Get The Scoop On Canada’s Top 3 Trail Riding Provinces…
Trail Riding in Ontario – photo © Craig Nicholson
Related: Misconceptions About The OFSC
It’s timely to be comparing snowmobiling in Ontario, Quebec & New Brunswick. There’s been lots of recent uncertainty in Ontario about what’s happening with OFSC Prescribed Snowmobile Trails this winter. This edited version taken from my article* in Motoneige Quebec Magazine provides some interesting insights and comparisons.
As a powersports journalist, I’ve completed hundreds of media rides and snowmobiled tens of thousands of kilometres all over North America for touring stories. Like most riders, I focused on the quality of the trail experience.
Initially, I didn’t appreciate the massive ongoing investment, commitment and effort involved in delivering a top-quality trail product. I quickly … that everything related to delivering quality trails is very expensive and complicated. More than most of us comprehend, trails require multi-millions of dollars annually to operate and meet our high expectations.
*All data in the Motoneige article is based on or estimated from best information available at date of publication. Although final numbers may vary slightly, these are accurate enough for overview comparative purposes,
Trail scenery in Quebec – photo © Craig Nicholson.
Historical Background
Trail riding began when snowmobilers created the first local snowmobile clubs in their communities. Then, they pioneered the organization of their efforts. And a funding mechanism for their local trails by introducing minimal user fees. These grassroots improvements heralded the inception of “organized snowmobiling”.
In those early days, clubs smoothed local trails by dragging old bedsprings. And our volunteers, clubs, snowmobile federations, user-pay system, and landowners became the cornerstones of organized snowmobiling. It’s an unrivalled legacy of snowmobilers helping snowmobilers to support and sustain our dedicated trail networks. And that makes every snowmobiler who wants to ride an exceptional trail system a “shareholder” in supporting our unique and costly product.
Trail riding in New Brunswick – photo © Craig Nicholson.
Comparing Snowmobiling By Province
Canada’s top three trail riding destinations are located in Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick. The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC – founded 1967), The Federation of Quebec Snowmobile Clubs (FCMQ – founded 1974) and Snowmobile New Brunswick (SNB – founded 1982). As such, comparing snowmobiling in these trail riding destinations is informative. Of course, it should also come as no surprise that these federations are also the foremost snowmobile associations in North America. They lead the way in organized snowmobiling as the most envied, emulated and effective for delivering these rider priorities:
- interconnected trails
- trail grooming
- signage
- mapping
- access to services.
Interconnected Trails
Each of these federations operate a seamless trail network connecting winter communities throughout their territories. Both the OFSC and SNB trail networks are officially named in their respective provincial law. In Ontario as “OFSC Prescribed Snowmobile Trails” (max speed limit: 50 kph) and in New Brunswick (no speed limit) as part of their “Designated Trail Network”. Meanwhile, the Quebec off-road motorized vehicles act refers to the status of FCMQ trails (max speed limit 70 kph), including requirements for trail permits, maintenance, signage, etc.
The total kilometres of snowmobile trails vary with each of these three federations. But their trail systems share a comparable level of trail integration and interconnectivity. And together, their total kilometres accounts for about 60% of Canada’s snowmobile trails.
Each federation organizes their trails into categories. These reflect their primary purpose: main corridors are the longest continuous trails that cross their territory; secondary routes tend to be more area-specific, linking main corridors; and tertiary pathways are local or club trails. Only New Brunswick has a provincially designated tourism category known as “Signature Trails”. These are recreational corridors deemed to have greater international tourism appeal in the province’s Trail Action Plan (2017).
Trail Grooming
Each of the three federations is looking to put more dollars where there’s more snow. Their actual trail grooming is done by member clubs utilizing purpose-built, heavy industrial equipment. As already stated, nowadays purchasing a new trail groomer runs in the six figures. And orders must be placed long in advance. Parts are also very expensive; some are increasingly hard to get.
Signage
Wayfinding is priority to trail riders. So, each federations clubs use standardized, consistent and abundant signage for the convenience, comfort and information of their trail users. While the cautionary and regulatory signage (STOP, STOP AHEAD, MAX SPEED, etc.) is similar among the three, trail intersection, destination and directional signage differ (see photos). Each federation also uses red/orange stakes to mark trails through open areas. This is intended to keep riders on-trail and help guide groomers.
The total replacement value of all trail signage across the three federations is estimated in the millions of dollars. Club volunteers are responsible for putting up, maintaining and replacing signs on their own trails according to each federation’s signage protocols. Pictured below left to right: typical trail signage in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick.
Mapping
Mapping goes hand in hand with good signage. The Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick federations continue to lead the way in this regard, including comprehensive print maps and trail intersection map boards. More recently, each has also introduced new high-tech trail mapping tools. These are setting the new standard for trail navigation among North American snowmobile associations.
Their online trail guides offer as close to real time trail status updates as possible. Plus, a range of valuable trip planning information. However, most riders don’t fully appreciate the major new investments required by each federation.
These innovative online tools require big bucks to develop, update, maintain and constantly improve their complex backend functionality. In fact, taking trails online with information that’s proprietary to each federation is a major new expenditure. One that becomes more costly the more kilometres of trails a federation includes. It should be noted that each federation also provides its own trail app. These are more up-to-date and accurate than any 3rd party app.
Governance
Fundamentally, these three federations are set up similarly with volunteers and clubs as foundational elements. Each federation is also a non-profit association with comparable missions and visions. Each organizes member clubs in designated regions. Their governance is also much the same. A volunteer board (1 board member elected by clubs from each of their regions and an executive selected by the board). Each also operates a head office with full-time staff. These personnel work year-round to expedite decisions of their board and to further their federation’s goals.
Trail Permits
Comparing snowmobiling, one differentiating factor is related to trail permits status. In Quebec, accessing and riding FCMQ trails requires the purchase of an FCMQ permit. This permit is owned and issued by that federation. Same goes in New Brunswick for a SNB permit. And each of these two federations set their own permit fees.
Meanwhile in Ontario, the OFSC does not “own” the trail permit. Instead, the OFSC is the exclusive sales agent for an “Ontario Snowmobile Trail Permit”. This permit is authorized and issued by The Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO). The OFSC can recommend permit fee changes, but MTO makes the final fee-approval decision.
Like the FCMQ and SNB, the OFSC retains all revenues from permit sales. But the OFSC and its clubs are accountable to the MTO for properly allocating these revenues. Regardless, all three federations primarily rely on permit revenues to fund their trail operations. Comparing snowmobiling, it’s also important to know that in each jurisdiction, purchasing a trail permit does not make the buyer a federation member.
Uncontrollable Variables
Despite best efforts, each of these federations’ trails will never be perfect every time. Not with so many uncontrollable variables involved, including:
- geographic location
- territory size
- in-season snow quantity & quality
- other weather variations
- overall season length
- terrain “groomability”
- traffic load
- ATV damage to trails
- availability of new club volunteers
- # of permits sold
- how many sledders ride without a permit
My Last Word On Comparing Snowmobiling
Finally, in additions to these ongoing challenges, each federation is also facing the same economic disruptions and inflationary pressures as every government, business and citizen in Canada. So, it’s no wonder that every federation is exploring viable and affordable new ways to deliver the best possible trails.
Note: Check out my conclusions about Quebec snowmobiling on my website.
The tips and advice in this blog are the opinions of the author, may not work in every situation and are intended only for the convenience and interest of the reader, who has the personal responsibility to confirm the validity, accuracy and relevancy of this information prior to putting it to their own use.