FSA TRAIL REPAIR WORK CONTINUES…

Feb 8

After a short reprieve at the end of January, the FSA and our partners are back in action starting permanent repairs to trails and infrastructure this month . The fall flood events left significant damage to backcountry access in Fernie, cutting off key trails and staging areas from public winter recreation opportunities. In December and early January the community worked diligently to build temporary solutions that would permit sledding over the busy holiday season (read January Update). The FSA built a brand new trail out Coal Creek to bypass the damage, and Fernie Wilderness Adventures granted sledders temporary access through their private property to bypass the washed out section of trail at Morrissey - the two areas are the busiest backcountry access points representing about 85% of snowmobile traffic in the valley.

Work has now started on permanent repairs at both Coal Creek and Morrissey:

MORRISSEY

Permanent bridge replacement work starts Feb 7th. Road now plowed up to the first bridge above the quarry. All snowmobilers must use the groomed bypass trail on the shoulder of the road between the kiosk and the temporary creek crossing during construction. There will be continuous hauling of materials and heavy equipment on the roadway until project complete. Do not snowmobile on the plowed road! More info below.

COAL CREEK

Repairs to the main Coal Creek road started last week and will extend until Family Day Weekend. No snowmobiling or staging is permitted Monday to Friday out Coal Creek to allow this critical work to be done safety. Starting Feb 19th, we will tentatively be able to stage out of our regular main Coal Creek Staging Area 7-days a week and this will be the preferred artery for all snowmobile traffic. Once Coal Creek is open, we may be required to temporarily suspend snowmobile access up Morrissey to support bridge construction efforts at that location.

THANK YOU to MOTI and our industry partners for staggering construction work to accommodate snowmobile access!

CORBIN:

Canfor has tentatively advised they expect timber harvesting in the Barnes / Elliot Lakes area to be complete by February 18th. Once their equipment is removed, the FSA grooming team will blade snow back onto the main road and restore the traditional winter recreation trail from the trailhead to the McClatchie (22km). Until this is complete, all riders must use the temporary groomed trail on the shoulder of the road from the staging area to the Barnes / Elliot junction (regular trail in place from junction to McClatchie). Active hauling in progress 7 days a week on the plowed road.

THANK YOU to CANFOR for working with the FSA this season to build the bypass trail to accommodate snowmobile access!

The FSA would like to extend a HUGE thank you to all the businesses, riders, and industry partners for supporting organized sledding in Fernie this season. There have been many challenging moments as we navigate this unprecedented situation but we are stronger together for it!

To read more about the Fernie Snowmobile Association, click HERE.

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WAYS TO SUPPORT THE FERNIE SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION