SLED APRES… THE BC WAY.
The hype before going snowmobiling goes unpaired. For sledders, waking up, loading, and arriving at the parking lot is almost as exciting as the ride itself! We often head to bed the night before ecstatic for the next day's events and spend ample time preparing for the morning and day's ride; what to bring, where to go, who with, and of course, a departure time.
But what about, "Après-Motoneige," (after snowmobiling)? If you're a local BC snowmobiler, you know all about how to après, but if you're not, this is your how-to guide on "How To Après Like a Local!"
Kootenay Rockies (photo Billy Stevens)
BC is undoubtedly the world's most famous backcountry snowmobiling destination! Offering a wide variety of terrain, significant snowfalls, and a unique energy that spans from each small town to the mountain tops surrounding them - many sledders make the trek from all over the world to ride here. It's no secret to locals that snowmobilers help make winters possible for many working-class residents and the businesses that employ them, especially throughout the Thompson Okanagan and Kootenay Rockies.
Sicamous, BC (photo Gloria Cunningham)
Golden, BC
BC LOCAL APRES ESSENTIALS
Parking Lot Vibes!
After a solid day's ride, there's no better feeling than arriving back at the parking lot - "phew," a sigh of relief. You start your vehicle, crank the heat, load up, and gear down. Most riders then gather around in our longies for some truck snacks and a few exaggerated stories before heading back home or to the hotel room, but this season we want to encourage you to explore outside of the loading zone and get to know the community that hosts your sled trip, even if it's just a day trip!
Whos Hungry?
Finding just the right place for the crew to gather, fill your bellies with great food, and reminisce about the day's events (not to mention host buddy Kraig's outside voice) is essential to your sledcation! Every BC sled town has a spot that makes riders feel welcome; where you can sit and not only debrief the day's ride but get to know one another better. So this season, instead of chattering about the "Sickest Lines" of the day around that BC sled truck, get out and make it your goal for each rider to point out a near miss, what went right, what went wrong, and how they could improve their safety or, better yet, what they would do differently next ride. All this over some "Finger Licken Eats" at Moose Mulligans in Sicamous or Enderby's Small Axe Roadhouse, Burger and Beer Night, is a recipe to make any mouth water and make for a better ride the next day.
(photos: clockwise starting in top left: Firehall Kitchen & Tap - Cranbrook, BC | Reposados - Golden, BC | Yamagoya Shushi - Fernie, BC | Shuswap Pie Company - Salmon Arm, BC)
Can I Wear My Longies Out?
Absolutely. Welcome to BC. You can show up in your gear, you can show up in your longies, and no one is going to judge you; if anything, you'll be asked how your ride was, and of course, you will reply, "Unreal!" What you wear is up to you, but remember, no shirt, no shoes, no service - that's a thing around here.
Come, Sit Down, and Stay For A While…
You've made the trek. You've planned the trip. You've got a week's worth of sledding mapped out, but you should have accounted for down days. No worries, we've got you covered:
Wet Your Palate: Whitetooth Brewery Co. - Golden, Mt. Begbie Brewing Co. - Revelstoke, After Dark Distillery - Sicamous, and Fernie Brewery Co. - Fernie, are all excellent places to quench your thirst!
Relax: If your sled is good to go, but you're a bit beat, soak it up in one of the various hot springs surrounding Nakusp, check into Crazy Creek Hot Pools, or perhaps you'd like to treat yourself - Spa 901 in Fernie might be up your alley.
History and Horsepower: Learn more about Revelstoke's roots by visiting The Revelstoke Railway Museum. This makes a great down-day or family-friendly stop on any sled trip.
Mountain Motorsports, Golden BC
The Dealer Network: BC hosts a great web of snowmobile dealers happy to help get you back on the hill. Even if your sled is ready to ride, make the stop, check out a dealer near you and see what goodies you may be missing out on!
The Cabin, Revelstoke BC
Bowling: Lakeside Bowling Center is a favoured place in the Shuswap region. It offers twelve five-pin lanes, fun for all ages, food and beverages! Or check out The Cabin in Revelstoke, BC.
Wild Things To Do: BC Wildlife Park - Kamloops & Northern Lights Wildlife Wolf Center - Golden
Apres Responsibly.
A note about small towns in BC is that there isn't always a cab service, but they often have establishments within walking distance, and in places like Fernie, BC, there's an excellent town shuttle option.
Hit the Tub!
When the day's events come to an end, unwind with an après tub - perfect for reflecting alone or conversing with fellow sledders about the forecast, riding techniques, gear, or anything snowmobile related. Joe Schmucks in Sicamous is an excellent place to stay and offers cabins with private hot tubs for a more personal experience. If you're not shy, the Best Western next door and the Fernie Fox Hotel in Fernie boast a couple of BC's best shared hot tubs.
Best Western - Sicamous, BC
Fernie Fox Hotel - Fernie, BC
There you have it, the inside scoop on "How To Après Like a Local!" Be sure to share your BC experience with us this season - connecting with our small towns, getting to know the incredible locals, and making memories that run deeper than the snow you ride in.
We hope you enjoy your stay and look forward to you coming back.
