March 25, 2009

Greetings from Aroostook County...


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Looks like another good weekend for spring sledding. Cold temps at night have left the base in good shape. A bit of rain and some warm temps will help improve the sledding for a week or two. Most projects were out at least once this week and will be out, weather permitting to clean up for the weekend.

Sledders are cautioned that there are some washes on ITS 88 on the east side of the Aroostook River between Presque Isle and Caribou beyond that things look pretty good. Areas where there is logging there is lots of bare ground so use caution, this includes areas on ITS 85 between Portage and Carter Brook, Rt. 75 by Squa Pan, Rt. 98 off Long Lake and Rt 73 near Sly Brook.

Looking around the Crown in the southern reaches fields are getting a bit boney and road crossings are receeding but the trail bases are still good and ITS 85, 83 and 86 from northern Penobscot to southern Aroostook are all open and have been groomed.

In the central region all projects have been out at least once this week with a couple pulling back, but there are no reports of water problems however keep in mind that areas of logging will be producing bare ground so proceed with caution.

Further north a couple of projects have limited grooming but overall conditions are still in great shape with a good solid base and a bit more snow cover which should last a couple of weeks.

Please use caution at all water bodies. River ice is thinning and lake ice around inlets and thoroughfares is also much thinner so if you go on lakes, stay on marked areas.

Remember with thousands of miles of trails it is impossible for projects to find all the problem areas so sledders are advised that if you find problems please report them to the local club.

On the culinary side make sure you get to the Washburn clubhouse this weekend this will be their last Saturday and Sunday.

INFORMATION REGARDING ITS 92 FROM ALLAGASH TO ESCOURT STATION 2008-2009

After the first of the year you will need a passport !!!!

If for any reason that several of you folks --like 5 or more are traveling to Canada on a weekend, you may make reservations with the Canadian Port officer Luc Leblanc and for a small fee to allow you to pass but that is a choice of Mr. Leblanc's and his time to do this for you. This fee goes to the Canadian Government and also a favor to the public.

You may also contact Mr. Benoit Morin on Weekends for gas before you get to Escourt and make arrangements to have gas for you and again you must be a group as he too is doing us a favor to open his station to the public.

Mr. Morin was taken by surprise somewhat last year when the new ITS was put in place and since has been able to get American money as he dealt only with the Canadian Public up to this time. NO CREDIT CARDS other than a debit card as this is his only way of payment. He will have American money for exchange. CASH FOR GAS Mr. Morin has only regular gas and will stock only a small amount of sled oil .

Mr. Morins TELEPHONE

418-859-1178 Work
418-859-2180 Home
418-859-2714 GAZ-BAR Irving
418-867-7684 Pager

He is and can be very helpful as the Gas Bar goes but please call ahead of time so you can make arrangements.

If there is an accident and one must go to a Canadian Hospital and it is on a weekend or off time from custom hours--Do what you must but as soon as one can report to Customs and the Mounties ASAP or the Quebec Provincial Police as they do work together.

This is a must and for your protection.

Telephone for Guy Leblanc 418-859-2201/ FAX-418-859-1359 email Guy.LeBlanc@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

If one wants to continue to Canada and register sleds one must go to the Hotel right at the border crossing and next to the Lake. This is the first place that one will come to as he goes under the Railroad bridge.

The owner is EricTardif
Telephone 877-661-1600
The Quebec registrations for sleds are sold at this Hotel.

Internet site-----------------villades frontieres.com
email---info@villadesfrontieres.com FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW:

REGISTRATION: The Maine snowmobile trail system operates on a sled registration system. There is no trail pass required, but all Maine residents and non-residents must register their sleds in Maine to ride in Maine.

Resident Registration is $35 (one year), commencing from July 1. Non-residents have three options - a 3 consecutive day registration is $43; 10 consecutive days is $58 and a full season is $88. (Plus an agent's processing fee of $1-$2) Non-resident registrations note the dates for which they are valid. You can register at numerous agent locations throughout the state - a list of Registration Agents is available on the IF & W site as well. You can also register through the mail or purchase a resident renewal or non-resident season registration on-line at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife web site .

