Sisters company opens sno-park headquarters

Three Sisters Backcountry Access (3SBCA), a local snowmobiling guide operation that also offers back country ski access and outdoor survival and safety courses, is open for business again this year, with a new field office located at Upper Three Creeks Sno-Park.

3SBCA is operated by Sisters couple Gabe and Rima Chladek and their partners Shane and Lize Fox of Bend. The couples started the business last year under a special permit of the Deschutes National Forest.

They felt that having a jumping off point in the Sno-Park would serve customers better, so they gained permission to construct a 20-foot Pacific Yurt in the Upper Three Creeks Sno-Park.

The company is a licensed Oregon Outfitter Guide.

"After a successful first year, we realized that we could really use a warm, dry place out where the trips could originate from," said Gabe Chladek. "It worked out great that we can now do most of our business up at the yurt."

The company has three services available to customers. The guided snowmobile tours, which are available daily, are designed for people who don't have much snowmobiling background but desire a safe experience of traveling by machine into the mountains.

"This is a great way to have a basically worry-free trip with a very experienced guide who can teach some snowmobiling technique while also providing education about the area," said Gabe.

The company also offers training in back country first aid, American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) avalanche training, avalanche safety for snowmobilers and youth snowmobile safety.

"Our aim is to add as many well-trained people to the outdoor adventure population as possible," he said. "We can help people become much more self-sufficient in the wilderness."

Class schedules are available on the company's Web site.

Chladek believes that all people who climb, ski or snowmobile in the back country should have basic avalanche training.

The yurt will be used as the classroom for the indoor instruction, but it is also available for people to just drop in to chat and have a warm cup of hot chocolate by the wood stove.

"We want it to be a service to anyone up there, so we will sell sno-park permits, maps and other basics, as well as have outdoor clothing for rent in case people arrive under-prepared."

The yurt will also house rescue equipment.

Chladek is an AIARE certified course leader and a professional member of the American Avalanche Association and has 12 years experience as a ski patrol member and back country ranger.

For more information visit http://www.3sbca.com or call 549-8101.