OSM Canada 2018 Travel Guide

SPECIAL INSERT: CSRA RACE PROGRAM

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VIEW FROM THE EDGE QUEBEC’S LEGENDARY GASPÉSIE

#COMEWANDER OSM WANDERS THROUGH ONTARIO’S HIGHLANDS

MAPS B105

76 ONTARIO 144 NEW BRUNSWICK

66 309 307

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VOLUME 32 NUMBER 4

FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES CONTACT 1-888-661-7469 President & Publisher: Richard Kehoe Editorial Director: Pat Bourgeois Copy Editor: Rick Bloye Art Director: Darryl Aspin Production Manager: Tendra Crossman General Manager: Michael Blakoe Advertising Sales: 1-888-661-7469 Sr. Manager Sales & Marketing: Matt Clark Sales: Brandon Caplar Coordinator: Logan Gamble Administrative Assistant: Sarah Day Photographers: Todd Williams, Brett Moist, Aaron Belford, Joe Wiegele, Gary Walton, Lissa Marsolek, Steve Hamilton, CJ Ramstad Archives, Pat Bourgeois, Richard Kehoe, Tendra Crossman, Mike Blakoe, Matt Clark, Logan Gamble, Contributing Writers: Levi LaVallee, Jason MacDonald, Matt Clark, Tyler Swarm, Suzy Stenoff, Darren Desautels, Ross Antworth, Jacob Travers, Jordan Hammack, Richard Kehoe, Tendra Crossman, Mike Blakoe, Matt Clark, Logan Gamble Subscriptions 1-888-661-7469 or info@osmmag.com OSM is published six times a year by OSM Publishing Ltd. Office address and undelivered copies and change of address notice is: PO Box 551, 27083 Kennedy Road, Willow Beach, ON L0E 1S0, Canada. Telephone (905) 722-6766. Printed in Canada by: Dollco, a divisions of Lowe-Martin Group • Copyright 2018 OSM Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent of the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts. Subscription rates for magazine (includes Trail Map Atlas) $19.00 per year, $29.00 for 2 years. $37.00 for 3 years.

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drifts drifts RICHARD KEHOE

WINTER IS HERE!

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akes and ponds are tightening up, the snow has been accumulating in many parts, the groomers are keeping busy, and we have been spinning our tracks.

OSM has attended everything snowmobile this fall, and the enthusiasm for this sled season has been incredible. We met and talked with many North American dealers at different events across the snow-belt, and it was absolutely remarkable how ramped up enthusiasts are. With this early snowfall and cold temps, you can’t help but be excited for sledding.

If you haven’t already planned a ride this year, or are wondering where to go or where to ride, this edition of OSM is a great starting point when planning your winter excursions.

We enjoyed quite a few incredible rides last year that you’ll read about in this issue, the OSM Travel Guide and Trail Map Atlas. If you’re considering

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trying a new trail system or a new area this season, and maybe new trails and new hospitalities, we hope this book will assist you in planning your adventures.

This issue is great, especially if you’re looking to go for a ride in New Brunswick, Ontario or Quebec. There are maps and editorials featured on those areas, so you can map out your proposed sledding excursion routes, and check the trails to give you an idea of what is available. Having maps together in one magazine makes it pretty easy. This issues Buyer’s Guide is all based around travelling and destination riding, so there’s some great products available for you to consider for your next trip.

Also included in this issue of OSM is the 2018 Official CSRA Race Program.

If you’re interested in Snowcross racing, or thinking about giving it a try, all the details on how to, and when to register are within the program. Remember,

you’re never too old to be in the winner’s circle on the podium! The CSRA has classes for everyone, so check one out this winter!

As the lakes continue freeze and more snow falls, get out and ride and enjoy the winter of 2018. If you’re ever riding around Lake Simcoe in Willow Beach, Ontario, we invite you to visit our office and warm up, grab a coffee or water at our office. It’s just minutes from the trails on Lake Simcoe. Also, please tune in to our new television series, STV airing this January through March on OLN and Wild TV. We are also updating our website www.osmmag.com daily with new excursions and adventures that we’ve ridden, or are planning to ride throughout the year. So sit back and enjoy this issue, plan your trips and read about great places to ride. Hope to see you out on the trails this season!

Ride Safe, Ride Smart!

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RUGGED BEAUTY AND STUNNING VIEWS AWAIT IN QUEBEC’S LEGENDARY GASPÉSIE 16

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in any about any snowmobiler Mention Quebec to just The up. k per ly ate y immedi part of the world, and the top the of one ng bei utation of province has built a rep ng bei m fro ide As rld. s in the wo snowmobile destination ir the e tak y the e to Ski-Doo, the birthplace and hom sly here, and it shows. iou ser y ver snowmobiling

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No matter where you ride in Quebec, the character of the trails is unlike anywhere else in the world. A blending of modern trail grooming techniques and old-school charm make for a one-of-a-kind riding experience.

FOR

most enthusiasts who have made the easy journey to Quebec to sample this over-the-top level of snowmobiling hospitality, the destination has often been to a well-known region outside the concrete and steel of major metropolitan hubs such as Montreal, Quebec City, or Sherbrooke.

But further to the east, in a region of

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Quebec locals call the “south shore” sits a large, sparsely populated, peninsula of land that juts out into the Gulf of St. Lawrence called the Gaspésie; and after getting just a taste of its stunning beauty, we could easily call it the best snowmobile destination in the province, and a top five in the world.

Truth be told, the Gaspésie region is quite unlike most other snowmobile destinations in Quebec. Other popular snowmobiling areas here are one part amazing trails and another part of equally

BIG VISTAS, SPRAWLING VALLEYS, AND TRAILS THAT HUG THE HILL SIDE

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amazing hospitality. Five-star hotels and fine dining abound, and you can always find a trail to take you directly to their front door step. Certainly, the small towns that dot the outer perimeter of the peninsula and offer idyllic views of the ever-widening St. Lawrence River as it stretches into the Gulf and eventually the Atlantic, are more than welcoming to sledders. In each small community, there is usually one or two establishments who cater nearly exclusively to snowmobilers during the long and snowy winter, offering comfortable lodging and home-style meals. But when you leave the comfort of these coastal towns in your snow dust, the experience becomes much, much more remote.

From almost the minute you climb upwards of nearly 2,000-feet from the sealevel of a coastal community in Gaspésie, you enter a remote and wild wilderness with few roads and even fewer towns.

Nearly the entire land mass is covered in thick pine forests and if you didn’t know better, you’d swear you were riding in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Big vistas, sprawling valleys, and trails that hug the hill side and switchback their way up and down the near-mountainous terrain are common place.

In fact, even trails across the heart of the

Gaspésie peninsula are rare. Only one primary trail connects the north to the south, and is joined by a select few local trails to finish much needed routes to smaller towns that barely dot this massive region. While the interior beauty of the region is stunning, the real crown jewel trail is the one that follows the shoreline and encompasses the entire peninsula.

Covering more than 950km (or nearly 600 miles), this 3 to 4-day trip is one of the most stunning you’ll find anywhere.

Even if you can’t make the entire loop, any section of the Gaspésie is worth the trip, and tourism bureau of the Gaspésie snowmobile circuit can suggest alternate loops that will give you the same mindblowing experience with fewer miles or days in the saddle. Lesser loops can range from 190km (118-miles) to 500km (311-miles) to 800km (497-miles).

While the primary circumference trail traces the shoreline of the peninsula, many times you’ll find yourself seemingly deep within a pine forest, skirting the summits of some of the highest peaks in the peninsula. Then suddenly the trail will turn, and return

SNOWMOBILERS ARE ROYALTY HERE, AND YOU’LL BE TREATED AS SUCH.

One thing you can always count on in Quebec, no matter the region you are riding in, is front door access for snowmobiles. We can’t think of anywhere else in the snowbelt that opens their arms to sledders quite like Quebec.

