Become a Volunteer
The snowmobile industry relies above all on the hard work of thousands of dedicated volunteers. Their invaluable contribution keeps this exceptional network alive.
The essential role of volunteers
Thanks to the efforts of thousands of volunteers, who maintain the trails and ensure the network runs smoothly, snowmobiling has become the most important winter tourism activity in Quebec—generating more than 3 billion dollars in economic benefits each year.
A passion built on the strength of volunteers
FCMQ Programs
Aware of the challenges facing the clubs, the FCMQ Board of Directors has decided to set aside $1 from each admission trail permit sold to fund a program dedicated to recognising and thanking volunteers.
In partnership with Kimpex, the FCMQ has established an annual fund distributed in the form of gift certificates, which are awarded by lottery among the 4,500 volunteers from member clubs.
Each year, the Kimpex Volunteer Action Program recognises volunteers selected at random from among the 4,500 volunteers in the FCMQ’s member clubs.
The history of snowmobile volunteering
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the number of snowmobile clubs grew rapidly. Enthusiasts came together to share their passion—with rides and social events at the heart of their activities. With limited resources, trail maintenance, signage, and trail development were carried out by dedicated volunteers.
The introduction of trail grooming equipment and formal trail networks helped shape this activity. Since then, thousands of volunteers have helped build one of the largest snowmobile trail networks in the world.
Although snowmobiling has become a major industry, it still relies on 4,500 volunteers who devote more than 800,000 hours each year to maintaining trails, installing signage, and negotiating land-use permissions.
The aging volunteer base and difficulties in finding new volunteers are undermining this organization. Clubs must redouble their efforts to attract new members and encourage snowmobilers to get involved.
Being active in a club means helping to maintain the trails, but it also means meeting fellow enthusiasts and strengthening the snowmobiling community.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to snowmobilers' most common questions.
Need more details? Check out our complete FAQ.
The Fédération des clubs de motoneigistes du Québec (FCMQ) is a non-profit organisation, governed by Board composed of 9 volunteer administrators.
The FCMQ is dedicated to the development and promotion of snowmobiling throughout Quebec.
The FCMQ offers various services to its members, including administering financial assistance programs, negotiating preferential trail signage pricing, producing a magazine for its members, etc.
For additional details, click here.
A snowmobile club is a non-profit organisation, with a Board composed of volunteers. The club ensures the smooth functioning of snowmobiling on its territory. Volunteers develop and maintain trails and infrastructures prior to installing signage, along with organising activities for its members. Clubs also include trail security officers amongst their volunteers, with their mandate being member safety.
The primary funding source for snowmobile clubs is trail permit sales revenue (user/pay principle). Monies from these sales are re-injected into trail maintenance, signage purchasing, bridge construction, to name but a few.
To locate the coordinates of a club, consult our snowmobile clubs directory.
Are you interested in snowmobiling clients?
You are not on the interactive trail map or the iMotoneige application, but you would like to be there?
Register with your regional tourism association, or contact FCMQ Customer Service for the contact details of the person responsible for points of service at the tourism association concerned. Your business will then be displayed on the interactive trail map and on the iMotoneige* application.
Click here to see the types of eligible businesses by viewing the service legend on the interactive map.
*Some conditions apply.
Please note that if you wish to sign up for the Secure Hotel package, you must do so by email at [email protected]
Whether it’s installing trail signage, negotiating land-use permissions, grooming trails, volunteers are still at the heart of the Quebec snowmobile industry.
What better way to meet like-minded passionate snowmobilers than to enlist your help and contribute to the maintenance and development of a trail system that brings so much joy to so many.
Do you want to become a volunteer?
Contact your local club to offer your services.