Ontario Canada Snowmobile Vacation Trail Reports Availability and Snowmobiling Conditions

Trail Conditions

2008-02-11T14:16:00.000-05:00

The trails are well groomed, hard packed and great to ride. The lodge is bustling with happy snowmobilers ( www.lillabelle.com ). We welcome you to come see for yourself. It has been a little colder than we would like but the cold weather fortifies the trails.

Great Trails Vacationer Dream

2008-01-29T14:11:00.000-05:00

The snow just keeps piling up in the parking area and the sleds keep pulling up happily. We are right on the main trail out of Cochrane so we keep close eyes and ears out for their condition.

Everyone that passes through agrees that we ahve extraordinary snowmobiling trails.

Our lodge is cozy and invites you to stop by, spend a night.

Lillabelle Lake Resort
Cochrane Ontario Canada
http://www.lillabelle.com/ and visit our Ontario Canada Snowmobile Vacation page for further details.

Trail Conditions Excellent

2008-01-23T11:27:00.001-05:00

From Cochrane Ontario, Lillabelle Lake Resort, the trail conditions are excellent. The snow just doesn't stop and the trail groomers are busy like crazy. Been a little bit colder than usual.

All ice bridges are well frozen and the lodge is hopping with happy snowmobilers.

Lotsa Snow Ontario Canada

2008-01-18T19:54:00.000-05:00

There's tons of snow on the ground and still snowing like crazy. The trail are spectacular.

Eagle's Earth is closed for the winter.

Cochrane Ontario Snow Conditions

2007-11-30T14:37:00.000-05:00

Rod at Lillabelle Lodge is helping the trail groomers with packing the snow down. Seems like they received a wet snow that encrusted a layer above the base snow. He says it is just a question of packing it all down and getting some fresh snow to fall.

The snow has been less heavy than in Calstock but the riders are out and about, but not on the snowmobile trail system yet as it isn't opened yet. He said that he would post up a blog when it opens.

They seem to be geared up for a good season, they are hopeful that the snow conditions will be better than last year. Lillabelle Lodge Snowmobile Vacations are about as good as any other. Good food, nice clean trail side rooms and evening get togethers at the lodge. They have been in the snowmobiling vacation industry for a good number of years and no what the snowmobilers want. Come back soon ...

Snow Tracks and Christmas Greeting

2007-11-28T13:19:00.000-05:00

Season Greetings from Eagle's Earth! The snow keeps piling up but haven't seen any snowmobilers around yet, of course the snowmobiling season isn't officially open yet on the main trails. Certainly have enough snow here to accomodate any early riders wanted to use our on-site trails for now.
The restaurant is open throughout the year, ready to serve you First Nations or Canadian dishes. 8 of our cabins are left open for snowmobilers and overnight conference center guests. Our convenience store and First Nations gift store are open too.

Along the main Trans-Canada trail system, the only tracks I found were from animals, like this fox.

Eagle's Earth is Snowed In Already

2007-11-26T10:12:00.000-05:00

Another four inches of snow has fallen in the last twenty four hours. Snowmobilers are riding around Calstock already but the trail systems are not open yet, they are in need of grooming.

Cochrane and Calstock Snow Conditions

2007-11-24T11:55:00.000-05:00

Wow!!

The ground is frozen rock-hard, the snow is already up to six inches deep in places and is definitely not showing signs of melting. Vacationers should be in for a good season if this continues.

At Eagle's Earth, the snow is falling down heavily as I write. Lillabelle Lake Resort has yet to inform me today about their conditions but seeing that it is only two hours East of here, I am suspecting that the snowmobilers there are studding their tracks.

Get ready Canada, the snowmobiling season may soon begin! Perhaps Mother Nature will make up for last year and will can start an early snowmobile vacation season. Falling to my knees as we speak ...

Nov. 24, 2007

snowmobilers winter vacation fun

2007-06-28T10:23:00.000-04:00

Rod and Kim with guests Leanne, Paul, Jean and Greg. Check out their complete Cochramne Ontario Canada Snowmobile Vacation Story.Taking off to the snowmobiling trails. Weather reports are favourable for all week.

This is what the trails look like before grooming. We crossed the Abitibi River at the ice bridge.

Thinking About Next Winter

2007-06-28T10:13:00.001-04:00

Balmy weather this summer. Wish it was snowing. We are hard at work with our summer guests but are looking forward to Christmas and the next snowmobiling season.

Fred promised to put up some new snowmobile pictures here but hasn't gotten' around to it yet. He's probably busy smallmouth bass fishing and brook trout fishing south of here. Come back soon though (after we kick him the butt) and sure enough the new winter pictures will be up.

We are looking forward to providing you with up-to date trail reports again. I know last year we were somewhat sporatic with that but you can always call in and someone here will be happy to give you an honest snowmobiling trail report. If it is good, we will happily tell you that. If it is not so good, well, we'll tell you that too. It's no use coming up here for second class trails. We have a great system here (when the weather co-operates).

Talk soon
1-888-494-5344

You can always visit us at www.lillabelle.com too and check out our Snowmobile Vacation webpages for more pictures and information.

Ontario Snowmobiling Trail Conditions

2006-12-11T13:22:00.000-05:00

Our Ontario Canada winter vacation resort is pleased to provide our first snowmobile trail conditions report of the season :

Snowmobiling Trail Conditions Report

There is some snow that is staying on the trails. We seem to be in a mild period, maybe it will all melt away. Who really can say? Get back to our winter vacationing fun conditions blog after Christmas for an update. Happy Holidays Everyone!

