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News

Inside the Pemberton Valley Trails Working Group

11/4/2025

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The Valley’s premier recreation organizations shared how they work together to prevent rogue trail-building and protect sensitive natural areas.

Tourists come from all over the world to run and ride on Pemberton's extensive network of trails. Now, the groups behind those trails are sharing their process with the Valley’s residents.

During its first-ever public information project on April 3, the Pemberton Valley Trails Working Group (PVTWG) gave locals a peek behind the curtain at the work that goes into building up and maintaining local trails.

The massive group is comprised of representatives from Recreation Sites and Trails B.C., the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD), the Village of Pemberton (VOP), Lil’wat Nation Title and Rights, Pemberton Valley Trails Association, Pemberton Off-Road Cycling Association, Pemberton Wildlife Association, Stewardship Pemberton Society, and Spel’kúmtn Community Forest.

“Anyone who isn’t here tonight is probably a rogue trail-builder,” said the Lil'wat's Xzúmalus Roxanne Joe, to laughter from the audience.

The PVTWG is responsible for the 2020 Pemberton Valley Trails Master Plan, which sets out a vision for the development of the area’s trails. The creation of that plan, the result of a collaboration between the wide range of stakeholders listed above, marked the start of closer collaboration between the area’s key recreation groups. In addition to building up the Valley’s network of trails, the Working Group exists to reduce the cultural and environmental damages done by constructing rogue trails.

Unsanctioned trails on unceded territory
Pique sat down to chat with Xzúmalus after the Working Group event. She’s been on the Working Group since 2021, when her boss recognized Xzúmalus’ mountain-biking bonafides.
With its nearly 800,000 hectares of unceded traditional territory, the Lil’wat Nation has a vested interest in minimizing future unauthorized incursions onto its land. Sometimes, that takes the form of unsanctioned, or rogue, trail-building.
Rogue development in the Valley is nothing new for the Nation; the issue dates back well before mountain bikers were tearing up the slopes.
“It's been an ongoing concern for Lil’wat since the arrivals of settlers in our territory, [and] more recently, with the recreation industry making its way north of Whistler to where we are today,” said Xzúmalus. “It's not that long ago, our community members could go up on the McKenzie and go hunting and fishing and gathering and just walk around with their rifles on their back. Now, they can bump into a visitor mountain biking and get into this uncomfortable situation because the mountain biker thinks that this person shouldn't be here with a gun.”
Xzúmalus said damage isn’t restricted to just trail-builders, but anyone who disrupts the earth without consent and without the proper due diligence.

“There could be potential damage to cultural and archeological [and] harvesting sites, and those who take it upon themselves to alter the earth without consent and consultation with the nation [in which] they are recreating,” she said. People who build unsanctioned trails aren’t trying to do damage deliberately, Xzúmalus said; even children within the Nation will occasionally go out onto the land and build their own jumps and trails. To reduce that damage, the Lil’wat Title and Rights department (recently rebranded from Lands and Resources, to reflect the high-level politics that the department is regularly tasked with) has worked to increase knowledge among visitors, like a 2023 signage campaign reminding recreationists about the hunting and gathering in shared areas. Xzúmalus said those knowledge campaigns, along with the trails master plan, have contributed to a decline in rogue trail-building. Making the process clearer and providing new trails a path to legitimacy has helped. “It's hard to reprimand someone just doing something that they love,” said Xzúmalus. “And we don’t want to police people. So it’s just about education and working together.”
​
Messing with moss and moths
Veronica Woodruff is quick to remind attendees of the Pemberton Valley’s unique environment.
“We're right at this cusp between the Coastal and the Interior forest,” Woodruff told the audience. “Also, we've got the low elevation up until up into the alpine tundra. So when you have overlap, that is where all the species live.”

Woodruff represents the Pemberton Wildlife Association (PWA) in the Trails Group. She noted Whistler’s annual BioBlitz, which has slowly moved up the Sea to Sky, has clocked nearly 2,000 distinct species in Pemberton—including more than 49 types of bees, 188 types of moss and, unfortunately, 22 types of mosquitoes.

Because all those distinct species exist in the same spaces as the Valley’s network of trails, Woodruff said deliberate trail placement and adequate water management are key—particularly with atmospheric rivers set to increase in a changing climate.
“I think that this has to be really, really well thought out, because what happens when you don't build great drainage, you get this big storm and then you get water in hibernacula, that's where the snakes and reptiles are sleeping,” she said.
Xzúmalus expressed a similar concern.

