Chris Coosemans, a spokesperson and rider for Barbegazi, initially planned on doing tricks in front of the crowd this weekend.
Coosemans was one of the riders performing in Ottawa’s Winterlude earlier in the year when he had a mishap during a run.
“We ended up finding three riders who were available or not hurt, including myself. Then, unfortunately, in Ottawa, I actually ended up having a crash, so I will be out this weekend as well,” said Coosemans.
“I fractured my ankle and have some damage to my back and wrist. I’ve got some other things popping up as days go on, but I’m surviving. It could have been a lot worse.”
Submitted: Chris CoosemansSubmitted: Chris Coosemans
Coosemans also brings the equipment for Barbegazi shows and organizes the riders that will be performing.
The event will bring his fellow riders, Rasmus Johansson and Daniel Shaffer, to New Brunswick.
Coosemans and Shaffer both reside in Ontario and recently made their rookie appearances in the 2026 Aspen Colorado X-Games.
Johansson is from Sweden. For him, Aspen was his fifth X-Games appearance.
“Rasmus, I mean, his tricks are going to speak for themselves. He can do some of the biggest tricks in the world that he will be doing in Moncton. For example, like doing a backflip into hanging upside down off of the snowmobile,” said Coosemans.
The Swedish rider placed 5th in the X-Games snowmobile speed and style event, just behind Coosemans in 4th and ahead of Shaffer, who placed 7th.
“Dan, he does a lot of very good upright tricks. He used to do backflips, and then he had a couple injuries that started to scare him, so he started focusing on (upright tricks).”
Coosemans got into snowmobiling young and built his first ramp at 13 years old.
“I have just been practicing and getting better ever since, and I am at a point where I can call this my part-time job,” he said.
A standard jump from the ramp to the inflatable landing for these athletes is 70 feet. Coosemans says the equipment they use kept him safe during his crash.
“Lots of people see the inflatable landings that we use and think it’s almost a dumbed-down or safety version of what we should be landing on, but in reality, it does add quite a bit of safety. If we did not ride to those in Ottawa, I would not be in very good shape right now,” said Coosemans. “Those landings make it pretty easy for us to set up, tear down, and crash as bad as I did and walk away from it.”
Coosemans is hoping for clearer skies this weekend after having to cancel their Friday night performance in Ottawa due to snowfall.
“Lots of people say, ‘How do snowmobiles and snow not mix?’ but setting up on the street, we have our snowmobiles set up specifically to not ride on snow. As soon as we get snow and freezing temperatures, it starts to freeze the equipment that we use to give us traction. It makes our entire setup unpredictable and unsafe.”
“It seems like an oxymoron, but we do set up everything specifically to ride on pavement,” he explained.
Coosemans, Johansson, and Shaffer are prepared to put on a show this weekend, with performance times at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Feb. 13 and 14.
There will be meet and greets hosted at The Pit Stop/The Bunker at 9:30 p.m. both nights.
The city’s upcoming winter event is set to begin on Feb. 13 and features activities both in downtown Moncton and the city’s Centennial Park.
Moncton’s manager of events and festivals, Chad Gautreau, says the event is built around the Family Day long weekend and is meant to serve both residents and visitors.
“We wanted to direct the event to make it more of a tourist product while also maintaining that service to residents. We want to be able to drive tourism in the offseason, and this is a way for us to do that while also supporting local.”
The first night takes place downtown in front of the Avenir Centre, where a new addition to PolarFest will be showcased.
Barbegazi, a snowmobile stunt show, will make its PolarFest debut this weekend. The inspiration to include Barbegazi in PolarFest came during the summer of 2025, from its inclusion in other events across Canadian cities, such as Mississauga, Fort McMurray, and, most recently, Ottawa.
Riders who will be performing this weekend have made prior appearances in the X-Games.
“It will be a very controlled, professional show with defined spectator areas and on-site oversight,” said Gautreau.
The City of Moncton asks that spectators respect marked viewing areas, barriers, signage, and city staff direction.
The stunt show will be held on Main St. in front of the Avenir Centre.
Barbegazi’s equipment setup began on Thursday morning. Friday afternoon into evening will be set aside for practice runs.
Gautreau advises that you arrive at the event early. It kicks off at 5 p.m. on Friday, and Saturday it goes until 10 p.m. The stunt shows are scheduled for 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., with meet and greets scheduled for 9:30 p.m. on both nights at The Pit Stop/The Bunker.
There will be other activities downtown, such as live music and a beer garden at Flying Boats Brewery.
“We will see what the future holds. This is something we definitely want to see. We are focusing a lot of our efforts on some of this offseason programming to stimulate the tourism impacts that come with it, so we want to make sure that our downtown businesses, as well as businesses throughout the city, are sustained throughout those slower months; this is a way for us to do that,” said the director.
