Purpose
To improve the quality of life and health of residents by promoting biking and skiing in Sundre.
We build, maintain and groom trails for users of all ages and abilities.
To improve the quality of life and health of residents by promoting biking and skiing in Sundre.
We build, maintain and groom trails for users of all ages and abilities.
The Sundre Bike n Ski Club is a community-based organization that promotes wellness, tourism, teaching, events, trail stewardship, partnerships, and volunteerism through various outdoor activities.
Wellness: The club believes that general wellness (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual) takes effort to maintain, and having fun in the outdoors makes it that much easier. The club encourages its members and the public to enjoy the benefits of being active and connected to nature.
Community: One of Sundre’s outdoor selling points is its multi-use trail system on Snakehill and the river valley. Walkers, runners, bikers, skiers, snowshoers, and everyone can get out and enjoy the natural areas of Sundre. Walkers especially benefit from the club’s trail grooming as, when the snow is deep, the club packs it to allow people to walk beside each other. Walking and being active together is a good thing!
Tourism: People like to ski, bike and walk. They go to Bragg Creek, Canmore, Banff, Jasper, and all over really to do these things. What Sundre has is quite amazing to have right in a municipality and people come here to enjoy what the club has, which provides tourism dollars for the town.
Teaching: The club’s volunteers provide mentorship and instruction to youth and adults alike in this community. In the Winter Months, the club’s Bunnyrabbits and Jackrabbits ski club has proven to be a gentle and enjoyable way to introduce youth to skiing and the outdoors. In the Spring and Fall the club's Kids of Mud bike club teaches kids how to ride and race on trails, while promoting wellness, community, and fun. Tuesday night bike rides and sporadic bike trips around the province support skill building, community building, and good health.
Events: The work that the club is doing is paving the way for events to be held in this community. The club has had a couple of “Come Ride With Us” events and hopes to have more. These events are open to anyone who wants to join and have fun on the trails. In June each year the club has hosted Trailblazers Youth MTB Racing Program. This race is sanctioned by the Alberta Bike Association along with a Cyclocross Race Event in the Fall.
Trail stewardship: There are best practices to making safe and enjoyable trails. The club works with the municipality to nurture a growing and exceptional trail system within the municipality for all to enjoy. The club also helps with maintenance, signage, and mapping of the trails.
Partnerships: Building community isn’t a passive pastime. The club works hard to make connections and work towards community-minded goals with various organizations throughout the community. For example, the Sundre Chamber of Commerce is looking to build a boardwalk and the club is helping with the manpower. Another example: the town of Sundre developed some maps and put up signage with support from the club.
Volunteerism: We all need purpose and volunteering has been proven to be a way to make sense out of a sometimes senseless existence. The club is very action-oriented and provides various ways to give back to the community and make change while being out and active. The club welcomes anyone who wants to join and contribute to the club’s vision and mission.