“There's a lot of these trails that are game trails, or they used to be hunting trails, or someone's mushroom trail that maybe a recreator just started to build on top of,” she said.

Woodruff told the audience the environmental effects of a trail can often extend well beyond what one might think.
Case in point, a zig-zagging climbing trail doesn’t just affect the space where the trail is cut into the mountain, but all the space between cutbacks. What might seem like a straightforward cris-crossing line is actually a massive tract, potentially upending a delicate ecosystem.
“So even though you’re on this trail that zig-zags back and forth, your effects are actually this huge area in between,” said Woodruff. “When you put a slight buffer on that trail, it's three times the area that you are going to be impacting.”

As a solution, she suggested strategic narrowing of trails; some parts of a trail, particularly berms on a tight corner, see much more traffic than the other side.  

“The area of travels are changing over time, but we continue to maintain the whole width. Let's stop doing that,” she told the audience. “The trail experience is better when the trail is more narrow, anyways.”

The proper channels
The Working Group revolves around the pursuit of Section 57 exemptions. Under Section 57 of the Forest and Range Practices Act, any group that wishes to perform "construction, rehabilitation or maintenance of a trail or recreation facility on public land" needs to get the go-ahead from the provincial government.

For the PVTA’s Luke De Jager, that means re-orienting “keen young guys who want to build their own trails” to either maintain or build proper, authorized sustainable trails. It also means building with an eye towards protecting the cultural values of the Lil’wat Nation and environmental values that make the Valley so special.

The PVTA evaluates potential new trails internally. Should they wish to proceed, that trail will then be presented to the PVTWG for everyone to look over and cross-check.

Then that will be reported to the Lil’wat Land Use referral committee for any recommendations they might have—which will likely include an archeological study and an environmental study by an ecologist, followed by an assessment of the levels of support from landowners and local development.

Once the Lil’wat Nation, the SLRD, VOP, developers and other stakeholders have been consulted, the PVTA will send off a Section 57 application package to Recreation Sites and Trails B.C.

Once a trail has been approved, officials from the provincial government will perform a walk-through—after which construction can begin. Another walk-through will be done after construction is completed. 

“Once all that goes through, the PVTA has the responsibility to build [and] maintain trails going forward in collaboration with those other parties,” said De Jager.

The PVTA obtained a Section 57 exemption in November 2024, for the Tour de Soo 1, 2 and 3, Dogwood Ridge and Umik trails.
Xzúmalus said while rogue trails damage relationships, the consultation standards set out by the Working Group and provincial law are contributing to better relationships between all parties. But she also noted a one-size-fits-all approach to Indigenous consultation on recreation might not be appropriate.

“I love to remind people that something that's acceptable in one Nation may not be acceptable in another Nation. We have different lands and resources, we have different values," she said. “It's always good to just establish a connection and get to know each other.”
​
The Trails Working Group wrapped the evening’s workshop with a screening of the documentary Dirt Relations.

​The Pique Newspaper
Luke Faulks, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Apr 9, 2025 7:45 AM
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Pemberton trails association kicks off spring with annual expo

8/4/2025

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The Pemberton Valley Trails Association (PVTA) held its latest annual trail expo and free pancake morning on a sunny April 5—bringing in a record 100 attendees with a wide range of outdoor interests, from mountain bikers to runners, paragliders to hikers, dirt bikers to equestrians.
PVTA members and local volunteers of all ages worked with tools provided by the association to get the trails ready for action this season.

“We were thrilled to see the community come out together again and grow this event even further this year,” said PVTA president Kyle Leitch in a statement. “Seeing so many different trail user groups come together to celebrate, collaborate and give back to the trails is what the PVTA is all about.”

The free pancake breakfast, sponsored by local businesses including Pemberton Valley Supermarket and Pemberton Coffee Co., has been running for more than 15 years.

Booths from Lil’wat Nation’s Title and Rights Department (formerly the Lands and Resources Department) and local organizations like the Pemberton Off Road Cycling Association (PORCA), Pemberton Wildlife Association (PWA), and more, gave attendees a chance to connect, learn, and get involved.

The PVTA noted last year’s event helped formally launch the Pemberton Valley Horse Association (PVHA), which returned as a first-time vendor this year. The development is “an example of how events like these help deepen community and collaboration across user groups in the valley,” according to a release by the PVTA.

