Snowmobiling in Gaspésie: Passion at the Service of 3000 Kilometres of Trails

Behind every snowmobile experience in Gaspésie are people committed to developing and grooming the trails. For the Behind the Scenes in Gaspésie web series, Christine Bérubé-Martin met with Maria Fortin and Denis Henry, two enthusiasts who volunteer their time to promote snowmobiling in the region.

Volunteer power

For Maria Fortin, regional administrator at the Québec Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (FCMQ), the strength of the snowmobile community rests in the approximately 550 volunteers who get involved every year, both in the federation’s offices and in the field. She points out that this volunteer contribution, along with snowmobile tourism, is invaluable to local businesses since it supports the economy during the winter season.

Denis Henry, president of the Mont-Carleton snowmobile club, shares this vision of solidarity. For him, ongoing trail maintenance is only possible because local clubs communicate and assist each other regularly. It’s not uncommon for one club to help another by providing equipment such as signage, for example. Denis is retired, and he sees his involvement as a volunteer as a way of giving back.

What makes snowmobiling unique in Gaspésie is the close-knit community, the warm welcome you’ll receive and the other snowmobile enthusiasts you’ll meet along the trails.

Snowmobile rides between sea and mountains

Gaspésie offers a network of 3000 km of marked and well-groomed trails that will take you through the region’s many unique landscapes. Every winter, over 35,000 snowmobilers enjoy riding throughout the region. One legendary ride is the Grand Tour, which loops around the entire peninsula and usually takes between 5 to 7 days to complete. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to discover several spectacular sites, including Mont Saint-Pierre, which offers one of the most beautiful views in the region.

For the 2025/2026 snowmobile season, the local trail between Relais de la Cache and Murdochville is now open. This route offers good snow and trail conditions throughout the season and several beautiful ride options. The reopening of the trail was made possible thanks to the exceptional work of Steven Grenon and his team at the Étoile des Monts de Murdochville snowmobile club. Now that the trail is open again, you can fully enjoy the area and discover the immensity of the Gaspé Peninsula.

Watch the episode 3000 Kilometres of Tightly Woven Trails to learn more about Maria Fortin, Denis Henry and the exciting world of snowmobiling in Gaspésie.

For more discoveries and to better understand what drives the people who make this region thrive, watch all the episodes of Behind the Scenes in Gaspésie, a web series presenting inspiring portraits of local people available on our YouTube channel.