Five things for motorheads to see and do in Alberta

From the Canadian Rockies to the Canadian Badlands, Alberta is home to a wide variety of scenery and terrain. And whether it’s two, four, or no wheels you prefer, there is something for all types of riders in this great province.

Here are a few of our favourite things to see and do in Alberta:

1. 2015 World Jet Boat Championship

Watch jet boat racers reach speeds of up to 241 kilometres per hour when the annual World Jet Boat Championship returns to Western Canada in July. There will be four races taking place this year and three of them will be in Alberta. The races are expected to draw 60 to 75 boats from the U.S., Mexico and New Zealand. Attendance will be in the thousands. For dates, locations and more info, see this article.

The World Jet Boat Championship attracts racers from Canada as well as the U.S., Mexico and New Zealand. — photo courtesy Diesel Powered Images

2. WhiteRidge MX Park

Maintained by the Whitecourt Motocross Association, the WhiteRidge MX Park features a two-kilometre track that is set up for all ages and skill levels. It also plays host to some exciting events, such as the Alberta Triple Crown ATV Series. The WhiteRidge MX Park is located 30 kilometres east of Whitecourt. For more info, visit the website.

A dirt biker sitting beside an ATVer on a moto track.

Dirt bikers and ATVers alike enjoy the terrain at the WhiteRidge MX Park near Whitecourt. — photo courtesy Susan King

3. Ardmore Extreme Motorsports

As the largest of its kind in the Bonnyvile area, the Ardmore Extreme Motorsports show features a wide array of activities—including lawnmower races, a truck demolition derby, an ATV shoot-out, tuff trucks and mud bogs. The mud bogs are sanctioned by the Canadian Mud Racing Organization and they attract both amateur and professional racers. This year, the Ardmore Extreme Motorsports show takes place August 21 to 23, 2015. For more information, see the webpage.

4. Iron Horse Trail

An abandoned railway line that has been turned into a multi-use trail, the Iron Horse Trail features 300 kilometres of scenic ATVing through boreal forests, scenic parkland and natural wetlands. Plus, there are several communities and other places to stop along the way. The trail is well signed so that anyone, families included, can safely enjoy it. For more info, see the Iron Horse Trail’s website.

A group of ATVers riding down the Iron Horse Trail in Alberta.

The stretch of trail from St. Paul down through Elk Point to Lindbergh and Heinsburg is a particularly scenic ride. — photo courtesy Marianne Price

5. Crowsnest Pass

One of the most scenic and popular places to go ATVing in southern Alberta is the Crowsnest Pass. This area is home to hundreds of kilometres of trails and a dedicated club, called the Crowsnest Pass Quad Squad, to look after it all. Try the Alexander Creek or the Castle Special Management Area. For more info on these places and others, check out the Quad Squad’s website.

A group of quadders at the base of a mountain.

If you want to enjoy rugged mountain scenery, then look no further than the Crowsnest Pass. — photo courtesy Joe Lumley

This is just a sampling of the activities, events and riding areas in Alberta. If you think something is missing from our list, then contact us via this form.