What is Snoman?
Snoman (Snowmobilers of Manitoba) Inc. is a non-profit organization representing 53 member snowmobiling clubs that maintain and groom over 13,000 kilometres of Manitoba's scenic trails. Member clubs are financially supported through the sale of Snopasses.
Our Mission
Snoman (Snowmobilers of Manitoba) Incorporated is dedicated to providing strong leadership and support to its member clubs to develop and maintain safe and environmentally responsible snowmobile trails to further the enjoyment of organized recreational snowmobiling throughout Manitoba.
Our Vision
Snoman is dedicated to being an organization with a strong volunteer base, the safest trail system in North America, and sustainable funding.
Values
Communication
We strive for open and effective communications within our organization and the public and readily share information to keep everyone informed.
Teamwork
We promote cooperation and support among staff, board members, and partners to enhance our combined knowledge and achieve common goals.
Accountability
Through sound judgment, ethical behaviour, and fiscally responsible administration of resources, we are accountable to our members for decisions made, policies implemented, and actions are taken.
Transparency
We are transparent in the way we communicate with others, providing timely, relevant, and accurate information, and we encourage and promote participation in decision-making by all members of our organization.
Collaboration, Partnership, and Cooperation
We recognize and appreciate volunteers and partners that assist with the operation of our clubs, and we seek opportunities to form alliances with others to maximize our resources.
Change and Innovation
We are open to change and look for creative new ways to fulfill our vision, mission, and goals.
President's Message
2025 is a special milestone for Snoman, 50 years of provincial trail organization and advocacy. Changes to equipment, processes, and funding are many, what hasn’t changed is the dedication of volunteers, the commitment of Snoman to the future of organized snowmobiling, and the health of all 53 clubs.
The 2025 season was tremendous in terms of grooming, with almost 157,000 km completed on our 13,224 km network. The first trail opened on December 2, and the last trail closed on April 11 – that is 19 weeks of groomed trail bliss! Net Snopass sales were up over 5% year over year and exceeded $3 million dollars, while grooming payouts doubled over last season, and trail maintenance payouts are up by 15%.
Snoman continued to roll out the Rockstar groomer tracking device to those clubs who didn’t experience them in 2024 due to low snow conditions. It has proved to be a reliable unit that has also recognized operational cost savings for the organization which in turn leaves more money on the snow. We appreciate everyone’s efforts in the learning curve, it’s not always easy to adopt new technology.
Snoman continues to work with all levels of government to advance our concerns to ensure we stay viable for the next 50 years. We currently are still suffering low levels of enforcement due to chronic understaffing in RCMP and Conservation. This leads to a Snopass compliance level of only 55% where industry data suggests 78% of all snowmobilers are groomed trail riders. This gap represents theft from the organization and hampers our ability to pay clubs a compensation rate that fits with the inflated cost of new grooming equipment and maintenance. We continue to ask government to review the integration of Snopasses and compliance enforcement.
As we mark the first full fiscal year of the ORV fee, we thank the government for supporting that initiative. This has led to the ability to pay out new funds in fitting with trail safety and maintenance laid out in that bill. New this year and for the first time in history, is annually dedicated funding for our 200 safety shelters. In addition, clubs are also receiving funding for trail signing, ensuring all clubs have the financial means to support consistent trail signing throughout the province. We also completed 23 trail safety audits last season, working with clubs to drive consistent signage and trail safety initiatives for the benefit of all Snopass holders.
As we look forward to the 2026 season, Snoman will be marking the 50th anniversary with on snow events spread across all 5 regions. Look for announcements in the coming months, it should be an action-packed winter. We look forward to seeing all of you on the trail celebrating 50 years of passion with us.
I would like to congratulate all award winners and award nominees. Our organization is made up of many dedicated volunteers and recognizing them every year is an honor. It’s your commitment and dedication that continues to propel the organization forward. I would also like to thank the corporate rider partners for supporting the sport.
It has been a pleasure being your president, and I look forward to the coming year. The dedicated staff and board at Snoman are as excited as you are for this winter season.
Snoman – driven by passion, powered by volunteers, fueled by Snopasses!
Our Staff
History
Snoman (Snowmobilers of Manitoba) Inc. was incorporated and registered under the ‘Companies Act’ on November 13, 1975. Snoman Inc. was established to:
- Advance organized snowmobiling in Manitoba;
- Coordinate matters of mutual interest for organizations that relate to snowmobiling;
- Develop snowmobile trails and associated facilities;
- Promote snowmobile safety;
- Consult with representatives from the public sector, private sector, and other provincial snowmobile associations across Canada;
- Assist with protecting the environment; and
- Perform desirable and lawful functions in the general public interest.
In 1994, Snoman Inc. and the Province of Manitoba entered into an agreement that enacted the Snopass, under the Crown Lands Act, Provincial Snowmobile Trail Regulation. The Snopass provides clubs with revenue to maintain designated snowmobile trails. Designated snowmobile trails provide:
- The safest alternative for riders to enjoy snowmobiling;
- Trails that help reduce trespassing on private property;
- Winter travel links to communities throughout rural and northern Manitoba;
- Dollars to businesses reliant on winter tourism;
- Tax revenue for both the federal and provincial governments;
- Increased revenue to snowmobiling related industries; and
- Economic benefit of more than three hundred million dollars annually to the Manitoba economy.
The Snopass system was created to provide a user-pay system. It ensured that riders who use the trail system were helping to fund its ongoing operating costs by paying into it. It provided Snoman Inc., its Regional Snowmobile Associations, and its member clubs a more stabilized funding base to help finance the operations and administration associated with snowmobile trail maintenance.
