It’s been a chaotic winter season for outdoor enthusiasts this year with abnormal weather from excessive snowfall, freezing rain, blustery winds and dynamic ice and thaw temperatures. Planning events around these kinds of variables can have as many ups and downs as the backyard thermometer.
Cancelled: Winter Festival of Speed
Many community events have been forced to cancel, including last week’s Family and Community Support Services FCSS’s ‘Family Day Festival’ in Lac La Biche — due to cold temperatures that were part of an Environment Canada Extreme Cold Warning for the area. And last week, the annual ‘Winter Festival of Speed’ — an ice racing weekend that draws racers and spectators from across Western Canada to the frozen ice surface of Lac la Biche Lake was postponed until next year due to the heavy and wet snowpack on lake. Several ice fishing events across the Lakeland have also been cancelled due to poor conditions.
Proceeding with any outdoor activities that involve travels over lakes or in the backcountry this winter season requires caution and preparation, said Rob Kruk, the owner of Full Tilt Power Sports and Off Road Rentals in Lac La Biche.
“Be prepared and have a shovel. If you get stuck, you’re going to have to shovel yourself out to get going again,” he said, adding that a shovel is just one part of an important list of things needed for winter recreation. “It’s all about preparedness and being dressed for the weather—and don’t ride alone.”
Even though they are made for off-road and challenging conditions, ATVs and snowmobiles can’t blast through all obstacles, he said, and this year’s heavy snowfalls and recent freeze and thaw conditions have made for some very challenging obstacles. Many local lakes now have fairly deep sections of overflow water caused by the thawing of the surface snow. Sticking to well-packed trails will continue to provide enjoyment for outdoor enthusiasts, he said.
For those choosing to challenge the season’s obstacles ... his repair shop door is always open.
Ready to ride
At Lac La Biche Sporting Goods, the early and heavy snowfall to start the winter season kept the doors of their sales showroom swinging, says Terry Moghrabi, as riders wanted to get outdoors and enjoy the season.
As that season continues, it’s also been a good one for riders to learn about varying conditions, and the many swings that Mother Nature can bring.
Although the snowfall has been great this year for riders, he says the combination of water and weight on the lake can be a concern while riding because uneven surfaces can make the machine get stuck and affect traction.
“Right now, with so much snowfall this year in Alberta, a lot of lakes are prone to overflow,” he said, explaining the freeze and thaw temperatures in recent weeks as one more reason for residents to keep prepared and stay on their toes. “There is truly no rhyme or reason; try to stick to the beaten trails as much as you can and where people have gone before.”
Remainder of the season
Ultimately, ideal temperatures for most activities during the winter season range from -8 to -10 degrees Celsius, but always be prepared to check the weather each day before embarking on winter activities, said Kruk.
According to the upcoming week’s weather forecast, temperatures in the Lakeland area will be hovering around the freezing point, meaning anyone planning outdoor events or travelling in recreation settings should be prepared for weather-related challenges. Of course, says Kruk, this is Alberta — and the weather can change quickly.
Knowing how unpredictable Mother Nature is, there could still be much more time to hopefully enjoy winter activities.
“That’s all weather dependent; we’ve had no snow and warm weather at the beginning of March, and I’ve gone snowmobiling in Lac La Biche in late April ... . It’s all up to Mother Nature.”
