Rivière-du-Loup recently celebrated the launch of its first Snow Festival, organized by the Federation of Snowmobile Clubs of Quebec to promote snowmobiling as a family-friendly activity. Despite lower-than-expected attendance, the event featured opportunities for families to engage with Ski-Doo models. Onil Dupont, president of the local club, highlighted the club’s extensive trail network and the community’s dedication to enhancing snowmobiling in the region, showcasing the potential for a vibrant snowmobiling culture.
Rivière-du-Loup Hosts Inaugural Snow Festival
Last Saturday marked a significant milestone in the world of snowmobiling as the Federation of Snowmobile Clubs of Quebec launched the inaugural Snow Festival in Rivière-du-Loup. This exciting event unfolded at the Les Aventuriers club’s fortress, situated on the scenic grounds of the Hôtel Universel.
Stéphane Desroches, the Federation’s general director, shared insights on the event’s purpose: “We opted for this innovative format to enhance the visibility of snowmobiling as a leisure activity and to strengthen our Federation’s outreach.” He emphasized the importance of engaging the younger generation to secure the future of snowmobiling, stating, “By centering this event around families, we aim to connect with our target audience.”
The site was thoughtfully designed to cater to families, featuring experts from BRP who provided attendees the opportunity to test various Ski-Doo models. Despite a turnout that fell short of the organizers’ expectations, there was consensus that this inaugural event served as a promising foundation that could be fine-tuned to better meet the goals of the Federation and its partners.
A Legacy of Snowmobiling Leadership
In the realm of snowmobiling in this region of Quebec, one name stands out prominently: Onil Dupont, the dedicated president of the club. “I became a member in 1977 and transitioned from an administrator to president, a role I have cherished for over 40 years,” he shared. Dupont has played a crucial role in establishing a remarkable network of trails that highlight the beauty of the region. He credits this achievement to the unwavering support of a team of committed volunteers who strive to deliver exceptional trails for all to enjoy.
The club boasts an impressive 162 kilometers of trails, stretching from Sainte-Hélène-de-Kamouraska in the west to Cacouna in the east, and operates three groomers to maintain them. “Each year, we welcome between 500 and 600 members,” Dupont noted. “This season has been particularly good, with trails open and traffic flowing smoothly.”
When Dupont first joined the club, there was no extensive trail system connecting the region to the rest of Quebec. Through collaboration with various partners, including Jean Pomerleau, he advocated for the extension of the Trans-Québec trail into their territory, transforming Rivière-du-Loup into a hub for snowmobiling activities.
Engaging in conversation with Onil Dupont about snowmobiling is akin to exploring a captivating story, as he possesses an intricate knowledge of his region. “What’s extraordinary about our area is that the snowmobiling season can extend into mid-April. Although we faced some delays this year, we quickly adapted and provided excellent trail conditions as soon as the snow fell,” he remarked.
Reflecting on a previous season, Dupont recounted an instance when a sudden snowstorm prompted members to urge him to reopen the trails after an early closure. “I hesitated but ultimately agreed. The snowmobilers returned, and we extended the season until mid-April. That experience revealed our potential to offer outstanding late-season conditions, as long as the weather is favorable,” he concluded.