Lil’wat’s Xzúmalus Roxanne Joe and Lhpatq Maxine Bruce closed the Expo with reflections on community and land stewardship. The department represents the Nation in the massive Pemberton Valley Trails Working Group, which brings together key stakeholders—including the PVTA, PORCA, and PWA.

After the pancake breakfast and comments from users, the event switched gears to the first of eight spring Trail Days. This first expedition, sponsored by local business Murphy Construction Ltd., saw more than 50 volunteers join the PVTA’s trail crew to help “complete essential maintenance on a variety of trails—including mountain bike routes, horse trails and kid-friendly favourites.”
​
The next volunteer trails event is set for Sunday, April 13. For a full list of the planned trail days, visit the PVTA’s website.
Luke Faulks, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Pique Newspaper

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Updates to 2025 Memberships: A Collaborative Effort by PORCA and PVTA

16/1/2025

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As we look toward 2025, the Pemberton Off-Road Cycling Association (PORCA) and Pemberton Valley Trails Association (PVTA) are excited to announce some important updates to our membership systems. These changes, mandated by regulatory updates, aim to enhance governance and transparency while continuing our dedication to the stewardship and advocacy of mountain bike trails in Pemberton.
​

Since PORCA's founding in 2016, the partnership between our two organizations has been integral to the growth and maintenance of the trail network. Historically, our two memberships were connected through a shared registration software, a structure that proved beneficial over the years. However, as a registered not-for-profit under the B.C. Societies Act, PORCA operates differently from the PVTA, which is a registered charity governed by the Canadian Revenue Agency.

What is changing and why?

Following a thorough review and update of PORCA’s bylaws in 2024, the two organizations determined the need to separate the membership systems to comply with legal regulations. This separation is designed to enhance governance, transparency, and accountability to our members and donors, respecting the differences in operation required under the B.C. Societies Act and Canadian Revenue Agency guidelines.

Will my PORCA membership still contribute to the PVTA's important work of sustaining the trail network?

Absolutely! While memberships will now be separate, PORCA remains committed to supporting PVTA's essential work. For each adult PORCA membership, PORCA will donate $20 (minus processing fees) directly to PVTA. Your membership will continue to fund the maintenance and care of Pemberton's mountain bike trails, ensuring they remain a beloved resource for the community.

Is this due to a rift between the two organizations?

Not at all. The partnership between PORCA and PVTA has never been stronger. This decision reflects our mutual commitment to sustainability. By clarifying our membership processes, we aim to bolster both organizations' abilities to fulfill our shared mission of trail preservation.

What will your partnership look like in the future?

Looking ahead, PORCA and PVTA plan to formalize our collaboration with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2025. This MOU will outline our shared goals and responsibilities, providing a clear framework for how funds raised through PORCA memberships will support PVTA's work. It will be reviewed annually to ensure transparency and enable us to report effectively to our members and donors about the impact of our partnership.

Does the $20 from my membership fee that will be donated by PORCA to the PVTA provide me with a PVTA membership, or do I still need to buy a PVTA membership?

The PVTA is deeply grateful for the $20 contribution that will be included in your PORCA membership, as it will directly support PVTA's work of maintaining and sustaining the trails we all enjoy. However, since this contribution will be made as part of PORCA's donation to the PVTA rather than as an individual membership fee, it cannot be processed as a PVTA membership.

In 2025, the PVTA will continue to offer individual memberships, which offer additional benefits, including attending and having voting rights at the annual AGM. If you'd like to support the PVTA beyond your PORCA membership, you could consider purchasing an individual or corporate membership or exploring other ways to give back, such as PVTA raffles, merch, volunteer opportunities and more. Your ongoing support will help the PVTA continue to take care of the trail network.

The Impact of Your Support

Your contributions have been crucial. In 2024, membership funding facilitated over 430 hours of mountain bike trail maintenance by PVTA's dedicated three-member trail crew. This ongoing support is vital for the continued care and enhancement of the Pemberton trail network.
Thank you for your understanding and support as we implement these changes. Together, we are building a stronger and more resilient mountain biking community in Pemberton. We look forward to continuing our shared journey with clarity, purpose, and a steadfast commitment to the trails we cherish.
​

PORCA memberships go live on January 20th! Purchasing a membership is easy, and takes less than 5 minutes. You can head to www.porcabikes.com to purchase. 

