Highlights
World-class trails, eye popping scenery, support vehicle for luggage
Located in eastern Quebec (north of the state of Maine), the Gaspé Peninsula runs roughly 400 miles from east to west and 120 miles from north to south. Boasting fantastic trails that run along the coastline and weave up into mountains, the Gaspé region promises a stunning winter excursion with many sensational sights along the way. Snowmobilers from around the world flock to this sparsely populated peninsula in pursuit of this six day adventure.
One notable region of this peninsula is the Chic Choc Mountains; these heavily eroded flat top mountains have steep sides and large basins that were carved by glaciers. With grand changes in elevation that can’t be found elsewhere, the Gaspé has twenty five mountains with peaks that are almost one mile high. As the trail threads its way up and down the mountains, the views are breathtaking.
Percé Rock (pierced rock) is a 1300’ sheer rock formation in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and located just off the eastern tip of the Gaspé Peninsula. With one of the largest natural arches in the world, Percé Rock is a spectacular sight that can can be directly viewed right from the trail.
The union of diverse landscapes is a hallmark feature of this trip, where the intersection of mountain and sea occurs frequently over the course of the tour. A wealth of panoramic views elevates the traditional trailside experience for an unforgettable journey within this truly unique region.
The long distance nature of this trip promises six days packed with incredible snowmobiling, impressive guides, new friendships, and many lasting memories. Each day brings nothing short of adventure, where each mile forward uncovers new terrain. Completing roughly 200 miles of first-class riding per day with a pace between 40 and 60 mph, The Great Gaspé is surely an accomplishment to be proud of.
One special feature of this tour is the security of a support vehicle. Your luggage is transported by truck and enclosed trailer to the night’s destination, relieving you of the task of attaching baggage to your sled. This also gives us the ability to efficiently move sleds needing repair to the appropriate facility and allowing a trip participant the option of riding in the truck should a person become ill. Coordination throughout the day is made possible by GPS systems on both the support vehicle and the guides’ snowmobile.
In an effort to create the most dynamic and enjoyable trip possible, our trips are structured so that the riding capabilities of our clients are closely matched. This is critical to developing a group that works well together, particularly for a long distance tour. Throughout our many years, we have found that groups of six riders per one guide offer the best experience.
The variety of world-class trails is undenaible as open field riding, weaving through the mountains, and high speed runs through the interior of the Gaspé brings the perfect blend of thrill and beauty. A trip of this magnitude relies upon the infrastructure of proper trail maintenance, good trail signage and safe bridges. The Gaspe really shines in these areas, allowing the superb trails to speak for themselves.
On the third day of the tour we pass through the region of Murdockville, which is known for using massive wind turbines to generate enough power for 200,000 homes. These small villages that decorate the coast offer comfortable lodging where one can relax after a full day of snowmobiling.
The primary route around the Gaspé, Trail 5, hugs the coastline and offers an extraordinary perspective that is distinct from many other regions. However there are several points at which heading inland reveals flat and open terrain; one such area is called “piston alley.” Wonder why?
