Several years ago, a few snowmobile enthusiasts from local clubs and communities expressed interest in raising the bar with promoting snowmobiling in Northern Manitoba. As a regional project, CEDF joined forces with Community Futures North Central Development, Greenstone and Cedar Lake Travel Manitoba to create and carryout a well-built strategy with the goal of making Northern Manitoba a premier snowmobile destination.
Over the past 5 years or so, the partners have worked with the local snowmobile clubs and communities to execute several project objectives. Some of these are:
• Creation of a marketing Brand and Logo "SledMB53".
• Development of an interactive website (SledMB53.ca) to navigate visitors to community tourism pages, snowmobile clubs, snowmobile events, SnoMan Trail Maps and more.
⚫ Creation of the Sled Friendly Program. This is a training and certification program for northern businesses and communities to put their best foot forward in welcoming snowmobiler to the north
⚫ Commenced the building of a new SnoMan trail between Cranberry Portage and Snow Lake (of special note, once this trail is done the entire north will be linked by SnoMan trails all the way south!)
• Worked with Heartland Travel and Tours to offer the inaugural Quest for the Bay - 5-day escorted snowmobile tour from Thompson to Churchill. (of special note, this tour was attended by media and will be featured on On Snow - Snowmobiler TV in 2023!)
Tourism is a significant economic driver in Northern Manitoba. Travel Manitoba has identified the need for creation of product and experience development as a key priority to develop the industry in the region. Additionally, snowmobiling is a very lucrative industry in Manitoba according to an economic impact study delivered by SnoMan Inc. and Travel Manitoba in 2023. With the knowledge we have, it makes good sense to explore and develop the future of the snowmobile tourism industry in Northern Manitoba.