Every trail rider looking for an adrenaline rush has probably asked themselves the same question I have at one point or another: what would it be like to ride on a trail where everyone is going in the same direction, with the same goal, and no speed limit? The answer is simple: take part in a snowmobile cross-country race!
What Is Snowmobile Cross-Country Racing?
Quite different from other types of snowmobile races, this discipline combines endurance, adrenaline, and pushing past your limits. Highly popular in the United States, it’s now gaining traction in Quebec. And believe me—whether you’re a participant or just a spectator, the experience is equally thrilling!
Snowmobile cross-country races take place on a closed circuit that stretches for several kilometres. The number of laps in each race varies depending on the group. Each class must complete two heats, and rankings are based on the clock. The final ranking comes from the combined times of both heats.
What makes this event truly unique is that it’s open to everyone. Regardless of your age or skill level, there’s a class for you:
- T-120/200 (children);
- Junior 10–13 years old;
- 13–17 years old;
- Women’s;
- Sport (amateur);
- Semi-pro;
- Pro.
My Eye-Opening Discovery of Snowmobile Cross-Country Racing
I’ve previously taken part in a few enduro-cross races on quads. I discovered this event in 2022 through the Facebook page Cross-Country Motoneige Québec. My colleague Patrick Roch’s article on the subject definitely helped spark the flame.
This past January, a friend—who’s also a sales advisor at my local dealership—reached out to tell me about the 2025 edition. It would take place on February 22 in Sainte-Béatrix, in Lanaudière. He casually said, “You who love rough trails so much, you should totally sign up!” I looked over the various classes, and, after a very brief chat with my partner, we were officially registered!
Our Preparation for the Sainte-Béatrix Cross-Country Race
Since our snowmobiles are practically new, getting them ready was pretty straightforward:
- a simple routine inspection ;
- cleaning the clutches;
- adjusting the drive belts.
Because we needed race numbers, we chose the ones we normally use in motocross: 225 for Véro, and 194 for me.
Oops!
The day before the race, we completed the 325 km trip and decided to head straight to the track to check out the layout. As we were leaving the site, I realized the road had taken its toll on the suspension blades on both sides of my trailer. So, we decided to leave it there. We figured at least our parking spot would be reserved for the next day, and that a good night’s sleep would help us find a solution—especially since every repair shop was closed for the weekend.
Race Day: The Excitement of a First Race
Race day finally arrived! We got to the site at 7:30 a.m. We started the day with registration, mandatory tech inspections, and the installation of the transponder to track our times. The rider meeting—a key moment in the morning—covered the rules and outlined how the day would unfold. I counted about sixty riders present. To my surprise, there was a wide variety of snowmobile types: mountain, hybrid, trail… and even several snowcross machines.
A Less Rough Track Than Expected
After completing the two reconnaissance laps on the 5 km circuit, I was a bit disappointed to find the track less rugged than I’d imagined. However, the snow from previous days made things trickier. Going off-track could be a real problem for a trail snowmobile. Definitely something to avoid.
A Promising First Lap for Véro
The first race of the day was my partner’s. Seven women competed, and for most of them, it was their first time racing. Starts were made two at a time, with 20-second intervals. The starting order was drawn at random, but it didn’t have much impact on the final results, since rankings are based on total time from both heats.
True to form, Véro took off with remarkable agility. Her first lap was excellent. But after entering a turn a bit too aggressively, she slid wide and unfortunately got stuck in the snow. Despite trying to free herself, she had to wait until the end of the race to get help.
Adapting to Conditions and Finding the Right Rhythm
Next up: my race. Luck had me going dead last—16th on the grid. Right from the start, I could tell the track had already started to break down. Confidence kicked in quickly, though, as the conditions suited my riding style perfectly.
The softer track forced me to adapt, so I decided to have fun without pushing beyond my limits. I had to save some energy. I was in my element, with my favourite playlist blasting through my CKX Titan helmet. With each lap, the bumps and holes got bigger. At one point, I even spotted snowmobile parts below me during a controlled airborne moment. After several overtakes, I finished seventh.
Continuing Without Track Maintenance
To make up for delays in the schedule, the organizers decided not to groom the track at midday. That meant the second heat would be even more technically demanding.
After the women’s second race started, I noticed several of them dropped out after the first lap. Véro, after her second lap, she also decided to call it a day. With some sections of bare ground now visible, the risk of damaging her snowmobile was simply too high.
A More Strategic Race
The moment I’d been waiting for: my final race of the day. At first, I thought the women were exaggerating a bit. I didn’t believe the track could have changed that much since the first heat. But just a few metres in, I realized they were absolutely right—the challenge was on a whole other level.
Gone were the sections where you could go full throttle over nice rollers. Deep ruts and sketchy turns, where every rebound became a new test, were now the reality.
During my second lap, I decided to step out of my comfort zone by looking for smoother, more flowing lines. As I scanned the track and tried to read the best paths, it quickly became clear that others before me had the same idea. That’s when I made the wise choice: I dialled things back to finish clean, avoid mistakes, injuries, and, above all, mechanical failures.
The contrast was striking. In my first heat, I was disappointed when the official waved the checkered flag—I thought I still had a lap left to close the gap. In the second heat, seeing that same flag was practically a relief.
Resolving the “Oops”
In the end, it was impossible for me to head home with my trailer. Fortunately, I got lucky. A friend who was also at the race had enough room in his trailer to bring both of our snowmobiles back to Beauce that same evening. As for my trailer, it was repaired by the shop right there at the race site. I had to go pick it up the following week.
Conclusion
Even though I didn’t take home any major prizes, I was completely satisfied. Just finishing in the top 10 with a trail machine against riders half my age on competition-grade sleds was enough to leave a smile on my face.
To snowmobilers of all ages looking for adrenaline, thrills, and a personal challenge: this event is for you. Snowmobile cross-country racing is a one-of-a-kind experience that pushes your limits and delivers unmatched sensations!
A Big Thank You!
I sincerely want to thank the event organizer, Martin Coutu, and his entire team for an outstanding event. I also want to thank Beauce Auto Ford Lincoln for lending us their incredible truck, and Éric Dupuis Photos for capturing these memorable moments.
