Most OFSC trails do not typically become Available to ride before mid-January, and although the recent unseasonal weather has impacted overall trail readiness, snowmobile clubs and their volunteers continue to work hard on making as many OFSC trails as possible Available to ride in the near future.

Only Ride Available Trails:

For safety week, the OFSC reminds snowmobilers to only ride Available or Limited Availability OFSC trails and avoid riding Unavailable trails at any time during the winter. Snowmobilers can easily find out where there are Available trails to ride by checking Trail Status 24/7 on the OFSC Interactive Trail Guide (ITG) or on the OFSC Go Snowmobiling App. Trail Status shows on the ITG as:

GREEN for Available: The identified route is accessible with the understanding that the trail will likely vary considerably in quality, attributes and terrain over its length.

YELLOW for Limited Availability: Access to the identified route is limited with marginal riding opportunities, so snowmobilers enter with the understanding that they should ride with extreme care and reduced speed.

RED for Unavailable: The identified route is not available at this time, with access prohibited, and entering any Unavailable trail on private property is trespassing.

Stay On The Trail:

The OFSC also reminds snowmobilers riding an Available OFSC trail throughout the winter, to always stay on the trail. OFSC Prescribed Snowmobile Trails are planned, prepared and maintained for the use of responsible recreational snowmobilers who display valid Ontario Snowmobile Trail Permits on their sleds.

These snowmobile corridors are the smart choice for safety’s sake, and to avoid trespassing on private property or compromising the safety of landowners or their property.

Snowmobile incident stats indicate that entering an Unavailable trail, riding off-trail on roads, waterways or areas without trails is a very risky choice.

Ride Responsibly:

The OFSC encourages snowmobilers entering Available OFSC trails to always ride responsibly, with caution, care & control. OFSC trail riding, like many other outdoor activities, has inherent risks that may occur in an unpredictable and uncontrollable natural environment, often far from home.

So snowmobilers must take personal responsibility for their own safety by making prudent choices, practicing safe riding behaviours, and always being prepared for the unexpected.

“Safety is a shared responsibility, a reminder that we send to all snowmobilers every January,” said Ryan Eickmeier, OFSC CEO. “Safety week is an early season focal point to refresh ourselves on key safe riding principles to ensure everyone enjoys OFSC trails this winter.”

The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) is a volunteer led, not for profit association that provides the voice for organized snowmobiling in Ontario. OFSC snowmobile trails managed by 200 community based, member clubs generate up to $3.3 billion in economic activity in the province each year.

The OFSC believes these initiatives will deliver the best possible trail riding experiences for snowmobilers, while helping to sustain up to $3.3 Billion of snowmobiling-related economic activity that is so important to Ontario’s northern and rural communities each winter.

OFSC action on COVID-19 began on March 21st when its board of governors decided to close the OFSC’s 30,000-kilometre, provincial snowmobile trail system. For context, this unprecedented action occurred on the same day the Canada-US border shut down to non-essential travel, following the WHO’s declaration of a worldwide pandemic on March 11 and Ontario announcing a state of emergency on March 17.

Next, the OFSC initiated a series of very successful online “town hall” meetings to engage its 200 member snowmobile clubs. The purpose of this outreach included gathering input for appropriate health and safety measures to cover a variety of possible scenarios for trail operations this Fall and throughout the 2021 snowmobile season.

“Preparing, maintaining and grooming a system of snowmobile trails that comprises almost three times more kilometres than the provincial highway network is a very complex and expensive challenge,” commented OFSC CEO Landon French, “It is for us to act responsibly on behalf of dedicated volunteers who do the work, generous landowners who provide trails on their property, committed riders who purchase permits to fund trail operations, and willing partners who support all of these endeavours.”

Within this context, strategies currently in development by the OFSC for the 2021 snowmobiling season include:

* Ramping up the OFSC Rider Advantage benefits to offer additional incentives and savings for snowmobilers.

