2010 Rail Trail 200 Sled Dog Race About Us

The Legacy of the Rails
It is hard to overestimate the importance of the railroad in the history of the Boundary region. In the early 1900’s the railroads ensured expansion and prosperity. In a matter of only two decades, railroad beds were blasted out of the rock, trestles were built that were marvels of engineering and steam locomotives connected a growing number of mining and commercial centres, many of which have long since disappeared. Places like Eholt, Niagara, and Phoenix were once centres of great enterprise with multiple hotels, theatres, saloons and optimistic miners and merchants. Much has been lost, but the rail beds remain.

The Rail Trail 200 celebrates the legacy of steam and grit with a competition that honors an even more elemental means of locomotion. Join us in celebrating the traditions of the Canadian North combined with the spirit of the Boundary.

About the Rail Trail 200 Dog Sled Race

2010 will be our inaugural race with approximately 200 miles of exciting and challenging trails running through some of B.C.’s most beautiful backcountry. The Race starts and finishes in Grand Forks, BC, follows the old rail bed through local communities that was
founded along the railway to supply manpower and merchandise for the mining at the time. The trail leaves the rail bed to continue through spectacular scenery along the valley bottom then climbs the slope to Big White Ski Resort for a mandatory layover. From there the trail goes back through the valley, across the adjacent slopes and rivers to return to Grand Forks.