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Shelves are bursting with parts inside the warehouse of Fullerton’s. While most of the true vintage stuff has all been snatched up, parts for 1980s and 1990s sleds are literally bursting from the shelves.

towards the shore, offering stunning views of the St. Lawrence and a sleepy town below. You’re not riding at the edge of the world in Gaspésie, but you can certainly see it from here.

To say the folks of Quebec bend over backwards for sledders would be an understatement. During the winter months, snowmobiling is king in many areas, and this means sleds gain nearly equal footing to cars when it comes to access into, through, and around cities.

Grooming becomes a religion for folks in the snowmobiling community here,

SKIRTING THE SUMMITS OF SOME OF THE HIGHEST PEAKS IN THE PENINSULA

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Our ride in Gaspésie was only a two-day jaunt, but we are determined to return with our backpacks stuffed and complete the full perimeter tour. It is officially on our must do list.

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In addition, the region offers countless square miles of off-trail riding opportunities. During our two-day ride along the north shore, where we looped back inland, crossing the ChicChoc mountain range, we ran into several long-track riders, boondocking the backwoods where endless stretches of un-tracked Why are we smiling? Cause the riding here is that snow could be found. The good…trust us! foothills of western Canada and the United States has nothing on this region.

There are few areas in North America and in my 25-years as a professional where you can combine the terrain, snow snowmobile journalist, I’ve never seen cover, quality of trails, and five-star hosa region devote more time, energy, and resources towards the sport than Quebec. pitality to the degree that the Gaspésie To put it succinctly, snowmobilers are royregion does. For this reason, you owe it to yourself to make this alty here, and you’ll be treated as such. region part of your In total, the Gaspésie region offers winter destination more than 3,000 kilometers of trails, and plans this season when combined with other maritime ridand for many more ing regions including Bas-Saint-Laurent to come. and Cote-Nord, the total trail mileage exceeds 6,000 kilometers (3,700-miles).

BEST SNOWMOBILE DESTINATION IN THE PROVINCE, AND A TOP FIVE IN THE WORLD The interior terrain of Gaspésie might be rugged, but some of the accommodations in the coastal towns that encompass the region are first-class.

Few places in North America give you the chance to snowmobile adjacent to massive stretches of open sea like Gaspésie.

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The calendar showed it was nearly April when we visited Gaspésie last spring, but snow conditions were still ridiculously good, with more fresh still coming down at night.

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Just one of many small towns that dot the shoreline of the region. The views from trails leading into these towns are stunning. If you stopped every time you saw a photo opportunity, you’d barely make it 30-miles in a day.

YOU’RE NOT RIDING AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD IN GASPÉSIE, BUT YOU CAN CERTAINLY SEE IT FROM HERE.

While the terrain is rugged, the trails are groomed to perfection and throttling down and making time is no problem.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW To ride in this region, you’ll be required to have a FCMQ (Quebec) trail permit; a snowmobile that is registered in your state or province; a valid driver’s license; a minimum of $500,000 of liability insurance; and a snowmobile certificate if you are 16 or 17 years of age.

We’ve seen some classy trail shelters in our travels but this refuge shelter we found within the interior of the peninsula is nicer than some of the summer cottages we’ve visited.

You can find this and other pertinent information to plan your trip to Gaspésie by visiting www.sentiers-Gaspésie.com

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OSM WANDERS THROUGH ONTARIO’S HIGHLANDS. Stories and Photos by Matt Clark

Wander [wän-dər] / [won-der]: to move about without a fixed course, aim, or goal: to go idly about

NOT

every snowmobile trip needs to be scripted to the moment and planned to precise detail. Sometimes it’s a nice change to throw away the itinerary, load up the tank with gas, strap on the saddlebags and just go wandering. Our friends at The Ontario’s Highland agreed with this idea, and invited OSM to spend a few days to truly explore the region and hit the trails without a set list of destinations, to see what

hidden gems we could find. Ontario’s Highlands is the perfect region in Ontario to have an unrehearsed day and an opportunity to wander. Snowmobiling in the region will take you from the central highlands of Minden to the Ottawa Valley. When you take the time to discover the region, you will find an amazing network of old rail line trails, old logging roads, some open field running and some deep wooded, windy adventure trails.

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THE

idea to wander came from a few discussions we had with Julie Mulligan and Kasia Wind from Ontario’s Highlands Tourism Organization. With no set itinerary, and to cover the region to its fullest, four days and three nights on trail would see us start in Minden, make our way over to Bancroft, then make tracks to Calabogie and then end up at Spectacle Lake Lodge before looping back to truck in trailer in Minden. While wandering through on this incredible and extensive trail network we discovered epic visual treasures; historical gems; a local artisan on a photo shoot; a race track; really good food, and most importantly, amazing people.

The drive to the region from our office near Sutton, Ontario is a very easy and short drive, as we made our starting point the Heather Lodge in Minden. As an avid snowmobiler, I can say without question that the Heather Lodge needs to be on your sledder’s bucket list. The lodge was founded back in the early 1940’s, and since 2014, has been operated by truly great people; Marie Micallef the Innkeeper, and her husband Chef James Jennings. When Marie and James took over the operations, they immediately saw the value in catering to the family of snowmobilers. They have created an absolute gem for sledders.

The feel of the resort is also directed towards couples. If you want to take your better half to an intimate getaway that includes snowmobiling, then this is your lodge. The rooms are extremely comfortable and fully set up with king size beds, and an organic, cottage feel.

The main building is where the magic happens, with Chef James creating some amazing meals and there is a lounge that makes you feel like you are hanging out at your friend’s cottage, complete with burning wood stove and an atmosphere that just forces you relax. The staff at the Heather Lodge is over the top friendly and will immediately make you feel at home.

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DAY ONE

After a great evening relaxing at the Heather Lodge we loaded up the snowmobiles with our saddlebags and gear, and started our tour towards Bancroft for our first overnight. To access the trails from the lodge is a simple trip down the highway, and you immediately pick up the local trail. The first thing we discovered, which is pretty rare out on the trails, was the floating snowmobile bridge located in the town of Minden. This is one of those moments that you don’t want to just shoot by, but take the time and truly appreciate the effort that goes into the sport of snowmobiling in the region. It is literally a bridge across the water that is there for you to cross - that floats. Without this engineered infrastructure, your trip through town would be a whole lot longer and harder to navigate.

After leaving the town limits of Min-

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den, we hooked up with the B103 towards Haliburton, and stumbled across Richie Falls. This turned out to be a pretty cool place to stop, so make sure everyone is set for the four days on trail, and take in the scenery. From there we decided to take the B trail, and head up to Whitney for lunch. This is the trail that actually cuts its way through Algonquin, and as you enter the park, you get that feeling that you are an important person, because back in the day, the park would not allow any form of snowmobiling. As you pass the signs that inform you that you are “entering the park”, you really get the feeling of just how far the sport of snowmobiling has come in this region. This rider had a moment that I uttered in my helmet; I can’t believe I am actually riding through Algonquin Park!

After running the trail through the park, on the other end is the town of

THE FIRST THING WE DISCOVERED, WHICH IS PRETTY RARE OUT ON THE TRAILS, WAS THE FLOATING SNOWMOBILE BRIDGE LOCATED IN THE TOWN OF MINDEN.

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“ THE MOTEL IS A GREAT PLACE FOR SLEDDERS, BECAUSE YOU CAN PARK DIRECTLY FRONT OF YOUR ROOM.

