Thompson’s snowy roots bury deeper then the average eye may see, where represented in the recent Sanat Parade was a large Tucker Groomer designed to plow proper snowmobile trails that make for a much easier riding experience. And with this grand piece of machinery made way for Thompson nearly winning the top snowmobile attraction of Canada.
Thompson Trail Breakers is a club under an organization of Snowman featuring 52 clubs in total Manitoba wide. These clubs ensure safe and more enjoyable snowmobile trails, preventing your snowmobile from drowning in a deep field of snow, or hitting hazards such as signs or trees.
Cliff Hibbs has been apart of the Thompson Trail Breakers now since 1985 and he was voted on by the Snoman board members to enter a competition for Snow Riders Magazine. Every year the magazine gives an excellence award granting Cliff Hibbs with The Outstanding Snowmobiler award.
Club President; Kelly Martens spoke highly of Hibbs, saying that the one activity he has enjoyed most in recent years is acting as a guide for the many people who come from southern Manitoba. “He has an exceptional snowmobile personality and loves talking snowmobiling. He plans the rides prior to people riding and always has a backup plan. With Cliff’s involvement on the trails, he has made it safer, more enjoyable, and warm up shelters can be a place for people to meet”
The voting continued as Thompson also won Most Popular Manitoba Snowmobile Destination. This gave opportunity for the Thompson Trail Breakers Club to submit into the Canada wide Best Destination vote, as Thompson came in as a close second to a community in British Colombia (BC.)
Incredibly enough a club organization such as this in all 52 locations are all volunteer run, all the money generated by purchased ‘Snow Passes’ are put back into the club’s fund and used to purchase equipment and machinery such as the Tucker Groomer represented in the Santa Parade.
With the steady packing of snow as well as the precise assists with the opening of trails helping to sign and clear fallen trees, the groomers move very slowly. This process needs to be done at least once every 1-2 weeks.
When asked about the significant amount of time being taken from day to day life, Martens acknowledged that though it does prove to be a sacrifice at times, the team has worked a system that causes workers to switch out, evening out the time management a little more. “It helps” States Martens, “But it’s just all part of what we do for the community”
That hard effort has defiantly helped make Thompson glow just that much brighter, shining the special attributes the community has to offer. Congratulations to the 2023 Sledtown Showdown Provincial Champion! It’s more then making an enjoyable ride for the community, but this is hard proof that the club makes Thompson a better Canadian community as a whole.
~Matthias J. Johnson is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Thompson Citizen. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
