What To Expect & How To Do Saddlebag Touring…
You Could Be Saddlebag Touring On A Trail Like This! Photo credit: Trish Robinson
Related: Beginners Tips
Where did my love of saddlebag touring come from? As a kid, my family embarked on automobile trips during summer vacation. We drove through most of Canada and many parts of the U.S., exploring and sightseeing in many memorable places. Sometimes we had a specific destination in mind. Others, we just followed wherever the road took us. These childhood travels kindled a lifelong wanderlust that’s fuelled my passion for snowmobile touring.
For those who don’t have direct trail access from home, snowmobile touring typically involves trailering somewhere. Count yourself lucky if you can embark by sled from your own backyard for a tour!
Touring Choices
Regardless of how you depart from home, “snowmobile touring” is a catchphrase. It includes planned day rides (returning home nightly). Multi-day looping (staging day loops from the same overnight lodging). And multi-day destination riding (staging from one lodging to ride to/overnight at a different location every day). Learn more about tour types & choices. Multi-day destination riding is colloquially referred to as “saddlebag touring” (or “saddle-bagging”). And that’s what this article is about…as published in Motoneige Quebec Magazine!
Click image to read my Motoneige Quebec Magazine article in French.
Saddlebag Touring Challenges & Rewards
Of the three touring choices listed above, saddlebag touring can be the most challenging. In part, that’s because everything needed must be carried for multiple days on the back of your sled. Plus, most sledders leave vehicles and trailers at their first lodging with the parking, security issues and concerns that entails.
The multi-day reality of saddlebag touring also makes it more unpredictable, uncertain and susceptible to many other variables. Most sledders ride more consecutive days and kilometres on a saddlebag tour. This factor alone means more opportunity for things to go wrong. And to have more impact than on any other kind of ride.
Unpredictable variables include changing weather, varying trails conditions and terrain, sled breakdowns, essential services availability, and finding suitable lodgings. And given the numerous social media posts about losing saddlebags on trails, apparently many riders don’t secure them carefully enough!
But don’t let the challenges stop you from saddlebag touring. Just go in with your eyes wide open because this experience can be more rewarding than any other in snowmobiling. It can pay unrivalled dividends – amazing trails, great adventure and unrivalled scenery. Plus, personal achievement & satisfaction, camaraderie, excitement and lasting memories. Not to mention going where you’ve never been before – and what about those bragging rights!
Or A Trail Like This!
Planning Ahead For Saddlebag Touring
But why gamble? Never leave home to go saddle-bagging on a wing and a prayer. Instead, make a serious commitment to reduce and control your risks. Why? To protect your personal investment of time, money and enjoyment. That’s why the key to successful saddlebag touring is anticipating what can go wrong and planning ahead for every possibility. In fact, pre-planning is so important that I typically spend more time organizing beforehand than I do actually riding it!
Preparing my primary ride plan includes backup options to deal with unexpected occurrences. Most of the time, the end result is either a saddlebag tour that goes exactly as and where planned. Or at least a tour whose altered outcome is guided by anticipated and acceptable alternatives.
Or How About A Trail Like This? Photo credit: Craig Nicholson
Saddlebag Touring Destination Choices
That’s why I begin by choosing where to ride from exceptional options in Ontario, Quebec or New Brunswick. This selection process factors in multiple considerations. Such as how many ride days I have available, when companions are available, and how far we want to trailer. Also, new vs. familiar destination, when we want to go (some destinations deliver more early or late season snow than others). And trying to avoid busier times like Spring Break and holiday weekends.
Regardless, I always check out a second-choice destination located as far as possible from the first. Why? Because weather conditions can seriously deteriorate in the primary choice, but not in the other. If this occurs, hopefully it’s before our saddlebag tour gets underway. But I’ve also had a tour destination change after we’re already on the road!
Hit The Road For Your Saddlebag Touring Adventure! Photo credit: Martin Lortz
Saddlebag Touring Planning Advice
My planning includes routing for each day, reserving lodgings, identifying fuel & food stops, and also must-see sights & lookouts. It also extends to prepping my sled and deciding what to carry. This includes extra fuel & oil, snacks plus emergency gear, and sled locks. Plus, ensuring that all my snowmobile gear is ride-ready.
