Summer fun outdoors in High Level

Folks in High Level, Alberta, are gearing up for some exciting riding this spring and summer. Whether it involves ATVs, dirt bikes, four-by-fours, or even racing Rhinos, it  is all on the agenda. And that doesn't mean to say that the riders have put away their snowmobiles. There is plenty of spring sledding still to be done in High Level, where an extended season lasts well into spring.

Brian Gramson—whose father, Doug, is the founder of Northern Services in High Level—is a member of both the High Level Motocross Association (HLMA) and the Watt Mountain Wanderers Snowmobile Club. He said that although there is no formal ATV club, there are some really great places to ride.

Enjoy the trail variety

“There is a fine variety of trails—cutlines, wagon trails and seismic lines as well as so much Crown land to ride,” said Gramson. "That is the benefit of this area—it is great for families and recreational riding.”

Gramson has no shortage of information about where to play. He has been involved in motorized sports in the area since he was six, and enjoys it all. He said if you want to get serious, there are challenging sand hills in the Peace River area at Peace Point. But you can also take your ATV out to the HLMA motocross park, which is on 40 acres of leased land not far from town.

The HLMA, Gramson said, is continually evolving its track. It is located less than 10 miles from High Level, and day passes as well as full memberships are available.

“It is built to motocross standards,” said Gramson. “You can camp out there, it has its own sprinkler systems and there is also a kid's track. We (Northern Services) provide the equipment for the club when they need it."

Head to Hutch Lake

Gramson said that Hutch Lake, located 32 kilometres north of High Level, is a really popular spot to ride.

“We get together and organize informal recreational rides out there,” he said.

The sport fishing for walleye and pike is worth mentioning, Gramson added, and it is not unusual to see folks boating, tubing and water-skiing. On the west side of the lake is a campground open from mid-May to the end of September.

Gramson said that a lot people in High Level are pretty enthusiastic about their motorsports—whatever that happens to be for them.

“Probably half of the population will do some sort of motorized sport at one time in the year,” he said.