Thank you for taking the time to read through these updates and learn more about the ongoing work to strengthen PORCA and PVTA. We both are excited about the future of our partnership and are confident that these changes will further strengthen our collective impact on the trails we all enjoy. Your ongoing support is what makes these efforts possible, and we look forward to continuing this journey together. Stay tuned for more updates and, as always, thank you for being a part of the PORCA and PVTA community!

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December 17th, 2024

17/12/2024

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After more than two years of dedication, vision and hard work as the PVTA's part-time Executive Director, Allison Gilchrist is moving on. Allie has helped lay the foundation for an exciting future and we couldn't be more grateful. Now, we are looking for a new Executive Director who can carry this momentum forward. 

If you are a dynamic leader with a love of the trails, expertise in nonprofit management and a commitment to collaboration and inclusion, we want to hear from you. As the Executive Director, you will lead the PVTA by overseeing operations, strategic planning, community engagement, and ensuring the sustainability of the trail network.

Key responsibilities include managing a small staff team, collaborating with the Board of Directors, strengthening partnerships with local organizations, securing diverse funding, and representing the PVTA in the community. You will work respectfully with community partners, including and importantly with Líl̓wat Nation, whose unceded territory we gratefully live, work and recreate on. 


Employment Details:
  • Location: Remote Work. Must be available to meet and attend community events in Pemberton and surrounding areas.
  • ​Type: Approximately 15 hours/week with a flexible schedule
  • Compensation: $35-$38/hour, commensurate with experience and qualifications

Read the full job posting with details on how to apply here. Applications will be accepted until January 3rd, 2025.

Questions about the PVTA or this role? Please contact Julia Poetschke, Vice President, for more information: [email protected] 

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Section 57 granted for the Tour de Soo 1, 2, 3, Dogwood Ridge and Umik trails.

8/11/2024

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The PVTA is thrilled to announce Recreation Sites and Trails BC (RSTBC) has granted a Section 57 for Tour de Soo 1, 2, 3, Dogwood Ridge and Umik.

A Section 57 is like a work permit for recreation infrastructure, ensuring trails will be preserved and protected for generations to come. As most trails in the Pemberton network do not have a Section 57, this is a significant achievement.

This deeply collaborative process, led by Brenda Williams and with support from Líl̓wat Land & Resources, the SLRD and the PVTA, took many years of work and commitment. Among other requirements, an archaeological study was completed by Líl̓wat Land & Resource field technicians.

The PVTA can now take these trails into our inventory and maintain them safely now and into the future. Thank you to Líl̓wat Nation for granting permission to use this land recreationally. Here’s a breakdown of the trails and their intended user groups:

Tour de Soo 1: MTB, Horse, Hike
Tour de Soo 2: Horse, Hike
Tour de Soo 3: Hike
Dogwood Ridge: Horse & Hike
Umik (to go upstream by land): Horse & Hike

Special note: From the Trails Master plan “Uphill of Tour de Soo has cultural and environmental values that may be impacted by trail development and use.” Out of respect trails should not be built above the Tour de Soo.

Curious about what goes into a Section 57 application and why it is so important to sustain the trail network? Learn more here
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2024 AGM Notes

29/10/2024

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President’s Welcome: Kyle Leitch
Welcome, members, directors and staff. The PVTA has continued with its mandate to maintain the Pemberton trail network with guidance from the Trails Master Plan, the Trails Working Group, local user groups and a dedicated membership base. We thank you for your time and input. To our Trail Crew, Darren, Jarrord and Braedyn - for your outstanding work, and to all the local volunteers who generously give their time to help keep the trails in great shape, thank you.  
Gratitude to our Executive Director, Allie, the PVTA was able to expand the trail crew from just 1 in 2022 to 3 in both 2023 and 2024. We are confident that with ongoing efforts, the PVTA will secure the necessary funding to sustain its work for 2025 and beyond.
To our volunteer board, none of this would be possible without your support and dedication. It takes a very special person to do what you do, thank you.
Directors: Kyle Leitch, Julia Poetschke, Andrew Benson, Aimee Fishman, Thea Sturdy, Luke De Jager, Caleb Smith, Will Cadham, Kailey Moran, Mark Beaton
Trail Crew (Staff): Darren Nicoll, Jarrod Anderson, Braedyn Kozman, ED (Staff): Allie Gilchrist
​

TREASURER'S REPORT   Andrew Benson, read by Julia Poetschke
For 2023 the PVTA recorded its highest ever level of revenue: $95,201. This compares favorably with the previous high of $80,936 for 2022.
  • Net profit for 2023 was $395 and the year end cash position was $58,798.
  • 2024 has proved more challenging as expenses have been higher than forecast and revenues lower. We will likely end the year with around $50,000 in cash.
  • Having a healthy cash balance at year end is really important for the PVTA as the majority of our funding arrives later in the year. Barring unforeseen events we are well funded and ready for a strong start to 2025.