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Whitney, and we decided it was time for lunch. Right off the trail is the Mad Musher, and seeing how that the parking lot was filled with sleds, we pretty much figured this was the place to stop. The food is really good with a home cooked feel, and is the perfect distance from breakfast to stop and refill the tank. After lunch, it was time to make our way back down the B106E towards Bancroft. This trail is really fast and a lot of fun. For the majority of this portion, you’ll find yourself on old rail line, with a few logging roads thrown in for fun. So if you’re in a hurry to get to the first night, this is where

you can make up some time, and hurry your way to Bancroft. Upon arriving in Bancroft, we followed the signs to the Sword Inn, which would be our first overnight spot to stay. The motel is a great place for sledders, because you can park directly front of your room. It has a pool (should you remember to bring your bathing suit), and the trail leads directly to the parking lot. When you arrive into Bancroft, the trick is to keep an eye out for the snowmobile bridge that crosses the river, and after you pass the bridge and cross through the park, you will see the motel on your right.

After a good day out on the trails, we decided it would be a good idea to go get some cold beverages in town. So after talking to a few local patrons in the motel, it was made clear that we should head down to the newly opened Bancroft Eatery and Brew, and because we knew there would be local craft beer available, it was an easy $7.00 cab ride from the Swords Inn to the restaurant. If you ever find yourself in Bancroft, this is the place you are going to want to go to; the brew master is a genius and the food is really good.

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DAY TWO

After a great night in Bancroft, we were up by 7:00am to start making tracks to Calabogie. We knew this was a pretty big mile day, and we wanted to make sure we did not miss anything, so after enjoying the continental breakfast at the Sword Inn, we headed back out of town the way we came in; on the B106E to intersect with the E109 towards Barry’s Bay. The trail along this part was filled with really fast, sweeping wide trails, and then mixed in was awesome wooded, tight trails. This would also be a good time to discuss just how good the signage is in this region. There was never a moment during our wander through the region that we ever questioned whether or not we were going the right way. As

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long as you pick a destination on the map and head that way, you will never get lost.

After passing through Barry’s Bay, we hooked up with the B102 towards Golden Lake. This part of the trail takes you through some really fast, wide sweeper trails and really scenic wooded trails. After arriving in Golden Lakes, we knew we had to stop at the Sands on Golden Lake for lunch. It just goes without saying that if you ever find yourself anywhere near this resort, whether for lunch, or even overnight accommodations, this is one of the premier locations for sledders to stop. The staff and owners are part of the snowmobiling community, where they realize how important we are to the local economy, and the feeling of being welcome really comes through. To get to the Sands on Golden Lake, before you get into Golden

HE TRAIL ALONG THIS PART WAS FILLED WITH REALLY FAST, SWEEPING WIDE TRAILS, AND THEN MIXED IN WAS AWESOME WOODED, TIGHT TRAILS.

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Lakes, there are signs that take you across the fully staked lake. You can either take your time and enjoy the perfect lake crossing, or throttle up and get to lunch quicker than your buddies.

This is one of those crossings that will inevitably result in a full discussion on just how fast each one of your buddies sleds really are…if you know what we mean.

After lunch, we headed back across the lake to the B101A, and made our way to Eganville, which we knew was the home of the Bonnechere Cup at the ice oval track. After a quick ride, we rode up on the hill above the track and just took it all in.

Some of the greatest names in snowmobile racing have graced this track, and there was no way that we were not going to stop and take it all in. Being it was Thursday, we were in luck, as they were setting up the track for the weekend. We headed down trackside, and were invited to hang for a bit, take a tour through the grandstand, and chat with some of the track officials. This is one of those moments that you might just miss if you were on a strict schedule, so we were all glad that we took the time to stop and hang for a bit. After getting our fill of oval racing history, we were back spinning tracks, and heading towards our second night’s destination at the Calabogie Peaks Resort. From Eganville, you follow the B101A, then hook up with the Top A trail to Renfrew, and then follow the signs to Calabogie. When you get into the town limits, there is a local trail that will take you to the resort. If it’s still daylight, the trick is to take the staked lake trail across the bay, which shaves time off the trip to the resort. However, if it’s dark when you

get there, we suggest taking the land route.

The Calabogie Peak Resort is a ski hill resort that also realizes the benefits of catering to snowmobilers. Home of the Calabogie 500 Hill Drag Race, the resort is an absolute dream haven for sledders that have spent a day out on the trails. It features 3 restaurants/pubs that offer some of the best food you will find on a snowmobile trail, as well as an indoor pool and an outdoor hot tub. The rooms are upscale and very comfortable, and the Canthooks Restaurant is the perfect place to belly up to the bar and enjoy some local craft beverages with fellow sledders. The overall feeling at the Calabogie Peaks is that you are among friends, and everyone has a story to tell about sledding in the region.

SOME OF THE GREATEST NAMES IN SNOWMOBILE RACING HAVE GRACED THIS TRACK

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DAY TREE

After a great night at the Calabogie Peaks Resort, we had breakfast and were spinning tracks by 9:30am, to make our way to Spectacle Lake. This morning would take us back out the trail we came in from Calabogie, then connect with the A trail north, and then with the local trail 114, as that would take us to the east side of the B trail. The decision to take this route was a result of the discussions the night before in the bar, when everyone was talking about the bridge to Quebec, off the B101Q, so we figured we should go have a look. The bridge connects the B trail from Pembroke, and offers a safe route across the Ottawa River, in order to connect to the trail system in Quebec. This bridge, if you find yourself in the region, should be on your bucket list, as it is again, one of those moments that you realize just how serious snowmobiling is taken in the region. This is not a small little bridge that takes you over a creek; it is a serious feat of engineering that makes you proud to be a part of this sport.

After the bridge to Quebec, we headed out back towards Pembroke along the B trail, and this is where you are going to make up some time on this part of the tour.

The B trail along the top is seriously fast and straight. (And, may we suggest you stop at Millers Corners to top up the gas tanks…you will thank us for that tip). After passing through Pembroke, we continued on the B trail, and made our way directly to Spectacle Lake Lodge.

The signage to get there is top notch, and you will have no trouble finding the place. The Spectacle Lake Lodge is a staple for anyone who snowmobiles in this region, and has been in operation for

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over 25 years, catering to sledders since 1989. Sharron Mahussier, the owner, knows exactly what sledders need, and has created a sledders compound, filled with like-minded enthusiasts that by the end of the evening, will be chatting with everyone around the resort. From hanging around the bar, or chilling in the hot tub, when you spend a night at Spectacle, you quickly realize that this resort is filled with good people just like you, who like to snowmobile, enjoy good food and late night beverages around a bonfire, sharing their experiences of the day out on the trails. We tip our helmets to Sharron and her staff for being such an integral part of the sport in the region, and creating such an amazing sledder’s haven.

FROM HANGING AROUND THE BAR, OR CHILLING IN THE HOT TUB, WHEN YOU SPEND A NIGHT AT SPECTACLE, YOU QUICKLY REALIZE THAT THIS RESORT IS FILLED WITH GOOD PEOPLE JUST LIKE YOU

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DAY FOUR

Unfortunately, this was our go-home-day, so we needed to make our way back to Minden from Spectacle Lake Lodge to our truck and trailer. There are a few great trails that will take you back to the Haliburton Area, so we decided that from Spectacle, we’d hook back up with the B Trail east, and make our way back to the Algonquin Trail, because we all agreed that if this was our last day in the region, we might as well go out with a blast. The B Trail from Spectacle to the park has some of the most scenic Hydro Lines that you will encounter on this trip.

You can see miles down the trail along the cut line, and in the morning crisp air, this turned out to be one of my favourite parts of the trip. If you get at it early, the trip back can be done in plenty of time to get you to your truck and trailer in daylight, and give you plenty of time to load the trailer and get where you need to be by the evening.

Ontario’s Highlands has it all. After spending four days and three nights in the region, you’ll see everything from fast rail lines and amazing old logging trails, to tight wooded trails and epic hydro line, tree cut trails. It will, for sure, meet all your expectations as an avid sledder. We would suggest that you do it the way we did, and take the time to wander. When you plan your trip, you could make a few shorter days, in order to take in all

that you can see out on the trails. The region is completely setup for saddlebag trips, with top-notch signage and multiple options on different loops that never make you feel like you are out of touch with civilization. The Ontario’s Highlands caters to snowmobilers, and it’s the people that you meet while out there that make it all worthwhile. Hope to see you On Snow soon!

