6th Annual Riley Suhan Backcountry Race
On April 5, 2025 the Golden Snowmobile Club will once again host the Riley Suhan Backcountry Race, one of the best events in all of snowmobiling! This unique mountain race traverses a large loop of the Quartz Creek riding zone in Golden BC and is executed in a timed, relay format. For 2025, on top of the normal race that combines the times of a randomly chosen, 4 person team, we will have an additional pro-level race with a $2500+ prize purse on a more challenging course. We’re sorting out the details of this pro race but be assured that the idea is for it to be awesome for both spectators and participants alike. Entry to the second pro race will require placing in the top 30 of the main race. The pro race will have a more challenging lap that is slightly longer than the main race. We will announce more specifics as we iron them out.
We will have a new start/finish location in 2025 – Cabin Valley! Head left past the cabin and you’ll be able to see the set-up. This will give better spectating for everybody at the start/finish area, including Dr. Poz who was really feeling left out in past years.
When: Saturday, April 5, 2025
Where: Quartz Creek (event to start and finish in Cabin Valley)
How Much: 120 spots will be open for public registration. All riders will pay a $160 CAD registration fee which is non-refundable.
Registration: Registration is open online until midnight on Wednesday, April 2. If any spots remain after online registration closes, they will be available for $175 at the rider meeting (Friday, April 4) or before the race on Saturday, April 5. Cash only. Racers must be 19 years of age or older.
Accommodations: Ramada is offering a special rate of $119/room/night. Call (250-412-3769) to book and ask for the Suhan Race Special.
Volunteers: We need course marshalls! Email sled@sledgolden.com to volunteer and expect special access to prizing and/or a registration discount for a future year. We’re also offering $100 cash to anybody who can commit to course marshall for the entire day.
Schedule of Events
Friday, April 4
Rider Meeting. 6:30 pm. The Bar.
Saturday, April 5 – Race Day!
9:00 am – Rider sign in at Cabin Valley (mandatory)
10:00 am – Course preview lap (mandatory, details below)
10:30 am – START your engines!
1:00 pm – All relay riders finished
1:30 pm – PRO Round. (see details below) Great spectating!
3:00 pm – Rider done, course clean up (everybody helps!)
** Schedule and course is subject to change pending weather and avalanche conditions**
7:00 pm – Awards & after party. Rockwater. (Get there sooner than later if you want dinner and a seat. This is Pozitively the funnest event party of the season. Loaded with good times, good food and lots of prizes.)
Cash and Prizes: The top 3 teams will share a $2800 cash purse. Prizes will also be given out for fastest lap (snowmobile, snow bike, lady), fastest climb and for “Poz-itivity” (announcer’s choice). There are always lots of door prizes for everybody else. Volunteers are guaranteed a prize. The pro race will have an additional $2500 cash purse.
Race Rules
The course will be announced on the day of the competition, pending avalanche concerns and terrain stability. The course will form one large loop of the Quartz Creek riding zone. The course will be revealed during the preview lap at 10:00 am. The course is not a closed loop so heads up riding is required.
The preview loop must be completed with your team. We will send teams out, 3 at a time, with short breaks between to preview the course. Each set of 3 teams will have a guide and be managed to stay within a reasonable speed. No racing on the preview lap!
Each rider will receive a lap time (start line to finish line) and climb time (a separate timed climb segment on course).
Riders will be in teams of four and complete the course sequentially in order of the team’s choice. Riley will be choosing “team captains” and the remaining team members will be selected at random. We will do our best to make sure each team has one pro, one lady shredder and one snowbike and the rest randomly selected. We recommend that teams send their weaker/slower riders first so that the more advanced riders can deal with the challenging conditions at the end of the event.
Teams will be selected on Thursday, April 3 and all members of each team will receive an email and text message with the names and contact info of their other team members on Friday, April 4. If registration is not full (maximum 120 riders) some teams may only be assigned 3 members and have a 4th member added on Friday evening or Saturday – updates will be emailed, texted and announced at the event.
Rider sign in is mandatory between 9 am and 10 am on Saturday at the start/finish in Cabin Valley. Timing chips are provided at sign in. Timing chips that are not returned at the end of the event are subject to a $150 fee. All riders are required to sign a waiver in person to pick up their race number and timing chip. Team captains may sign in all riders that have signed the waiver (i.e. somebody who has signed the waiver on Friday evening, but arrives late on Saturday).
Pits for each team will be laid out near the start line. Race sleds will be parked in their team pit prior to starting. Once your lap is completed you may park anywhere off course.
Riders will start one at a time. The first rider from each team will start at 10:30 am, the second rider from each team will start after the first rider from all teams has completed their lap, and so on until all riders are done. Riders will be spaced by 1-2 minutes; riders may wait an additional 1-2 minutes to avoid passing if there is a significant speed/skill difference. Slower riders are recommended to move over to allow faster riders to pass, where possible. To indicate you’re approaching and passing, “Braap”.
Riders will line up and be signaled to start 25 m away from the start line. This is to allow riders to accumulate speed for the start line without roosting all the spectators at the cabin.
Marshalls on course may wave a yellow flag (caution) or red flag (emergency – return to start area to restart). Riders must obey marshal signals at all times. Riders who exit the course will be automatically disqualified.
Move away from the finish line as quickly as possible when you’ve finished your lap. Don’t forget to return your timing chip.
Mandatory Gear – all riders must carry a transceiver, shovel and probe, and have a tether. All riders should be prepared for partner or self rescue in case of an avalanche. Rider numbers must be visible at all times throughout the day. A radio and chest protection is optional but recommended. All riders must also have their timing chips. The race starter will check your gear on the start line. You will not be permitted to start without your mandatory gear.
Absolutely no alcohol or drugs will be tolerated during the riding event.
Any riding off course is at your own risk. Only the course is covered by the event’s Avalanche Safety Plan and forecasting.
Athletes may use ANY machine capable of making it through the course! RUN WHAT YOU BRUNG is the format.
ProShow: The NEW in 2025 pro show will contest the top 20-30 individual times from the relay event against each other. The top 20-30 times from the relay will be announced and all selected riders will receive a new timing chip. Riders will start from slowest to fastest based on their relay time. The course will be extended from the relay event, featuring some additional challenge. A cold lap of the course may be guided prior to the start. Riders will start at 1 minute intervals.
Thanks to all the racers, sponsors, and volunteers.