Accomplishments: Allie Gilchrist
  • Strategic Plan done for 2024-2027
  • Annual Report done for 2023
  • Tour de Soo/Umik/Dogwood Ridge Approval from Líl̓wat and Section 57 from RSTBC
  • BSF Connector Application approved by Líl̓wat, and submitted to RSTBC for a Section 57. Currently awaiting approval. This will be a joint project with PORCA
  • Cross country ski partnership with Big Sky for the next 2 years. Donation of a new to PVTA sled for cross country ski trail maintenance from the WB maintenance Department
  • Utilized Backcountry Motorsports loaner sled last year - thank you 
  • Kiosk/Map Revamp Project including 3 new map/info kiosks at trailheads and 20 new maps planned for roll out in Spring 2025
  • Continued filling in wayfinding signage gaps across the network
  • Trail Crew Training and advocacy. Darren to Mtb Symposium in Penticton, Chainsaw Safety Course, and First Aid Courses
  • Staffing- Contract workers became PVTA staff- 1P/T Executive Director and 3 trail crew.

Membership: Thea Sturdy
  • In 2023 PORCA Memberships contributed $12,940 in Membership dollars to the PVTA
  • 2024 members YTD: 730 (2023: 684, 2022: 697)
  • PVTA Corporate membership: 10
  • PVTA Commercial Operators: 3
  • Event Organizers: 2
  • 5% of all PVTA membership fees will go directly back to the Líl̓wat Culture, Heritage, and Language Authority (LCHLA). 2024 estimated at $900 (2023: $800).

Events: Mark Beaton
  • Trail days ended up being 8, 7 of them to local businesses. Outstanding contributions from local businesses. $450 a night. Moved them to weekdays to increase attendance of the trail nights. Darren, Luke were in attendance to provide expertise. Scheduled them every other Tuesday following the PORCA Fivers. Learnings there to plan for 2025.
  • Building a program together with corporate sponsorship – coordinating with PORCA
  • 2025 will bring back bike raffle 
  • Coordinating with PORCA to not infringe on their silent auction 
  • Always open to other ideas. email: [email protected]​

Supporters: Allie Gilchrist
  • We would like to thank all our generous 2024 sponsors and partners who helped us this past year from local businesses to the Federal Government
  • Pemberton Valley Utilities Services (PVUS) for 30% of local government core funding 
  • Special thanks to PORCA for their substantial donations and continued collaboration, providing PVTA with a membership base and contributions from events​
  • PVTA  also received grant/subsidies from Destination Development Fund for Pemberton Trail Map Kiosk Replacement Project, Whistler Community Foundation for Trail Crew Safety Training and equipment, WB Foundation for the Community Chainsaw Safety Course, WB Envirofund for Trail Maintenance Tool Upgrade for environmentally friendly battery operated tools , Devinci Bikes for Community Builders and Maintenance Fund and BC Hydro Mount Currie Trail blowdown and maintenance, Canada Parks / SLRD funding helped with getting additional trail workers

Trail Work: Will Cadham
  • Total paid trail hours YTD: 628 hrs Jan-Sept (2023: 349 hrs) - due to additional crew, extra funding
  • Total volunteer trail hrs YTD: 340 hrs Jan-Sept (2023: 405 hrs)
  • No. of Trails Worked on YTD: 93 Jan-Sept (2023: 68 trails) out of 195 total 
  • Total volunteer trail hours to date is less than  last year - still enormous contribution
  • New Program grant from Devinci and Specialized Soil Searching program– the PVTA were able to offset costs associated with work provided by a dedicated group of local trail maintenance volunteers. Tools, fuel, etc. In exchange for reporting volunteer hours. Better understand how many hours it actually takes to uphold the network. There are additionally 100s of hours that happen that we don’t ever know about. If you do volunteer work on existing trails in Pemberton, check out our IG page or website for more info. For some financial support possibilities click here.
  • Trail user has plateaued Year over Year since COVID caused a big surge 
  • If you’ve ridden in town in the last year, you’ve probably noticed the amazing condition of most of the trails, this is largely thanks to our Trail Crew Lead Darren and his part time co-workers Braedyn, Jarrod and Andrew, as well as the dedicated crew of not-so-silent volunteers. Thank you everyone for your hard work on the trails!
  • Excited that Braedyn/Jarrod will be around this fall to give Darren a hand
  • TrailForks Usage Stats (Jan-Sept): 2024 YTD: 7,368, (2023: 7,171)

