The Alberta Snowmobile Association Jamboree will go ahead this coming weekend, Feb. 3-5, despite an uncooperative weather pattern that has seen more freezing rain than snow.
Denise England, a member of the Pembina Drift Busters one of the organizers of the Alberta Snowmobile Association Jamboree this weekend, said that despite speculation about changing plans if there wasn’t enough snow the event will go ahead as planned.
“We did decide at the end of last week that we will be going on the snow,” she said. “There is some snow on the trails in the bush. It may be a little bare out in the open.”
The trail will be shorter than was initially planned, coming in at just about 55 kilometres. Even for people who don’t want to ride, though, there will be some options.
There will be a social on Friday night, which is often a big hit even for people who don’t ride the next day.
People who do choose to ride will have to buy their poker hand, which will be used to determine prize winners throughout the day, and will also have to buy a trail pass from the Pembina Drift Busters.
The third choice is for people just to come to the dinner and dance on the Saturday night. Everyone is welcome, England said.
“Every single nickel goes to making those trails better for people and their families,” she said. “Safe and responsible family snowmobiling is the goal of our club.”
England emphasized the importance of the volunteers who have made this event possible, as they have been hard at work for months now.
So far, 70 people have paid their entry fee and will ride for the day. England said she expects that number will be much higher by the weekend, since the annual jamboree is always a big hit with people right across the province.
“It’s an annual event,” she said. “People come to see their friends from all over the province.”
For more information about the jamboree or to get tickets, contact England at 780-349-5287.
