Frequently Asked Questions

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Please scroll down to find answers to some of our most commonly heard questions…

 
Who is the Klondike Snowmobile Association?
What does the Klondike Snowmobile Association do?
Why should I sign up?
But I don’t own a snowmobile?
How many people can I put on a Family Membership?
How much time do I need to volunteer?
Do I need to buy a membership or trail pass to snowmobile in the Yukon?
Do I need to register and insure my snowmobile?
Where are the snowmobile trails?
What about ATVs and side by sides?
What’s all this about a Trans Canada Trail and The Great Trail?
Is snowmobiling dangerous?
Aren’t snowmobiles bad for the environment?
Where can we race?
Who do I call when a trail I use needs work?
I’m looking for someone to go riding with?
Still have questions?

 

Who is the Klondike Snowmobile Association?   The Klondike Snowmobile Association, also known locally as “the K.S.A.”, is a volunteer operated non-profit organization formed in 1981 to represent snowmobilers in the Yukon Territory of Canada.  Our mission is to “protect, develop and enhance the sport and recreation of snowmobiling and snowmobiling related activities in the Yukon.”  The Klondike Snowmobile Association is proudly Yukon based and we are incorporated under the Yukon Societies Act.  The K.S.A. is run by a volunteer board of directors who are elected by the membership at each Annual General Meeting and our work is done by volunteers throughout the Yukon.  Funding for equipment and operating costs comes from our annual membership fees, grants, and donations.  Anyone and everyone is welcome to join the K.S.A. any time, and we currently represent about 1,100 members.
 

What does the Klondike Snowmobile Association do?   We represent and advocate for Yukon snowmobilers at local, territorial, national and international meetings and consultations.  We help build, sign, maintain and groom multi-use trails throughout the Yukon.  During winter we focus on grooming trails for your riding pleasure, and during summer months we catch up on trail maintenance.  We provide support for other snowmobile clubs throughout the Yukon.  We are the Trans Canada Trail agent for the Yukon.  We organize community snowmobile rides and events for our members.  We publish and share Yukon snowmobiling related news, current trail conditions and events listings.  We actively promote snowmobile safety and education.  Our volunteers are in the office, at meetings, and out on the trails working for you year round.
 

Why should I sign up?   When you join the Klondike Snowmobile Association your membership fees go directly to supporting multi-use trails throughout the Yukon, the Trans Canada Trail, community snowmobile events, snowmobile education and safety, and a strong, unified voice for Yukon snowmobilers.  Also, “how many members do you represent?” is a very common question when we meet with government or apply for funding, so the more members we have the stronger our voice becomes.  In return for your support you’ll receive a long list of membership benefits including discounts on gas, parts, clothing, food, rentals, hotels, and more. Our membership benefits apply year-round to all Klondike Snowmobile Association members, no snowmobile required.
 

… but I don’t own a snowmobile?   You don’t need to own a snowmobile and you don’t need to be a snowmobiler to join the Klondike Snowmobile Association! When you join the Klondike Snowmobile Association a wide variety of user groups will benefit from your support, and our membership benefits apply year-round to all members, no snowmobile required.
 

How many people can I put on a Family Membership?   There is no limiting number, as long as it’s within reason. Our Family Membership option is intended for groups of people living at the same residence, such as you and your immediate family or a small group of roommates.
 

How much time do I need to volunteer?   When you join the Klondike Snowmobile Association volunteering your time with us is completely optional. You can volunteer as many or as few hours as you’d like.  When you volunteer with us equipment will be provided, we can train you as required, and any reasonably incurred expenses will be covered.
 

Do I need to buy a membership or trail pass to snowmobile in the Yukon?   No. Our trails are built and maintained by volunteer snowmobilers, but they are open to the public and we have designated them as “multi-use trails”, so they are free for anyone and everyone to enjoy.
 

Do I need to register and insure my snowmobile?   In the Yukon valid registration and public liability insurance is required any time you operate a snowmobile on or across a maintained road, and also when operating anywhere within Whitehorse city limits.  Snowmobiles not operated within Whitehorse or on maintained roadways do not require registration and insurance.  Please note that a few of the Yukon’s popular riding areas extend into British Columbia which does require snowmobiles to have registration and insurance at all times.  Although it is not mandatory for all areas, the Klondike Snowmobile Association does recommend you register your snowmobile and carry public liability insurance for your snowmobile at all times.
 

Where are the snowmobile trails?   Each and every trail the Klondike Snowmobile Association builds and maintains is considered “multi-use”. Snowmobiling is our priority, but we are always willing to share.  Check out our maps page for up to date links to  maps that show where these multi-use trails are in the Yukon.
 

