All snowmobilers enjoy riding on well-maintained and marked trails for great winter adventures. What few people know is all the work that goes into creating a trail.
“It is currently November. Snowmobilers dream of starting their season in hopes that clubs will take action on the slopes. You have to know that the preparation starts long beforehand,” explains Stéphane Roy, director of operations and strategic issues at the Fédération des Clubs de Motoneigistes du Québec.
“Since July, club volunteers have been inspecting their infrastructure to assess whether there is work to be done and whether projects need to be prepared and implemented. They also inspect their trails to remove fallen trees, trim branches for safety reasons, not to mention upgrade signage.
“We need to install full signage on half of the trail network, which is on private property and everywhere else. Considering that there is a sign every 90 meters, you can imagine the enormous work of the volunteers in the fall and from the first snow. »
MULTI-USE WAYS
An important issue awaits clubs on public land if they want to create a hiking trail.
“One topic that really causes a lot of work for the clubs is the harmonization of uses for multi-use routes. For example, if forestry operations take place in the area targeted by the association, the volunteers must make arrangements and, if necessary, create workarounds.
“Without these agreements, many tourist routes would quickly be at risk, including the north of Mauricie, Lanaudière, the Laurentians and even Lac-Saint-Jean. »
COLD AND SNOW
Once all of these preparations are made, volunteers will have to wait for the cold and snow before thinking about setting up a trail.
“The ideal case for clubs is that the cold arrives first to freeze the ground and thus ensure a good trail base,” says the expert. When the ground is not frozen and the sun becomes stronger in the spring, the path melts both above and below, limiting the length of the season.
“It can also be difficult for the ice bridges if we don’t have good frost. In December you need nice, clear ice before the snow comes. Ice bridges are necessary, especially on wider waterways. We cannot afford to build bridges costing $400,000 or more almost everywhere, especially if we are on public land or a landowner’s property. »
When the first snowfall comes, don’t think that this means the trails will automatically open.
“At this point, the clubs begin preparing the trails. They will hit the snow and harden the ground of the path, causing it to freeze. If the paths lead through agricultural areas, the ditches must be filled with snow in order to be able to pass and open them when there is good snowfall.
“We must not believe that the slopes are open because the snow groomers are moving. It is always best to contact your local club to find out the exact situation. Club volunteers are also snowmobilers. They too can’t wait to get their season started. »
Finally, the expert wanted to remind people of the importance of volunteers. That’s why we have to respect their work. Without their community contacts and their local human approach, it would be very difficult to build and maintain a network of 33,000 kilometers of trails across Quebec. Many dedicate six months of the year to offer it to you.
