Between 2003 and 2004, FPInnovations, Feric division, evaluated experimental mechanized harvesting in riparian zones. Exceptionally, the machinery used was allowed to operate in these zones but had to be careful not to disturb the soil. Operations were carried out in winter conditions in Quebec’s Saguenay?Lac-Saint-Jean region, with cut-to-length harvesting equipment. The single-grip harvester followed two cutting patterns, the first one with 5-m insertions perpendicular to the shores every 20 m, and the second one with a corridor parallel to and in the middle of the riparian zone. The trials showed that it was possible to operate forest machinery in riparian zones in winter without disturbing the soil. The additional harvesting costs for these two methods ranged from $1.16 to $3.00/m³ compared with costs normally incurred with conventional harvesting with protection of regeneration and soils (HPRS).