2007 – 2008 : A New Snowmobile Season

Posted by Zenwaiter on August 20, 2007 under snowmobile Quebec Canada motels hotels trail conditions zenwaiter | Comments are off for this article

Here we go again!

This will be season number eight for me, writing and promoting our sport of sledding on the Internet, using blogs, video clips, podcasting, video blogs, posting snowmobile news stories, updating the zenwaiter interactive snowmobile site, posting photos on our snowmobile photo albums, participating in our snowmobile rider chat room, posting videos on youtube.com, bantering with trouble makers on snowmobile bulletin boards like Trailconditions.com and Hardcoresledder, sending out constant contact newsletters from time to time, answering your e-mails, conducting interviews on Zen Talk radio talkshows, and writing good old fashioned snowmobile articles about snowmobile theft, crossing the Canada US border, snowmobile safety, snowmobile destinations in Quebec and Ontario, and occasionally, penning my various rants on Zen's Comments.

When I look at it this way, I think I can safely say that I am keeping up with the technology. Above and beyond all this of course, I actually visit snowmobile resorts, interview riders and motel owners, take photos, and provide updates on weather reports and snowmobile trail conditions when I can. I also post YOUR comments, your letters, and your photos that you send in.

Most years, I also attend and participate in the big snowmobile expos like Syracuse New York's Big East snowmobile Show, and the annual Toronto Snowmobile Show.






Last winter, I was waiting for the snow before heading to Quebec to collect more new stories and photos, but the snow and cold never came. When the winter arrived in February, I was too sick to travel, so I stayed in my home and nursed my walking pneumonia through the rest of what can only be called, the worst winter ever for all snowmobilers. I was sick through April, with a lung problem that just wouldn't let go. Strangely enough, it seems to be starting up again right now after a cool late night motor bike ride, and it worries me.

This winter snowmobile season, 07- 08, begins for me now in late August. Most of my writing and web site re-vamping work starts now and runs hard through November. At that time, I have to work hard to get the sponsors to pay up, and I solicit for donations. I spend hours every week on the phone with YOU, and go to the post office every day to mail out Zen Hats and thank you letters for donations received.

This year there will be no toll free number - last year it cost me over 1,200. and was a big drain on my time. The main topic of discussion, was 'How do I get to Mont Vallins?' I created a page for everyone to visit, but the calls still came in. You were too lazy to read what I had spent hours preparing for you on the web site. I pulled the 1-800 line in February.







The other topic was, "Where is the damn snow". I had few answers. If this year is a repeat performance of Global Warming, the snowmobile industry is in trouble. Even the far north had no snow. It was eerie, and it was disconcerting. It cost everyone millions. My income dropped even lower than usual (hard to believe eh? HAHAH!).

But, on the bright side, I have to say that over the years, my web site business has slowly built up a few new clients annually, so, there is always hope that a small check will be in the mail box for services I have rendered to someone, no matter how small. Coupled with my money saving move to more affordable housing and living in Saskatchewan, I will be more resilient on the financial front.

I do not know if I will attend any snowmobile shows this year, I have my doubts, but I will have reports from them trickling in from contacts and good sources. I do not know if a trip down east will be in the cards for me either, but again, my reporters out there have really stepped up to the plate in recent years, and Zenwaiter.com manages to offer damn good info even when I remain in the office here. In fact, last year the site had more info than usual.

That's my latest update. Stay Tuned. THANKS for listening!


Go to my main web site now!

www.zenwaiter.com