* Working with public health agencies to develop training tools for trail operations and trail riding protocols for snowmobilers.

* Connecting with local, regional and provincial governments to facilitate delivering the best possible snowmobiling experiences for Ontarians this winter.

* Engaging other stakeholders like tourism agencies, police, communities, hospitality operators, snowmobile manufacturers and dealers to share OFSC initiatives.

* Enhancing online systems & communications platforms for more effective sharing of real-time news, info and updates with all stakeholders.

* Re-evaluating OFSC participation in snowmobiling events, meetings and gatherings for the foreseeable future.

According to OFSC President Paul Murray, the Federation has already made the difficult decision to go online with its Annual General Meeting this September. “As one of the largest snowmobiling conventions in North America, taking this event virtual is a major undertaking,” he concluded, “but one we believe is necessary so that our club volunteers and participating partners don’t have to travel from all over Ontario for a multi-day, in-person meeting.”

Further announcements about these and other strategies to ensure the continued well-being of OFSC volunteers, landowners, riders and partners will be forthcoming as details are finalized.

The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) is a volunteer led, not-for-profit association that acts as the voice for organized snowmobiling in the Province of Ontario.

OFSC.ON.CA

“On behalf of our clubs, thousands of volunteers, and more than 100,000 snowmobilers who come from near and far to enjoy over 30,000kms of trails each winter, I want to thank Minister Mulroney and the Government of Ontario for their incredible support of the snowmobiling industry. With an annual economic impact of up to $3.3 billion in Ontario, this announcement provides a model for how industry and government can work in partnership to deliver world-class experiences. A multi-year funding agreement affords us the ability to plan our infrastructure renewal well into the future, a key pillar in ensuring our long-term sustainability” said OFSC Chief Executive Officer Ryan J. Eickmeier.

In addition to the long-term funding, Minister Mulroney announced that online driver training would be available in October and that Ontarians would soon be able to purchase gifts cards and redeem them for a permit, locking in the permit price at the time of gift card purchase.

“The OFSC has listened to its members and is happy to deliver on these two important initiatives,” Eickmeier said. “I thank the Minister as well as Ministry of Transportation officials who have worked closely with us for over a year on developing the online course and gift cards. The launch of the online driver training course will open up our sport to a whole new generation of Ontarians, and the new permit gift card is unquestionably a welcome and convenient option that directly benefits consumers.”

Further details on the online training course and permit vouchers will be available shortly.

For further info, please contact: Andrew Walasek 705-739-7669 x251 awalasek@ofsc.on.ca

My wife and I, along with a few others decided to check snowmobiling in West Yellowstone off our bucket list this February riding the first two days in the park and then three days outside the park.

We picked up our rental sleds in the morning to go outside the park and had ridden on and off trail for about an hour when I went up on a bank and ended up going over. I went down about 5 feet and had no place to go and was stuck in the deepest snow I have ever seen.

Our group tromped through the snow to survey the situation and we decided that the only way out was to turn the sled around and go back out the same way I came in. One of the guys stepped between the skis and he sunk in so far that his eyes were level with the front bumper and his arms were across the skis and he still wasn’t touching the ground! We grabbed his arms and he kicked like he was swimming to get out.

I’ll mention now we are flatlanders from mid-state New York and not used to 6000+ altitudes. We would move the sled a few inches, huff and puff, then rest a few minutes. It was about an hour and we had the sled turned around, we started the sled, pulled on the skis and went about 2 feet then got stuck again.

As we are resting, a park ranger and a group of snowmobiles stopped to help. I noticed that the group had on some really nice new looking gear, one had a bright red suit, another a bright yellow suit but didn’t think much more about it.

We were really glad for the help. Without saying anything, they climbed down over the bank and started to help get the sled out. The park ranger got on the sled with the other guys around it and it looked like they just picked the sled up and tossed it onto the trail. By the time I climbed back onto the trail, the park ranger was on his sled and away he went with a quick wave.

