Tyroparc — Attraction in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts

$2,500 Snowmobile Tour

My son and I did a snowmobile tour with Tyroparc and some friends in January, 2023. We have riden snowmobiles before so I was looking forward to it. The first half hour or so was fine. When we got to a short but steep hill our instructor stopped the tour and told us to go over the hill slowly and not use the brakes on the way down the hill as it can throw the passenger (in this case, my teenage son) off the snowmobile. This was not the first time I’ve ever driven a snowmobile, so I wasn’t expecting any issues.

When we went over the hill, we found ourselves headed towards a group of small trees. I tried to turn the snowmobile away from the tree while at the same time not using the brake. I wasn’t able to negotiate the turn and we crashed directly into the tree. My son and I were both thrown off the snowmobile. My son was okay, thank goodness, but the impact to the tree left me dazed. I sustained a minor concussion and a strained wrist. The snowmobile was totaled, as you can see from the photos.

When the guide started up the snowmobile, there was a loud explosion in the engine. Despite my dazed mental state, I was told to drive this dangerous vehicle with my son on the back for several minutes. The instructor said he asked me if I was OK to drive it and apparently I said yes, but I was in no condition to make such a decision. It could have caught fire or who knows what else. When I got back to my hotel, and told my wife what had happened, she asked how we got the snowmobile back to the headquarters, and I couldn’t remember.

To literally add insult to injury, I had to pay $2,500 for the damage because I signed a waiver saying that I am responsible for all damages incurred. While I do accept some responsibility, my son and I were treated in a very reckless manner by the instructor. He was a nice guy but it was very alarming to my friends and son that I was in no condition to be driving immediately after a heavy impact of a snowmobile into a tree, which threw my son and I off the vehicle.

I spoke with several managers from Tyroparc in the weeks after to see if we could come to some sort of compromise about the $2,500 owed, but it had already been billed to my credit card and as far as they were concerned, I was in another country hundreds of miles away, and it was case closed.

I understand that most people don’t crash into a tree and you probably won’t either. But it’s also important to know that Tyroparc’s instruction before the crash and the assistance after the crash were both in my experience, negligent at best and dangerous at worst....

I don’t typically write reviews, but I feel compelled to write this one. I did a snowmobile tour with Tyroparc on Feb. 4, 2017. Tyroparc requires a deposit of almost $2,900 when you arrive at the facility. Who does this? I’ve never had to put a deposit on any equipment I have ever rented. Owners typically have insurance. This should have been a warning sign for me, but I made a stupid decision and continued on. I started the tour and became very comfortable with the snowmobile. I quickly acquired a grasp of acceleration, overall speed, and maneuverability. I proceeded through many curves where I properly decelerated and steered the machine. About 30 minutes into the ride, I decelerated to go into a curve to the left. I turned the handlebars to the left while slowing down but the snowmobile did not respond. It went off of the trail on the righthand side where the grade increased. The right ski came off of the ground and I was thrown from the snowmobile. The snowmobile did roll one time before it came to a stop. The entire group stopped and the guide made sure I was ok and could continue with the tour. He inspected the snowmobile and decided that its condition was fine. He gave me his snowmobile to finish the tour and he drove the other one back to the facility with no problems at all. When I returned, Stephane (Tyroparc guide) showed me the damage on the snowmobile. He told me “it’s not bad at all”. We looked over the entire snowmobile and he showed me three things that were wrong: 1) part of the windshield would have to be replaced (Stephane estimated $30), 2) one broken mirror, and 3) one bent rod in the frame. Stephane again reassured me “nothing to worry about”. Although I did not think this was my fault at all, I decided not to protest. I returned home the next day with the expectation that I may see an invoice for a couple hundred dollars. I tried, unsuccessfully, to get in touch with Tyroparc for an entire week. On Feb. 10, I received an invoice from Tyroparc for over $2,200, replacing 29 parts. They basically built a new machine at my expense. I have tried to reason with them, but they are completely unwilling to. Since they kept my deposit, my only leverage now is to proceed with an attorney. All I can say is avoid these guys like the plague – not just snowmobiling, but any activity where you are using their equipment. This was a hard lesson learned for me and I sincerely hope no one else has to go...

I recently had the opportunity to do a private guided tour with Tyroparc for a snow machine rental, and I must say, it was an incredible experience. From the amazing weather to the excellent trail conditions, everything about this adventure was simply perfect.

Firstly, I cannot praise our instructor Alexi enough. He was not only knowledgeable and experienced but also incredibly friendly and approachable. He took the time to make sure we were comfortable with the snow machines and gave us a thorough briefing before we set off on our adventure. His expertise and guidance throughout the tour made us feel safe and confident, allowing us to truly enjoy the experience.

One of the highlights of our tour was the speed at which we were able to cover the trails. In just a 3-hour window, we managed to squeeze in an impressive 90km! This was made possible by the efficient route planning and the well-maintained snow machines provided by Tyroparc. The power and reliability of these machines allowed us to explore a large area and take in the breathtaking views of the snowy landscape.

I do have to mention that prior experience with snow machines is definitely helpful for this activity. While our instructor was patient and provided instructions on how to handle the machines, having some familiarity with them beforehand made the overall experience even more enjoyable. However, if you're a beginner, Tyroparc offers different tour options suitable for all skill levels, so don't let a lack of experience deter you from trying this adventure.

All in all, I highly recommend a private guided tour with Tyroparc for a snow machine rental. The combination of amazing weather, great trail conditions, and an incredible instructor like Alexi truly made this a memorable experience. Whether you're an experienced snow machine enthusiast or a beginner looking to try something new, this activity is guaranteed to provide an exhilarating and...