IT WILL, FOR SURE, MEET ALL YOUR EXPECTATIONS AS AN AVID SLEDDER.

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MAP

This entire trip can be done with OFSC District 6 Trail Map. To plan your trip in Ontario’s Highlands: www.comewander.ca

ACCOMMODATIONS & DINNING Sword Inn 146 Hastings St N Bancroft, ON P: 613-332-2474 www.swordinnbancroft.com Calabogie Peaks Resort 30 Barrett Chute Rd Calabogie, ON P: 800-669-4861 www.calabogie.com

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Heather Lodge 14483 ON-35 Minden, ON P: 705-489-3257 www.heatherlodge.com Spectacle Lake Lodge 202 Spectacle Lake Rd South Algonquin, ON P: 613-756-2324 www.spectaclelakelodge.com

Catch all the action at

www.cainsquest.com @cainsquest

Cain’s Quest

Cain’s Quest

cainsquest

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To

quote a well-known Johnny Cash song, when it comes to snowmobiling in North America, “I’ve been everywhere man”. Well, almost everywhere. There are still a few bucket-list destinations on my list that I have yet to ride, but with 25-years of snowmobile journalism under my belt, it’s safe to say I’ve ridden more than my fair share. Thus, when I made the trek to New Brunswick a few years back to cross it off my list, I never expected to find what I now consider one of the best trail riding destinations in North America.

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Snow conditions for early April were still in mid-season form just outside of Bathurst. It only got better as we headed west towards the Mt. Carleton Provincial Park.

IF

you slept through grade school geography, let me point you in the right direction as to where New Brunswick is located. Follow the St. Lawrence River east until it meets the Atlantic, and there, wrapped around the state of Maine resides New Brunswick. Its location alone makes it somewhat obscure. Many in the United States believe the world ends at Maine, save for the island of Nova Scotia. Even in Canada, many snowmobilers seem to forget about New Brunswick, instead often giving their love and riding attention to the well-known and adjacent snowmobiling destination of Quebec.

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New Brunswick’s location alone is one of the big reasons it’s a magnificent snowmobiling destination. A trifecta of a far northern reach ensures cold temperatures come early and stay late; positioned smack dab in the dumping zone of traditional mainland storm tracks; and bolstered by the big dumping power of a famed Nor’easter, work together to ensure this province gets snow early, and lots of it. My last two visits were both late in March, and while we traveled across hundreds of miles of bare ground, we were shocked to find snow conditions in New Brunswick that were akin to mid-season.

The other trump-card this province holds which has won

me over is quite simply the incredible trails. Don’t get me wrong, there are stunning, well-maintained trails across the snowbelt, but the trails in New Brunswick are special for reasons almost too hard to describe…in fact you often can’t.

Two seasons back, I invited a good friend to make the trek to New Brunswick with me. He initially balked at the idea, throwing up the typical roadblocks of it was “too far away”, and “if you’ve ridden one trail, you’ve ridden them all”. I convinced him to go anyway, and now he too sings the virtues of New Brunswick…it’s that good.

It starts with terrain. Dense forests cover the hills of a province which has a popula-

ONE OF THE BEST TRAIL RIDING DESTINATIONS IN NORTH AMERICA

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STUNNING SCENERY, FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATIONS, AND TRAILS NOT OVERBURDENED WITH TRAFFIC

Once we reached the interior of northern New Brunswick, the trail split down from the hill sides and snaked its way alongside the Nepisiguit River, while crossing the many tributaries which feed into it.

Trail signage, especially those at intersections is first class. Everything you need to know including distance to fuel is communicated clearly and concisely. Oh, and you better top off the tank, there’s a lot of miles of near full-throttle running in some parts of New Brunswick.

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THIS PROVINCE GETS SNOW EARLY, AND LOTS OF IT

A trip to the east of Bathurst, encircling a portion of the peninsula that juts out into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, gave us plenty of bridges to cross and spectacular views of the partially frozen seaway.

This could very well be the longest snowmobile bridge I’ve ever experienced as it spanned the gap of salt water near Inkerman, located near the far eastern edge of the province. To the south and east of this bridge lies the vast Gulf of St. Lawrence.

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Rogers Lake Lodge just north of the Christmas Mountains was our lunch stop on day two. The full-service facility has fuel on site and on select weekends, live music. Hope you packed your dancing shoes.

tion that clings to the coastline. This means the interior is remote, way remote, and this has allowed area clubs and the provincial snowmobile association to carve trails into the landscape that are tailor-made for snowmobiling. Like many trail systems, those of New Brunswick take advantage of natural pathways, following valleys, rivers, and existing logging roads as they connect the communities of the area.

I’ve visited the province now for the past three consecutive seasons, riding in the northeast, northwest, and central regions, and each time it seems to get better. With nearly 9,000 km of trails in all, a key differentiator compared to other trail systems is the time and effort that has gone into the overall design, as well as the maintenance of them leading up to snow season. To put it simply, these trails are built to accommodate

every caliber of rider, from Sunday afternoon jaunts with the family, to opening her up and letting the big dog eat with the boys.

While things tighten up as you get close to major towns, many other trails are abundantly wide as they roll, twist, and turn tracing the landscape. What’s more, many of the corners have been brushed well beyond the groomer marks, giving you incredible vision to potential oncoming traffic, for added safety and peace of mind. These same traits give you the freedom and confidence to push beyond typical trail speeds, of course only when it’s safe to do so. It’s this last little nugget, combined with stunning scenery, friendly accommodations, and trails not overburdened with traffic that has placed New Brunswick atop my “go-to” list of trail destinations in North America.

THE TRAILS IN NEW BRUNSWICK ARE SPECIAL FOR REASONS ALMOST TOO HARD TO DESCRIBE…

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Like most states and provinces in recent years, a trail permit is required to ride in New Brunswick. Your sled must also be registered in your state or province, and you will need proof of liability insurance as well. Permits are available for the entire season, or in a variety of multiday passes to best suit your needs. Duration and fees are as follows.

Please note, these prices do not include HST.

SEASON PASS $255 ONE DAY $40 THREE DAY $80 SEVEN DAY $125 Passes are also available for Families, Antique, and Classic sleds.

Visit the New Brunswick Federation of Snowmobile Clubs and click on Permits for more information. (www.nbfsc.com)

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While I’ve only visited New Brunswick during the early spring, it can get cold here during the heart of the season. Fortunately, clubs in the area have plenty of fully-enclosed and ready to heat shelters.

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Another bridge, another opportunity to slow down and smell the roses.

Big, wide trails require big equipment, and there’s no shortage of top-notch grooming equipment here.

Our ride crew from last winter. From left to right, Logan Gamble, Richard Kehoe, Scott Ouellette, Brad Mann, Kyle Good, Glenn Welch, Dan Skallet, Ross Antworth.

In addition to permits, the New Brunswick Federation website is a great place to find additional resources to plan your trip. There you’ll find detailed maps, along with lodging accommodations for each zone; and a full provincial map with a color-coded grooming report so you can target trails that have been recently groomed, and avoid those that are potentially closed.

This same map gives you interactive details on shelters, accommodations, restaurants, fuel, and dealers.

It’s a terrific tool, and keep in mind only businesses who support the sport will be listed here. Return the favor.

THEY ROLL, TWIST, AND TURN TRACING THE LANDSCAPE

If we were to recommend one hotel in the Bathurst area to stay, the Atlantic Host would be the one - hands down. Not only do they completely cater to sledders, but their watering hole is the perfect place to end the day, or plan for tomorrow’s ride.

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A GREAT STARTING POINT TO GET YOUR FEET WET IN THE SNOW-LADEN PROVINCE IS THE TOWN OF EDMUNDSTON.

