2017 Canadian Tire - President's Ride to “Moose Valley”

The Annual NBFSC President’s Ride was hosted by the New Brunswick Canadian Tire dealers and the

NBFSC recently. The N.B. Canadian Tire dealers - 19 owners - came on board as the NBFSC’s Exclusive

Corporate Partner in the summer of 2017 for the next 3-seasons including their title sponsorship of the

annual NBFSC President’s Ride.

This season, the ride began in Edmundston NB, riding trails to the ‘Moose Valley’ region on the weekend

of February 3rd

to 5th

, 2017. A number of our Zone 1 member clubs were the 2017 hosts of Presidents,

volunteers and guests from all over New Brunswick.

Past NBFSC President, Carl Smidt (1999-2001) created the concept of the Annual President’s Ride to

honor and thank the many volunteers in each of the member clubs who provide all of us with the NBFSC

trails. All of the Club Presidents are invited to attend each winter, usually a weekend in January. In

addition, the NBFSC’s Directors from each Zone, all NBFSC Past Presidents and a number of Corporate

Partners and previous season’s Award winners may attend, annually.

Member Club Presidents or their designates attending this year’s Ride were from all regions of the

Province; Edmundston, Green River, Campbellton, Moncton, Nashwaak Valley/Fredericton, Sussex,

Baie Ste. Anne, Fredericton, Bathurst, St, Quentin, Balmoral, Woodstock, Jacquet River, Hartland,

Neguac, Canterbury Fostervile Meductic, Nackawic, Centreville, Bouctouche / Ste. Marie and Saint John.

NBFSC Local Trail #’s 133, 138, 135 and 150, all lead into the wilderness of this superior snowbell north

east of Edmundston. Of course NBFSC Provincial Trail #17 still leads directly to the “centre” of the

“Moose Valley“ region and unofficial home of Club #76. Club Motoneige Riviere Verte. At the Moose

Valley Sporting Lodge the 55 plus riders were treated to a warm stop and free fuel. Then on to the

clubhouse of member club, Club Motoneige du Nord for lunch.

The NBFSC has had eleven (11) club volunteers serve as President of the entire Federation in our 35 year

history. Attending the 2017 President’s Ride and joining current NBFSC President Brad Mann

(Restigouche Snowmobile Club) were three (3) Past Presidents; John McLellan (Woodstock Snowmobile

Club), Leon Bourque (Club Motoneige Chaleur) and Sandy Young (SENBSA).

NBFSC Corporate Partner, Best Western in Edmundston and GM, Marc Michaud was our host for the

entire weekend. The Best Western is directly at the end of NBFSC Local Trail # 131. It is also accessible

off of Provincial highway #2 if you are trailering to Edmundston instead of riding by snowmobile on

Provincial Trail #12. Accommodations and of course excellent food is on site and nearby. Snowmobile

fuel; Shell is just 1 km east, again right on the snowmobile trail.

The weekend was capped off with a dinner on Saturday evening. Greetings and gratitude were brought

forward by President, Brad Mann. Corporate partners recognized were Lee Blanchette of Moose Valley

Sporting Lodge, Marc Michaud of Best Western, the four Snowmobile OEMS and Extreme Torque

Motorsports (Ski-Doo), City Argo Motorsports (Ski-Doo), Hawkins Equipment (Polaris), Patterson’s

Equipment (Arctic Cat) and West End Sports (Yamaha) for the use of their snowmobiles. Greetings were

capped by Mr. Pierre Girard, owner of the Canadian Tire in Athoville, NB who spoke on behalf of the 19

Canadian Tire dealers in New Brunswick. He stated they were proud to be the NBFSC Exclusive Partner

and prouder of the work of the volunteers of the Federation.

Thank you to all the federation’s Corporate Partners and those who took the time to participate in the

volunteer’s weekend. A final and very special thank you goes out to the volunteers and Groomer

operators of the Club Motoneige ASNO, Club Motoneige du Nord and Club Motoneige Riviere Verte for

the trails that everyone enjoyed.