The women of the Athabasca River Runners Snowmobile Club blazed across snowy trails for the club’s second ever Ladies Ride Jan. 27.
Eight women from the club rode out side-by-side from the Forfar Community Hall to journey across snowmobile trails in the area, which was blanketed with a fresh pile of snow.
Athabasca River Runners communications director Lynn Olson said in an interview the event aims to encourage female participation in the sport.
“It helps build confidence for women. Just have a fun day outside with a group of ladies,” Olson said. “Lots of women feel intimidated by riding with men so just having a group of friendly women helps build the confidence and keeps women out riding instead of just staying at home.”
Hosting the Ladies Ride was a snap decision made on Jan. 16, said Athabasca River Runners secretary Leah Olson in an interview. She said efforts to host the event last year was hampered by a lack of snow but with snow in the forecast this week, the club decided to go forward with the ride.
“We just decided this year, actually on Tuesday, we were going to go for it,” she said, adding the snow that started falling on Jan. 18 made life good. “It puts a big smile on all of our faces.”
She added she participates in the event because she enjoys supporting women’s snowmobiling.
“I love getting women out in the sport and supporting other women in what’s generally a male-dominated sport,” she said.
Lynn Olson said in an interview she was positive about the eight-person turnout considering the relatively short notice for the event.
The snowmobiling party did not set out with a set route in mind but with plans improvise a 50 to 70 kilometre trip through the trails, Lynn Olson said in an interview.
“We have lots of options and we’re more than capable of choosing our route when we’re out there,” she said.
Athabasca River Runners treasurer Jean Bilsky said in an interview the Ladies Ride is a good way to get away for a while.
“It’s just a bunch of ladies and no kids and no husbands,” Bilsky said. “It’s just great.”