We’ve already said it once before, but it’s worth mentioning again. Always top off when honing the big trails of New Brunswick. Your sled’s appetite for liquefied dinosaurs increases dramatically when you’re having this much fun.

CLOSER THAN YOU THINK

Your new-found riding destination in New Brunswick is closer than you think. A great starting point to get your feet wet in the snow-laden province is the town of Edmundston. A day’s drive or less will have you carving the trails.

LONDON, ON TO EDMUNDSTON, NB:

MISSISSAUGA, ON TO EDMUNDSTON, NB:

ORILLIA, ON TO EDMUNDSTON, NB:

KINGSTON, ON TO EDMUNDSTON, NB:

OTTAWA, ON TO EDMUNDSTON, NB:

SYRACUSE, NY TO EDMONSTON, NB: AUGUSTA, ME TO EDMONSTON, NB: 4 ½ HOURS, 311 miles 44

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Our host hotel for last winter’s trip was the Atlantic Host in Bathurst. It touts fully updated rooms, a full-service bar and restaurant, and it fully accommodates snowmobilers with loading ramps, heated repair bays, pressure wash stations, secure indoor snowmobile parking, and fuel on-site. For more information visit their website at www.atlantichost.com

12 HOURS, 1,273km

11 HOURS, 1,136km

11 ½ HOURS, 1,152km

8 HOURS, 841km

7 HOURS, 741km

9 HOURS, 595 miles

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Stories and Photos by Matt Clark

OSM TAKES A BREAK AND HEADS TO ABITIBI-TÉMISCAMINGUE TO TAKE IN THE OPENER OF THE CSRA RACE SEASON, AND THEN SPEND A FEW DAYS ON THE TRAILS.

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the past few years, we at OSM have put together some pretty big mileage rides for the hardcore saddle bagger, and then realized that not everyone wants to put down hero miles. One of our favourite regions of Québec to ride is Abitibi-Témiscamingue, and we thought it would be a perfect area to do a few less miles, and do a three day, two night loop that would take us through the best trails, but still get some serious sledding in. After looking at the calendar, we realized that we could create a perfect sledders weekend, and tie it into the first CSRA race of the season in Rouyn, Noranda. Who wouldn’t want to take in the opener of the CSRA, get the two stroke in your nose, and then spend 3 days on trail?

OVER

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FROM

our offices on the south shore of Lake Simcoe, the drive to the region is an easy one up Hwy 11 through North Bay, and then onwards towards New Liskard to arrive at our starting point for the trip in Rouyn, Noranda. There was discussion in the truck about whether we should go through Kirkland Lake, and then across into the region, but after reviewing, we know it’s better to take the New Liskard route. One thing to watch are the 90 degree hairpin corners on Hwy 65. They are those corners that don’t look that crazy until you are about half way through them, and realize that you should have put a little more break into it. Trust us and anyone that has taken this route that we know exactly what we are talking about.

Our home base for truck and trailer for this adventure would have us arriving at the Hotel Gouverneur Le Norana. Situated right downtown, The Gouverneur is a spacious, great boutique-type hotel with very comfy rooms. Even the restaurant in the lobby has

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a boutique feel, and offers up really good, high-end food. The parking is a bit limited for truck and trailer, so if you are planning on coming on a Saturday, you may have difficulty securing trailer parking, but there are options. Most sledders that want to stay downtown can park truck and trailer at the Walmart, as the parking lot is secure and video monitored. Even though The Gouverneur has bar and restaurant, if you’re taking in the local nightlife, we suggest heading downtown to Woody’s Bar for pool and beverages. You wont be disappointed.

Woody’s is a short, inexpensive cab ride from the hotel.

As we awoke the next morning, we headed down to breakfast in the hotel, and then packed our gear and headed down to the Rouyn-Noranda City Centre to get our fill of the CSRA races. Being the first race of season is one of the best reasons to attend the race. The teams are fresh and injury free, with all new equipment. The weekend plays host to some amazing pro teams that are ready to start the battle for

the CSRA championship.

OUR HOME BASE FOR TRUCK AND TRAILER FOR THIS ADVENTURE WOULD HAVE US ARRIVING AT THE HOTEL GOUVERNEUR LE NORANA. SITUATED RIGHT DOWNTOWN, THE GOUVERNEUR IS A SPACIOUS, GREAT BOUTIQUE-TYPE HOTEL WITH VERY COMFY ROOMS.

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DA Y 1

“

RO UY N T O AMO S V I A MAC AMI C .

Rouyn to Amos via Macamic.

After the races we head back to the hotel for some dinner and an early night, so we can start the second part of this adventure and do some riding on the trails. Again, the miles on this trip are not extreme. We planned this as a relaxing trip that any rider of any skill level can do.

Also, our friends at the tourism board of Abitibi-Témiscamingue Pascale and Guilliaume also wanted us to play around with a brand new application that is available for all smart phones, which has the trail system and points of interest built into the app. While testing the new app and really trying to stop and see the sights, the plan was to keep the miles down to our next hotel, and then get out and do local loops.

We all love big miles, but sometimes you just stop and enjoy the trails you are riding on. Leaving Noranda we decided to take the 93 to Macamic for lunch. Getting out of Noranda is a bit tricky, as the trail

wants to push you to the 83. So when you leave the Gouverneur Hotel, you actually have to get to the other side of town to find the 93. This takes you up the west side of the region, giving you more options to pick your desired route to Amos.

It can be a short ride, or you can extend it to a long ride. The first part of the 92 is tight, windy stuff through the woods, but after about 20 kms is when you find the magic. The 92 becomes a wide, fast trail with portions of straightaways and long sweepers that keep you really interested and wanting more.

We were told that Macamic had some great lunch spots, so we made that our destination for lunch. The trail to Macamic is a straight shot up from the main trail, which you will need to come back down, but it’s only 17 kms so is totally doable.

We found a great family-run restaurant filled with locals called the Les P’Tits Mets, and without a doubt, this is one of

THE 92 BECOMES A WIDE, FAST TRAIL WITH PORTIONS OF STRAIGHTAWAYS AND LONG SWEEPERS THAT KEEP YOU REALLY INTERESTED AND WANTING MORE.

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those hidden gems. The overall ruling was that the club sandwich was the winner. There is gas right in town, just down the road from the restaurant, and after lunch it’s a straight shot down the trail from Macamic back to the 92.

Once you get back on the 92 towards Amos, be prepared to do some really amazing snowmobiling. The entire trail is a mixture of wide, fast sweeping trails that are groomed to perfection. This trail is the reason you spent the time to get to the region. You can tell this portion of the trail is well maintained, due to the fact that every corner, steep hill, stop, and bumps are well marked. You can squeeze that throttle and have the confidence that this trail is not going to give you any major surprises.

Our hotel for the second night was the Hotel Frontier Nouvelle. This is a hotel

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that is not big, but very comfortable.

It is literally attached to the Petro Can gas station, and when you first arrive, you don’t realize it’s a hotel because it’s tucked at the side of the gas station. Even though the hotel is not too big, the accommodations are really good, they have ample sled parking, and the restaurant is attached to the hotel, so the après beverages and food are readily accessible in your slippers, should you wish. We were there mid-week and the restaurant does close at 10pm, so if you plan on making it a later night, you will need to stop at the local SAQ for some roomies. The rooms are spacious enough that you and your riding companions can pick a room and chill to watch the 50” that is attached to the wall, and chat about your amazing riding skills on display that day.

ONCE YOU GET BACK ON THE 92 TOWARDS AMOS, BE PREPARED TO DO SOME REALLY AMAZING SNOWMOBILING.

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DA Y 2 Second day has us heading towards Val-d’Or from Amos. There are a few options trail-wise that you can take. After meeting a few guys from the FCMQ the night before, they highly suggested taking the Trans 93 trail to Senneterre and loop in from the east side. The trick on this trail is to follow the signs to Barraute.

