lake Cabin for overnight use by contacting the club at yellowheadskiclub@hotmail.com
The club will host family-friend ski events from time-to-time throughout the ski season.
Information about trail and road conditions, work-bees and events and to find downloadable membership forms, check out Yellowhead Ski Club Facebook
Yellowhead Ski Club is a member of Cross Country BC
Guests ski or snowboard untracked powder with a professional guide leading the way and a helicopter to whisk them to the top to do it all over again.
Enjoy access to over 3,800 square kilometers of incredible terrain in Canada’s Northern Rocky and Cariboo Mountains, and experience a heli-ski/snowboarding adventure you’ll never forget. The ranch-style lodge, accented by hand-hewn fir logs and natural local wood, provides guests with a friendly, down-to-earth environment where they can enjoy great meals and conversation, relaxing amenities and comfortable accommodations.
Cat skiing now rivals heli-skiing in terms of both the quality and the quantity of skiing it provides to guests. These guided adventures take skiers and snowboarders into remote backcountry terrain where endless powder awaits. Book an adventure today.
Cariboo Snowcat Skiing is a powder skiing and snowboarding operation located at Mica Mountain in the Cariboos, near Tete Jaune Cache, only 40 minutes from McBride.
The Cariboo Mountains are world-renowned for incredible snow conditions. These guided tours can be catered to all skill levels. Guests will be treated to spectacular panoramic views of the Cariboos and the Canadian Rockies, including Mount Robson.
Unlimited opportunities for snowshoe enthusiasts exist in the Valley, particularly when the snow reaches valley bottom. Easy trips to features such as waterfalls and valley viewpoints or more ambitious treks to backcountry cabins for an overnight stay are possible. Enthusiasts can check the Hiking, Nordic Skiing, and Horseback Riding sections of the website for trail suggestions and cabin rentals. Belle Mountain offers an extensive trail network for snowshoeing (see trail map) but remember to stay off to the side on groomed cross-country ski trails.
It is important to avoid avalance terrain while snowshoing unless you carry the necessary avalanche safety equipment, have recevied training, and travel with other, experienced trekkers. Avalanche Canada forecasts for our region can be found at avalanche.ca. For your own safety, avoid areas designated for snowmobiles.
For a unique experience, try mushing, either as a passenger or driver, in the Small River area. Spend the day, complete with picnic lunch.