Get Ready for Quebec
Snowmobilers on Quebec trails must have a trail permit and liability insurance.
The trail permits are a bit pricey at up to $ 550 CND( approximately $ 360 USD) for an annual permit or $ 200 CND( approximately $ 150 USD) for seven days, but we feel it is well worth the investment to be able to ride these beautiful, well-maintained trails. There is a discount if you purchase early, and other options for fewer days. Don’ t get caught without a permit, though, because purchasing one on the trail costs $ 900 CND( approximately $ 650 USD).
A portion of the permit cost goes to pay the required insurance. The balance is split between a volunteer recognition fund, advertising and promotion, administrative costs and a fund for equipment and infrastructure improvements. More than 50 % goes to the clubs that maintain and groom the trails.
The Quebec Federation of Snowmobile Clubs( which translates to Fédération des Clubs de Motoneigistes du Quebec, so trail signs reference FCMQ) has an interactive app with a digital trail map called iMotoneige.
You can plan your trip on the app, similar to a GPS, and it provides information on closed trails and how long it has been since a particular trail has been groomed. This feature is helpful in deciding which route to take on a particular day. On our trip, Cody often switched out plans based upon what trails the app showed were groomed the night before. I suggest everyone download this trail app and be flexible about your ride each day, if possible.
Finally, all snowmobiles on Quebec trails must have a left-side mirror.
A cozy stop at the Relais Koubek.
was a trail out of the back of the property that took us a mile or so up a fairly steep hill to connect to Trail 63. Trail 63 leaving Auberge du Vieux-Moulin and heading north was a little rough, having not been groomed for a couple of days.
After about 13 miles on this trail, we hit Trail 350, which took us most of the way to our destination. This trail was groomed flat and in pristine condition. The trails in the area were mostly twisting paths through woodland. There were no sweeping vistas but lots of snow-covered pine trees making it a beautiful ride.
We rode to Relais Koubek, located at Centre du Pourvoyeur Mastigouche, a family-owned lodge on a lake located on Trail 345. The lodge has some accommodations available in the winter months, and the restaurant caters to snowmobilers. The lodge is very rustic and welcoming with a large wood burning fireplace to warm up by and offers the basics for food – sandwiches, burgers, soups and salads ordered at the counter and served to your table.
After a relaxing lunch we made our way back to the Auberge, taking the same route to return. It was a short day with only 73 miles round trip, but it was a good opportunity for our leader to judge everyone’ s riding skills and preferred pace, which would help in planning for future days regarding distance and speed.
With the short ride on this first day, we got back to the Auberge and fueled up for the next day with plenty of time to spare. We used this free time to relax in the outdoor hot tubs before getting cleaned up for dinner, which was at 7 p. m. each night. After dinner we all went our separate ways and got prepared for the next day.
36 / FEBRUARY 2026 / SNOWGOER. COM