This will not mean much as you read this story, but there are a few trail heads you will come to after leaving Amos that don’t mark Val-d’Or and point you to a few local trails. If you follow the signs to Barraute, you are staying on the Trans 93 to Senneterre, and the trail to Senneterre is amazing. You are going to find a mixture of wide open, fast and straight rail lines, with a mixture of really nice wooded trails that have sweeping corners and let you keep the speed up. The ride to lunch is really east, and once you get there, the signage is well marked to get you to the downtown area where all the restaurants are. The trick to Senneterre is to follow the local trails to the downtown area, but take note at the river crossing, as that is the main intersection for the different trails that lead you back out of Senneterre. For lunch we stopped at a local

favorite called Le Matéo. Again, this is one of those really great hidden gems located in town that has amazing food and good people. After lunch head back to the noted river crossing to the 4 trailhead intersection, and look for the Val-d’Or arrow and follow that.

TRAVELLERS NOTE: you can easily extend the ride to Val-d’Or by 110kms if you take the 83 west towards Lac-Simon, which takes you past the clubhouse; just make sure you stop in Louvicourt for gas. I have done this trail in the past and it is really good.

Our hotel for night two was the Hotel Forester in Val-d, and it’s one of the easiest hotels you will find in Quebec.

Basically, the 83 runs into Val-d’Or, and you will end up in their parking lot. The Forester is completely set up for Snowmobilers, and being on the outskirts of

town, they boast one of the largest parking lots you will find on a snowmobile trail. It’s the hub for all things snowmobiling in the region and you’re welcome to leave your trailer here if you would like to make this your starting point. The hotel itself has seen a complete makeover in the last 5 years, and is very comfortable with spacious rooms and a great bar attached to the restaurant. The staff is really great, and you are sure to run into fellow Snowmobilers at the bar, that are always up for a good chat.

“

OUR HOTEL FOR NIGHT TWO WAS THE HOTEL FORESTER IN VAL-D, AND IT’S ONE OF THE EASIEST HOTELS YOU WILL FIND IN QUEBEC.

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DA Y 3 Our final day out on the trails had us heading back to truck and trailer in Rouyn Noranda, back along Trail 83 to the east.

The first part of the trail out of Val-d’Or is some really nice local trails that wind through the woods. It kind of feels like you are taking the back way out of town. Local trails in the morning also limber you up and get the blood flowing, so you are not blasting down a rail trail in the cold morning air. This is another easy day, without trying to put down some crazy miles, so the pace is easy and you can enjoy the trails. We made our way to Manoir des Rapides which is located in Preissac, directly on the trail. It is a great little local gas station/ restaurant with really good food and great, friendly staff.

You can just tell when you walk in, the place caters to sledders. It is the little things like the helmet bunks and racks, right near the fireplace.

They know what you need, and as a sledder you will appreciate the small touches.

After lunch you jump back on the Trans 83 trail and you are back at the truck and trailer in a couple of hours. By design, we made this an easy day with an early arrival, so you can load the trucks and start the journey back home. However, if your schedule allows, you can also extend this day and take a few longer routes to a full day, and you can stay one more night.

After spending three days and two nights on the trails in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, you will begin to realize that this region offers up some of the best snowmobiling you will ever have the pleasure of

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doing. The region is large enough and encompasses tons of trails that allow you to either plan huge mile days that let you see more of this amazing country, or you can choose smaller, shorter routes so you can take the time, relax and really enjoy the

sheer beauty of the region. If you want to add the triple threat and take in the season opener of the CSRA, we can tell you that the International Snowcross Grand Prix in Rouyn-Noranda will not disappoint the racer in all of you. See you on the trails.

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O N S N O W R I DE GU I DE M AP

For this route, you can use the Abitibi-Témiscamingue 2017 paper map. The entire route is easily followed on one map.

NEW M OB IL E AP P

Head over to the Tourisme AbitibiTemiscamingue snowmobile website: www. snowwwild.com and click on “Plan My Trip”.

There you can download the new mobile app called Mon Guide, (My Guide) and have access to the 3700km of snowmobile trails right at your fingertips. Plan routes, get your location in real time, get information on trail conditions, find points of interest, (restaurant, hotel, gas station and snowmobile dealer) and even check the local weather.

A C C O MMO D A T I O N S & D I N N I N Gouverneur Le Noranda 41, 6th Rue Rouyn-Noranda QC T: 1-866-562-2341 www.lenoranda.com

Hôtel Nouvelle Frontiėre 2900, Route 111 Est. Amos QC T: 1-888-732-1666 www.nouv-front.qc.ca

Hotel Forestel 1001 3e Avenue Est. Val-d’Or, QC T: 819-825-5660 www.forestel.ca

Restaurant Le Matéo Senneterre QC 819-737-2380

Restaurant Les P’Tits Mets Macamic QC 819-782-5567

Manoir des Rapides Preiss QC 819-732-8623

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FORD’S NEW SUPER-DUTY TASK MASTER IS LIGHTER, STRONGER, AND MORE POWERFUL THAN EVER raveling to snowmobile destinations across Canada is nearly an every week occurrence for the staff at On Snow Magazine (OSM). Whether we’re riding the worldclass trails of Ontario, traveling to deep spring snow in New Brunswick, or heading to the rugged Rockies of British Columbia, logging road miles with truck, trailer, or sled deck is part of the job. For most snowmobile enthusiasts, a half-ton truck is the answer. Today’s modern, standard-duty trucks are more powerful, more capable, and far more comfortable than our father’s half-ton pickup of yesteryear. For those needing a bit more grunt and stouter suspension for bigger trailers or frequent towing in changing elevations, a three-quarter ton truck is the answer.

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For most trucks with less stature, this would be a full load, the F-350 Super Duty didn’t even flinch.

Yet, if there’s one constant amongst all powersports enthusiasts, it is the firm belief in the old idiom, there’s no replacement for displacement, or in this case capability. Thus, when Ford Canada rang our office and offered us a chance to sample their all-new for 2017 Ford F-350 Super Duty Lariat, we jumped at the chance.

For obvious reasons, much of Ford’s emphasis in the truck category for the past several years has been the half-ton segment. It makes sense given the sheer volume of half-ton trucks sold in North America each year, and the Ford F-150 has been the bestselling half-ton pickup for longer than most of us have been alive. This is not to say their Super Duty line of trucks was outdated, most current Super Duty owners loved the

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capability and power of the existing line, but missing was the enormous amount of technology that had been infused into nearly all trucks in the past 8 to 10 years.

For model year 2017, that all changed as the Super Duty was given a massive injection of cutting edge technology.

But before we get to the significant enhancements in convenience and comfort with the new Super Duty, make no mistake power and

THE LARIAT PACKAGE IS STUFFED WITH EXTRAS

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capability is still the primary objective of these work focused trucks. While you’d never know it by the quiet and subdued rumble coming from under the hood, the latest iteration of the 6.7L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel, which is now features a graphite iron versus cast-iron block that is stronger and lighter, produces 440-ponies and trailer yanking grunt in excess of 925-foot pounds of torque. That’s the kind of pulling power that makes pulling a fully-loaded, four-place snowmobile trailer child’s play, regardless of grade.

Under that sexy exterior, which has received a face-lift bringing the styling cues in line with the popular F-150, resides a big-boy frame and running gear, that unlike competitive designs in the 4x4 category, still retains a solid front axle.

While there are some trade-offs in terms of ride quality and handling, there’s no denying the rugged towing and hauling capabilities of this configuration. Max payload capacity can hit 7,630-pounds, with a max trailer towing capacity of a whopping 32,500-pounds (depending upon model and package).

No question, our F-350 Lariat was capable. We yanked a fully-loaded, four-place enclosed trailer from Toronto to New Brunswick during our time with the truck and literally laughed at just how

easy the truck would accelerate to beyond posted speeds with ease and quickness.

