The snowmobile season is kicking off and it’s high time for snowmobilers to purchase their permits to access the trails laid out by the member clubs of the Québec Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (FCMQ). All the more so since the new pre-sale system implemented this season allows to purchase the trail permit at one’s local club at the cost of $225 until December 9, and thus, to benefit from a significant reduction of $25, before the regular price of $250 comes into force on December 10.
This new 2-level rates procedure based on the date was adopted by a majority of the clubs in the framework of the trail permit rates determination procedure set out in the Federation’s general by-laws. In addition to offering snowmobilers the opportunity to save on the cost of the permit, the pre-sale system allows the clubs to accrue funds at the very beginning of the season, when several expenses are incurred for trail preparation.
Where your money goes
When you purchase your snowmobile trail permit, most of the money invested goes directly to your club. The following diagram shows the distribution of the revenue from the $250 paid for an annual trail permit.
The sum of $21 remitted by the club to the FCMQ for each annual trail permit sold as of December 10 is redistributed as follows: $1.50 is transferred to Magazine Motoneige Québec to help pay postal fees; $4.50 is paid into a special aid fund for the clubs and into a fund dedicated to the promotion and protection of snowmobiling; while $10 is paid into the trail grooming fund. The remaining funds ($5.00) are used to finance the Federation’s current operations.
Winter is settling in fast, so don’t wait any longer. Drop into your local club now to buy your trail permit. Not only will your purchase allow you to save $25.00, it represents your contribution to the improvement of the trails in the sector where you ride most often.
About the FCMQ
Through its interventions, the Québec Federation of Snowmobile Clubs strives to further the development and promotion of this activity practiced by close to a million Quebeckers and generating $1.5 billion in economic spin-offs every year. The Federation includes 220 clubs representing over 75,000 members. Thanks to the support of 4,560 volunteers, the Federation’s affiliated clubs manage the sale of trail permits for Québec’s 33,000-kilometer trail network, and see to its development, planning, maintenance, signposting, and safety. Additional information is available on the FCMQ website at www.fcmq.qc.ca.