The other group hopped on their sleds and were on their way as well. I noticed that their sleds were all different manufacturers and that they were all different types of sleds, mountain sled, crossovers, trail sleds.

I finally made it to my sled and my wife walks over and says, “Do you know who those guys were?” I didn’t but I was glad they came along. She excitedly says they are from Supertrax Magazine and they are the test riders on the 2019 new sleds doing a photo shoot that will be in the magazine! It now makes sense; the gear and the sleds!

I’ll say a huge thank you to the park ranger and the guys from Supertrax. You did much more than test new sleds that day.

My story continues from there.

We watched them ride off trail for a while and then we continued down the trail. There was one sled and rider waiting on the the trail spotting for the group and I stopped to asked what magazine they were from and he told me Supertrax.

We went on down the trail and played in some meadows and small hills. Of course two of our guys got stuck but not too bad. In the meantime, along come the Supertrax guys and they shred the meadow and small hills like nothing. It was fun to watch.

Again we go on down the trail and play here and there. Next thing we see is the mountain sleds on some really big hills doing their thing. Again we stop and watch for a while.
We continue on our ride and do not see them again.

Later at the hotel, a couple of our guys went to the hot tub and the guys that were in the hot tub were saying how they had to help a guy get unstuck that morning. I was glad they didn’t say jerk or some other obscene name. They tell them it was me and we realize we’re staying at the same hotel as the SnowTrax team and that evening we end up at the same restaurant.

We meet again numerous times throughout the rest of the week and it is time to head home. Walking through the airport we bump into the SnowTrax team getting on the same plane and at our stopover, while looking at the menu at a restaurant in the airport the SnowTrax team comes into the same restaurant. Everyone waves and says hi again. From here we part ways as they are headed to Toronto and we are headed to Elmira NY.

I mention all of this because your crew was very polite, respectful and considerate of everyone else. It was a welcome sight. The last few times we’ve snowmobiled overnight, we’ve dealt with groups of drunk, loud, guys partying all night and being very inconsiderate of other people around them. Pass it forward.

Oe more thought. Our second day outside the park we came across three guys and one of them missed a corner and was out in the snow with the skis straddling a tree. They’d been struggling for quite a while trying to get it out. The four of us and two other guys that came along were able to move the sled back and get it back up onto the trail. In 50-plus years of riding I would never ever drive by a sled that’s broken down or stuck without stopping to ask if they need help.

Thanks again to the Supertrax guys for helping us out.

Harold Williams
Freeville, New York

Student requests, a shared love of snowmobiling and a desire to reinforce safe sledding, led teachers Jason Beer and Marianna Rallis to work hard to make this club a reality.

The journey started just over a year ago with a proposal to the Simcoe County District School Board. Despite the fact that there were no clubs of this kind in province of Ontario, Principal Jane Seymour, Corporate Risk Officer Erin Schwarz and the Superintendents and Director of the Board gave the club a green light.

After a thorough safety meeting held at the school and conducted by the OPP, the dates were set and sledders prayed for snow. While the OFSC trail groomers worked hard to open the trails, other community partners such as Royal Distributing, St. Onge Recreation, St. John Ambulance and the Sno Voyageurs reached out to the Wildcats and offered tremendous support by way of donations.

Unfortunately January’s lengthy thaw saw the first trail ride cancelled. However, the snow returned and the trails reopened with near perfect conditions.

As the 16 sledders departed they toured along the B112B trail to Hawkestone and headed north along trails 203, B and B205C to Waubaushene where they stopped for lunch. After fueling up they continued north and west along trails C and 309 ending up just north of Elmvale.

From there the club headed south along the C, B and B103 trails to the SCDSB office in Midhurst where they thanked Erin Swartz and took at picture with her and Mayor Harry Hughes of Oro-Medonte, a long time educator and major supporter of community sport and recreation. Afterward, the sledders toured back to their original meeting place in Shanty Bay.