Advocacy: Kyle Leitch
These are all big collaboration protects, many with PORCA, the Líl̓wat Lands & Resource department and local Sea to Sky nonprofits.
  • Educational campaign with the Pemberton Wildlife Association and Clear Course Consulting to increase awareness of Pemberton’s species at risk; the sharp tailed snake.
  • Land protection campaign through the government’s Don’t Love It to Death initiative
  • Work with Sea to Sky Invasive Species Council on awareness around Play Clean Go
  • Land use & Hunting Awareness Educational campaign with Líl̓wat Lands & Resources 
  • Land respect campaign with the Líl̓wat Lands & Resource department
  • Advocating for a new trail system within the new proposed Nkwukwma (Benchlands) Development Parks and Trails plan
  • Attended Destination Trails Roundtable session with the Minister of Tourism. 
  • Quarterly Trails Working Group meetings With Líl̓wat, SLRD, VOP, PORCA, RSTBC, PWA, SPS, SCF 
  • Attending RSTBC Mountain Bike Pilot Project Dashboard Roundtables
  • Determining an appropriate equestrian loop in the Mosquito Lake zone (roll out spring 2025)
** the vast majority of this advocacy work was done as a team with our Director of Communications Kailey Morin, Kailey, is there anything you would like to add?** All of these are very collaborative and PVTA is just one part. Perfect example, snake habitat and finding endangered species there. These campaigns consistently get the most engagement, a way to get a wider group of people in Pemberton engaged in the trails and their surroundings.
​

Upcoming Projects: Julia Poetschke
Some projects have already been identified for next year, but there will be more discussion and planning to come with the entire board. Our work continues to be guided by the Trails Master Plan, the Trails Working Group, and our membership. 
  • Continue to seek long-term core funding for trail maintenance
  • BSF to Happy connector construction once final approval is received by RSTBC
  • New moto trail proposed in the Rutherford in collaboration with PDBA (application in progress, awaiting approval from Líl̓wat)
  • Develop tiered corporate sponsorship program
  • Update our constitution and bylaws
  • Continue to explore opportunities for new green and blue descent trails, driven by community feedback

Elections: Allie Gilchrist
Acknowledgement of Outgoing Directors 
Andrew Benson -Treasurer
Aimee Fishman -Secretary 
On behalf of everyone involved with the PVTA we want to thank them for their contribution, dedication, support and hard work over their time on the board. 

Board of Directors Nominations

Vacant Positions
Treasurer Vacant Position Candidate: Angie Fulton
Secretary Vacant Position Candidate: No Applications
Fundraising Incumbent Candidate: Mark Beaton
Membership Vacant Position Candidate: Thea Sturdy (Current Director at Large) 
Moto Rep Incumbent Candidate: Luke DeJager
Horse Rep Incumbent Candidate: Caleb Smith

Positions continuing on in the second year of their term:
  • President - Kyle Leitch 
  • Vice President - Julia Poetschke
  • Director of Trails - Will Cadham
  • Director of Communications - Kailey Morin
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‘Christmas miracle’ saves PVTA’s cross-country ski season

17/1/2024

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The Pemberton Valley Trails Association (PVTA) said this year’s cross-country ski season was completely saved by a kind gesture from a local business.
The association previously brought groomed tracks first to Beer Farmers and more recently classic and skate tracks to @bigskygolf. Recently, it became clear a previously donated snowmobile used for cross-country ski grooming would not survive the 2024 season. The organization turned to the local community, who did not disappoint. Some offered temporary technical solutions for the sled, or generously donated money towards a new vehicle. Others volunteered to groom the trails themselves to kick-start the season.
Thankfully, @backcountrymotorsports performed a “Christmas miracle” and saved the season. The team offered PVTA access to a Polaris 4-stroke corporate demo machine for the 2024 winter season entirely free of charge.
PTVA has been blessed by kind acts of kindness from the community since its cross-country ski program first started in 2020. Executive director, Allison Gilchrist, said its first donated sled started a series of heart-warming gestures.