Gautreau says the city has a three-year agreement for this event. He recommends snowmobile enthusiasts mark it on their calendars for 2027 and 2028.
“We certainly encourage people to come down here, have supper downtown, stay at a hotel, make a full weekend out of it. Take part in some of the activities at Centennial Park as well.”
This week is Ontario Snowmobile Safety Week, and the OPP is reminding snowmobilers to practice safe riding.
There were seven snowmobile deaths in the province this winter, and 15 last year.
“Snowmobiling is meant to be enjoyable outdoor fun and should never result in the loss of life or injuries,” said OPP Deputy Commissioner Karen Meyer. “OPP-investigated snowmobile fatalities reveal the same unnecessary risks being taken year after year. Preventable behaviours like excessive speeding or alcohol and drug impairment put your safety – and your return to your loves ones – at risk. Please make every ride a safe one for you and your family.”
Recent heavy snowfall makes for ideal riding conditions, but police warn not to let enthusiasm cloud riders’ judgement. It has released a list of snowmobile safety tips in partnership with the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC):
• Abstain from alcohol and drugs • Always stay on the trail • Only ride trails showing as Available (Green) or Limited Availability (Yellow) on the ITG • Know your sled and its capabilities, keep it well-maintained • Stay alert to the trail ahead and aware of your surroundings • Stop on the trail at locations with clear sight-lines in both directions • Check the ITG and weather conditions before your ride • Before leaving home, notify someone where you will be riding and when you expect to return • Always carry an emergency kit, snacks, extra fuel, a tow rope and a communication device.
• Always ride with a companion(s) • Ride in single file on the trails • Ride your side of the trail • Leave plenty of space between you and the sled ahead • Take responsibility for the rider behind you • Be especially vigilant coming into corners or cresting hills • Pass groomers and other riders cautiously • Always stop at crossing roads and take extra caution riding trails on active logging roads • Slow down at night or when visibility is poor, when non-motorized users are on the trail, or when passing through towns or residential areas
“The safest ride is one you properly plan and prepare for, and where you stick to all the do’s and don’ts of snowmobiling that are meant to keep you and fellow riders safe on the trails,” said OFSC CEO Ryan Eickmeier. “Making smart choices throughout the season, while taking advantage of a vast snowmobile trail network made possible through our outstanding community of volunteers and landowners is your ticket to a safe, enjoyable snowmobile season.”
A Minnesota man had died in a snowmobile collision south of International Falls.
It happened on Tuesday at around 12:30 p.m. on the Arrowhead Snowmobile Trail near Orr.
The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says two machines side-swiped each other as they approached each other on a curve.
This caused one of the snowmobiles to roll several times, ejecting the 57-year-old operator.
Multiple first responders and emergency personnel responded to the scene, including the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Bois Forte Police Department, Virginia Fire Department Sprint Medic, Life Link III air ambulance, Orr Ambulance, Orr Fire Department and Kabetogama First Responders.
Despite extensive lifesaving measures, the man, who has been identified as being from the south metro area, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The name of the victim has not yet been released pending notification of family members.
The driver of the other snowmobile was not injured.
Dryden local Daniel Shaffer is back home after competing in this year’s X-Games in Aspen.
Shaffer finished 7th in both the snowmobile freestyle and speed & style competitions despite taking a crash in warmups.
“I managed to still ride the show, but I had to hold back a little because of a minor neck injury. I still got it done,” Shaffer said.
Daniel Shaffer poses next to his snowmobile (via Daniel Shaffer)
During the winter season, Shaffer tours trails across North America doing demos, jumps and tricks.
“I’ve got probably a dozen upright tricks,” Shaffer said. “Seat grabs, no hands, no feet. You name it.”
“The more I can ride, the less I have to work.”
Shaffer says he expects to return to the X-Games next year.
“When you put your helmet on and you get on your machine, you’re not worried about life, you’re not worried about politics,” Shaffer said. “You’re just focused on what you’re doing, and it’s fun.”
Daniel Shaffer hits a trick at the X-Games in Aspen (via Daniel Shaffer)
The 51st annual Snowarama is about to kick off in February, as snowmobilers from across Northwestern Ontario will hit the trails to raise funds for children with disabilities.
Snowarama supports Easter Seals Ontario, a charity that helps families of children with disabilities purchase equipment for mobility and communication devices.
“We’re so excited,” said Rhonda Harrison, Community Engagement Manager for Easter Seals Ontario. “It’s a great event with a long history. A lot of people come out for a snowmobile ride and then enjoy a day of fun.”
The event will be hosted at the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino in Minnesota, just 45 minutes south of Thunder Bay.
This year’s fundraising goal is around $40,000. Participants must donate at least $100 to reserve their spot, and will be treated to a complimentary dinner and an opportunity to win exciting prize packages.
“We still have some rooms available, but they are booking up quickly,” Harrison said.