What about ATVs and side by sides?   We are not an ATV club, however we are aware that these are popular in the Yukon and our experience has shown that many snowmobilers also own ATVs and/or side by sides.  ATV users are encouraged to join the Klondike Snowmobile Association and ATVs are welcome to use the trails during the summer months.  Each and every trail the Klondike Snowmobile Association builds and maintains is considered “multi-use”, our only exception is motorized wheeled vehicles are not allowed on the trails from November 1st through March 31st, because the wheel ruts they leave cause too much damage to the groomed snow base. Once winter sets in it often takes our volunteers several hours to re-groom a trail after just one or two wheeled vehicles have gone through.  ATVs and side by sides fitted with tracks may use the trails year-round, ATVs and side by sides with wheels are welcome on the trails outside of the snow season.
 

What’s all this about a Trans Canada Trail and The Great Trail?   The Trans Canada Trail is the world’s longest multi-use recreational trail, stretching over 20,000 km and connecting Canadians from coast to coast to coast. The national organization behind the trail is based in Montreal, and has official agents in each territory and province. The Klondike Snowmobile Association is proud to be the Yukon agent for the Trans Canada Trail, and the Yukon is home to over 1,600 km of the Trans Canada Trail.  The trail was re-branded as The Great Trail for several years, but has since reverted back to the original name of Trans Canada Trail, so when you see signs for the Trans Canada Trail or The Great Trail they are referring to the same thing.  For more information check out our Trans Canada Trail page.

 

Is snowmobiling dangerous?   Every physical activity, every outdoor activity, and every motorized activity has risks, and snowmobiling is no exception. Wearing appropriate safety gear and learning safe riding techniques is absolutely required for any snowmobile ride. However, snowmobiling is not nearly as dangerous as many people like to make it sound. In the Yukon it is extremely rare for non-snowmobilers to be hurt by a snowmobile, and during the winter months the Yukon’s emergency rooms typically see far more skiiers, snowboarders and cyclists than they do snowmobilers. Snowmobile clubs and associations across Canada and around the world, including the Klondike Snowmobile Association, have invested a great deal of volunteer hours into snowmobile safety and education programs and these have been very successful in making snowmobiling a fun and safe activity.  For more information any time check out the Safety section of our website!
 

Aren’t snowmobiles bad for the environment?   Modern snowmobiles actually have a surprisingly small impact on the environment. During snowmobile season most of the terrain that snowmobiles travel over is frozen and then protected by a layer of snow. Today’s snowmobile manufacturers spend millions of dollars engineering their snowmobiles to stay on top of that snow, and a typical modern snowmobile will actually exert less pressure on the ground than a person walking. To further reduce environmental impact the Klondike Snowmobile Association strongly encourages all of our members to make use of pre-existing trails as much as possible and to avoid any areas designated as environmentally sensitive. Modern snowmobiles also feature engines that run significantly cleaner and more efficient than those from the past. Almost all snowmobiles currently in production make use of on board computers, direct injection engines, and a variety of other technologies that result in efficient and clean burning engines which easily meet or exceed today’s strict air quality guidelines.
 

Where can we race?   At this time the Klondike Snowmobile Association does not get involved with racing. The insurance requirements for organized racing far exceeds our current insurance budget, and we currently don’t have enough volunteer availability to cover the administration requirements.  If you are interested in forming a club or association dedicated to snowmobile racing in the Yukon at this point we can’t get involved directly but we would be happy to share some general advice on getting started.  We do host several group rides over the winter, but they are just for fun events and not competitions.
 

Who do I call when a trail I use needs work?   Almost all of our trail work is done by unpaid volunteers. We are always open to suggestions on which trails need work, and your trail condition reports do help us decide which trails to work on next. In recent years we have struggled with finding enough volunteers to do all of the trail maintenance that has been requested by our members, and we are actively seeking more volunteers to fill a variety of rolls, so if you know of a trail that needs work and have some time to help out with it, we’d love to hear from you!
 

I’m looking for someone to go riding with?  We love seeing our members get together for snowmobile rides! You can check out our Events page for a list of group rides coming up, they are a great way to meet sledding friends. Another great way to meet sledding friends is simply post on our Facebook page when and where you want to go riding, and see who answers!
 

Still have questions?   Contact us and ask any time! You can contact us via e-mail at klonsnow@gmail.com, phone or text at 867 667 7680, send us a message directly from our website on our Contact Us page, post on our page or send us a message through Facebook at facebook.com/klondikesnowmobile, find us on X @KSAyukon, come see us at any of our Events, or come out to one of our meetings (details are posted on our Events page).

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