web analytics
SledMagazine.com Logo color SledMagazine.com La référence des motoneigistes

Are you a Day Tripper or Saddle Bagger?

In Eastern Canada, we generally fall into two groups of snowmobilers. We enjoy our rides as “day-trippers” or as “saddle-baggers”.

Home every Night

Most snowmobilers are just happy taking day trips. This usually means getting dressed in your kitchen, then firing up your snowmobile in your garage or shed. The time of departure depends on the group consensus but there is usually no rush. Lunch might include a trail cookout or grub at a local business or closest snowmobile Relais. The group can be any size for the day, but generally, these riders enjoy the same trails, stops, and distances. And everyone likes to be home that same evening.

New Destinations

Other snowmobilers insist that trips must involve a set of saddle bags. These riders are the saddle-baggers who crave and seek many overnight destinations; thus carrying multiple sets of underwear and socks. Their rides involve a lot of packing, planning and organizing for their overnight trips to be successful. They crave new destinations away from home and quite often ride into a neighbouring province. Quebec and New Brunswick’s trails have many examples of where their respective trails join at our shared border.

Recommendations before you Leave

If you have only been exposed to day trip rides but would like to explore the possibility of being a saddle-bagger, here are some broad recommendations before leaving.

  • Research. Plan the new destinations and the route that you want to go to. It is so much easier to organize a trip than it was just a couple of seasons ago. New Brunswick (Motoneige NB) and Quebec (FCMQ) both have excellent rider Map Apps. These applications allow you to confirm the trail distances and trail numbers between your chosen destinations. The apps show you where fuel is available and will display multiple options for places to eat and finally sleep.
  • Start small. Maybe just plan a single night away on your first overnight trip. In this way, you can start on the trails you are familiar with near your home and then just go a little beyond those trails to a few new trails you have never ridden before. In other words, combine a little of what you already know with what is new to you.
  • Plan. Your first saddle-bagger trip should ideally be with someone who has done it. Experience is not absolutely necessary but with the right riding companion(s) it keeps you more relaxed. They already know what you will need to learn and find on your ride. All saddle-baggers grow to know three essentials; where to eat, where to fuel and where to stay. These essential services when easily accessed by snowmobile make this long-distance riding an awesome experience.

Day Tripper or Saddle Bagger

Saddle Bagger: ride with a capable experienced leader.

Every ride needs a leader who is aware and respectful of the group. It is important that everyone in the group has similar aspirations on any ride. Stopping enough or too little, riding compatible distances at compatible speeds and ensuring you eat before everyone is too hungry is important. Most important is having someone who knows where the fuel stops are. These essentials on any trip all fall into the responsibility of the group’s leader.

Day Tripper or Saddle Bagger

A great group leader makes all ride aspects happen no matter what type of trails you love and enjoy – for both day trippers and saddle baggers. Enjoy both types of rides this winter.

Click here to read our most recent articles:

Infolettre Motoneiges.ca

Abonnes-toi à l'infolettre des Motoneigistes afin de rester informé sur tout ce qui touche ta passion.

This field is required.
Picture of Ross Antworth

Ross Antworth

Ross Antworth Ross has been immersed in snowmobiles since he was eleven years old; Fifty-one seasons now. He retired in 2021 after a 26-year career in the snowmobile industry. He started as a volunteer and then accepted an opportunity offered to him by the New Brunswick Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (NBFSC). The Board of Directors asked him to lead them as their General Manager. He remained in the position for 24 years. When you meet Ross, it becomes instantly obvious that snowmobile, and all things snowmobiling, are still an intricate part of his life. His travels, his friendships, and multiple business, industry and political relationships span throughout North America, because of his passion for it. His sled; a 1973 Chaparral 292 cc Firebird entered his life when he was unable to play organized hockey as a young boy. His mom, unbeknownst to him, convinced his father to buy the new Chappy in the autumn of 1972. Ross has ridden a snowmobile every winter since and has owned at least one snowmobile of his own since he was 16 years old. He bought his first new snowmobile, a 1979 Arctic Cat Jag 3000, with his savings from mowing lawns at the church cemetery and pumping gas at the neighbourhood convenience store. His wife Clare believes he still owns every snowmobile he has ever bought! At first, he was not allowed to leave his parent’s yard, but he rode the Chappy so much that he created a track in the snow all the way to his father’s precious lawn. He was then permitted to ride further, which he has done almost every season since. Ross has always been adamant that he is a snowmobiler first and a Manager second. He knew that his innate knowledge of snowmobiling at the trail, both as a volunteer and user, was valuable and necessary to keep him grounded. Riding often helped him guide the NBFSC to make better decisions for New Brunswick snowmobilers. Going on rides was the best way to understand, connect, and keep current on the challenges and opportunities. Many winters he rode as many as 10,000 km of trails in North America. His riding took him to every Province in Canada (except Saskatchewan) and also into seven U.S.A. States. His personal favourite rides have been in the Black Hills of South Dakota, the Gaspesie of Quebec, and New Brunswick’s Christmas Mountains. Retired now, he rides primarily in New Brunswick, Maine, Quebec, and the off-trail roads around his camp in central New Brunswick. Ross has had an NB Trail Permit since 1993 and an FCMQ Trail Permit since the early 2000s. He looks forward to sharing his insights, opinions and travels with our readers and followers from the snowmobile trails of primarily New Brunswick, Maine, and Quebec.
Toutes les publications
Presale trail passes FCMQ

Photos album