The terrain that Whistler and Pemberton British Columbia has to offer for snowmobiling is some of the best terrain in the world.  Most spots you will find yourself sledding up a mellow logging road for about 15km and then opening up into a winter backcountry wonderland.  How often does it happen that you unload your sled and in 15 minutes you are at the top of the world?  It has everything to offer from groomed beginner terrain to unimaginable single track side hilling areas.  Most of the time the snowpack is usually quite stable allowing us to go pretty much anywhere we want.  A usual day will consist of checking the snow pack and avalanche forecast on www.avalache.ca, followed by coffee & breakfast and a couple of phone calls to buddies to decide where to go sled for the day.  A gas up at the gas station and off you are with butterflies in your tummy excited for the epic day ahead of you. 

Being born and raised in the east (Montreal QC) I remember when I was a little girl  going up to the cottage and playing on quads and snowmobiles.  From what I remember there wasn't too much involved with the dangers of snowmobiling other than going too fast.  One of the biggest differences from the riding out east and the riding out west is the fact that there is a lot more danger to worry about out west.  Just being aware of the snow pack is one.  Being able to predict where and when an avalanche could occur, knowing how to work a beacon, knowing how to dig someone out of an avalanche are the most important.  Being aware of your surroundings is another; watching out for crevasse's and creeks for example.  In all, no matter if you're riding out east or out west, at the end of the day when you get home safe and exhausted you have the biggest smile on your face and are ecstatically stoked on your day of sledding.

Feel free to follow me and my west coast adventures at www.julieannchapman.com