Why Printed Maps Are Getting Harder To Find…
Related: Choose Your Type of Ride
Paper Snowmobile Trail Maps – Quebec
Sledders going to snowmobile shows to pick up paper snowmobile trail maps from Quebec may be disappointed. Effective this season, La Fédération des Clubs de Motoneigistes du Québec (FCMQ) has decided to stop printing the only paper map it is responsible for.
The two-sided Quebec Snowmobile Trail Map showed every trail and all regions side by each. Instead of printing, the Federation has invested the dollars saved into upgrades to its online interactive trail map and is also initiating a major overhaul of its backend mapping technology in the coming year.
Meanwhile, the availability of Quebec regional trail maps is uncertain. These printed maps are the responsibility of each tourism region, and a few have already decided to limit or stop publishing paper maps. So, showgoers may still be able to get some regional printed trail maps from regions that have a show booth, but not from others.
Paper Snowmobile Trail Maps – Ontario
The stop-print decision mirrors a similar one made by the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC). Prior to the 2020/21 season, it ceased publication of its Trans Ontario Provincial (TOP) Trail Guide in favour of its Interactive Trail Guide. As for paper snowmobile trail maps from districts in Ontario, they are the responsibility of each OFSC District (using guidelines provided by the OFSC). So, it’s a district decision to continue, limit or stop printing their own trail map.
Why Is This Happening?
However, be it Quebec or Ontario, the reasons for re-evaluating print decisions are much the same. These include the inability to change paper snowmobile trail maps after printing, even though trail adjustments always occur after the fact. Then there’s the rising cost, effort and time commitment of producing a paper map. Or the increasing difficulty of getting paid advertising. And the shortage of free distribution outlets. Plus, the ongoing digitalization of snowmobiling and sleds with increasingly sophisticated interactive display capabilities. To say nothing of a younger generation of riders who hardly know what paper is anymore, except in the bathroom.
Sure, most of us who’ve snowmobiled for many years still love our printed trail maps. But just as we can no longer get telephone books or as many published newspapers, printed snowmobile trail maps are gradually becoming extinct.
My Last Word
So, I guess it’s high time to come up with another reason to attend a snowmobile show. How about all that new sled tech? Or chatting with snowmobile district and club volunteers? Checking out new gear? Or connecting with tourism folks and hospitality providers? And having the rare opportunity of mingling with so many others who share your passion for trail riding? Even if they can’t find any paper snowmobile trail maps to help plan their trip…
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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.