Overall, the first outing was a great success and we look forward to more riding in the near future, weather permitting. The Wildcats would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who made this club a reality.

When it comes to trail riding, many of the most popular areas are within a snowball’s throw on either side of our shared international border. That makes them easily accessible to any American or Canadian snowmobilers in search of cross border sledding adventures.

For Ontario riders, prime stateside choices from east to west include New York’s Tug Hill or Old Forge, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Northern Minnesota. U.S. snowmobilers coming to corresponding areas of Ontario can be on the snow in Eastern Ontario, The Grey Bruce, Algoma Country or Northwestern Ontario in no time.

AmericanS choose Ontario snowmobiling for many good reasons. This English-speaking province has a world class trail system operated by the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC).

There’s generally way less traffic on its almost 19,000 miles of trails. Signage, mapping and services are plentiful. U.S. riders can save about 25% on everything thanks to the high value of their dollar and if you visit Ontario on the Try Our Trails weekend of February 3 & 4, you can pre-register online for a no-cost, two-day permit (and to extend your stay, supplement it with an inexpensive two-day permit).

Getting back and forth either way by road across the international border at designated checkpoints is straightforward if you’re properly prepared. For identification, adults need a passport and kids need birth certificates. You’ll also need your driver’s license, plus registration and proof of insurance for your tow vehicle and trailer.

Sled owners need registration and proof of insurance including third party liability coverage. It’s also good to have a specific destination (maybe even an advance reservation) and know how long you intend to stay.

That being said, here are four popular Ontario snowmobiling destinations that are handy for American riders trailering into Canada…

Over the last four decades (yes, I can still remember those days) government has become increasingly more controlling of everything we do as citizens, business people and recreationists.

The idea that we the people, the taxpayers, control things is certainly a distant memory and sometimes it feels like citizen-control has been replaced by a Big Brother who makes all our decisions for us. The worse thing is, we’re used to it.

I’m really not trying to be political here and I have to admit, in many cases North Americans do need the control of a larger governing body. I guess my biggest concern is that the government is our largest industry and human complacency has caused it to grow out of control.

Enough politics; lets relate this to snowmobiling.

North American snowmobiling has a consolidated group of governing bodies (governments) that control and support the sport by building places for us to ride. Without these governments our sport would shrivel into an out-of-control herd of renegades running roughshod over everyone else’s property. Sound extreme? That’s exactly what happened in the 1950s and 60s.

We’re a unique group that way. In order to sell snowmobiles, there has to be a place to ride them. In order to use snowmobiles, which are only functional for a brief, seasonal band of climate, there must be someone who creates the environment they can be used in. In order for the sport to grow, it needs a sustainable trail network that is safe and enjoyable to use. Flash report, right?

Here are the cold, hard facts: The above described trail system does not just happen by chance. Nor does it operate for free. Nor does it intend to control the sport for political reasons.

The fact is, these governing bodies that generate places for us to ride exist only to enhance the sport. The net result is an industry that continues to thrive based on the reality we have a place to enjoy the vehicles the industry designs and manufactures.

I challenge you to think about this for a minute: No volunteer organizations, no trails. No trails, no snowmobiles.

Sure, you could argue there are places you can ride that don’t require trails, maintenance or governance. For instance, mountain riding needs much less legislating than a trail network. Duh.

However, without some kind of parental control, trespassing in the hills would become a huge issue and the safety and respect of the sport would soon be called into question. Maybe it already is in some areas.

No other powersport medium is like snowmobiling. Street bikes operate on roads and highways intended to serve all motorists. Off-road motorcycles and ATVs operate on closed course tracks and trails that require little daily maintenance. Boats and personal watercraft function in an aquatic environment and, except for safety governance, don’t require a lot of outside management.

Snowmobiling, however requires constant maintenance, legal permissions for land use and the construction of infrastructure like trails, bridges, signs and maps. Yet, it thrives.

