Did you know that the same folks who forecast the economy also predict the weather? No wonder we can’t count on anything…

To date, Old Man Winter hasn’t cooperated in the Great Lakes region of North America. Regardless, I’ve managed to find some great trail riding and have racked up just over 3,000 kilometres in place like Saguenay–Lac-St-Jean, The Northern Corridor, Abitibi-Temiskaming and the Kirkland Lake area.

In my recent travels, I notice that the snow line in Ontario is moving inexorably southwards and from what I can see from the highway, the trails look good in the North Bay area and the Almaguin Highlands. Also the RAP (Ride Around the Park) Tour is open and and doable. And don’t forget to visit Luc in Dubreuilville!

There’s also good riding in the Ottawa Valley and into Eastern Ontario. Their trails are hard and a bit icy now, but some snow in the forecast for the next couple of days should put them back in top shape real quick – and that’s where I’m headed next week!

The big question is: where’s the lake effect snow? Those Great Lakes are just sitting there open, relatively warm and laden with moisture just asking to be turned into snow, but so far it’s a no show. It’s just not possible that Central Ontario’s traditional snowbelt regions can go much longer without a major dump, so bring it on! Meanwhile, there’s great Ontario trail riding to be had – you’ve just got to trailer to it!

To date, I’ve posted these tour articles on my site (list starts with most recent posts), so enjoy!

Ontario (Ride Around Superior)

Labrador (East & West) - 2 articles 

Quebec (Monts Valins Snapshot)

Ontario (Sudbury area)

Manitoba (East, West and Winnipeg) - 3 articles

Ontario (RAP Tour) - 3 articles

Quebec (Gaspèsie) - 3 articles

British Columbia (Valemount) - 2 articles

Quebec (Northern ride)

Quebec (Outaouais & Laurentians)

New Brunswick (North & South) - 3 articles

Ontario (Cottage Country)

British Columbia (Kelowna)

Ontario (Moosonee)

Ontario (Northern Corridor)

Check out my new article on High Tech Sledding in Ontario!

by Craig Nicholson, The Intrepid Snowmobiler                                            

While there can be no doubt that trail riding has increased the popularity of snowmobiling, one potential downside is that it lulls us into a false sense of security in the wilderness. Yes, all trails lead somewhere eventually, but you could still be miles away from anywhere or even headed the wrong direction. What if a snowstorm obliterates your groomed path, or key directional signs go missing? Could you find your way in unfamiliar terrain?

Good instincts, a strong sense of direction, and the ability to recognize and correctly interpret numerous clues can pull you through. While I don’t recommend snowmobiling when Mother Nature acts up, here are a few practical tips that can help.

Before departing, inform someone at your arrival destination of your schedule and proposed route so that if problems arise, help will arrive sooner than later. Before setting out, talk to locals. Study trail, highway, and if you have them, topographical maps, to familiarize your companions with the general direction, route, and such landmarks as towns, rivers, lakes and intersections. Everyone should carry a compass, the same maps and extra gas.

Slow down the pace of the ride. Take your time and consult with your riding companions frequently during the day to ensure that every rider knows specifically what you’re looking for at each stage along the route. Remember, multiple eyes are better than only the leader’s. When in doubt, stop at every intersection to re-orient yourself using maps, available signs and shared common sense. This way, you keep your group together, and have a better sense of where you may have gone astray if you have to backtrack.

In the absence of official snowmobile trail markers, watch for any kind of sign. Even logging signs, advertisements, or that old marker for Joe’s hunt camp, may provide valuable clues. In the absence of any signs on your side of the trail, look back over your shoulder frequently to spot any that may be facing the opposite direction. Often, you can judge where you should be going by discovering where oncoming traffic has come from. As a general rule, if you’re sure about the trail you are on, don’t turn off it without a definite indication or a very good reason.

At unmarked intersections, stop before your sleds destroy any evidence, and explore ahead on foot like a tracker snooping for clues. Sometimes, you just have to drive by feel. A previously groomed or well-used trail should be hard-packed underneath fresh snow, and often if you ride slowly, you will feel the difference through your track, skis or handlebars if your sled slips off the hard pack.

Be sensitive to any changes in trail characteristics that may help guide your way, such as width, feel, elevation or direction. Watch for visible indications of a groomed trail like the defined edge left by a drag, a smoother surface than surrounding terrain, bordering trees and branches pruned back by trail clearing, or ripply shadows or ridges caused by an underlying mogul pattern or track marks hidden under the snow. When you emerge into an open area such as a lake, filed or clearing, search the perimeter for breaks in the bush or tree-line that may indicate where the trail goes. When in doubt, pick the direction that makes the most sense and monitor it frequently.

Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help or admit you’re wrong. The alternative could be a long cold night in the bush. Or you could just use a GPS unit!

Hey snowmobilers, so maybe this winter hasn’t started so great close to home. But that doesn’t mean there’s no snow or great trail riding to be had – all you have to do is travel a bit!

So far, I’ve snowmobiled over 1,750 klicks in both Ontario and Quebec, and know for a fact that there are primo conditions in Northeastern Ontario (especially the Northern Corridor!), and in Quebec’s Saguenay–Lac-St-Jean and Abitibi-Temiskaming, with more trails available in Ontario as each day passes (check out Kirkland Lake area!). Closer to home, try the Pembroke/Barry’s Bay area or parts of the Kawarthas. 

Sure, you’ve got to hit the road, but that sure beats complaining or moping around the house wishing your were sledding!  Let your fun begin - go snowmobiling this weekend! 

Just completed a 1,200 km Ski-Doo tour of the Monts Valin area of Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean, Quebec on primo trails with lots of snow. This is a destination you definitely want to visit soon! Watch for the full tour article in a fall 2012 issue of Snow Goer Canada Magazine. Pictured above, Auberge Carcajou, located right on trail 328 near Saint-David-de-Falardeau, where we stayed for 3 nights with Lise, Marc André and Émy. 

We also stayed two nights with Reynald and Nicole Dupont at the Brise du Lac Tchitogama (above) near Lamarche on trail 367 (#13 on 2012 Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean trail map).

We spent one night in this chalet at Pourvoirie Cap au Leste just off trail 328 near Sainte-Rose-du-Nord (#29 on on 2012 Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean trail map).