Sibbald Snow Vehicle PLUZ

• Know the skill and abilities of your group. Know the terrain and plan for natural hazards and potential emergencies.
• Know and follow the rules of the area and for your planned activities.
• Most areas of the PLUZ do not have cell coverage. Carry a satellite communication device (if you have one) and a current map.
• Check the forecast and go prepared for all weather conditions.
• Assign someone to be your emergency contact. Let them know where you are going and when you will return. Let your emergency contact know to contact the RCMP if you miss your return check-in. 

• Respect the land by leaving it in a better condition than you found it.
• Respect other users and share the trail. Snow vehicle users should yield to non-motorized users and all users should yield to equestrian users.
• Avoid travel through wet or sensitive areas whenever possible.
• Leave all gates and fences as you found them, open or closed.
• Washroom facilities are not available, outside of designated campgrounds.
  • For short-term washroom needs, dig a hole at least 15 cm deep and bury your waste with dirt or other organic matter. Select a site that is at least 70 m (230 feet) from a water source and away from trails. Pack out any toilet paper and hygiene products.
  • For longer or repeated needs, bring a portable toilet. Pack out and properly dispose of sewage.

Many of the designated trails in public land use zones are now provincial trails designated under the Trails Act. Provincial trails have rules to improve the safety of trail users and prevent loss or damage to public land. Learn more: Provincial trails.

Rules

• Only participate in allowed activities.
• Keep pets under control. Some provincial trails may prohibit pets or have leash requirements.
• Do not leave any vehicles, motorized or human powered (including bicycles, motor vehicles, snow vehicles, camping units, etc.) unattended on the tread of a provincial trail.
• Do not discharge a firearm (recreational target shooting) within 400 m of a provincial trail, unless hunting as defined under the Wildlife Act.

PLUZs are not controlled for avalanches, be prepared to properly manage avalanche-related risk when travelling through this area. For more information on avalanche safety and to check avalanche hazards and terrain ratings visit Avalanche Canada.

View information for provincial parks, protected areas and Provincial Recreation Areas in the region:

• Alberta Parks
• Alberta TrailNet
• Travel Alberta 

This area is home to wildlife including grizzly bears, black bears, cougars, coyotes and wolves. Take precautions to reduce the likelihood of a dangerous wildlife encounter.

• Travel in groups, stay alert and be aware of your surroundings.
• Carry bear spray year-round. Make sure you know how to use it and that it is within reach.
• Never feed or approach wildlife. Stay least 100 m from bears and 30 m from elk.
• Find day use and camp sites in open areas away from game trails and wildlife food sources.
• Use odour-proof containers to store anything that may attract a bear for day or overnight use. This includes food, garbage, toiletries and pet food. If camping, never take these items into your sleeping area.
• Store all food, pet food and garbage in a bear proof container, such as a vehicle, bearproof locker or bear hang for day and overnight stays.
• Cook food and dispose of dishwater at least 100 m (330 feet) from your sleeping area.
• Unleashed dogs may try to play with wildlife and provoke an unwanted encounter.

Visitors are responsible for knowing and following the rules for recreation in the PLUZ. The Public Lands Act and Public Lands Administration Regulation guide safe and responsible use of the area.

• Follow all posted signs, notices, publications and direction from an Enforcement Officer.
• Pack out what you pack in. Take all garbage and waste home with you.
• Pets are allowed in the PLUZ. Do not allow them to chase wildlife or other people.
• Leave all plants, fossils, rocks and artifacts where you found them.
• Do not harass wildlife.
• Do not dump harmful materials such as sediment, pollution, gray water or sewage into any water or onto ice.
• See below for activity specific rules.

• Random, no-serviced camping is permitted. There are also opportunities for random camping outside of designated campgrounds. Random camping areas are often remote, with access from rural, gravel roads or motorized recreation trails, and offer no services for campers. All random camping is first come, first served.
• Follow signs for designated areas where camping is allowed within the PLUZ.
  • Camping and open campfires are not permitted within 1 km of a public land recreation area or PRA.
• Review the regulations and best practices for camping on public land.
• Review the regulations and best practices for enjoying campfires on public land.
• Nearby, serviced camping is available through: Alberta Parks.

• Off-highway vehicles (OHV) are not permitted.
• Vehicles are not permitted to leave roadways.
• Snow vehicles are permitted. Learn more about Snowmobiling on public land and check out the Alberta Snowmobile Association Trail Guide.

Non-motorized

Hiking and cross-country skiing are permitted, unless otherwise indicated by signs.

Horses are permitted unless otherwise indicated by signs. Avoid grazing horses whenever possible. When accessing water, use hard ground surfaces and avoid soft ground conditions to prevent bank erosion.

• Do not tie horses to trees.
• All sites must be cleaned of manure and excess feed before leaving.
• Use weed-free feed and hay. Pack out all remaining feed.

For regulations and best practices for non-motorized recreation on public land, see:

• Non-motorized recreation on public land
• Recreation on public land – Know before you go

For relevant clubs, trails and other information, visit:

• Alberta Cross-Country Skiing
• Alberta Equestrian Federation
• Alberta TrailNet

Hunting

Alberta hunting regulations apply. For current hunting regulations, visit My Wild Alberta – Hunting: Regulations.

Hunting is not permitted in Provincial Recreation Areas (PRAs).

Fishing

Alberta fishing regulations apply. For current fishing regulations, visit My Wild Alberta –  Fishing: Regulations.