After two seasons without access, the road back to one of BC's biggest riding areas has reached a major milestone.
For sledders who've been keeping an eye on the Renshaw comeback, there's some big news out of McBride.
Bridge construction is officially underway.
The temporary work bridge has been installed at the 2.8 km mark of the McKale Forest Service Road, and crews are now working to remove the old bridge's centre pier. It's the first visible sign of a long-awaited replacement taking shape, and a significant step toward getting sledders back into Renshaw.
For sledders who've been keeping an eye on the Renshaw comeback, there's some big news out of McBride.
Bridge construction is officially underway.
The temporary work bridge has been installed at the 2.8 km mark of the McKale Forest Service Road, and crews are now working to remove the old bridge's centre pier. It's the first visible sign of a long-awaited replacement taking shape, and a significant step toward getting sledders back into Renshaw.
TWO WINTERS IS A LONG TIME TO WAIT
If you've ridden Renshaw, you know why this matters.
As BC's largest managed snowmobile riding area, Renshaw is a big part of what makes McBride a destination for mountain sledders. Vast alpine bowls, rolling meadows, technical tree riding and enough country to keep you exploring well beyond a long weekend.
When the original access bridge was closed, the McBride Big Country Snowmobile Association (Sled McBride) could no longer groom the main route into the area. For two seasons, one of the Robson Valley's most sought-after riding experiences has been missing from the winter lineup.
But behind the scenes, the club and its partners have been working to change that.
A new 140-foot free-span bridge was secured, funding came together, and the groundwork was laid for construction. Now, with equipment on site and the old centre pier coming out, that work is finally becoming something sledders can see.
For the full story of how the project came together, revisit our earlier feature, The Road Back to Renshaw.
THE NEXT STOP: RENSHAW
The goal remains to restore groomed access for the 2026/27 snowmobile season. There's still construction to complete, and an official reopening date has yet to be announced, but this is a milestone worth celebrating.
In the meantime, Sled McBride is asking everyone to avoid the bridge construction area while heavy equipment is operating. The club will share weekly progress updates through its official Facebook and Instagram accounts.
BIG MOUNTAINS. SMALL TOWN. PLENTY MORE TO EXPLORE.
Renshaw might be making the headlines, but there's a whole lot more to sledding in McBride. From the alpine terrain of Lucille Mountain to the trails and powder at Belle Mountain, the Robson Valley has plenty of reasons to make the trip.