“As a small non-profit charity, we rely on the support of the community to maintain the trails,” said Gilchrist. “We are so grateful to the team at Backcountry Motorsports for helping to make sure our cross-country ski program can go ahead as planned this year—once the conditions are right. Currently, Big Sky Golf Club generously offers the community the use of its facilities and donates staff time for grooming to provide an exceptional experience for cross-country skiers”
Backcountry Motorsports’ owner, Andrew McBride, said they were eager to keep the fun going this season.
“We try and support the local community whenever the opportunity presents itself and it's within our capability,” said McBride. “The Pemberton Valley Trails Association is an awesome local asset for the community and our support of them runs deeper than just the XC Ski track.”
PTVA is eternally grateful to local companies for keeping the program going, but a more permanent solution is needed.
“We are glad that together with Big Sky Golf Course and Backcountry Motorsports we can offer the community access to one of their favourite cross-country ski tracks this winter,” said Gilchrist. But the organization is still in need of a permanent, tow-capable, working sled that partners can use with PVTA’s grooming equipment next season and beyond.
The association is eager to make sure this the trails are open for many years to come.
“We know that many people in Pemberton value these winter trails—our next step is to find a permanent tow-capable solution, whether that be through a grant, donation or a formal partnership, so we can offer this program for years to come,” said Gillchrist. “We hope the community will join us in finding one.”
Businesses or community members who may be interested are encouraged to get in touch with PVTA at [email protected]. PVTA also welcomes donations of any size from cross-country skiers and community members who would like to support the program. Read more at pembertontrails.com/give-back.html.
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One Mile Lake Wildfire Fuel Thinning Project

7/12/2023

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@spelkumtncommunityforest will be undertaking an important fuel-thinning project near One Mile Lake. PVTA is assisting SCF to ensure selected trail-side trees are retained and that all user groups are kept up to date on trail access. Some trails will be closed for public safety starting on January 3rd 2024. More information from SCF is below:

SCF, through funding from FESBC, will be carrying out fuel thinning work near OneMile Lake. The project encompasses high hazard forest land and is part of ongoing work to reduce risk to nearby residences, infrastructure and downtown Pemberton.

We recognize this is a high use trail area and Líl'wat Spirited Ground. Extensive engagement has been done with Líl'wat Nation and trails organizations. One of the key planning parameters was to reduce impacts to trails and sensitive ecosystems while still achieving risk reduction objectives.

Líl'wat Forestry Crews will be conducting the work - manual pruning, piling and burning. Some trails will be closed for public safety. Please obey all signs and instructions from the crew.

Work and trail closure information will be updated as regularly as possible.
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The PVTA welcome new faces while saying farewell to others

27/11/2023

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There have been some changes this fall to the PVTA Board as we’ve welcomed new faces and new roles while saying farewell to others.

Crystal Conroy, our former Director of Communications has stepped down after two years of volunteer service, helping to renew the PVTA brand and setting up PVTA comms for success. Crystal championed Indigenous learning programs for the board, improved board processes, ensured all user groups were represented, attended many trail days, and much more.

We’ve also said goodbye to Madison Perry, our former Community Engagement Director, who helped lead the 2023 PVTA survey and supported our work in the community. Please join us in saying THANK YOU to Crystal and Madison! 👏

We’re thrilled to share that Julia Poetschke, former Membership Director, has agreed to help lead the PVTA as our new Vice President. Julia has been central to the growth of our commercial and corporate membership drives, helped lead our cross-country ski program, and will now be at the helm of the organization.

We’ve also welcomed Kailey Morin as our new Director of Communications. Kailey brings with her over a decade of experience working in nonprofit communications and fundraising. She is excited to get to know the trails and the community even better.
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AUTUMN NEWSLETTER

5/11/2023

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All of us here at the PVTA have been out enjoying time on the trails. We are once again thankful for our volunteers and donors who help to create opportunity for our organization to do great things! 

​read on: Click here
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The Pemberton Valley Trails Association is a Registered not-for-profit Charity organization. 
Registration no.: 870214111 RR 0001 

If you would like to make a donation we will email you a tax receipt. 
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Special thank you to @bruhnsphoto, @jake.paddon, @elodyemartin @srobarts
and the PVTA community for sharing images for this site.
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