Everyone has their own idea and expectations of what a snowmobile vacation should be for them. There are several stages that we all pass by on our way to finding happiness and wisdom in the world of snowmobiling. At first in the late 60’s, we rode around the house or the same field 700 times and were happy. In the 70’s, we needed to find a trail system, buy a trailer and adventure out to discover new places to be happy. After finding the same places that everyone else found, Old Forge, Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, Upper Maine, etc we were happy. It was the same for Bob…

Until it happened! In the 80’s, Bob’s uncle’s dairy farmer friends from Québec invited him to take a five day saddlebag trip to Québec leaving from the farm in Newport Vermont. Five days of sledding, 250 miles per day, no bumps, no traffic, with a great rider who actually knows the area…this was heaven!! He did not want to go home! Bob’s uncle’s friends showed him where and how to find the best trails, un-crowded conditions in areas where one can travel 1200 miles in a week on perfect fast trails, rolling into another town and a different hotel by 5 or 6PM every night, see all that there is to see and never go on the same trail twice. Bob always wondered how those guys could put 5-10,000 miles on their sleds each winter and never change their carbides! He will never forget that first trip! It was almost too good to be true! This was truly beyond description! You would have to do it to understand it! He learned that there are too many mountains, plains, lakes, rivers, ferryboats, peninsulas, Indian villages and even the ocean to discover on his sled! He was committed to a life of sledding exclusively in Québec. ! NOW HE WAS REALLY HAPPY

Life was beautiful until…one day in ’89 while on the road for another five day trip with his Québécois friends, all five trucks in the caravan stopped at 9PM for a sandwich at a coffee shop and gas station. The others went in for a snack and Bob snuggled up in the back seat of a Blazer sleeping under some snowmobile suits with his boots off. The guys watched from the restaurant window as the truck left the parking lot with Bob in it! At first, they thought that Bob was driving until they realized that the truck, trailer and four sleds and Bob were being stolen! Bob yelled out to the driver: “Slow down before you get us killed! I want to go ska-dooin’!” There was no answer. The truck came to a screeching stop and Bob ended up on the side of the road with only his socks on his feet in 15 degree below weather. A few minutes later, his friends showed up and made chase after the stolen truck but did not succeed in finding it. That was the end of that trip and the beginning of a boring next day at the police station. That was the day when Bob made the worst call home that he ever made asking his wife to come and pick him up! And the questions…Where is the truck? It is with the trailer. Where is the trailer? With my sled…Honey, pretty please with sugar on top, just take the car and come get me!

Now what? Does Bob forget Québec, quit sledding there or use this experience to learn from? He decided to learn what, where and why this happened. What he found out is that there are a few small areas in Québec where the theft rate is dangerously high. We have all heard similar horror stories from others that have visited Québec. These are the areas that have bought publicity here in the states and this is where the average American sledders go. These small areas are the perfect climate for theft and represent only about 1500 miles of trails. This leaves about 19,000 miles of riding that is not known to us here in the states! He decided to scout and plan trips in these safe and unknown areas and to help at first his friends and then the American sledders in general to discover them. This was the beginning of New England Bob’s Québec Adventures!

Why “New England” Bob? Several friends and clients from PA let Bob know that they were from Pensylvania and he was from New England. They nick-named him “New England Bob” and it stuck! Soon after, the name became the Company name which most sledders today have heard of! All Bob ever wanted to do was to share with everyone the never ending smooth trails and scenery and the excitement of that first unforgettable trip that he took with someone who knew Québec…and that he did! Snowgoer Magazine’s readers from 29 states and provinces in North America spoke out in the March 2003 issue''s "2002 Showtime Tourism Awards", voting New England Bob's Quebec Adventures as "Number Two Best Snowmobile Touring Operation" up from number three in the 2001 Showtime Awards! (the only American tour company operating exclusively in Quebec.)

New England Bob’s specializes in planning custom expedition adventure trips for small groups of friends in the huge, largely undiscovered expanses of Québec as well as other shorter distance local trips to familiarize you with a new place, not too far away, that you and your friends can comfortably re-visit on your own.

