ABOUT THE WHITECOURT TRAILBLAZERS
The Whitecourt Trailblazers Snowmobile Club is a not-for-profit group registered under the Societies Act in Alberta founded in 1979. As one of the largest snowmobile Clubs in Alberta, the Trailblazers are made up of a group of dedicated volunteer members who donate their time to promote the sport of organized snowmobiling in Alberta.
Whitecourt is the official Snowmobile Capital of Alberta.
The Whitecourt Trailblazers currently maintains 485kms of trail system in the Whitecourt area (in partnership with Alberta Parks & Environment), including portions of the The Great Canadian Trail System (formerly Trans-Canada Trail System) and The Golden Triangle Trail System.
BECOME A TRAILBLAZERS MEMBER
Joining the Trailblazers is easy. When purchasing a Trail Pass from the Alberta Snowmobile Association website, your Whitecourt Trailblazers membership is included. An annual A.S.A. Membership Trail Pass is $100/season/person (or $80 if purchased before January 1st of each year). Day Passes are also available for $25/day/person. Youth Passes are also available for $40/season/person prior to Jan 1st and after that they are $50 /season/person
Why you should join:
- You’ll be joining a community of individuals who love the sport
- You’ll be part of a social club that gives back to the community
- You’ll be supporting local trail maintenance and grooming
- You’ll be meeting new riders and making new friends
TRAILBLAZERS' EXECUTIVE
President
Jeff Brooks
Vice-President
Denis Blain
Past President
Jordan Forseille
Treasurer
Shirley Picard
Memberships
Cindy Brooks
Safety
Justin Mandel
Facilities & Structures
Andy Sierens
Industry Liaison
Ray Hilts
Groomer Coordinator
Robin Sebo
Trail Boss North East
David MacLeod
Trail Boss North West
Dave Bilau
Trail Boss South
Sean Schulte
Executive Assistant
Candyce Jones
TRAILBLAZERS' TIMELINE
The Trailblazers Club is a very active club and is proud of its many accomplishments. For more information on the club history, visit our History Book.
2025
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2024
Guided Fun Ride & Annual Rally Cancelled - Lack of Snow
2024 Lynx Shredder Sled Draw gathering at the Westward Community Center - Congrats to our winner Aaron Dawson
September AGM Held. New Executive Elected
2025 Sled Raffle goes LIVE - 2025 Ski-Doo Summit Expert 154" Turbo in Dusty Navy
ASA Alberta Snowmobile, ATV & Off-Road Show - October 18th & 19th
ASA Awards of Excellence Banquet - All Trailblazers nominations were awarded!
Don Price - Louise Sherren Lifetime Achievement Award
Whitecourt Service Centre - Outstanding Snow-Related Company
Riderz (Edson) - Outstanding Snowmobile Dealership
ASA SAGM held on October 20th
Whitecourt & District Chamber of Commerce 2024 Santa Claus Parade
4th Annual Kid's Christmas Party - Forest Interpretive Centre
Season Opener - Boston Pizza
2023
Fun Ride – Cancelled – Lack of snow
Rally Postponed. Cancelled Event. Virtual Rally – Pics taken to enter to win a prize. Virtual Ride Held as we were a part of The Golden Triangle Iron Sledder Challenge.
AGM Held. Bylaws Revised. New Executive
Alberta Snowmobile ATV and Offroad Show held in October. Nominations – Snowmobiler of the Year – Jeff Brooks. We also received N/W Zone Club of the year.
2022
Fun Ride – January 2022 – Over 75 riders joined the group – rode the south side starting at the Forest Interpretive Centre, Goodwin Lake to Summit Cabin, up Manweiller, Bessie and Summit Trails.
Annual Family Rally – Held 2 routes, 2 days. Online registration started due to COVID restrictions. Also held in-person registration at Westward Community Centre Gazebo and Eagle River Staging. No social other than weiner roast at the Westward Centre both days. Great riding. Epic snow. People loved the 2 routes. Very quiet at the cabins – no checkpoints. COVID Restrictions have really changed the rally. Staging at Eagle River Casino for the north route. Over $6000 in prizes. All but a couple were gift cards so that we could mail them out. Online Sled Raffle drawn on Sunday at Westward Gazebo. Very successful weekend considering the pandemic played havoc on ridership. We had over 350 riders over the 2 days. 100 kids participated in the weekend. We tried many new things this weekend, overall it streamlined many of the activities. Everyone missed the socializing the most.
