Snowmobiling Trails and Routes

Brewer Creek - # 3

Moderate alpine riding beyond km 26.  Local use establishes the route that generally follows Brewer Creek to open meadows and Mineral/Brewer Pass.  A variety of tree lined routes in open larch forest and meadows are available.  

Access - Drive south 17 kms from Invermere (or 8 kms north from Dutch Creek Hoodoos) along Westside Road turning onto Hawke Road.  This takes you through an old burn area at km 8 where you stay right.  Park at km 10.  Snowmobile the main road along Brewer Creek FS Road staying right at the km 11 mark and left at the km 12.3 mark.  Road’s end is at km 26.

Paradise Mine - # 5

An old mine road switchbacks for 11 kms to a scenic alpine basin and open ridges.  Impressive views of Mt. Nelson, Panorama Mountain Village and the Columbia Valley are presented.  The Windermere Valley Snowmobile Club has established a cabin at the old mine site which is available by request.  Depending on snow conditions, access over the ridge to Bruce Creek is possible.  The Paradise mine area is popular with both public and commercial users.  Respect the private land along the access road.

Access - Park along the Toby Creek Road just east (downstream) of Panorama Mountain Village.

Forster Creek - Thunderwater/Whirlpool Lakes - # 11

Very popular alpine meadows with advanced riding to scenic Thunderwater and Whirlpool Lakes.  The Windermere Valley Snowmobile Club grooms the trail and road in.  The Forster Creek meadows, lakes, Forster Pass and slopes to the north are open to snowmobiling.  Riders should be aware of avalanche hazard areas, some of which are at km 41 and 42 and at the headwall below Thunderwater Lake.  Note that Catamount and North Star Glaciers are closed to snowmobiling above and south of Forster Creek meadows.  Please refer to posted signs and the Winter Recreation 1999 map/brochure.

Access - Parking is available at the km 21 junction of the Westside and Dogleg Lake Roads north west of Radium Hot Springs.  Alternate parking is located at the water reservoir intake at km 18 on the Forster Creek FS Road (turn off the Horsethief FS Road at km 13.5).

Forster Meadows looking west to Thunderwater area

Silent Pass - # 18

Popular weekend alpine destination at the head of McMurdo Creek.  There is no snowmobiling permitted northwest into Glacier National Park.  Local user group agreements disallow snowmobiling in the Caribou Creek drainage to the north and the Spillimacheen Glacier area to the south of Silent Pass.  Please refer to posted signs and the Winter Recreation 1999 map/brochure.
Access - Follow the main Spillimacheen Road that travels west from the hamlet of Parson.  Usual ploughed parking is at km 21 or 27 on the Spillimacheen North Road.  Turn left onto the McMurdo Creek road at km 46.  Road’s end is km 58.5 where the 4.5 km long trail to Silent Pass begins.  Depending on snow conditions 38 kms of road riding is required.  Check with the CFI Parson office (250-348-2211) for a road ploughing update.

Rocky Point Creek - # 15

This steep advanced trail gains over 900 metres in elevation.  The 6 km long trail connects to several alpine basins and scenic Grizzly Ridge.  Riding along the ridge provides outstanding panoramic views of the world-famous Bugaboos. 

Access - Drive west from Brisco along the Bugaboo FS Road.  Parking on the Bugaboo Road may vary each year but is usually at km 11.5.  Trailhead is located at km 29.5.

Rocky Point Basin - view to Southwest to Septet - Elevation - 7100 feet

Doctor Creek - # 1

Moderate to advanced snowmobiling along an abandoned mining road to a small alpine basin.  An old miners cabin serves as a base.  The Windermere Valley Snowmobile Club carries out renovations and maintenance of this BCFS cabin.  Use is on a first come basis (no reservations).  Other riding opportunities in the vicinity are found at the meadows beyond the end of the Doctor Creek main road.

Access - Turn off of Hwy 93/95 4.5 kms north of Canal Flats onto the Findlay Creek FS Road.  Follow this road to a bridge crossing at km 20.5.  Stay on the main Doctor Creek FS Road to Branch F (about km 38).  An old mine road leads to the cabin, about 4 kilometres distance, and then to a cirque lake basin at treeline.

McDonald Creek - # 7

Less explored road riding to alpine basins.  Later season riding is suggested due to one unbridged creek crossing.

Access - Leave Radium, drive past the Slocan mill, and head west along the Horsethief Forest Service Road.  Access from Invermere is through the hamlet of Wilmer along Westside Road turning left onto the Horsethief FS Road after 16.4 kms.  Parking will vary depending on snow conditions.  Snowploughing may end after km 14.  The McDonald Creek turnoff is at km 35.5.

Frances Creek / Leadqueen - # 12

Road riding involves crossing several avalanche paths.  An open alpine basin can be reached by turning right at km 15.8(on the Frances Creek FS Road) and switchbacks along a narrow road for a further 7 kms to reach alpine meadows.  Snowmobiling over Tiger Pass into the Upper Dunbar/Shangri-la basin is not permitted.  Valley bottom snowmobiling along the main Frances Creek drainage is also possible to the km 24 meadows.  There is a no snowmobiling zone in the McLean Lake area.  Please refer to the posted signs and the Winter Recreation 2000 map/brochure for details on local user group agreements that affect this area.

Access - From Invermere drive to Wilmer and then follow the Westside Road north.  Leave Westside Road by turning left at km 42 and left again after 1.5 kms onto the Frances Creek Forest Service Road.  Parking will vary depending on current logging activity but is generally along the road at the start of the Frances Creek FS Road.

Summit / Three Island / Rocky Point Lakes

Unploughed backroads lead to three small subalpine lakes at the height of land between the Bobbie Burns and Spillimacheen valleys.  Summer Forest Service recreation sites are located at each lake.

Access - Drive west from Parson along the main Spillimacheen Road to km 21.  Park here or where snowploughing ends.  Riding 7.5 kms along the Summit Road you will reach Summit Lake.  The turn-off, about 1.4 kms back, leads 3 kms to Three Island Lake, while the left fork leads 4 kms to Rocky Point Lake.  Check with the CFI Parson office (250-348-2211) for a road ploughing update.

Vermont Creek/Valley of the Lakes - # 17

A wealth of high elevation riding opportunities awaits the very advanced snowmobiler who can access the pass and meadow corridor between Syncline and Azurite mountains.  Scenic alpine meadows lead south then west to two lake basins below Syncline Mountain.  There is no snowmobiling towards Vermont Mountain, Mt. Sphinx or on the lower Syncline Glacier due to local user agreements.

Access - From Parson travel west along the main Spillimacheen Road to km 14 or 17.  Park here or drive along the South Fork Road until snowploughing ends.  Ride between 20 to 25 kms to the Vermont Creek Road (unploughed), which is north of the CMH Bobbie Burns Lodge.  Check with the CFI Parson office (250-348-2211) for a road ploughing update.