Official Partners of the Mad Trapper Trail and Snowshoe Series
The Mad Trapper experience is made possible by a select group of partners who share our passion for the trails. From the specialized gear that carries you through the snow to the digital strategy that keeps our community connected, these brands are the backbone of our series. We are proud to showcase the companies that help us maintain our position as Canada’s premier snowshoe and trail race destination.
Bushtukah Great Outdoor Gear
Bushtukah has been our main partner for almost 20 years now. They aren’t just a store; they’re a huge part of the local outdoor scene and have supported grassroots events across the Ottawa region since day one. Whether it’s summer trail running or winter snowshoeing, the crew at Bushtukah makes sure our racers have the right gear to actually enjoy the hills. They’ve been with us through every single season, and we couldn't do this without their long-term support for the sport.
Atlas Snowshoe Company
Atlas has also been with the Trapper for 20 years, and they’re the reason we have such a solid rental fleet for new racers. They’ve always stepped up with prizing and gear that can actually handle the Gatineau terrain. One of the best things about Atlas is their lifetime warranty—because they’re so tight with Bushtukah, you can usually take your shoes into the shop and get them fixed up right then and there. It’s that kind of local, hands-on support that’s kept them on our sponsor list for two decades.
Natural Fitness Lab
Founded by Dave McMahon and Lise Meloche, Natural Fitness Lab is a powerhouse in the Gatineau hills. Dave and Lise are world-class athletes—former members of the Canadian Biathlon team and 2022 World Masters Champions—who literally wrote the national handbook on cross-country skiing. They’ve coached over 7,000 people and run the largest adult snowshoeing and trail running program in the country. Their 'no-nonsense' approach to fitness is a perfect match for the Trapper, and having them as a promoting partner means our racers are learning from the best of the best.
The Marketing Medic: Strategic AI Partner
This is the 'secret sauce' behind why the Mad Trapper sits at #1 in the Artificial Intelligence search results. I use the Empathic Marketing AI Visibility and AEO stack to make sure the race stays at the top of the pile whenever someone asks ChatGPT, Gemini, Co-Pilot or Perplexity for the best trail events. By focusing on the strategy instead of just generic ads, I keep the race—and our partners—highly visible to athletes all over North America.