What if you came late to the game of organized snowmobile associations and had the benefit of learning lessons from the snowmobile organizations in nearby states and provinces that had come before you?
What if you could take what you learned to create your vision of a modern snowmobile system? It would be like getting the answers to the big test in advance.
Essentially this is the benefit that can be found in New Brunswick’s snowmobile experience. It’s almost like they cheated on the final exam. The New Brunswick Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (NBFSC) is a volunteer association of 52 clubs with 20 000 members that did not have a mandatory trail permit system with a dedicated funding plan until 2001.
With the sincere partnership and support of provincial government, the NBFSC has been able to plan, expand and coordinate the continued growth and health of snowmobiling. Easier memberships, better signage, superior grooming, trail expansion and vast areas of incredible natural resource, is there really anything else?
The NBFSC has several important core advantages that significantly assist them in providing an exceptional and stable snowmobile trail system. A few advantages include the sincere support of government, lower trail traffic, large areas of accessible crown land and a much smaller number of private property owners. 42 % of the system’s trails are covered by an exclusive management agreement that was recently extended to 2024. 50 % of the trail system is on public land and 40 % of the 50 % on private land is owned by one very snowmobile friendly partner. How’s that for stable trial permanence?
New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources has recognized snowmobiling as New Brunswick’s only measurable winter tourism economic impact and is also a supportive NBFSC partner.
New Brunswick also enjoys the significant infrastructure resources of multiple rail bed trails that crisscross the province and act as main trunks for 8,000 + kilometers (4,900 + miles) of maintained trails.
New Brunswick, it’s much more than I originally thought
For several years, I used and underestimated trails in New Brunswick only as a route to get from Van Buren, Maine, to Pointe-à-la Croix, Quebec, as part of a 3-day loop starting and ending in Quebec. During these trips, Maine and Quebec were the high points and passing through NB was only to take advantage of a Maine / NB trail pass promotion. At the time, my NB experience was a rail bed trail which was less than impressive. The highlight of NB was not the trails, it was an unlikely lunch special of fiddlehead ferns and smelt that we encountered.
Wow, did I ever miss the true magic of New Brunswick!
Last March, I was invited to a more complete introduction to what New Brunswick really has to offer.
My 2-day New Brunswick adventure began in the region of Fredericton / Woodstock which is not far from the border crossing in Houlton, Maine. I quickly learned that there was much more to snowmobiling in NB than I was previously aware.
NBFSC General Manager Ross Antworth, Trail Manager Kyle Good and outgoing President Sandy Young proudly displayed the efforts of their NBFSC team and assured me of a true NB experience with NO special grooming schedule in preparation for our rides.
Exceptional conditions
We enjoyed picturesque wood roads, challenging twisties and every trail terrain and type that make the best snowmobile memories. From quaint village rest stops to trail side warming cabins and easily read and understood signage, the miles (kilometers) were comfortable and easy.
Highlights
Scenic vistas and valley views from high elevations as well as trailside
A no nonsense commitment to simple accurate signage
It is often amazing how complex we as snowmobilers have made the seemingly simple task of signage. Several years ago, the NBFSC took on the task of taking confusing, inconsistent signage out of the NB snowmobile experience. No guessing here, it all makes logical sense in telling you exactly what you want and need to know.
The world’s, YES world’s longest covered bridge in Hartland NB
A living tribute to a very special friend
Warming cabins, some sentimental and spectacular, some basic and rustic all frequent, warm and welcoming.
Another successful NBFSC initiative includes an interactive GPS mapping system that is 2nd to none as well as a web site that brings it all right before your eyes for easy advanced planning.
The NBFSC has also centralized online resident trail pass purchases. This service has relieved club volunteers from a time consuming task allowing them to focus exclusively on the quality of club social events, trail maintenance and signage.
The NBFSC was also the innovative originator of reduced trail pass fees for Classic and Antique sleds. The end result is increased membership revenue, a very visible and positive recognition of snowmobile history and a larger pool of dedicated volunteers.
Responsibility is always front and center
The NBFSC is sincerely dedicated and committed to the safe operation of all snowmobiles; however there are no posted speed limits. This means that your responsible, reasonable, prudent and in control snowmobile experience can go uninterrupted by an overzealous encounter with authorities.
I applaud the NBFSC for measuring the safe operation of a snowmobile by a reasonable and prudent code of conduct.
And the future is bright
With all the positive things that the NBFSC has accomplished, the best may be yet to come.
A particular advantage for the NBFSC is that it continues to have active Provincial support to increase the positive recreational and economic impact of snowmobiling.
Beginning in 2016, the previously under-developed natural areas of Mount Carleton / Christmas Mountains will see well planned and funded development of snowmobile infrastructure.
This project is not only access and trails, it’s a complete package. It also includes a funded service and grooming plan designed to ensure that trail conditions reach the full potential offered by exceptional snow fall. No excuses here, watch out for groomers as officials say “the grooming schedule will be aggressive”.
SledMagazine.com was given an advanced copy of the very comprehensive project study which was used to verify, project, define and promote this now approved growth initiative. The goal is to grow the sport and bring in more snowmobilers from Quebec and the Northeastern US. Think of the Christmas Mountains like the Monts Valin region of Quebec within a closer distance to Bas-Saint-Laurent, Gaspesie and Northeastern Maine.
Don’t mistake this project as only benefiting early or late season riders. The Christmas Mountains project will also connect the Northern regions of New Brunswick like never before, creating new snowmobile adventures all winter long.
When venturing away from our home areas, snowmobilers really only want a few key things. Great snow, well maintained groomed trails, accurate signage, adequate services and a warm welcome. New Brunswick has that!
The NBFSC… a volunteer organization with a plan and something and someplace for everyone.
Riding in New Brunswick is as easy as 1-2-3
- Be legal and registered in your home province or state
- Have proof of liability insurance
- Purchase a season or temporary trail pass
Need to know how to get a trail pass? Visit www.NBFSC.com
The NBFSC has done snowmobiling so well that other associations are now looking at them as a model of how to do a snowmobile system right!
So what are we all waiting for? New direction… New Brunswick!
Editor update: The collective partners of the Mt. Carleton-Christmas Mountains expanded trail system have delayed the originally projected December 2015 opening of this exciting project. Significant progress was made during the recent summer and autumn. To truly service and showcase the beauty and vastness of this new region additional trail infrastructure is planned for the completion in the summer of 2016. The new projected opening of the Mt. Carleton-Christmas Mountains project is December 2016. Stay tuned as the end results promise to be extraordinary.
