Local snowmobiling ambassador receives Lifetime Achievement Award for his years of service to the sport

Upon entering Whitecourt from the east, motorists learn different things about the community thanks to the rotating “Home of” sign located just below the Welcome to Whitecourt sign. Some days it proudly displays that Whitecourt is a Firesmart Community and other days it beams with pride over the Wolverines or Communities in Bloom recognition. In the winter, it celebrates that Whitecourt is the Snowmobile Capital of Alberta.

If you’ve ever wondered where that title came from then you have no further to look than local Snowmobiling Ambassador, Leo Zelinski. Back in the 70s, Zelinski joined the Alberta Snowmobile Association (ASA) and in 1979 he co-founded the Whitecourt Trailblazers along with his friend and neighbour, Glen Kingdon.

At the time, Zelinski said a Whitecourt bylaw was set to disappear due to the rules not being followed by other sledders. The bylaw stated that snowmobilers could operate within town limits from December 1 to March 31 for the sole purpose of getting to and from their homes using the most direct route available. Thanks to their work with the town so many years ago, the bylaw remains in effect to this day making Whitecourt one of a limited number of communities to allow seasonal off-highway vehicles to operate in town. “It’s a privilege to be able to ride in town so we formalized ourselves as a club to protect our privileges,” explained Zelinski.

With over 450 kilometres of trails now, the impact that Zelinski has had on snowmobiling in the Whitecourt area is nothing short of amazing. Thanks to an early partnership with the Forestry Service, the club saw the creation of designated trails and staging areas in Whitecourt, Swan Hills, and Fox Creek. As the club expanded, a Golden Triangle was formed between the three communities and the trail became part of the cross Canada snowmobile trail. Around this time, Zelinski also coined the phrase, Snowmobile Capital of Alberta, and solidified this region as the place to hit the snow.

“The forestry service at that time controlled the recreation in the wilderness and they recognized that snowmobilers could be a bit of an issue. They decided to designate an area and do a pilot project in Calgary at Cataract Creek to give snowmobilers an area to ride, and it worked out well. So, when we were at one of the ASA meetings they said they were looking for another place and we said, hey pick us! Not only did they pick Whitecourt, but they also developed the trails in Fox Creek and Swan Hills. It was terrific, and we had about 65 kilometres of trails to ride on.”

In the early 80s the Trailblazers hosted a jamboree that attracted 300 riders to Whitecourt. The event received recognition as having had a great economic impact at a time when the recession had its firm grip on the area. Being able to help fill hotel rooms and restaurants and support local businesses was important to Zelinski. Since then, he has been involved with many local rallies including Whitecourt Invasion, snow drags, a hill climb, rides with other clubs, and the first timed snow race. “We also got the Guinness World Record for the most sleds in a ride. All these things came up 40 years later from just a humble idea of protecting our industry.”

The success of the pilot project in Calgary which led to this area receiving trails has blown up into a trail system all over the province giving snowmobilers the freedom to enjoy designated spaces. Groomed trails have also become popular in other provinces other the years as more enthusiasts saw the potential. “Just about every club has these trails now but we were the second in the history of it to get trails developed here in Alberta.”

Over the years, Zelinski has held different positions in the club and has also sat as vice-president of the ASA. Having just recently reached a new milestone of 76 years young, he still finds time to volunteer with the club and rides with his family on top of his full-time gig as a local realtor with Remax.

As an original trailblazer, it was only right for Zelinski to be honoured for his hard work and dedication to the sport both in Whitecourt and area and provincially and beyond. Recently, the ASA presented him with the Louise Sherren Lifetime Achievement Award. Sherren was the first executive director of the ASA and volunteered with the association for close to 35 years. In honour of her service and support, the award was created to recognize others who have volunteered their time in the same way.

“We can’t believe how much the sport has evolved. We couldn’t even anticipate the way the sleds have evolved and developed over the years. The hills we now climb with ease were a struggle back then. Sometimes we would get stuck in the snow and wonder if we were ever going to get out,” laughed Zelinski. “We just wanted a place to ride so it’s unimaginable how it has evolved.”

Zelinski shows no signs of slowing down and looks forward to hitting the trails again this season with his family. He said he is humbled to have been chosen for the award. “It’s appreciation and recognition for all the effort we’ve done. We’ve done it for ourselves but it’s such a benefit to our community, the industry, and to tourism. It’s nice to be recognized for something you’ve accomplished. Being an ambassador and helping to contribute to the cause is good for me and it’s good for others, too. Why not come and snowmobile in Whitecourt? It’s the best place in Alberta and we’re proud of it!”