The Fédération des Clubs de Motoneigistes du Québec (FCMQ) offers enthusiasts two essential tools, the interactive map and the iMotoneige application.
“At the beginning of the season, all snowmobilers are looking for open slopes. The interactive map and the iMotoneige application are the best sources of information, explained Michel Garneau from the association. Over the years, these two tools have evolved a lot. Snowmobilers will find something new this season. »
Federation geomatics analyst Alain Laliberté agreed.
“On the interactive map we can find the grooming times that are available as soon as the clubs open their trails. The trail conditions of the regional tourism associations are updated at least once a week. »
There is weather information from Environment Canada, a useful source of information for planning trips.
new hits
Some new features have been added to the interactive map and iMotoniege for the current snowmobile season.
“After consultation with the Alliance and the ATRs, the legend has been revised and simplified to keep only the most essential elements,” explained Alain Laliberté. Snowmobilers can find the information they are looking for more easily. »
The title “Services” has been replaced with “Points of Interest” and the elements of the legend have been grouped into five main themes for readability: Accommodation, Dining, Services, Attractions and Safety.
“We chose to remove mention of certain services that we felt didn’t match our values or confused snowmobilers more than anything else. As such, we have eliminated bars as we encourage snowmobilers not to drive under the influence of alcohol.
“Packages, which represent a set of benefits and services bundled together for the purpose of offering a fixed price, appear in the description. Since some parking spots might confuse snowmobilers who thought they could park their trailer for the day, we’ve only kept the incentive spots.
“These are places open to all snowmobilers where they can park their pickup and even their trailer before setting off. Some incentive parking spaces may be chargeable. Locations accessible to people with reduced mobility are listed in the description, as are the safety systems available for snowmobilers. »
changes
Some elements of the legend have changed names. So the word “essence” was changed to “station service”. The lodges and cabins have been divided into “Snowmobile Club Lodges” and “Snowmobile Club Cabins”.
These data are provided by the clubs. For the safety of snowmobilers, more than 2,475 evacuation terminals have been designated less than 500 meters from the trails. This data is provided by the Quebec Ministry of Public Safety.
In addition, the association can generate important warnings. These appear on all levels of the map. These symbols indicate a major hazard that needs to be reported to snowmobilers, a temporary closure of a trail, or a partial obstruction such as a road block. B. Logging in a given sector.
A road block shown on the map can be either temporary or permanent. If the closure is permanent, the segment is marked with a red line. It then becomes impossible to plan a route via this path. If the closure is temporary, an appropriate warning icon will be displayed.
PLEASE FORGIVE
The storm that just hit Quebec has left enough snow for volunteers to work on opening up the trails. But she also left her share of problems.
When the snow was there, the incoming high winds wreaked havoc everywhere, including the trails. Volunteers from multiple regions have to work several days to clear the trails and prepare them to provide good conditions for snowmobilers. You must therefore be patient and lenient with these volunteers who are doing everything in their power to be successful. Don’t forget they are snowmobilers too. Like you, they can’t wait to start their season.