I’m writing this because I want you to consider how important it is to pay into this sport. You absolutely must support organized snowmobiling governments.

I know owning and riding sleds is expensive – you can spend thousands on this sport and never even buy a trail permit, pay a license fee or submit to an organizational membership.

However, rather than thinking of those costs as a nuisance, as unnecessary taxation or another government money-grab; think about this: No cost; no governance. No governance, no trails. No trails, no snowmobiles.

Sobering thought, isn’t it?

I hear people (at the local, state, national and international levels) talking about members and other riders who don’t volunteer, even though the same people complain about a trail if there’s a single mogul on it. While I understand it, I don’t think it’s totally their fault.

Yeah, this is going to offend some people, but if we keep doing the same stuff, saying the same things, complaining about the same things and finding that we still have the same problems; isn’t it time we reconsider our approach?

From my experience, some common problems crop up:

1. “Hey, I have a new idea!”

Often, the standard response is: “We don’t do it that way; we do it this way”. In reality, all new processes and procedures started with a new idea someone had.

If someone wants to be involved and has ideas, approach them with an open mind, welcome their input and openly discuss it to see if the idea has merit – or you can show them why the idea wouldn’t work.

Shut them down for what you consider a stupid idea and they will likely never raise their hand again.

2. Sign-up sheets

When you have a sign-up sheet for a club work party, call everyone on the list that signed up, don’t just call the people you know.

Here’s an example: “My Trail Co-Captain on our 16 miles of trail asked me to call people about our upcoming trail party. Usually we’d get 4 to 6 people to show up and it would take two workdays to complete.

I called all the familiar names on the list. After that, I started calling people on the list whose name I didn’’t recognize, and many said they’d been signing up for three years and this was the first time they ever got a call.

Whose fault is that? Not the volunteers…it was our fault. I called everyone and we had 15 people show up. We created three teams and marked all our trails in half a day.

3. You wasted their time

Everyone’s time is important; we lead busy lives. When someone shows up for a work party, find them something to do.

A friend of mine relayed to me why he quit his club. He was active, he volunteered, he attended a groomer training workshop and brought his completion certificate back to the groomer manager for his club.

The guy looked at him and said: “You ain’t driving my groomer”. My friend left the club and eventually snowmobiling. The club lost. My friend is actively involved in several volunteer organizations to this day, but won’t stay where his efforts are not wanted or appreciated.

People’s time is as valuable to them as yours is to you. Waste their time and you likely will never see them again.

4. Cliques

Every club has them, even if you don’t think so. But what is a clique? Generally, a group of people who are longtime friends or co-workers who are comfortable with each other.

Is it a harmful group? No, but it looks daunting to the new guy who just walked through the door. If you can make an effort to welcome that person, learn about them, include them, you may have a volunteer. Better than that, you may have a new friend.

5. Gravely Serious

Why do we snowmobile? Because it’s fun. That’s the bottom line. If you aren’t having fun, you’re doing it wrong. One of the functions of a club is to have fun with other people who love our sport.

We’re all snowmobilers, every part of our experience should be fun, including working with other members.
If your work details don’t have an element of fun, add some. We buy our work crews lunch after a trail party.

It’s a way to thank them, which leads to my last point:

6. Say Thank You

Do it often, do it in public. You have a much better chance to see them again if they know you appreciate them.

My club has had some success with gaining volunteers (though, we always want more) because we’ve taken some time to think about how we act as a club instead of complaining about how ‘they’ don’t volunteer.

So, if you’re short of volunteers, take some time to consider these ideas and share them with your club leadership. At this point, what do you have to lose?

Gary Broderick is a Contributing Editor and Sales Representative at Supertrax International, Chairman, Northeast Chapter of the International Snowmobile Council, Former President of the NY State Snowmobile Association and President of the Shawnee Sno-Chiefs in Western New York State.