What’s more, I confirm my tour documentation. Driver’s licence, health card, sled ownership & registration and proof of insurance. Plus, affixing valid registration numbers and trail permit to my sled.
You Could Be First To Ride Fresh Snow On Trails Like This! Photo Credit: Al Fletcher
Lodgings
Meanwhile, I take special care about selecting staging accommodations. This includes looking for secure truck & trailer parking (may need to be booked in advance) and direct trail access. Also, a snowmobile package, on site restaurant (that’s open early for breakfast) and ground floor rooms. A flexible cancellation policy and reliable and working WIFI is also a must.
My lodging choices for other nights have the same criteria (except now looking for secure sled parking, which also may need to be booked in advance). But criteria may vary slightly for saddlebag touring in remoter areas with fewer lodging options. I always book all lodgings well in advance. Then call ahead just before we hit the road to reconfirm, and double check the day before.
Does This Look Like Your Ultimate Saddlebag Touring? Photo Credit: Martin Lortz
Safety Nets
Plan to be totally self-sufficient on every ride. Provide all riders plus their families at home with route plan & contact numbers. Carry a sat phone or Apple watch (with emergency contact capability anywhere) and a spare ignition key/DESS cord. Be sure to wear a TekVest – it can be a life-saver. Keep your hands, feet and body warm with the right layers, outerwear and windshield. And learn how to stay warm all day.
How Much Snow Do You Need For Saddlebag Touring? Photo Credit: Martin Lortz
Ride Companions
Certainly, more experienced riders who’ve already learned from previous mistakes have an advantage with tour planning. So, including them as ride companions and co-planners for your saddlebag touring. Group tour pre-planning sessions help ensure that everything is covered. Like who is responsible for what and that every sled is ride capable with traction products, ice scratchers & Rollerskis™. Also, properly tuned/equipped (e.g. tow rope, tool kit, spare belt, plugs & fuses, sled manual). And that everyone is on the same page from the outset with similar expectations. Note that saddlebag touring expectations may vary for couples, families, women, 2-up riders or beginners. Or for groups larger than six riders (where everything – from gas stops to lunch breaks just takes longer).
That Could Be You Feeling The Exhilaration of A Trail Like This! Photo Credit: Craig Nicholson
Ride Protocols
Being on the same page should also focus on who is leading and riding last. Everyone should agree upfront on an acceptable daily ride distance, ride pace, group trail order and hand signals to use. Also, waiting for everyone to catch up at a major intersection before proceeding. And other details like departure times each morning, ideal number of daily trail breaks and who is rooming with whom. For easier and safer riding in snow dust and at dusk, everyone should ride with a rear light on their helmet. Our group likes the excellent Biteharder Helmet Safety Light for saddlebag touring.
You Can Never See Too Many Groomers While Saddlebag Touring! Photo Credit: Andrew Fletcher
Trail Status
Each night, our group reviews the next day’s route. We also double checks current trail status online or with an app and make any navigation changes if required. And contact our loved ones back home with a daily progress report and any route changes.
All geared Up For Saddlebag Touring!
Secure Baggage
Of course, saddlebag touring wouldn’t be complete without saddlebags. And there’s none better that the LinQ™ System from BRP. Regardless of what sled brand you ride, LinQ adapters allow many LinQ sizes, shapes and caddies. These will keep your necessities safe, protected, organized. And securely attached to the back of your sled throughout your saddlebag touring!
Wouldn’t You Love to Be One Of These Riders? Photo Credit: Craig Nicholson
My Last Word On Saddlebag Touring
Every snowmobiler’s dream is to hop on your sled and go for the ride of a lifetime. So, what are you waiting for? There’s no better way to travel in our winter wonderland. Through areas that aren’t accessible in any other season. And meet like-minded folks that love saddlebag touring just as much as you do!
Saddlebag Touring Contact Info:
Ontario Tourism
Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC)
Quebec Tourism
Federation of Quebec Snowmobile Clubs (FCMQ)
Western Quebec Tour Planner
Central Quebec Tour Planner
Eastern Quebec Tour Planner
New Brunswick Tourism
Snowmobile New Brunswick
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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.