Once your snowmobile trailer is ready for winter, you might need something else to keep you busy while you’re waiting for the snow to fall. Why not plan a trip? If you’re spending the winter in ALCOM’s home state, Maine, you’re in luck: just across the northern border of the USA, the Canadian province of Quebec is home to more than 20,500 miles (33,000 km) of snowmobile trails.
And that’s just in Quebec! Our Great Canadian Snowmobile Trail series last winter ventured into all of Canada’s major regions: Atlantic, Central, Western and Northern Canada. As the autumn weather begins to set in, we’re getting ready for the 2025-2026 snowmobile season with an up-to-date refresher on how to make your Canadian snowmobile vacation a success!
If you’re traveling into Canada from the continental US, don’t forget your paperwork! There’s a little more of it involved with crossing international borders than if you're headed out on local trails in your hometown.
Passport: A passport (including your passport card or NEXUS card) is required to cross the border between the USA and Canada; Canadian law requires that travelers present proof of identity and citizenship.
Registration & proof of insurance: Since you need this everywhere, you’ve probably already got your updated tags and cards ready to go or a reminder set to renew them. Just make sure you keep a folder with current documents in your tow vehicle, since proof of registration and proof of insurance are required for your tow vehicle, trailer, and snowmobiles.
Trail permits: Most Canadian provinces require a trail pass of some type to operate a snowmobile, and in Saskatchewan, sled drivers born on/after 1/1/89 are required to take a safety course. When choosing your destination, don’t skip a visit to the province’s snowmobile federation website, where you can find information about permits, interactive maps, and more:
Prince Edward Island Snowmobile Association
Snowmobile-Motoneige New Brunswick
Fédération des clubs de motoneigistes du Québec (FCMQ)
Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs
British Columbia Snowmobile Federation
Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association
Northwest Territories Snowmobile Information
Klondike Snowmobile Association (Yukon Territories)
When you’ve decided where you want to ride, it’s time to plan where to stay, eat, and refuel. When using the interactive trail maps, you can find hotel information along the routes. Some hotels have secure indoor snowmobile parking, fuel, restaurants, and more. Explore converted churches, rental chalets with sled access, budget-friendly hotels and more with a visit to the interactive trail map.
What else should you pack to help you get around? A GPS is a must-have. Your phone’s GPS may work, but snowmobile-specific navigation systems are designed for outdoor adventure. Brands like Garmin, Trail Tech, and Magellan offer a variety of powersports GPS setups for different budgets.
The Trans Canada Trail (also known as the Great Canadian Snowmobile Trail) has an interactive map covering all sections of the trail in each province. Use this map to narrow down your route and download custom sections for easy reference. If you really want to travel in throwback mode, you can print those downloaded sections and fold them up inside your snowsuit pocket for trailside reference.
Passports, proof of insurance/registration, and a GPS or maps are a great start. Don't forget about some other snowmobile adventure essentials when preparing for your Canadian getaway.
Obviously, you need your snowmobile(s), and all the gear you usually wear to ride. Boots, helmets, goggles and mittens are easy to organize if you're hauling in an enclosed aluminum sled trailer with upper or lower cabinets! Having floor and wall tie-downs installed before you travel is also a great way to keep everything secure and organized inside the trailer. Your enclosed aluminum snowmobile trailer comes with standard tie-downs that vary by model, but don't hesitate to add more -- can a trailer ever be too organized? (We really don't think so.)
If you're exploring in Quebec, consider brushing up on your high school French or downloading an app like Google Translate or iTranslate! French is the province's official language, so signs, menus, and local conversations about how to "get there from here" may rely on it; thankfully, most phones can help, though you may also need to invest in international cell phone coverage for the duration of your trip.
A first-aid kit is always worth the space it occupies in your aluminum snowmobile trailer! So is a spare tire and the tools you need to change it. Completing your pre-winter inspection checklist well ahead of your planned trip gives you time to make any repairs or updates needed.
With your plan ready and your trailer packed, your snowmobile trip to Canada is set up for success. Because border crossing information is updated frequently, keep an eye on the current information for your specific crossing location and adjust your plans if needed.
If you still need a snowmobile trailer, what are you waiting for? Don't let snow sneak up on you this winter without an aluminum open or enclosed snowmobile trailer. Check out our buying guides on the ALCOM blog and visit our brand sites to learn more - then use our Dealer Locator to find your local ALCOM dealer and get ready for your next snowmobile adventure!