A Road Trip to Canada, New Sisterhoods, and a Whole Lot of Learning
- Sierra Winter
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
Angie and I are besties now, but the truth is we didn’t really know each other outside of the sledding and professional world. We had crossed paths while working to build community in the snowmobile industry, but our only real time together before this trip was a short road trip from Willow to Fairbanks with Josiah from Awaken Productions. That short drive was more than enough for me to know we would get along just fine.
So when the opportunity came up for a bigger adventure, we leaned in.
We left Alaska with ambition, excitement, and full-send energy. The plan was simple: chase snow. We left in January for a trip we planned for March, watching the conditions closely. When the snow in Alaska wasn’t cooperating and Canada started getting hammered, we said what any sledders would say — let’s hit the road.
First though, Alaska had other plans.
Our departure day ended up being one of the worst road days Alaska had seen all year. Schools were closed, clinics were closed, and at times the roads themselves were closed. We slipped, slid, and got blown around all the way to Tok Junction where we were met with black ice and roughly a dozen vehicles in the ditch. That moment forced us to slow down, regroup, and figure out how to put chains on my truck. Stressful as it was, that was also the moment I realized I was traveling with someone reliable, calm, and resourceful.
We decided to stay the night in Tok since we rolled in so late after battling whiteouts and ice. Being a day behind schedule didn’t kill the stoke though — not even close. In fact, that small delay ended up creating space for something we never originally planned for: a stop at Liard Hot Springs. Angie and I pulled on our ridiculously cozy Selk Bags and soaked in the steaming water surrounded by snow-covered forest. It was peaceful, hilarious, and one of those moments where you realize you're exactly where you’re supposed to be. That soak is now a core memory forever boiled into our brains.
Angie and I are both incredibly organized (dare I say nerds), so when we rolled up to the border we had a folder labeled “EXTREMELY IMPORTANT” with everything a border agent could possibly want to know about our time in Canada. But I think the officer saw two women hauling sleds and a very enthusiastic I ❤️ Canada sweater and decided we weren’t much of a threat.
Four days later we finally rolled into Revelstoke. The long drive was partly because neither of us like driving at night, but also because along the way we learned something ironic: the BC snowpack had gone downhill at the exact same time Alaska was getting a reset. Of course. Still, the goal of the trip was bigger than just perfect snow. It was about meeting people, seeing new terrain, and simply saying we did it.
At one point our backup plan was to leave early and visit Jasper and Banff National Parks if conditions were terrible. Ironically, while driving toward BC we kept seeing signs for both parks and eventually realized we were driving between them. That realization came at the same time we discovered we were almost out of fuel — with no cell service.
Thankfully, our nerd-level planning saved us again. We had packed extra fuel “just in case.” So there we were, pouring our emergency stash into my thirsty Power Wagon while surrounded by some of the most beautiful mountain views imaginable. We rolled into Golden’s gas station with about 30 miles of range left — close enough.
Our first ride in BC was guided by Nate, the owner of Kings Den Resort. Earlier in the year Jordan from ArcticFX had connected us and we traded a wrap design for his guiding expertise.
Before heading out I warned him I was still coming back from a year of recovery and Angie was riding her new boosted sled for the first time. Apparently Nate believed in us more than we believed in ourselves because he took us straight into a zone that humbled us and reminded us quickly that elevation change is a real factor.
To make things even more exciting, my sled started overheating badly — like way worse than it should. Cue the trauma flashbacks to my previous cooler failure and ACL injury. We kept troubleshooting while Nate and Timmy patiently tried to help. We shut the sled down, let it cool, and kept checking things over.
Eventually we discovered the problem.
My baby hands hadn’t tightened the coolant cap enough. With no pressure in the system, coolant was dumping out every time I tipped the sled on its side to chainsaw or cool down. So here’s a PSA for everyone: make sure your coolant cap is tight… or make sure you have a friend with stronger hands. Thanks Angie.
Our next ride exploring zones around Revelstoke had crunchy snow, but the views made up for it. Angie and I took some quiet time at the top of the mountains to record conversations for a future film project we’re working on.
One of the absolute highlights of Revelstoke was finally getting to do a photoshoot with Megan Dawn Visuals. I had admired her work for a long time and not only is she incredibly talented, we clicked instantly.
It felt like gaining another sister. We spent the day creating, laughing, and capturing moments that I’ll always carry with me. Her photography has already found its way onto my website and elevated it in ways I couldn’t have imagined.
From Revelstoke we headed to Golden for the Sled Golden Ladies Ride hosted by Jordyn and Niki. First off — these women are beyond badass. I thought I was a pretty solid rider until I watched these ladies throw sleds around the mountains like it was nothing.
New inspiration unlocked. But more than that, the Canadian sled community welcomed us with open arms. The turnout was huge, the vibes were incredible, and even though the snow was crunchy we still found pockets to play in. I laughed so hard both days my stomach hurt.
Angie’s friends Maeve and Karl also drove up from Sandpoint to join the adventure. They were an absolute blast, and the evenings filled with good food and great company made the trip even more special.
Leaving Golden was emotional because I truly felt like I had gained a whole new sisterhood. But the trip wasn’t over yet. We headed back to Revelstoke to chase whatever snow we could find, and that’s when two friends from the early days of Artwork by Sierra Winter — Khaos Mandii and “Hi I’m Sam” — drove out to meet us.
Meeting them in person after years of online connection was surreal. They brought their friend Mark too, who I’m calling out here because he promised his next sled will be wrapped The Sierra Winter Way.
We spent a few days laughing, riding trees, sharing meals, and making memories that felt long overdue. One reunion I sadly missed was with my sister-from-another-mister Mama Gids. Our schedules didn’t line up this time, but I know it’ll happen soon. Everyone I met along the way had amazing things to say about her — which was no surprise.
One of the biggest highlights of the entire trip came when I got to take an on-the-snow course with Jeremy from Soul Rides. I cannot believe how much I learned from the online course and just one day riding with him. His ability to communicate avalanche safety in a way that actually connects with sledders is incredible, and I only wish I had more opportunities to learn from him.
(Shameless plug… stay tuned.)
After Soul Rides it was time to head home. Leaving was bittersweet, but somewhere along the drive back Angie and I had already started planning next year’s trip. Because once you experience a journey like this — the mountains, the people, the lessons, the laughter — you realize the snow was only part of the reason you went.
There are still so many more stories from this adventure to tell, but I’ll save those for the next blog.
Sierra Winter Owner & Designer | Artwork by Sierra Winter ✉️ Email: sierrawintersmith@outlook.com 🌐 Website: www.artworkbysierrawinter.com 📞 Phone: 1-907-491-5016 (text preferred due to limited cell service)
Offering custom wrap designs, print products, and personalized artwork. Specializing in snowmobile wraps, swag, branding, and creative design solutions to bring your ideas to life. Design it the Sierra Winter Way.
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