Snowmobilers fined for riding in restricted area in Gros Morne National Park

Some snowmobilers using the beautiful trails of Gros Morne National Park on Newfoundland and Labrador's west coast recently found out the hard way that some areas of the park are simply off limits to riders.

Yvan Roy-Sutherland and seven others went for a ride near a popular skiing and snowboarding spot called Southwest Gulch, near the park's southern boundary, in late January.

When they were leaving to start the journey back home, two park wardens stopped them on the trail.

"We were totally oblivious, he said. "We thought we were on the snowmobile corridor."

People have been riding snow machines in the park for over 30 years, but proper paperwork is required.

However, even with those documents in hand, there are still protected areas where no riders are allowed to go.

Parks Canada prohibits riding in areas like the Tablelands, found between the towns of Trout River and Woody Point, because of the unique geological landscape. 

Roy-Sutherland would like to see more signs that say what areas are off limits. 

"It just needs to be kind of more educated," he said. 

"If there was a sign saying you are not allowed in here unless you have a pass or you are a local or something like that. Especially because it is a draw for tourists too; it's a great little spot."

On Tuesday, six snowmobilers were each fined $600 and ordered to perform 25 hours of volunteer work in the park for operating snowmobiles in a restricted area.

The cases involving two others were set over until next month.

In the past, such fines were typically $300, and Roy-Sutherland thinks Tuesday's sentencing was excessive.

"A bigger fine is not really the issue I don't think," he said.

"Just education would be more effective."

He told CBC News he looks forward to his 25 hours of volunteer work in the park.

In the meantime, he and the other snowmobilers have six months to pay the fine and they have up to a year to complete the volunteer work.