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26 • November 2024 • Powersports Business

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Washington to close 14 Sno-Parks due to drop in snowmobile registrations

Washington State Parks announced recently that it will not open 14 Sno-Parks that primarily serve snowmobiles for the 2024− 2025 winter season . In a news release , Washington State Parks says the decision was primarily prompted by a nearly 25 % reduction in funds available from snowmobile registrations .
According to the Seattle Times , the closures represent 16 % of the state ’ s 89 motorized Sno-Parks . The affected Sno-Parks include Bethel Ridge / Soup Creek , Clear Lake , Cloverland , Crawfish , Crow Creek , Echo Valley , Elk Heights , Fish Creek , French Cabin , Nile , Nine Bark , Reecer Creek , Skate Creek , and Taneum .
Washington State Parks announced that it is temporarily closing 14 Sno-Parks this winter due to reduced funding from snowmobile registrations . Photos courtesy of Washington State Parks
The goal of the closures is to support the continued operation of the most used Sno-Parks . Photo courtesy of Ski-Doo
The motorized Sno-Park program receives $ 94.20 per annual snowmobile registration , and parking a vehicle at a motorized Sno-Park costs $ 50 per season . The program is self-funded from those fees plus a percentage of the gas tax .
Washington State Parks says snowmobile registrations in Washington have declined more than 50 % over the past two decades , from 38,331 in 2002 to 18,434 in 2024 , resulting in a funding shortfall . Last winter ’ s mild snowfall resulted in lower Sno- Park permit sales . Washington State Parks ’ Winter Recreation Program compiled the list of closures with the input of the volunteer Snowmobile Advisory Committee , land managers and snowmobile clubs . The goal of the closures is to support the continued operation of the most used Sno-Parks and to preserve access to the broader network of groomed snowmobile trails , according to the news release .
The news release says that the closures are temporary this season , and that the State Parks team will continue working with the Snowmobile Advisory Committee to find long-term solutions for the snowmobile program .

Ski-Doo invites all riders to free avalanche awareness and avoidance seminars

Ski-Doo snowmobiles continues to put action behind parent company BRP ’ s Responsible Rider program with a sixteenth year of free avalanche awareness seminars designed to help keep riders safe . BRP is committed to creating safe experiences for riders of all brands - at all levels of skill - and education like these seminars is key to making that happen .
Backcountry Access ( BCA ), the leader in avalanche safety gear , shares the same goal and continues their support for the seventh year with equipment and their in-depth knowledge of backcountry recreation safety . Because no one should ride alone , attendees are encouraged to bring their fellow back country explorers with them when attending a seminar .
BRP ’ s Responsible Rider program addresses safety initiatives across all their product lines and supports the Ski-Doo brand in consistently renewing and advancing rider safety in the backcountry . Seminars have reached over 25,000 snowmobilers to date , and their importance is consistently voiced by attendees , providing testimony to their value for the sled community . The feedback and enthusiasm for knowledge has also helped shape the curriculum and continually update course material to be relevant and entertaining for today ’ s rider .
BCA will be providing a prize at each stop again this year along with displaying their state-of-the-art safety products from avalanche transceivers to airbags . One lucky winner from each seminar will receive either
a Tracker transceiver or BCA ’ s new Link Mini two-way radio .
Riders are encouraged to bring those whom they ride with most often to the events . The benefit is clear – help raise your group ’ s awareness of those you ride with and care about , to ensure everyone can track the groups ’ well-being and help each other if a situation ever occurs .
In addition to sponsoring in-person seminars , Ski-Doo collaborated with BCA on a useful video series which can be found in the Ski-Doo Owner Zone along with the wide ranging BCA safety videos available on their website to help advance knowledge remotely . BCA will also be introducing a new video series later this fall called SLEDeducation that is a snowmobile-specific version of their popular Backcountry Basics series .
THE SEMINARS The Canadian sessions are led by Marshall Dempster . With 20−plus years of experience in the avalanche and mountain rescue fields , Marshall is a professional avalanche forecaster through the Canadian Avalanche Association . He is a lead instructor for the recreational avalanche skills training program through Avalanche Canada . He is also a Level 3 lead guide and member of the board of directors with the Canadian Motorized Backcountry Guides Association , the newly formed certifying body for the snowmobile guiding community . He is excited to share his years of experience and
lessons learned in his time spent working and playing in the mountains .
The U . S . sessions are led by Mike Duffy . As one of the most recognized snowmobile trainers in North America , Mike Duffy of Avalanche1 . com is an instructor with Silverton Avalanche School , course provider and Pro Member of the American Avalanche Association in addition to being part of the Working Group of Motorized Professionals .
Duffy has also taught at the American Avalanche Institute , the Alaska Avalanche School and has trained military teams in winter mobility and avalanche education . Currently he is lead motorized instructor at Silverton Avalanche School . Duffy has been giving snowmobile-specific avalanche classes since 1996 . As rescue team leader in the Vail Mountain Rescue Group , he has more than 30 years of mountain riding and mountain rescue experience . He is also a Backcountry Guide and riding instructor .
Seminars are open to all levels of experience and owners of all brands of sleds . For upto-date information on locations and times , or to register for a free avalanche awareness seminar , visit the Ski-Doo website . Participants are encouraged to register with the host dealer so they can plan meeting space accordingly and ensure a spot .
BACKCOUNTRY ACCESS Backcountry Access ( BCA ) is a leading manufacturer of snow safety equipment , including
BCA Tracker avalanche transceivers , Float avalanche airbags , BC Link radios , MtnPro snowmobile gear , Stash backpacks , avalanche probes and shovels . BCA ’ s mission is to save lives , not just sell products . BCA considers education to be as important as its equipment and delivers all its products with consumer education and knowledgeable customer service .