Golden Triangle Iron Sledder Challenge – 2nd Year. Riders participated in 4/4 Rally events. Cash money available and medals awarded.
Volunteered at the Casino in St. Albert. Great fundraiser
AGM held in September. Bylaws revised.
1st General Meeting held in October since March 2020.
2nd Online Sled Raffle – 2 sleds to be given away at the 2023 Rally. 2023 MXZ and Summit X Turbo
Alberta Snowmobile ATV and Offroad Show held in October. No nominations for awards were given.
Season Opener – Boston Pizza
Family Xmas Party – Eagle River Staging Area
2021
2nd Online Raffle with a sled deck. To be drawn at Rally. Rally cancelled. Held online and winner announced at scheduled draw time at the cancelled Rally.
VIP/Media Ride – Cancelled due to COVID 19
Annual Family Rally – Cancelled due to COVID 19
No General Meetings held since March 2020 due to the COVID Pandemic.
ASPS Event Cancelled due to COVID 19. Online ASA Awards presented. Congratulations to Dan Guenette who was awarded the Louise Sherren Lifetime Achievement Award.
AGM Held at Eagle River Staging Area – September, 2021
Held an Online Sled Raffle from October to February, 2022. Very successful way to fundraise.
Participated in the Halloween Trunk or Treat – October 31, 2021
Gundy Trail to Letter K Closed due to industry work for the season – November to April, 2022
Xmas Social – Boston Pizza and Xmas Family Party – Eagle River Staging Area
No General Meetings held in 2021 due to the COVID Pandemic.
2020
Annual VIP & Media Ride had 50+ participants with windup at the Eagle River Casino afterwards.
3 day 40th Anniversary Sled Invasion planned for Club over Family Day Weekend. Guinness World Record Attempt at 650 snowmobiles. The current record older – US at 1047. The record is not broken. Over 900 participants in 2 day Rally, 2 Free Octane Addictions Freestyle Events downtown mainstreet of Whitecourt. Freestyle Events sponsored by community sponsors. Partnered with Food Bank to encourage donations to their group. Performing Arts hosted a community concert. Over 5000 participants in the weekend events.
Golden Triangle Snow Rush Event is hosted. 45 Riders, 125 participants at the evening celebration and over $30,000 raised in the fight against addiction.
COVID 19 Pandemic threatens season, however with record snowfall this year, riders rode into April. Meetings, Events and Fundraisers are looking different. Club is attempting to make the best of the situation on a monthly basis. Online Zoom meetings, Online fundraising, no ASPS Event in the fall. Awards are presented online through the ASA Zoom Meetings.
ASPS Event Cancelled due to COVID 19
ASA Excellence Awards:
Whitecourt Trailblazers, Zone Club of the Year award (for work on the 40th Anniversary Sled Invasion)
Dave Newbury, Groomer Operator of the Year
First Online Raffle 50/50 – very successful
No General Meetings held since March 2020 due to the COVID Pandemic.
2019-
2020
40th Anniversary Celebration. Volunteers are recognized weekly for their contributions to the Whitecourt Trailblazers as well as to the community.
2019
Annual VIP & Media Ride had 65 people attend. Rode to the Carson Cabin with an evening mixer at the Eagle
Annual Family Snowmobile Rally was well attended with another cold year of -25 temperatures. About 550 Riders. Canadian Tire was once again a major prize sponsor
Snow Rush Event: Golden Triangle Rally. Partenered with Teen Challenge in teh fight against addiction. 27 riders. 65 people attended charity dinner. Raised $35,000
OHS issue came foward from the government. Brought uncertainty to the club. All ‘High Risk’ tasks to be contracted out.
SnoRider’s West Magazine, Riders Choice Awards:
Platinum – Favourite Overall Snowmobiling Area in Alberta
Platinum – Favourite Scenic Snowmobiling Area in Alberta
Platinum – Favourite Groomed Trail Riding in Alberta
Platinum – Favourite Area for Family Snowmobiling in Alberta
Gold – Area You Would Like Most To Ride in the Future in Alberta
ASA Excellence Awards:
Elaine Gunderson (long time volunteer), Louise Sherren Lifetime Achievement Award
Aaron & Chrissy Munro (Adrenaline Powersports), Dealership of the Year
SnoRider’s West Magazine, Riders Choice Awards:
Platinum – Favourite Overall Snowmobiling Area in Alberta
Platinum – Favourite Scenic Snowmobiling Area in Alberta
Platinum – Favourite Groomed Trail Riding in Alberta
Platinum – Favourite Area for Family Snowmobiling in Alberta
Platinum – Area You Would Like Most To Ride in the Future in Alberta
Trailblazers participate in Chamber of Commerce Santa Claus Parade with truck, trailer and Snow Cat
Snow Cat is sunk in Sakwatamau River. Replacement Cat is purchased in summer of 2020 with insurance funds and funds that are set aside annually for replacement snowcats.
