Forest road use regulations of the Forest Practices Code of BC Act allow for snowmobile operation on unploughed roads within provincial forests, unless such roads are closed for other purposes, such as wildlife protection or commercial heli-skiing.  A person must not operate a snowmobile on a Forest Service road if it appears that the road has been snowploughed, or that the road is otherwise fit for travel by other motor vehicles.  The maximum allowable speed is 80 km/h but any operating speed must be safe for the conditions.

A person does not need to hold a driver’s license issued under the Motor Vehicle Act or third party liability insurance while operating a snowmobile on Forest Service roads.  However snowmobiles must be registered and marked with identification numbers (decals in British Columbia.

 Local agreement areas and legal closures are monitored and enforced by Ministry staff.  Please refer to the Winter Recreation 2000 map brochure and obey posted signs.  There are two legal closures in force affecting snowmobiling under the Forest Practices Code of BC Act.  These Section 105 closures prohibit recreational snowmobiling in the following two areas:

Upper Jumbo Creek - # 2, # 4 - No snowmobiling above km 14 including all gladed ski runs and the Leona Creek drainage.  Snowmobile use in the lower valley, and along the valley bottom road to km 18, is permitted. 

Catamount/North Star Glaciers - #6, #7 - No snowmobiling above and south of Forster Creek meadows, Thunderwater Lake and Whirlpool Lake.  The meadows, lakes, Forster Pass, and slopes to the north are open to snowmobiling.