Snowcross competition returns to Sudbury this weekend

An annual snowcross competition with a 30-year history makes its return to Greater Sudbury this weekend. Amanda Hicks has more from the event.

An annual snowcross competition with a 30-year history returns to Greater Sudbury this weekend.

Hosted by the Canadian Snowcross Racing Association, the event is held at Sudbury Downs in Chelmsford.

Due to mild weather, the competition in Sudbury was cancelled last year.

“Unfortunately, with the weather and how mild it was last year, we didn’t get as many events,” said Luca Rea, the association’s head of operations.

“It’s tough because with so few events and the kids and the pros enjoying it so much, to really have to cancel event hurts.”

The event is under new management, after Rea and another colleague took over a year ago. They said they were committed to getting the competition back in 2025, and fortunately, the weather cooperated.

“Our commitment this year was that we were going to try to put on a full series -- all the events -- and we won’t cancel one of them. And we’ve been really lucky so far,” he said.

“We’ve already had six really successful events across the board.”

Snowcross is often described as a winter equivalent of motorcross, involving 10 to 15 racers competing on a track consisting of jumps and sharp turns.

The race draws 300 participants from across the province, Quebec and the United States.

Back in Canada

Cale Callan is a Canadian National Pro who’s been racing for 23 years. The Barrie native spent the last four years racing in the U.S. and is back in Canada.

Calland said he enjoys the sport because of the family connection.

“It’s a big family aspect thing,” he said.

“This whole team, everything that we race for is, all family run. My dad owns the team. My mom is here every weekend supporting and stuff. My older sister used to race and I still race currently with my younger sister. So, for me, it’s just the family aspect of things that keeps us all close.”

Callan said becoming pro takes a great deal of time and effort.

“Getting to this level is definitely some hard work,” he said.

“And, a lot of time, a lot of hours just riding, training, practising, getting everything ready.”

Competitors of all ages participate in the three-day event.

Nine-year-old Jade Bidinot is a multi-medal winner who got into snowcross at an early age.

“I started racing and then I did it again and again, and I started loving it,” she said.

Spectators can purchase a pass online or in person.