Dec 09, 2006

Honest Trail Conditions Canada

2006-07-19T17:10:00.000-04:00

Snowmobiling, being in the tourist industry, is a very competitive business sector in Canada. Packages for vacationers are offered of all sorts, from the basic "here is a room and the kitchen is open over there at noon" arrangements to the all-inclusive, fully-guided, fully-equipped, chilled champagne on arrival, chocolates on the pillows, private ice fishing huts and on-site security.

The winter tourism dollar is reward enough for adventure providers like us, to carefully craft a marketing strategy. One that is friendly, open, honest and interesting. We are fortunate being this far north as snow fall and cold are not at shortages here in the James Bay Frontier. It is always cold and snowing in the winter. Snow, in fact, becomes our region's greatest winter tourism resource and manage it well. Our world class trail systems simply outclass the rest.

Canada's snowmobiling industry has gone through its share of ups and downs over the years. In the bright times, most of the tourist operators celebrate in a moving display of camaraderie. In the darker years though, the industry tends to take on a meaner marketing dimension. Desperate tour operators can resort to unsavoury means in order to get additional business. When threatened or hurt, they easily announce false accusations on forums about specific competitors or even entire regions and provinces. Sadly, some may even blatantly lie about the actual weather or trail conditions on the ground in order to rent a room or jsut to keep the deposit. This type of business practice can hang a dark cloud on an entire region's industry when it is left unchallenged.

That is why sled paths reporting, the actual happenings on the ground need to be delivered to potential vacationers in a completely honest way. Not only is it a reflection of good ethics for the winter destination but it is also a testimony to the industry as a whole within a region, an entire province or even the whole snowmobiling industry in Canada.

If it hadn't snowed for three weeks and the temperatures have been consistently hovering in the low teens, then it is unethical to report that a snow storm just passed through. To continue in the charade and to suggest that the groomers are warming up is an unspeakable act of distrust. To take the whole play to the point when you declare that they have just headed out to make a way for you ... is a downright, low-down, terrible, terrible thing.

Safety Tips Snowmobiling Northern Ontario

2006-07-12T16:00:00.000-04:00

warm spells melt the snow and can make bare spots

Ten things to know and prepare for when coming to the James Bay frontier for a snowmobile vacation.

1. The Snow, Cold and Wind

We consider winter to be between the months of November and April. The snow conditions usually become favourable soon after Christmas and are in use throughout the season. The snowmobile trails begin to deteriorate and become disactivated in March.

2. The Vast Wildlife

You can expect to encounter wildlife along your journey. You may have to follow a moose for a while who has decided to use the same short-cut. Stay behind until it trots into the woods at a point of its choosing.

Never try to feed animals in the North. It is not meant to be treated as a circus.

Never try to run down a wolf pack.

I don't quite know how to say this. OK. If you stay on the trails you won't run over a hibernating bear. If you do decide to run over a hibernating bear it will be angry.

3. Ice on Waters

Always make sure ice conditions on lakes and rivers is at the time of your crossing.

If you see water on the lake do not assume there is ice underneath it. Water on the lake is a competent indicater that there is no ice on that spot. Stay on the trail, they are maintained for your safety. Keep in touch with local credible trail reports.

River and bridge crossings are clearly marked. Examine all crossings yourselves and proceed cautiously and in a safe manner.

4. Bare Patches on Trails

At the beginning of the sledding season, at the end and during warm spells, bare spots can appear on the trails and be dangerous. Avoid bare spots carefully and again, keep tabs on trail conditions with a trusted source.

5. Trail Partners and Showing Off

Never travel the trail systems alone. Thinking that someone will be along the way soon after a break-down is a mistake in Northern Ontario. Always have another snowmobile with you as you sweep through our northern hills.

If you need to release your adrenaline by doing stunts and showing off, do so away from the trail system. Find out where the locals go to play, I'm sure they'll gladly tell you.

At all times, try to follow posted rules and speed limits on the trails.

6. First Aid Kit and Course

Have a First Aid kit with you at all times and it's a good idea to be updated on First Aid procedures just in case.

7. Trail Passes

Avoid hassles. Get a trail pass. We pay inspectors to patrol our system. Your trail passes fees mostly go back into managing the trails system and paying for security. Please support our resources, just buy a trail pass.

Our trail inspectors are professionals and will treat you with ther upmost respect, but there is a penalty for not having a trail pass and they will enforce it.

8. Track Weather Yourselves

Keep in touch with the weather. An ethical winter tourism manager will give you accutrate details regarding the conditions. Use trusted snowmobiling vacations destinations.

9. Plan for Emergency

Know what to do in case of an emergency.

10. Know Your Routes

Get up-to-date trail maps.

The trails are well marked but a person can get lost in the North. Have an accurate trail map and know your route by heart. If you have any questions, your tour guides should be happy to assist you.

keep your speed down and ride safely

2007 Snowmobiling in Canada

2006-07-11T12:23:00.000-04:00

Our fishing rods and tackle boxes litter the boats, our thoughts are not on the Canadian winter vacationing season in of 2007. it is not the time for snow storm after snowstorm that make our sledding paths wide and strong. The trail groomers are in maintenance now. It is now about the fishing and the pike are fighting ferociously.

Canada's top snowmobile destinations have stopped watching thermometers. They have swapped snowsuits for bikinis and knee high shorts. When is the season going to start this year, is not in their thoughts. What is the weather going to be like next year, a non-existent notion. Who's got the best trail conditions reports doesn't even cross our minds. These once dominating spells of chilling worries do not exist today in our sunburned brains.

So we are just going to slumber away the rest summer and with the rest of Canada, go fishing now. We will keep our eyes open for the cold that always starts as a shiver when the snow is the falling leaves of bliss that base the snowmobiler's passions.