The maintenance of trails in Smithers is a constant pursuit. Our wet and snowy climate makes the maintenance of trails more challenging then most other riding areas. SMBA is always trying to balance professional maintenance that we can fund through the support of our Sponsors and Membership with volunteer maintenance effort. Over that past three years, the SMBA has been working to establish a consistent process to engage the membership is establishing priorities for maintenance and enhancement of trails through the annual Operating Plan process. Check the Trails page to find out how you can get involved in trail maintenance.
The SMBA also needs volunteers to support our social and cultural activities. This includes coordinating events, helping with communication and social media and supporting the enthusiasm that we are constantly trying to create around mountain biking in Smithers.
Are you looking for a way to give back to the trails that provide the stoke in your riding life? Volunteering with the SMBA is your path to increasing your trail karma and joining a community of friends that will make you feel at home in Smithers.
Trail Maintenance
Trail maintenance in Smithers occurs through four mechanisms:
- SMBA Work Bees
- Adopt-A-Trail Program
- SMBA Trail Brigade
- Contracted Trail Maintenance
SMBA Work Bees:
Twice a year, the SMBA hosts a spring and fall work-bee to perform the basic maintenance required to keep the trail network sustainable and safe. The spring work-bee is focused on brushing of the trails to ensure clear site lines and proper drainage. The fall work-bee is focused on raking the trails of forest debris to ensure proper drainage in advance of the spring run-off. in 2020, work bee dates in 2020 are:
June 28th : Spring Work-Bee: Meet at the Bluff Recreation Site parking area at 10:00AM. Bring your own personal protective equipment (gloves, glasses, boots etc). If you own a brush saw (weed-eater) than we’d appreciate you bringing it along.
October 18th: Fall Work-Bee: Meet at the Bluff Recreation Site parking area at 10:00AM. Bring your own personal protective equipment (gloves, glasses, boots etc). If you own a rake than we’d appreciate you bringing it along. The work-bee is followed by a BBQ in the parking areas.
Adopt-A-Trail:
The Adopt-A-Trail program began in 2017. The intent was to empower individual members assumes responsibility for the care and maintenance of a particular trail in one of the three trail networks (Trail Lead). The individual is responsible for coordinating basic maintenance (e.g. tree clearing) and working with the Trail Sub-Committee to prepare reporting to Recreation, Sites and trails BC. If the trail requires material or more labour, the Trail Lead can work with the Trail Sub-Committee to coordinate more horsepower.
SMBA Trail Brigade:
More of a concept than a group, the idea of the SMBA Trail Brigade is for members to work through the Operating Plan to identify specific building or enhancement projects that they want to take on, and work with the Trail Sub-Committee to coordinate the effort. The Trail Brigade may also take the lead on new trail construction once authorized by Recreation, Sites and Trails. In 2020, SMBA Trail Brigade projects include:
- Construction of a new trail off Deep Bluff connecting to Back in Black
- Re-building trail features throughout the Bluff;
- Re-working dirt on Huck’in Eh
Contracted Trail Maintenance:
With the support of our Sponsors and Membership, the SMBA contracts specific trail maintenance activity each season. This work is very specific and intensive and often requires substantive materials and machinery to complete the work. In 2020, SMBA has contracted Brian Shorter and Cody Haggard to complete work on Deep Bluff and coordinate the Trail Brigade projects on the Bluff. In 2020, SMBA also contracted Tanner Hall to bring Back Door into compliance with legal standards and re-open Piper Down. For more information on contracted trail work contact the SMBA at [email protected]
If you want to get involved in any of the above trail volunteer opportunities, email the SMBA at [email protected]
Events, Communications and Hype
In 2019, the SMBA established the Hype Committee to coordinate events, group rides, communication with members and general social activities. The Hype Committee is new and is open to member involvement. If you would like to get involved in generating the hype around mountain biking in Smithers, contact us at [email protected]
Donate
Membership