Flying on a Snowmobile in Dawson Creek

We try to spend as much time outside as we can in the winter and since we get so much sunshine here in the Peace River Country, the cold weather doesn't seem to bother us.

Our friends invited us to go snowmobiling with them. I hadn't been on a snowmobile since I was in elementary school. The machines certainly have changed since then.

We met up at the entrance to the Bear Mountain Wind Park and spent the whole day exploring back trails.

I couldn't believe how fast we went. It was very exciting! There are a lot of places to ride around here. In addition to the oil and gas pipelines and back trails, the ditches along the highway are really wide in a lot of areas and you can go for miles and miles with ease.

We weren't the only ones on the ridge that day, we heard and saw several other groups of people.

Our friend packed some kindling and small firewood along and we stopped along a trail that had a panoramic view of the valley to the east of Dawson Creek, built a small fire and roasted hot dogs. Thermos' of hot coffee and chocolate made the day perfect.

We had one problem right near the end when we crossed a field and were met by a farmer who was out plowing snow on his tractor.

We stopped to chat and he told us that being on the fields was not allowed unless we asked permission and then it depended on the crop. Apparently it packs the snow down and can damage the crops. He said our two little trails wouldn't do much damage, but groups roaring around on a field can really hurt it. Oops...

Flying on a Snowmobile in Dawson Creek

Cross Country Skiing on Bear Mountain

I put my cross-country skis on for the first time this year on a beautiful, sunny Sunday. We went up to Radar Lake to the Bear Mountain Nordic Ski Trails.

Being a confirmed beginner skier, I have yet to move beyond the beginner trails, but my more accomplished friends tell me that the intermediate and advanced trails are superb.

There are over 20 kilometers (12 miles) of trails and they are kept beautifully groomed by the Nordic Ski Club.

Cross-country skiing is is a great cardio workout and I love the feeling I get when I find my rhythm. I enjoy the smell of the trees and the sound of the skis and the many wildlife sightings. It's common to see deer, moose, squirrels and an abundance of birds.

It's also great to stop for hot chocolate and lunch at one of the warming huts. The hut on the beginner trail is called the Grizzly Den, where we build a fire and warm up. I haven't been to the other warming huts because they are on more advanced trails.

There are trail maps posted along the trail, but it's recommended to have a paper one for the many intermediate and advanced trails.

Cross Country Skiing on Bear Mountain

Winter Fun at the Lakota Equestrian Center in Dawson Creek

December 30 was a cold winter day in Dawson Creek, the temperatures plunged to -32 Celsius. Our holiday company had been up for a week and we were all feeling a bit house bound. Our 2 nephews were getting bored and we needed something different to do.

The 3^rd annual Christmas Extravaganza was being held at the Lakota Equestrian Center in the new Multiplex.

We have gone every year so far, so decided to brave the cold and check it out. The place was packed! People had come out in droves to watch the different horse clubs that use the facility put on demonstrations.

The show started with a Grand Entry of Flags, then came the jumping horses, dressage horses, a rodeo drill team, barrel racing, western pleasure horses, team roping, reining, and cow penning.

There was a young woman riding without a bridle, but the best were the little kids on ponies tying goats and riding around obstacles and a young man who had taught his miniature donkey to jump over rails.

There are a lot of thriving horse clubs in Dawson Creek and the equestrian center is in constant use There are 110 indoor stalls and each one is rented all year round.

We will definitely go again next year. If you are visiting over the holidays, I really recommend you check it out. It's free and open to the public. Even if you miss the showcase, a trip to the Lakota Center is a great place to spend time.

Winter Fun at the Lakota Equestrian Center in Dawson Creek