Cindy Brooks has a snowmobile accident on the trails involving other Club Members. Emergency Crews (RCMP, Fire Department and Ambulance are all involved). A review of the accident and protocols prompts the Club to join forces with the Emergency Groups to form a committee to look at practices/protocols regarding accidents. Group looking into purchasing emergency equipment, reviewing recoveries of accident victims in our area.
2018
Annual VIP & Media Ride had 3 Ministers attend – Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Tourism, Minister of Economics. 50 Riders with Eagle River Casino Celebration – 75 people attended
Annual Family Rally was well attended despite -25c weather. 650 Riders. Canadian Tire was a major prize
Golden Triangle Adventure 350 – 40 Riders participated. Riders could ride from any of the three locations- Whitecourt, Swan Hills and Fox Creek. Weather was -25c but we received about 12″ of snow throughout the weekend – great riding!
Summit Cabin repairs – porch roof re-built and attached
SnoRider’s West Magazine, Riders Choice Awards:
Platinum – Favourite Area for Family Snowmobiling in Alberta
Platinum – Favourite Scenic Snowmobile Area in Alberta
Gold – Favourite Groomed Trail Riding in Alberta
Gold – Favourite Overall Snowmobiling Area in Alberta
Silver – ADRENALINE POWERSPORTS – Favourite Snowmobile Dealer in Alberta
2017
VIP & Media Ride cancelled due to lack of snow.
Great Canadian 150 Family Rally scheduled for February 18 & 19 cancelled due to lack of snow. Raffle of 2 sleds – Polaris & Ski-Doo
SnoRider’s West Magazine, Riders Choice Awards:
Platinum – Favourite Overall Snowmobiling Area in Alberta
Platinum – Favourite Scenic Snowmobile Area in Alberta
Platinum – Favourite Groomed Trail Riding in Alberta
Platinum – Favourite Powder Riding in Alberta
Platinum – Most Challenging Riding in Alberta
Platinum – Favourite Area for Family Snowmobiling in Alberta
Adrenaline Powersports - Favourite Snowmobile Dealer in Alberta
Avalanche Canada Back Country Workshop hosted by the Trailblazers
Participated in the Chamber of Commerce Santa Claus Parade and won “Favorite Non-Profit Organization”
2016
VIP & Media Ride takes place January 29, 2016 – 54 participants to the Summit Cabin
Family Rally scheduled for February 13 & 14 cancelled due to lack of snow. Raffle of 2 sleds – Polaris & Ski-Doo
Despite a low snow year, tremendous support with trail pass sales. 436 season passes, 176 day passes
Summit wood shed tinned and outhouse moved at Carson Cabin
ASA Excellence Awards:
Cyril Lanctot, Louise Sherren Lifetime Achievement Award
Bailey Hearn, Outstanding Youth Contribution Award
Dan Guenette & Family, Outstanding Family Contribution Award
SnoRider’s West Magazine, Riders Choice Awards:
Gold – Favourite Scenic Snowmobile Area in Alberta
Platinum – Favourite Overall Snowmobiling Area in Alberta
Platinum – Favourite Area for Family Snowmobiling in Alberta
Platinum – Favourite Powder Riding in Alberta
Platinum – Favourite Groomed Trail Riding in Alberta
Platinum – Favourite Snowmobiling in Western Canada
2015
VIP & Media Ride takes place January 30, 2015 – Over 100 participants to the Carson Cabin
5-day event World Snowmobile Invasion takes place February 11-15. Read more
Record for 2014/2015 trail pass sales. 693 season passes, 854 day passes
Need for Executive Assistant – Cindy Brooks hired
Developed Bessie Creek Trail and Shiningbank Look-Out with outhouse and benches
ASA Excellence Awards:
Don Price, Outstanding Groomer Operator
Dan Guenette & Family, Outstanding Family Contribution Award
NW Zone – Club of the Year
ASA Outstanding Club of the Year
SnoRider’s West Magazine, Riders Choice Awards:
Gold – Favourite Scenic Snowmobile Area in Alberta
Gold – Favourite Overall Snowmobiling Area in Alberta
Platinum – Favourite Area for Family Snowmobiling in Alberta
Platinum – Favourite Groomed Trail Riding in Alberta
2014
VIP & Media Ride takes place January 29, 2014
