Gros Morne National Park of Canada
Snowmobiling
Enjoying the great outdoors doesn't stop in Gros Morne because it's winter.
Parks Canada sincerely thanks all those who volunteered their time to help develop both the Guidelines for Resident Snowmobile Use and the Public and Commercial Snowmobile Management Plan. These management directives are now in place in Gros Morne National Park.
The Agency approved the Resident Guidelines and the Public/Commercial Plan following a rigorous environmental assessment. We encourage you to find out more about what they say. Do your part to help protect the environmental and cultural values that have made Gros Morne famous around the world. We wish you a safe and enjoyable snowmobiling experience.
What you need to snowmobile in Gros Morne National Park
Gros Morne National Park's backcountry is wilderness.
Are you prepared?
Exploring Gros Morne National Park's backcountry is truly a wilderness experience. Challenging terrain, deep snow, changing weather conditions and the absence of infrastructure all combine to make snowmobiling in Gros Morne National Park for the skilled, self-reliant rider who has very good-to-excellent navigation skills.
Know the risks:
- Gros Morne National Park is a wilderness landscape.
- Weather, terrain and remoteness represent the greatest and most consistent hazards snowmobilers will face. Blowing snow and low cloud or fog can quickly reduce visibility to zero. A white winter landscape on cloudy days creates “flat light” conditions making it difficult to see and judge terrain.
- Encounters with aggressive wildlife can occur throughout the park.
- Cell phones have limited coverage in the backcountry.
Avalanches occur in Gros Morne National Park, every winter. Reduce your risk:
- Do not highmark and hammerhead. These activities can trigger an avalanche and are not permitted in the national park.
- Get avalanche training. (Check out www.avalanche.ca )
Prepare for your trip:
- Dress appropriately for changing weather conditions and activity levels.
- Let a trusted friend or family member know your travel plans.
- Carry and know how to use a map (1:50,000 scale topographic map) and compass.
- Snowmobiles should be in good condition, properly serviced, have extra fuel, and equipped for emergencies.
- Wear a floatation suit and carry ice picks when travelling over ice.
In case of emergency in Gros Morne National Park, call Parks Canada's
24-hour emergency number
1-877-852-3100
Remote locations and weather conditions could delay rescue, be prepared.
Responsible snowmobiling in Gros Morne National Park
You can help to protect Gros Morne National Park by doing the following:
- Avoid crossing bare ground or thin snow. Track force can damage plant cover and erode soil.
- Respect the season of use. Please note that the season of use can change depending on snow cover and on caribou migration and calving activity.
- Give wildlife space. Winter is hard enough on animals so please let them conserve their energy by not bothering them when they are feeding, resting or travelling. Please do not approach wild animals. Use binoculars to watch them.
- Do not engage in highmarking or hammerheading. These activities intrude into important Arctic hare habitat on valley slopes, and are therefore not permitted in the national park.
Be a responsible snowmobiler:
- Stay in designated areas to:
- Reduce the effect of disturbance on wildlife and vegetation.
- Provide space for other parks users.
- Minimize access to old growth forest – a rare ecosystem and important habitat for caribou.
- Respect the conditions of your snowmobile permit for Gros Morne National Park.
- Follow the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations' Code of Ethics and advice for Snowmobilers Keeping Nature Beautiful to reduce your impact on the environment.
- Do not snowmobile alone.
Getting involved
If you would like to explore opportunities to get involved in monitoring at Gros Morne National Park or to provide us with feedback about any aspect of your snowmobiling experience, please send a message to grosmorne.info@pc.gc.ca or call (709)-458-2417.
Snowmobile operator's permit and park entry pass
Under the Canada National Parks Act, all snowmobile operators must have a permit to snowmobile in Gros Morne National Park. Snowmobile permits are available at no cost but as with any activity in a national park, you will also require a park entry pass. The park entry pass can be purchased for the day or for the year. For more information on park passes, click here .
Your snowmobile operator's permit will also come with: A conditions of use fact sheet; a map with safety information; and information about a web panel that you can join to offer us feedback on your snowmobile experience in the park.
Find out more: