The hinterland roar

The snowmobile is Quebec's iron butterfly

by ADAM GOLLNER

According to popular legend, the snowmobile dates back to the 1940s, when manufacturer Joseph Bombardier received a special order from a friend of his, a priest who was working up north. The priest needed a vehicle that could get him from one village to another. "Sometimes the horses and the dogs are not good enough," lamented the priest. Crafty Bombardier quickly invented (and then mass-produced) a new vehicle that could glide over snowbanks like an iron butterfly. With the capacity to hold a single passenger, the snowmobile was born. Originally named "Ski-Dog," the printer screwed up (substituting an extra 'o' for the 'g') and a Quebecois legend was born: the ski-doo.

Now, half a century later, snowmobiles are as common in rural areas as greasy-windowed casse-croutes. What began as a means of transportation has become a popular weekend activity.

"Quebec is world-renowned for our quality of snowmobiling," says Raymond Lefebvre, editor of Magazine Motoneige Quebec, a publication that caters to the province's 102,000 registered powder-mongers. Lefebvre and the entire snowmobile industry are working hard to ensure that the 1999-2000 season will be synonymous with change for the oft-maligned outdoor recreational sport.

There are tons of major events and festivals (wherein snowmobilers congregate to drag, rev their engines and "do activities," says Lefebvre) planned for this season (see sidebar). A number of snowmobile parades are also scheduled. "It's like a consecration. They block the main street and put snow there during the night. People stand on the sidewalk and watch the snowmobiles drive by," recounts Lefebvre.

Predominantly as a result of less-than-ideal snow conditions, snowmobiling has witnessed a mild slump over the past couple of years (since peaking in '97). Despite the recession, Lefebvre says, the quality of the machines has never been better. Alongside Ski-Doo, the other major manufacturers are Yamaha, Polaris and Arctica.

"Each snowmobiler loves his own brand," explains Lefebvre. "Even if it breaks on the trails, he won't say it. He'll hide it from his friends. They are very fanatique." Despite the slow sales, all indicators seem to show that this will be a stellar year for the snowmobile community. "There's already snow in St-Jean, so it'll be a great earlybird year," says Snowmobile Federation of Quebec (FCMQ) CEO Yves Watier.

Women second, safety first

Organizers have also noted the emergence of a new trend in the sport: women are getting into the act. "First of all, it's a man's sport," chortles Lefebvre. "In the past, the woman was always sitting in the back trying to hold on. Now they want to drive their own snowmobiles, so there are some machines out now that are lighter and that have less power made for the woman."

Also, the industry is focusing on stricter safety measures to help reduce the amount of grisly accidents this year. Last season saw a total of 40 snowmobile-related fatalities (12 involved either alcohol or carelessness). Although there has already been one death this year (a 16 year old died in Ontario a few weeks ago when he drove into a tree), a three-pronged safety campaign is currently being implemented to help raise public awareness of snowmobile dangers.

* Speeding

The provincial snowmobile speed limit is 70 km/h, but some snowmobiles can hit speeds up to 200 km/h. "We always say that the problem is between the handlebars and the gas," explains Lefebvre. To solve this problem, the man is cracking down on riders who feel the need for speed. Radar-equipped Surete de Quebec patrollers (on snowmobiles, natch) will be policing the trails from now on. According to Law 43, the minimum fine for speeding on a snowmobile is $250. Drunk snowmobilers risk losing their permits.

* Boozing

"The reason we had so many fatalities last year was because of the quality of the snow," says Lefebvre, "but all accidents are a mixture of speed, alcohol, night or stupidity."

Shudders Watier: "You know the chains that keep the cows in a pasture in the summer? They stay up in the winter. If you hit one of those chains at 30 or 40 km/h, it will decapitate you. There were instances of that last year," he says, emphasizing the importance of staying on the tracks. "Overnight, a tree doesn't grow on the tracks. Once you leave the tracks, a tree could definitely kill you."

* Dying

Beyond being drunk, the biggest hazards are icy curves and driving on semi-frozen lakes. "As soon as it starts to freeze, snowmobilers are so happy so they go right on the lakes," bemoans Lefebvre. "Also, sometimes somebody gets ahead of the group, and then turns around to find the group who got left behind. He drives fast to find them. The rest of the group, however, are driving as fast as possible to catch up with the leader and bang! Dead. Another thing that happens is that people stop in the middle of the track to pee or something like that and people drive into them. A lot of new drivers forget about things like that."

Now that we've gotten over the safety hurdles, it's time to start appreciating the beauty. Chipmunks, caribou and foxes casually scatter from the paths as well-lubed snowmobiles roar through the intoxicating Quebec hinterland. "Quebec is unique in the world for snowmobiling," says Lefebvre, "because all the trails are inter-connected. And the villages are very aware of the economic impact of snowmobiling. When you arrive in a village there's a place to park your snowmobile in front of the restaurant. When you enter, there's a place to put your helmet and your gloves."

Things weren't always this convenient. "In the '60s, there weren't any trails like now, so everybody was going in the woods on private land. A lot of farmers took their rifles out on the riders. After the government gave us the right to trails, we weren't bad guys anymore."

Hot Snowmobile Events

Snowmobile Safety Week (Jan. 11-18): All sorts of non-snowmobile types will get a chance to witness firsthand the joys of snowmobiling when they join the FCMQ on their week-long cruise around the province. Contact the FCMQ for information: 252-3000

Indoor Super Snow-Cross Racing Tour (Jan. 16 at the Molson Centre): Smack dab in the middle of snowmobile safety week, the five-city, mayhem-wreaking snow-cross racing tour comes to Montreal. Featuring "jumps, bumps and high-flying action on snowmobiles" as well as "very fast-paced lights, action and music," 300 truckloads of snow will be brought into the stadium (and then removed within 24 hours). There'll be King Kong jumps, woops (which are a series of moguls and high-banked corners). And here's some very hot gossip, according to promoter Grant Reeves. "Printing this information will be a big coup for you... rumour has it that the new Blade by Team Fast and the new Red Line snowmobiles will be on display. Man, the Quebec people are dying to see those machines." Names to look for are Blair Morgan, Chris Vincent and home-town hero Steve Girard ("From Chibougamau or somewhere," says Reeves.) Kids 6-10 will be also be racing on mini-sleds. Info: 1-800-361-4595

Guinness Book of World Records snowmobile event On February 26, the longest line of snowmobiles ever will slowly make its way from the Ham-Nord arena, through Chesterville and Arthabaska all the way to Plessisville and then back on down to Ham. Although there is no category for most snowmobiles in a line yet (and therefore, no record to break), organizer Michel LeBlanc wants to make the record stick and needs 5,000 snowmobiles to reach his goal. After all the snowmobiles do their little cruise, there'll be a disco party where the new record-holders will be able to do the achy-brakey ("The music by choice of snowmobilers is country and western"). Prizes will be given away. f

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