Family Rally takes place February 15 & 16. Record number of sledders – 850. Raffle of 2 sleds – Polaris & Ski-Doo
Ladies Cancer Ride takes place February 24 & 25. Ladies ride from Athabasca to Tumbler Ridge and Trailblazers members participated Swan Hills to Whitecourt and Whitecourt to Fox Creek legs. Close to $5000 was raised
Committee for World Snowmobile Invasion expanded to include a Trailblazers and community committee
ASA Excellence Awards: Ken Linford, Outstanding Snowmobiler
SnoRider’s West Magazine, Riders Choice Awards:
Bronze – Favourite Scenic Snowmobile Area in Alberta
Bronze – Snowmobiling Area You Would Like Most to Ride in the Future Alberta
Gold – Favourite Overall Snowmobiling Area in Alberta
Bronze – Favourite Powder Riding in Alberta
Bronze – Favourite Scenic Riding in Alberta
2013
Annual Family Sled Rally attracts 715 sledders
New record for trail pass sales. 540 season passes, 621 day passes
Committee formed to begin planning of the 2015 World Snowmobile Invasion consisting of Town/County & Trailblazer Representatives. Event Planner – Cindy Brooks hired
SnoRider’s West Magazine, Riders Choice Awards:
Bronze – Favourite Scenic Snowmobile Area in Alberta
Gold – Snowmobiling Area You Would Like Most to Ride in the Future Alberta
Gold – Favourite Overall Snowmobiling Area in Alberta
Platinum – Favourite Area for Family Snowmobiling in Alberta
Platinum – Favourite Powder Riding in Alberta
Platinum – Favourite Groomed Trail Riding in Alberta
2012
Alex Manweiler recognized at ASA awards with Sherren Lifetime Achievement
Summit Cabin burns to ground along with woodshed and outhouse
New Summit Cabin opens after many volunteer hours of work led by Jeff Brooks
Club purchases 2nd groomer and drag
SnoRider’s West Magazine, Riders Choice Awards:
Platinum – Favourite Scenic Snowmobile Area in Alberta
Gold – Favourite Overall Snowmobiling Area in Alberta
Platinum – Favourite Groomed Trail Riding in Alberta
2011
Jordan Linford recognized at ASA awards for Outstanding Youth Contribution
2010
Trailblazers awarded ‘Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations Excellence Award for Tourism Promotion'
Trailblazers develop and relocate 127km of trail. Trail system now totals 420km. New trails include Groat Creek Canyon Trail, Goodwin Lake Trail and Manweiler Trail. Look-outs established on trail system – Athabasca Look-out, Goodwin Lake Look-out, Groat Creek Canyon Look-out
2009
Trailblazers host their fourth ASA Jamboree along with Sled Invasion – record number of sleds in attendance (900) and record back-flip achieved (Sam Rogers, 117ft)
2007
Trailblazers lose trail boss Dale Gunderson in a tragic accident on the trails
Trailblazers build new cabin and rest area in Virginia Hills known as the Gundy Rest Area
2005
Trailblazers celebrate 25th Anniversary
Town of Whitecourt officially registers Whitecourt as ‘Snowmobile Capital of Alberta’
2004
Trailblazers build log cabin on Athabasca Loop and relocate old shelter to Groat Creek Trail
Trailblazers awarded ‘ASA Outstanding Snowmobile Club of the Year’
2003
Trailblazers purchase groomer
2000
Trailblazers host their third ASA Jamboree
1995
Silver Summit trail system opens
1994
Golden Triangle trail system opens
1993
Trailblazers take over operation of Eagle River Recreation area and trail system
1989
Trailblazers host their second ASA Jamboree
1986
Trailblazers awarded ‘Ski-Doo New Generation Club of Canada’ from Bombardier
1985
Whitecourt recognized as Snowmobile Capital of Alberta
1984
Trailblazers host their first ASA Jamboree
1983
Trailblazers awarded ‘ASA Club of the Year’
1982
Alberta Forest Service develops Eagle River Recreation area with 83km of trails
1981
Trailblazers affiliated with the ASA (Alberta Snowmobile Association)
1979
Whitecourt Trailblazers Club established
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Thank You to our Trail Maintenance & Adopt-A-Trail Crews!
Thank You to our Incredible Executive Team!
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