This according to preliminary results from a yet-to-be published University of Guelph study entitled “The Physiological Assessment and Analysis of the Physical Demand of Riding a Snowmobile”.

“This news will come as no surprise to snowmobilers across Canada who ride all winter,” commented CCSO President Dale Hickox. “Snowmobiling gets you outdoors, breathing fresh air and being active with friends & family – and that simply makes you healthier and better able to cope with life’s challenges.”

But the fact is that many North Americans fail to get at least 150 minutes weekly of moderate to vigorous activity as recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine and the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology. This deficiency is compounded in the winter as North Americans burn 15-20% fewer calories in weekly recreational activities. It should be noted that physical inactivity accounts for 15% of the 1.6 million chronic health conditions diagnosed each year. Typically, chronic health conditions consume 67% of all direct health care costs and cost the Canadian economy $190 billion annually in treatment expenses and lost productivity.

This snowmobiling health study indicates that participating in snowmobiling is one good way to achieve the better physical conditioning that keeps people healthier and helps prevent chronic health conditions. Conducted in 2016/17, the study evaluated the physical demand of snowmobiling, considering both cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal demands. It also examined if activity location would play a role in the physical demands.

Considering early results researchers compared the snowmobiling health study results to the American College of Sports Medicine’s Compendium of Physical Activities. This tool defines activities by their aerobic demands as a metabolic equivalent (MET). A MET is a unit that represents the amount of energy required to maintain human function while sitting or lying awake at rest. Therefore, an activity of 3 METs would be 3 times more demanding than rest.

Moderate intensity activities range between 3-6 METs. Snowmobiling falls into this category, as the average METs for groomed trail riding scored almost 4 METs, while mountain riding came in closer to 7 METs. All in all, this puts snowmobiling in the same physical activity range as other winter activities like chopping wood, snow shovelling, and recreational ice-skating and snowshoeing.

A balanced lifestyle also includes good mental health. According to a major depressive disorder study by researchers at Duke University, physical activity is also effective in beating those winter blues. Together, these findings suggest snowmobiling is good for both body and mind.

The CCSO and its snowmobiling health study funding partners: the International Association of Snowmobile Administrators (IASA), Arctic Cat Industries, Ski-Doo (BRP), Off Road Business Association (ORBA), Royal Distributing Inc., Colorado Snowmobile Association (CSA), Snowmobile North Dakota (SND), Glacier House in Revelstoke BC, Haliburton Forest Wildlife Reserve in Haliburton ON; are committed to winter family recreation and the healthy, active lifestyle benefits associated with recreational snowmobiling.

According to The Honourable Eleanor McMahon, Minister of Tourism, Culture & Recreation, the OTD Program is a legacy initiative of the 150th anniversary of Ontario and is designed to showcase and celebrate distinctive trails in the province. The OTD Program will also help promote Ontario trails as a premiere tourist destination.

“This worthy recognition is a credit to the collective efforts of our clubs and volunteers who can be justly proud of delivering this amazing trail product over the past 50 years,” said OFSC Executive Director Paul Shaughnessy. “The Ontario Trails of Distinction designation will be beneficial to the future promotion and health of organized recreational snowmobiling across Ontario.”

Through its member snowmobile clubs, the OFSC provides more than 30,000 kilometres of snowmobile trails each winter that account for more than 50% of the total number of recreational trails in this province. More than 20% of the OFSC system is comprised of TOP Trails, which provide an integrated framework for the local and regional club trails that comprise the balance. Altogether, the OFSC trail network generates $1.7 billion of economic impact annually for Ontario.

Launched in 1993, OFSC TOP Trails provide snowmobile access across the province to tourism regions and connect snowbelt communities. As primary snowmobile touring routes, TOP Trails have links to services and amenities, heritage features, club trails and also include 33 designated OFSC Snow Tours.

The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) is a volunteer led not for profit association that provides the voice for organized snowmobiling in the Province of Ontario.