An adventure trip with New England Bob’s is like going sledding with five of your friends to a place that you have never been before only someone knows where all of the dealers, hospitals, hotels and gas stations are located on every trip. New England Bob’s does not simply sell spaces in a trip. They organize small personal/private groups of friends so waiting is minimal and fun is maximized! Even single guys whose friends are not available can find a place to fit in. Everything except gas, alcohol and lunch snacks is included from the moment you arrive until the morning when you leave after breakfast. For the convenience of a planned, guided, secure experience, for just $130 a day you’ll enjoy a trip with full breakfasts, suppers, fine lodging, taxes, tips and a specially trained guide. Relationships with most dealers will assure you that your sled is repaired on the same day if needed or make the day’s ride shorter or longer depending on what may arise while you are on your trip. During your trip, you can expect opportunities in front of a fireplace to explore subjects such as suspension adjustment, riding styles, how to read and feel a trail, spotting danger before it is too late, how to live through 60,000 miles of sledding without an accident, what causes most accidents, as well as other interesting subjects. Just for the fun of it, here is one of Bob’s riddles for you: What does it mean when an oncoming sledders hold up two fingers? There are two sleds behind him? Wrong answer! It means that you are in twice as much danger because I am driving with only one hand on the handlebars! Or it could mean: After the two sleds behind me go by, you can go back to using the entire trail again! Who cares how many sleds are coming? Could this be useless information? A team of four native guides, personally trained by Bob, take all of the worries out of your “adventure” and send you home with a smile on your face and stories that your friends won’t be able to imagine!

Here are some trips that New England Bob’s is planning for this winter:

Mauricie-Matawin, three days and nights, starts just two-and-a-half hours from the U.S. border for the beginner, intermediate and mileage hound. Experience the River St. Maurice, mountain trails and wide open fields that go for miles.

Upper Mauricie, four days and four nights, is a 480-plus-mile trip starting two-and-a-half hours from the U.S. border for the intermediate and experienced rider. This is a luxury mini vacation featuring the River St. Maurice, Park Mastigouche and Barrage Taureau.

Mauricie-Charlevoix, five days and five nights, is a trip that will help you discover some of Québec’s finest trails and scenery for the intermediate and experienced rider. Cross through two major parks including the famous High Gorges of the Malbie River.

Lac St-Jean, six days and six nights, is a trip for experienced riders who want to trave1,100 miles on wide open highways through open spaces, mountains and scenery. This complete tour of Lac St-Jean is a must-do for serious snowmobilers.

Cote Nord, seven days and seven nights, goes to the famous power dams of the Baie Comeau area where much of the electricity that we use comes from. For experienced riders, this 1200 mile-plus adventure takes you across the Saguenay River by ferry and up the north coast of the St. Laurence Seaway. Spend two days in Baie Comeau where you will take a snowmobile tour of the gigantic Manic Power Dams.

Gaspe Peninsula, seven days and seven nights, is the ultimate experience for the accomplished rider. Travel 150-250 miles per day with a total of 1,200 miles. See majestic mountains, the sea coast and wide open spaces. Discover the Chic Choc Mountain Range, Mt. St-Pierre, Perce Rock, Gaspe and more.

New England Bob’s is currently in search of the right person to assist in managing all phases of the business, someone serious that is willing to learn how to run all phases of the operation. Due to the growing numbers of dedicated and satisfied repeats and new first time clients, the business is experiencing strong and steady growth. Expanding the “team” would allow us to go to the next stage of growth while making sure that each participant received a top quality experience with us. If you think that you could be that person, please call Bob 413-634-8800 or email at: newenglandbob@aol.com.

Why is it so good in Québec? The temperature, general snowfall and a spirit of pride and dedication in trail quality that lives in the hearts of the folks who invented the snowmobile make for what many call the world’s finest interconnecting trail system!

New England Bob’s philosophy is that it doesn’t make sense for snowmobilers to keep going to the same overcrowded, bumpy and often dangerous destinations when the best conditions are nearby. Sleds are too expensive, winter is too short and vacations are too precious for poor conditions.

New England Bob’s will also plan and organize custom trips, mileage hound or luxury, three days or two weeks, in any part of the province of Québec. Contact New England Bob’s Web site at www.snowtours.com or send an email to bob@snowtours.com.