EDMONTON - The deaths of eight snowmobilers buried in a British Columbia avalanche a year ago have served as a wake-up call to many Alberta sledders, say officials.

Local snowmobiling clubs have reported a spike in demand for avalanche training classes this season since the tragic event on Dec. 28, 2008.

"It definitely made it more vocal that everyone should take the training," said Hermann Gratzfeld with the Spruce Grove and Stony Plain Trail Seekers club.

Gratzfeld said while he didn't have the exact figures, he has noticed more people signing up for training classes this year compared to years past.

He added classes range from a crash course to a full seminar in the mountains that teaches sledders how to read snow conditions and how to use their equipment properly.

The small town of Sparwood, B.C., will be holding a vigil at 5:30 p.m. today at the Titan Truck on Aspen Drive in memory of the eight friends who died after being blanketed by a series of avalanches while sledding south of Fernie.

Three friends survived after digging themselves out and hiking to safety.

The deaths were among the 26 recorded by the Canadian Avalanche Centre in 2008, making last season one of the deadliest snowmobiling seasons.

Rudi Haak, one of the directors of the Tri-County Snowmobile Club in the Edmonton area, said he's also noticed a higher interest in avalanche training and snowmobiling classes.

"I think people are more aware now, more educated, and more people won't ride unless they have had the training," said Haak, who has been snowmobiling since the 1950s.

On top of training, Haak said it's important for people to take a shovel and proper equipment, to ride with someone familiar with the area and to check the Canadian Avalanche Centre's website for updates before heading out.

There have been a handful of snowmobiler deaths reported in the province this season.

On Dec. 6, a 30-year-old Strathcona County man died after his snowmobile collided with an SUV.

Two days earlier, a 21-year-old man from Grande Prairie died after the snowmobile he was test driving plowed into a fence.

CLARA.HO@SUNMEDIA.CA