Cochrane’s status as the go-to destination for snowmobilers when trails further south are closed has been at least temporarily taken away.
Deteriorating trail conditions have forced closure of the trails maintained by the Polar Bear Riders Snowmobile Club, says president Kenny Johnston.
“It’s going to cool off on the weekend, but we’re not expecting any significant snow accumulations, so it’ll be hard and icy and we won’t be able to do anything with the groomer until we get some snow to work with.”
Johnston says a foot of snow is ideal, but he would settle for four or six inches. A daytime high temperature of minus-10 and overnight low of minus-20 also make for a good trail.
Meanwhile, he notes that says local businesses – especially the smaller ones – are feeling the effect of this mild season with little snow.
“Everyone that lives up here, you know, we rely on the small businesses,” he observes, “so I just encourage everyone to support the businesses where they can. Because this year’s been really tough on them”.
