Conditions of Public/Commercial Permit

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What do I need to snowmobile in Gros Morne National Park for this season? The general public are required to obtain a snowmobile operator’s permit and as with any activity in the National Park you are required to purchase a park entry pass (day pass or annual).

    

2. Who can get a snowmobile operator’s permit? Keeping in mind the provincial age restrictions for snowmobile operators, a public snowmobile permit is available to anyone in the general public. Provincial legislation states you must be thirteen years of age to operate a snowmobile in Newfoundland and Labrador.

    

3. Why do I need an operator’s permit to snowmobile in Gros Morne National Park this season? Gros Morne National Park is now regulated by the Canada National Parks Act; therefore snowmobiling is a regulated activity in the National Park. Since the 2007/2008-snowmobile season, all snowmobile operators must have a permit to snowmobile in Gros Morne National Park. Issuing permits will assist Parks Canada in better understanding and managing the activity.

    

4. Is there any cost for a snowmobile operator’s permit? Snowmobile operator’s permits are available at no cost. As with any activity in a National Park you will also require a park entry pass. The park entry pass can be purchased daily or annually.

    

5. Why do I need a park entry pass? All park users in all national parks in Canada are required to have a park entry pass. The funds generated go directly back into the maintenance of park facilities as well as park monitoring and management programs.

    

6. Is the snowmobile operator’s permit for the snowmobile or the driver? The snowmobile operator’s permit is for the driver of the snowmobile. It is not necessary for a passenger to have a snowmobile operator’s permit however, as with all park users passengers are required to have a park entry pass.

    

7. Do I need to have the snowmobile operator’s permit and park entry pass with me when I snowmobile? Yes, carry both the snowmobile operator’s permit and park entry pass with you while snowmobiling in Gros Morne National Park, as you may be asked by park staff to produce them.

    

8. What is the season for public snowmobiling? Snowmobile operator’s permits will be valid for one snowmobile season. The public snowmobile season is January 15 to April 30. (Note: Season subject to change depending on snow conditions).

    

9. What is the difference between a local community resident and a public permit? The length of the season and permitted areas of travel are different.

    

10. Why is there a different season for local community resident and the public/commercial snowmobilers? Recognizing the impacts that the park establishment had on the residents of the local communities within the boundaries of the National Park, Parks Canada permits local residents access to Gros Morne National Park for domestic timber harvest purposes in designated areas, snowshoe hare snaring in designated areas and snowmobiling.

     

11. How long is the permit valid? January 15th to April 30th of the year the permit was issued. The Superintendent may vary the dates for snowmobiling due to snow conditions.

     

12. Is the annual park entry pass I bought this past summer good for snowmobiling? No, the annual park pass is valid until December 31 each year. The park pass provides you with the opportunity to participate in a number of activities year-round including snowmobiling.

     

13. What if I do not get a permit or do not adhere to the conditions of the permit? Failure to comply with the requirement to possess a permit or failure to comply with the conditions of the permit could result in your being charged under the Canada National Parks Act.

     

Snowmobile Conditions of Permit

1. The holder of this permit is authorized to operate only an over snow vehicle with two (2) skis and one (1) track; operation of all other over snow vehicles is prohibited.
2. This permit is valid only when signed by the holder of the permit and during the period specified on the permit.
3. The Superintendent may vary the dates for snowmobiling due to snow conditions.
4. Any contravention of a condition of this permit constitutes an offence under subsection 24(2) of the Canada National Parks Act. Failure to comply with that Act, the applicable park regulations or the conditions of the permit will constitute grounds to suspend or revoke the permit and/or may be grounds for prosecution under the Canada National Parks Act.
5. The holder of this permit shall carry this permit and a valid Park Pass when snowmobiling in Gros Morne National Park.
6. The permit holder shall, on request by the Superintendent, a Park Warden, an Enforcement Officer, or a Peace Officer, immediately produce for examination the permit and proof of registration and must allow for a mechanical inspection to ensure the snowmobile has not been unlawfully modified and is equipped as required by the laws of the province.
7. The holder of this permit will not operate a snowmobile on a marked and/or a maintained ski trail.
8. The holder of this permit will not engage in the activity known as high marking.
9. The holder of this permit will not operate a snowmobile over open water.
10. The holder of this permit will not refuel a snowmobile within 30 m of a water body.
11. The holder of this permit shall remove from the park, all damaged and broken snowmobiles, including any parts and sleds.
12. The holder of this permit shall notify Park Wardens in that event that a snowmobile becomes inoperable and must remain within the park overnight.
13. The holder of the permit shall be responsible for all expenses incurred by the Superintendent in removing and disposing of snowmobiles, parts and sleds if the holder of the permit fails to comply with conditions 11 and 12 of this permit.
14. Holders of a Public/Commercial Snowmobile Permit may operate a snowmobile in Gros Morne National Park only in the outlined corridors. Areas for snowmobiling include:
    • From Angus Lake north to Marks Pond to Western Pond Gorge and north to Arm Pond. From Arm Pond the route heads east to St. Paul's Big Pond,
    • An alternate access route through Big Barren northwest to Fourth Pond and through Glanders Gulch connecting up to the main area at Marks Pond,
    • From Matty’s Pond/Beaver Pond up to the east end of Halfway Gulch,
    • Access to Sandy Pond and Overfall Brook Falls.

      The four routes that provide a link to the communities in Gros Morne National Park include:

      Ÿ A defined route from Rocky Harbour/Sally’s Cove to Green Point Hills over Big Level to meet up with the main travel area at Marks Pond,

      Ÿ A defined route from Cow Head, eastward through Dry Brook Pond to the east boundary,

      Ÿ A defined route from Glenburnie along Middle Brook to the east boundary,

      Ÿ A defined route from Trout River eastward along Route 431 to the Tablelands parking lot then following the old road bed towards Winter House Brook.

15. The following areas of Gros Morne National Park are Snowmobile Exclusion Areas and are:

• Heather Pond with the exception of a route across the southern end of the pond
• Big Level with the exception of a route through Grassy Brook to Bullet Pond to Two Rock Pond to Big Island Pond via valleys
• Tablelands with the exception of a route on and off the southeastern end
• Southern frontal slope of Western Brook Pond
• Killdevil Mountain, St. Paul’s Inlet saltmarsh
• Lower Head, Shallow Bay
• Stearin Island, Burridges Gulch / Clifty Pond
• Gros Morne Mountain / Crow Gulch / Big Hill
• Killdevil Mountain
• Burridges Gulch / Clifty Pond / Southeast Hills
• Tablelands
• Pic a Tenerife
• Area south and east of Southwest Gulch Cabin
• All marked and/or maintained ski trails.

There are federal and provincial regulations that apply in the National Park and it is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with these.