With four full-frame boys inside, the box was outfitted with a Marlon sled deck, and a sled atop, giving us a “full-load” by all visual measurements, but for the new Super Duty, it barely made the big Power Stroke diesel whimper. The meat of the torque is delivered between 1,800 and 2,000 rpm, putting us right in the heart of the muscle at highway speeds. Fuel economy was also at or above expectations, hitting between 12 and 14 milesper-gallon, depending whose foot was feathering the throttle.

Still power aside, what really stood out about the new Super Duty is the brilliant use of technology available at your fingertips inside the well-appointed cab. Our crew cab edition was enormous inside, offering up leg room for rear seat passengers that rivaled or bettered that of those in the front seats. The Lariat package is stuffed with extras including lane departure warning, remote start, twin panel moonroof, voice activated SYNC 3 audio and navigation interface, oversized 8-inch LCD touch screen, and a trailer back-up guidance system to name just a few.

Perhaps the one thing that stood out above all else when it came to driving the F-350 and the technology found inside

WE LITERALLY LAUGHED AT JUST HOW EASY THE TRUCK WOULD ACCELERATE TO BEYOND POSTED SPEEDS

The minute our 2017 Ford F-350 arrived we promptly hooked up our four-place trailer and went for a spin.

A multitude of integrated cameras and adaptive steering made is easy for one guy to back-up, get hooked-on, and navigate our tight driveway to the shop with ease.

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was the overwhelming amount of attention that was put forth to give the driver supreme vision in every direction. When you are behind the wheel of a Super Duty, chances are you are hard at work, pulling a load or hauling a load. When doing so, keeping an eye on the task at hand is priority one, which is why the new Super Duty offers up to seven cameras, giving you vision in every direction. From forward facing and side view mirror cameras, to a center high mount camera to a tail gate camera, you can select the right view for the task at hand. You can even add a camera on the rear of your trailer and synchronize the view with other cameras already integrated into the system.

An additional upgrade to this high visibility is the all-new trailer reverse guidance system. While not as robust as the Pro Backup Assist found on the F-150 models, the Super Duty helps you nestle your trailer perfectly into tight spots with visual cues and warnings to keep things on the straight and narrow and avoid jackknife situations.

On the open road, the Super Duty gives

you a bird’s eye view of the road ahead.

The engine is barely discernable from within the cab, giving you an exceedingly quiet ride. We switched drivers throughout the journey, and while most simply set the cruise and sat back and listened to the premium sound coming from the SYNC 3 system, others opted to go full manual on the throttle, which more often than not resulted in slightly better fuel economy.

While not as smooth and supple as a half-ton truck, the new Super Duty is not your father’s farm truck either. A slight jounce on bridge expansion joints and pot holes found on a road less traveled in New Brunswick, would send a slight shudder through the cab, and was the biggest ride quality nag we experienced.

The other key takeaway from behind the wheel was becoming accustomed to the adaptive steering system. Designed to manipulate the steering ratio depending upon speed and conditions, the wheel requires less input when navigating at slow speeds in tight confines, and more at highway speeds. This gives you more accurate control when backing a trailer up

THE SUPER DUTY HELPS YOU NESTLE YOUR TRAILER PERFECTLY INTO TIGHT SPOTS WITH VISUAL CUES AND WARNINGS

Quad-beam LED headlamps cast a ridiculously bright white light far down the roadway, making for easier night driving on long tows.

Just like snowmobiles, integrated storage is a big deal for a truck, and the new Super Duty is stacked with ample under the rear seat room that incorporates dividers to keep your “stuff” organized.

While not as robust as the single knob back-up assist found on select F-150 models, the trailer reverse guidance system on the Super Duty provides prompts and warnings to help you thread the needle.

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Who says you can’t have toughness and luxury in a heavyduty tow vehicle. Sitting behind the wheel in a pimped out Super Duty Lariat is like staying at a 5-star hotel.

for example, and allows you to relax more on the highway, as the wheel develops a “lazy” feel due to the required additional movement to initiate a change in direction. While it took some getting used to, by the second day the nuance was undetectable, and the reduced input when backing up was a welcome addition.

Needless to say, our time with the 2017 Ford Super Duty was towing heaven, and I’m fairly certain a few tears were shed at the OSM office when Ford Canada showed up at the door to reclaim their power beauty. To learn more about the Ford Super Duty

and then entire line-up for Ford trucks, visit ford.ca

The stance of the new Super Duty just looks right, and it gets even better with a trailer in tow.

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19890 Highway 11, Box 1240, Bradford, ON

905-775-1717

WWW.EDGEPERFORMANCE.CA

19890 Highway 11, Box 1240, Bradford, ON

905-775-1717

WWW.EDGEPERFORMANCE.CA

19890 Highway 11, Box 1240, Bradford, ON

905-775-1717

WWW.EDGEPERFORMANCE.CA

19890 Highway 11, Box 1240, Bradford, ON

905-775-1717

WWW.EDGEPERFORMANCE.CA

EDGE PERFORMANCE CENTRE INC. 19890 HIGHWAY 11 BRADFORD, ON

Professional rider on a closed course. Polaris® recommends that all snowmobile riders take a training course. Do not attempt maneuvers beyond your capability. Always wear a helmet and other safety apparel. Never drink and ride. © 2017 Polaris Industries Inc.

gear

2 1

Fuzion Handguards

Add a set of hand guards for your next ride; keep your hands warm and protected from the elements. The Fuzion Handguards from Powermadd provide ultimate protection with their unique design and flexibility.

Powermadd’s closed-cell APE foam is crushproof, waterproof, and extremely durable. Use these hand guards in the backcountry, mountains, and on the trails.

Purchase your set of Fuzion Handguards at www. gammapowersports.com

FXR Ride Pack

Here at OSM we tend to go on a lot of overnight rides from one destination to the next, that acquires us to carry a backpack for all the essentials, clean underwear is key! FXR designed the Ride Pack for optimal comfort when on the trails with its X-system chest trap, adjustable cargo cinch straps, and loadspreading kidney belt. The Ride pack has a removable, breathable, suspension system that can be converted from ride to casual and also a storable waterproof shell cover to keep your cargo dry while ripping down the tails. Organizer pockets and fleece lined goggle storage pouch makes this the ultimate travel backpack.

More details at www.fxrracing.com

Motorfist Peak Goggle LTD

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Looking for a new stylish pair of goggles that can do it all? Motorfist has the pair for you! The Peak Goggle has a spherical dual snow goggle lens for a larger field of view, triple density face foam for comfort, and a wider foam area to make sure that there are no gaps to allow in the cold breeze. For a custom fit to your helmet there are hinged outriggers and silicone printed straps to prevent the strap from moving along the helmet. Choose your colour of the Peak Goggle at www.motorfist.com

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GTX Performance Tuner & Monitor

Why not buy something new for the truck as well! The GTX Performance Tuner & Monitor is an all in one system that has up to 20 custom tunes, diagnostics, and data logging all on there new 5-inch capacitive glass touch screen. For the ultimate user experience GTX has a high-resolution customizable gauges, WiFi connectivity for easy download of tunes, and the grab n’ go magnetic mounting system. Find our more details and information on the GTX Performance Tuner & Monitor at www.sctflash.com

gear

CKX Extreme Balaclava

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FXR Boost X Jacket FXR has an all-new line-up of jackets for you to choose from this winter, one jacket that caught our eye is FXR’s Boost X Jacket with its unique race style look and variety of colour options. The technology built into this jacket to keep you warm this winter are advanced climate management technology system, FXR dry vent system, ACMT seam-sealed lining system with HydroX Pro and integrating venting through out. Head over to www.fxrracing.com and pick up your new FXR Boost X Jacket, why not make your buddy jealous this winter!

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One item that you don’t want to cheap out on is the Balaclava. Keep your face and chest area warm with the CKX Extreme Balaclava.

