First proposed in 2020 by then board member Dan Sarkany, this project involved years of planning, fundraising, approvals, volunteer effort, and construction. More than 60 volunteers contributed over 1,900 hours to the project!
The completed project includes approximately 5.4 km of new trail, creating an 8 km trail that connects the lower Boivin area to the Wapiti Ski Hill daylodge and to the elementary & highschools. The network includes multiple bridge crossings and was designed to support a wide range of non-motorized uses throughout the year.
Bringing the project to life also required approvals from multiple partners and agencies, including authorization from the Ministry of Forests and a joint field review with Ktunaxa Nation representatives prior to construction.
The Elkford Trails Alliance would like to recognize and thank the many volunteers, partners, funders, and supporters who helped make this project possible. Special thank you to Elk Valley Resources for providing the majority of funding for this major trail build, as well as ReDi Grants, Elkford Project Society, Elk Valley Thrift Shop, StellarVista Credit Union, and the Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies. Thank you as well to EVR, the District of Elkford, RAM Mountain Power, Chemco, Teck, and Cranemax for their valuable in-kind support. Thank you to Backcountry Trail Experts for constructing it and the Elkford Nordic Ski Club for collaborating on this huge project.
On October 22nd we held an official trail opening. We kicked it off with our first event on this trail: a 3.4km cross-country run followed by speeches, drinks & pizza.
In September we asked our members to submit their trail name ideas, and at the Opening we announced the winning name: “Cabin Fever.” “Cabin Fever represents exactly what this trail was built for: an opportunity to get outside, stay active, connect with nature, and enjoy the incredible backyard we have right here in Elkford” says Colin Standish, ETA president. The winning name was submitted by Guillaume Goggin.
This is trail is for strictly non-motorized use and will be groomed in the Winter for fatbiking and snowshoeing. Get out there and enjoy!! You can find this and all of our trails on Trailforks, Alltrails
Speeches by Colin Standish and Dan Sarkany at the Oct 22nd ribbon cutting
Some of the Board & Subcommittee members: Katherine Russell, Craig Mickinnon, Dan Sarkany, Colin Standish, Travis Wilson and Guillaume Goggin at the Oct 22nd ribbon cutting
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