Name: Nick Campbell
Age: 26
Location:Sunderland Ontario
How did you get started sledding?
I got started sledding through my father. He has been sledding his whole life, so I have been around it for a long time and he got me hooked. I didn’t buy my first sled until I was about 17 but after that I have rode pretty much every weekend. My dad has ran a long track sled since the early 2000’s in Ontario. So I kind of skipped the trail scene all together and started backcountry riding from the start.
What is your favourite thing about sledding?
My favourite thing about sledding is the community and having fun with your friends and family. There is something special about being in the backcountry with your best friends having the time of your life. I am very lucky to be able to take a month off work each year and ride out west everyday. That being said you get to meet a lot of people along the way. Weather it is making new friends at the cabin, finding new zones with your buddy’s, meeting a guy in a parking lot who has parts for you to get back on the snow the next day, or hitting some new pow at a spot you have rode 100 times. There is always a smile on my face and everybody else’s. this sport brings so many people together in such a positive way it’s incredible. I really enjoy watching people progress as well. It is really cool to see how far we can push each other.
Any advice for new riders?
My advice to new riders is to get educated, and push all your friends to do so as well. At the end of the day snowmobiling is the most rewarding sport but it is also dangerous. It is very easy to get caught up in social media watching all these incredible riders do all these crazy jumps/ drops and pulls ect. But what you dont see is the behind the scenes. These riders are educated in the terrain, the conditions, and the avalanche risks. For new riders backcountry snowmobiling can be very overwhelming. It’s important to take things slow and learn in a safe manner. It is also important to push your friends/peers to do so as well. At the end of the day if you are in trouble you rely on the people with you to rescue you. So it is important for everyone in your group to be trained. Ask questions, don’t be afraid to meet new people in cabins or parking lots. The snowmobile community is very friendly.
Favourite food:
Exhaust cooked chicken wings on the mountain
Favourite quote:
Don’t look at the trees 😉