Made with 100% polyester and a soft brush back shell, this balaclava will provide you comfort and keep you warm in any weather condition. It also has a windproof bib, neoprene nosepiece, breathe deflector, and a moisture transport system that prevents sweat build up. Purchase the CKX Extreme Balaclava at www.kimpex.com

509 Backcountry Glove

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Keeping your hands warm on those long rides is probably one of the most important must-do’s, especially when you want to keep that throttle hand going! At times it’s hard to find the right set of gloves that combine function plus durability. The 509 Backcountry snowmobile gloves have 150g insulation on the back and 100g insulation on the palms, and waterproof/breathable 4-way stretch Cordura fabric that keeps the gloves dry in the worst conditions. With the longer gauntlet, snow will be kept out of the gloves keeping your hands warmer longer and for added grip on the fingers, 509 included pre-curved fingers. Pick between the three colours provided at www.royaldistibuting.com

Choko Saddlebags

We always need more storage on our machines, why not add a saddlebag! Choko has all of your luggage needs, made with high denier Cordura and PVC coating for durability. For easily loading and unloading Choko’s luggage bag has a quick release mounting system that will help you get the saddlebag fast after a long cold ride.

With large compartment pockets you will be able to take all the essentials with you on your next ride. Choose the right bag for your snowmobile today at www.royaldistributing.com

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NEW YEAR. NEW ATTITUDE.

PREPARE TO LAUNCH! RIDE ALL SEASON ON SHARP CARBIDE RUNNERS AND STUDS

GO TO BITEHARDER.COM FOR OUR BEST HOLIDAY PROMOTIONS

CARBIDE RUNNER SHARPENING TOOLS

CARBIDE STUD SHARPENING TOOLS

Experience the maximum performance your sled has to offer

Sharp studs provide the ultimate in handling, performance and safety

More precision and accuracy for the safest ride in all conditions

High quality diamond cutting media provides the sharpest tip for the best grip possible

Ride on sharp carbide runners all season long Simple, convenient and effective

POLYURETHANE SUSPENSION TUNING RINGS Tune your stock suspension cost effectively for a greater level of performance Improved handling for greater control, cornering and overall stability

60 degree tip allows for greater penetration

Provides a more progressive spring calibration for faster reaction times

Sharpen your studs without needing to remove them from your track

Automotive racing suspension technology for the powersports industry ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 32 • ISSUE 4

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Torsion Spring Spacers

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With the snow falling and the crisp cold air in the forecast, it’s safe to say that winter is here and snowmobile season has begun! One upgrade that we suggest you do is the Torsion Spring Spacer from Hygear Suspension. The Torsion Spring Spacers adds pre-load to the rear torsion spring by increasing its pre-load and compression. By adding this spacer you will notice an increase in your snowmobiles ride height and an improvement on the torsion spring system. Head over to www. hygearsuspension.com for purchase details.

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X-Trax SMB Boot

Need a boot that can handle the rides from sunset to sundown, the X-Trax SMB Boot from Scott are the boots to keep your feet warm on the long hauls. Built into the boot is a removable insulated bootie with speed lacing, strong ankle support, and a waterproof/breathable membrane to keep the snow out and eliminate moisture. To help with the icy conditions Scott added their Ice Grip Sole for added traction. For further details and boot size go to www.scott-sports.com

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Rouski Snowmobile Ski Wheels Lets rack up the mileage on your machine this year but at the same time save some money with Rouski, from Kimpex, snowmobile ski wheels. The Rouski Ski wheels raises your skis off the ground providing better control on hard surfaces and saving the bottom of your ski’s/carbides while doing it. The automatic retractable wheels will retract once you ride into powder snow or you can disengage the Rouski snowmobile ski wheels by shifting the weight of the snowmobile. With quick and easy installation the Rouski Snowmobile Ski Wheels are a no-brainer and with a 1 year warranty to boot! More details at www.kimpex.com

Ridge Jacket

New to the HMK line-up is the Ridge Jacket, suited for athletes and the everyday rider, no matter the conditions or riding style. The Ridge Jacket with the XR-Platinum Weatherproof Technology is a windproof/ waterproof/breathable jacket that includes a fully articulated, advanced technical interior construction to keep you warm on the coldest of days. Other features include fully taped seams, interior goggle pocket, and forward facing ventilation. This is one jacket that has the style and all the features to go with it! More details on the HMK Ridge Jacket at www.hmkusa.com

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ALL NEW OLYMPIA SNOW APPAREL

WINTER NEVER FELT

SO WARM

OLYMPIAMOTOSPORTS.COM @OLYMPIAMOTOSPORTS

gear

13 Klim Allure Parka

Ladies are you looking for the latest and greatest jacket for your next excursion on the trails? The Klim Allure Parka has the features that you need to keep warm on the coldest of days. The Allure jacket has a 200Gram of 3M thinsulate plus top-performing Gore-Tex fabrics, a snow skirt that stops snow and cold drafts from entering the jacket, and a 300 gram fleece lined collar.

Other features include hand gaiters, 1 inside zipper pocket, left forearm pocket, and a kill switch D-Ring. Purchase the Klim Allure Parka at www.klim.com

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Performance Stud Stars

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The Performance Stud Stars system is an all-in-one, nut and washer, that incorporates a unique starburst base that replaces the old style nut and washer. The stud backer is made from billet aluminium, which by design, increases traction and provides greater support to your studs by eliminating the critical flex points of your stud. So if you are looking to extend the life of both your studs and your track while adding some more traction, then Performance Stud Stars should be on your ‘I need that’ accessory list this season.

More details at www.performancestudstars.com

H

C T A

IT

W O N

ON

W

WATCH ANYTIME, ANYWHERE

Start your FREE trial at www.myhuntfix.com USE PROMO CODE: SNOWMOBILERTV For an extended free trial

Available ONLINE and on

gear

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GM11 Vertical Dual Sport Helmet Wanting that motocross style look but also a full-face helmet that provides the warmth from the elements, check out the Gmax GM11 Vertical Dual Sport Helmet this winter. The interior of the helmet has a DuPont coolmax that wicks moisture away from your head and dries quicker than before. To prevent fog build up the Gmax GM11 Vertical Dual Sport Helmet has a UV400 resistant, anti-fog seal with a double lens shield that is anti scratchproof.

Airflow passes through the visor easier to prevent helmet lift.

Choose the colour for you at www.gammapowersports.com

Ultimax XS Belts

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Get superior performance out of your machine with Ultimax XS Belts

by Timken. These belts are designed for modern high performance snowmobilers. The XS Belt is designed to provide better consistency and great resistance to cracking because of its high temperature rubber compound. Ultimax belts has a formulated rubber compound found in no other snowmobile belt which is why they stand out from the rest. If it can handle the wear and tear from top race sleds, than it can handle what you put it through on the trails. Further details on Ultimax XS Belts by Timken at www.ultimaxbelts.com

DISTRIBUTED BY GAMMA POWERSPORTS: SEE YOUR LOCAL POWERSPORTS DEALER TO ORDER

O N T A R I OMA P SH A V EB E E NR E MO V E D O ND I G I T A LE D I T I O ND U ET OS P A C EC O N T R A N T S .

F O RM A P SP L E A S EC O N T A C TP U B L I S H E R T OR E Q U E S TP A P E RV E R S I O N

OUR NEXT CROSSOVER. YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE.

WHAT MATTERS IS

’ WHAT S NEXT.

The 2018 Ski-Doo® Renegade® Backcountry™. Now with the REV® Gen4 platform for unmatched agility in cornering and boondocking. The ultra responsive Rotax® 850 E-TEC,® the industry’s most powerful 2-stroke engine1. And new cMotion™ rear suspension, our first true crossover suspension for performance in both rough trails and deep powder. That’s what’s next in crossovers. What’s next for you? Learn more at ski-doo.com

©2017 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ®, TM, and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. Products in the United States (US) are distributed by BRP US Inc. 1Observed HP measured on internal dyno test in optimal conditions for 2-stroke engines. Always ride safely and responsibly.