Well known for its fantastic snowmobiling, Valemount is also becoming known as a great ATVing destination, and the Valemount and Area Recreational Development Association (VARDA) is developing a strong ATVing focus. Curtis Pawliuk, the general manager of VARDA, said he is applying for a grant through the Columbia Basin Trust to develop strategic mapping and find sustainable areas for riders; protecting the mountain caribou habitat and implementing rider education will be integral to the development of riding areas.

“We need to make it as sustainable as possible by providing education while providing some very fun and scenic areas to ride,” said Pawliuk. “We have some amazing deactivated roads that you can get into and find some of the nicest country that you have ever seen.”

Pawliuk is organizing group rides and he hopes to get quadders to give him their opinions on trails.

“I want to see what the ATVers think of these areas before we decide that they are a good ATV area,” he said.

Pawliuk has posted more information on rides at www.snowandmud.com.