Backcountry snowmobiling's popularity endangering Quebec forestry industry

In the winter, snowmobiling is a popular way to get around in rural Quebec, but a recent boom in backcountry snowmobiling is threatening the forestry industry and causing conflict between land owners and thrill seekers.

A large network of trails connect Quebec's regions but it's the backcountry snowmobilers who ignore the trails that are stirring up controversy.

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The cross-over or hybrid snowmobilesare designed to cruise overdeep snow and therefore end up trespassing on private property as their users whiz around fresh powder.

"It's a totally different experience from what someone does in trail riding," said Michel Garneau,director of business development for the QuebecFederation of Snowmobiling Clubs.

They also take jumps with their machines and ride the snowmobiles like a dirt bike, he said.

Garneaucallsit "a very technical art," but land owners aren't seeing the artistry as much as the destruction these machines can cause.

'It ruins the trees'

Land owners are angrybecause they say backcountry snowmobilersoften come ontotheir properties without permission.

The Seminary of Quebecowns about 1,600-square kilometres of land along the north shore of the St. Lawrence River.

Jacques Lalibert, who manages their forestry work,claimshe's seen a spike in snowmobilers who go off the trails and into areas where the seminary ownsplantations.

The seminary considered completely blocking access to its land because snowmobilers were trampling the heads of the saplings buried beneath the snow.

"It ruins the trees," said Lalibert."It may not seem like a big loss but it's a big loss for us."

This kind of destruction has an effect on the Quebec economy because oflosses to the forestry industry, according to Lalibert.

He added that thereare few delegatedplaces for backcountry snowmobilers to go and that's something the provincial government needs to handle.

In the meantime, the Sretdu Qubec confirmed there will be extra surveillance this year in the Quebec City region.

A spokesperson for the SQ told CBC's Quebec AMthat fines for snowmobiling in restricted areas can go up to $2,000.