WHERE YOU CAN RIDE: There are 2,200 miles of snowmobile trails in The County, and (depending on the snow cover), your registration allows you access to every mile. There are many places where you cannot operate a snowmobile: You may not operate a snowmobile in a cemetery; within 200 feet of a dwelling, hospital, nursing home, convalescent home or church; along or adjacent to railroad tracks without the written permission of the railroad; across the tracks of a railroad if forbidden by the railroad or if the tracks are posted. On a plowed road, sleds need to travel off the portion of road used by motor vehicles and only for a very limited distance - if you're crossing the road, 300 yards - if you're crossing a bridge, overpass or underpass, 500 yards. Some communities do designate snowmobile access routes into their town in order for sledders to get to gas stations, restaurants, etc - these should be well marked and noted on the local trail map - travel slowly and to the extreme right when using these routes. Never ride on any property, unless you are on a signed snowmobile trail, without the landowner's permission. Check your snowmobile law handbook for further details on where you can and can't ride. The best way to enjoy snowmobiling in Maine is to get hold of a trail map and ride on the groomed and marked trail system where landowner permission has been obtained for everyone, snowmobile laws have been complied with, trails have been maintained, snow has been groomed, and signs are in place. REMEMBER PLOWED WOODS ROADS ARE OFF LIMITS UNLESS OTHERWISE DESIGNATED.

RIDING IS A PRIVILEGE.......NOT A RIGHT........PLEASE RESPECT PRIVATE PROPERTY !!! BORDER CROSSINGS: You must stop at customs to cross the Canadian border. Since 911, border security operations are taken extremely seriously, with good reason. Travel with the same paperwork you would carry if you planned on touring Canada by automobile - photo ID, passport's a good idea if you have one, proper registrations and insurances. REMEMBER, you will need a passport to cross the border by January 1, 2009 and by this January you will need one to come in by land or sea so a passport might be a good idea. Contact the Quebec Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (514)252-3076 or the New Brunswick Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (506)325-2625 for information/required paperwork for snowmobiling in their provinces. Crossings in Fort Kent area are open 24 hr/7 days a week, as are major crossings into New Brunswick. Many less traveled crossings have limited hours of operation, so check locally and plan your trips accordingly.

Fees for permits in the adjacent provinces FOR THE 2008-2009 SEASON are as follows:

New Brunswick: (All fees are listed in Canadian money---but remember we are at par now!)


Annual Trail Permit $200.00 plus 13% tax
One Day Pass $ 35.00 plus 13% tax
Three Day Pass $ 75.00 plus 13% tax
Seven Day Pass $115.00 plus 13 % tax
Family Pass $ 75.00 plus 13% tax
Antique Snowmobile Pass $ 35.00 plus 13% tax (sleds over 20 years old)
Classic Snowmobile Pass $ 75.00 plus 13% tax (sleds 10-20 years old)

Quebec: (All fees listed in Canadian money)

NOTE: The following prices include the cost of mandatory liability insurance and applicable taxes. Please note your are better off buying the trail permit in advance as it will cost you an extra $80 on the trail. Also you cannot purchase daily nor 7 day permits on the trail.


Annual Trail Permit (in advance) $250.00
Annual Trail Permit (on trail) $300.00
7 Day Trail Permit $150.00
1 Day Trail Permit $ 50.00

The sticker is not sufficient !

You must have the proof of purchase (large blue paper) from your trail permit in your possession at all times and be prepared to display it to a trail warden or peace officer as proof that you are circulating legally on the trails (Act respecting off highway vehicles, article 38, 7°).

Replacement Permit

Replacement permits may be purchased from the club the original permit was purchased from for 15 $. To receive a replacement permit, the original trail permit or portion there of plus the matching trail permit trail receipt must be given back.