Canada’s 673 snowmobile clubs operate 103,843 kilometres of snowmobile trails for 648,174 registered snowmobiles used by over a million riders.

Organized snowmobiling in Ontario is provided by 230 member clubs of the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Club (OFSC) and its website is a good first contact point for those wishing to volunteer this fall.

Throughout the autumn, volunteers from hometown clubs prepare trails, groomers, signage, bridges, staging areas and shelters for the benefit of snowmobilers.

Frequently, their task becomes more challenging thanks to storm damage, flooding and other natural events that occurred during the off-season.

Clubs also need a hand in the office, with websites, social media, accounting and other administration.

“Organized snowmobiling depends on volunteers and we invite every snowmobiler to lend a hand, even for a couple of hours. We understand that everyone is very busy in their own personal lives, but even one day each fall would make a huge difference,” said Kevin Sweetland, volunteer CCSO President.

Besides helping to ensure that everything is ready when the snow comes, volunteering for your local snowmobile club provides many other benefits.

Among them is the camaraderie and fun of connecting with other snowmobilers to make new friends, share experiences and meet more riding companions.

For many volunteers, the personal satisfaction of making a contribution to the activity they love is also important. Others simply like to get outdoors to enjoy the fall.

“Most folks say that volunteering for their local club makes them feel more apart of snowmobiling and appreciative of all that goes on behind the scenes. Besides, volunteering for your club in the fall is absolutely the best way to take the edge off your eager anticipation for the coming winter!” said Eric Saunter, OFSC manager, Safety and Volunteer Development. “Now is the time to call and volunteer!”

The Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations (CCSO/CCOM) is dedicated to providing leadership and support to organized snowmobiling in Canada.

Visit www.ofsc.on.ca and then click on the ‘Volunteering’ button.

The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs is a volunteer led not-for-profit association, which through strong leadership, provides a wide range of quality programs and services to, and on behalf of, its member organizations. Our provincial network of organized snowmobile trails connects Ontario communities, providing responsible riding experiences that are safe, enjoyable, and environmentally sustainable.

This investment will be administered through the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) to help boost the one billion dollars of economic impact generated annually by OFSC snowmobile trails.

The Honourable Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism & Culture, made the announcement recently at the Barrie Tourism Travel Information Centre as part of the ministry’s initiative to support attraction, product and experience development and industry capacity building.

“Our 34,000 kilometres of snowmobile trails, operated by our 228 community-based clubs, are an economic cornerstone of winter tourism in Ontario,” said Brenda Welsh, the volunteer president of the OFSC. “We are very pleased that this provincial investment will primarily benefit rural, small town and northern Ontario, where winter time opportunities are limited.”

This development investment is targeted to help remove winter tourism barriers. It will do so by improving infrastructure and technology to make it easier for more people to snowmobile more often in more places.

Examples of eligible projects include bridges, culverts, signage, staging areas, tourism loops, and web and mobile information technologies. The funding will be allocated by the OFSC under clearly defined provincial eligibility guidelines and under strict OFSC criteria and oversight.

Snowmobiling tourists will start noticing these enhancements to their Ontario riding experience throughout the coming season.

“It is important to understand that this investment is not for operational expenses, which run about $20 million each winter,” said OFSC Executive Director Paul Shaughnessy. “Operational costs are paid by the sales of trail permits, but permit revenues are not sufficient to cover the infrastructure and technology advances need to build winter tourism. This is an investment in protecting snowmobiling’s significant contribution to Ontario’s winter tourism economy.”

Consequently, the OFSC reminds snowmobilers that this provincial investment does not pay for any trail operational costs incurred by the clubs and districts to keep trail open and groomed, so it is very important for riders to continue to support trail operations by buying a 2012 trail permit.

The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs is a volunteer led not-for-profit association, which through strong leadership, provides a wide range of quality programs and services to, and on behalf of, its member organizations.

Our provincial network of organized snowmobile trails connects Ontario communities, providing responsible riding experiences that are safe, enjoyable, and environmentally sustainable.

“Please avoid taking any foolish risks – for your own safety keep your sled parked until trails open again next winter.” That’s the urgent safety message from the OFSC as it warns all snowmobilers to stay off closed OFSC trails and not to trespass on private property.

The provincial trail closure means that grooming operations have ceased, regional trail connections are shut down, gates are locked and signs are being taken down. The snow base on most trails has disappeared entirely or is deteriorated to the point of being unsafe to ride, leaving many hazards exposed, including rocks, stumps and bare ground.

All ice is now becoming too unstable to support sleds or has melted away to open water. Spring run off and flooding is underway, making trails impassible, breaking trail connections and resulting in extreme danger.

The OFSC also cautions snowmobilers that off-trail locations and conditions are now unsafe for riding, including roads and open fields. The OFSC thanks all of its permit buyers for their support of the provincial trail system and their participation this winter.

We salute our clubs, volunteers and landowners who made it all possible and look forward to another great winter of OFSC snowmobiling in 2012.

The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs is dedicated to providing strong leadership and support to member clubs and volunteers, to establishing and maintaining quality snowmobile trails which are used in a safe and environmentally responsible manner, and to furthering the enjoyment of organized snowmobiling.

Visit OFSC.on.ca for more information.

Use these two statements and questions at every opportunity, such as candidates’ meetings and when candidates come to your door.

Link to:

Ask Your Federal Candidates!

Statement #1: The Harper government supported snowmobile trails across Canada with $25 million from Canada’s Economic Action Plan, which greatly benefited winter tourism and was much appreciated by club volunteers and tens of thousands of Canadian snowmobilers.

Question: If elected as an MP, will you work through your government to provide more infrastructure funding for organized snowmobiling through a national program?

Statement #2: The Harper government supported snowmobiling in Quebec with $6 million of funding for new groomers, which has been very beneficial to winter tourism and much appreciated by Quebec riders.

Question: If elected as a MP, will you work through your government to confirm similar groomer funding across Canada through a national program?

Quick Facts

$6 B+ – Annual economic impact of snowmobiling nationally
50% – Almost half of Canada’s recreation trails are provided by organized snowmobiling
128,00 – Total kilometres of Canada’s snowmobile trails
1,166 – Number of pieces of grooming equipment in Canada
$150 M – Value of Canadian grooming fleet
765,000+ – Number of registered snowmobiles in Canada

Powered by cleaner-burning, advanced 4-stroke and next generation 2-stroke engines, today’s snowmobiles help keep nature beautiful by operating more efficiently, effectively and quietly than ever before, while virtually eliminating smoke and smell. Moreover, increased fuel efficiency means that less fuel is being burned, which also results in overall emissions reduction.

Earlier this decade, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set new standards for lower emissions from many internal combustion engines, including those that power snowmobiles. The new standards were phased in gradually, in 2006 and 2010, with more in 2012. EPA standards for snowmobiles are traditionally mirrored in this country by Transport Canada.

Snowmobile manufacturers have ramped up the development and introduction of new snowmobile engines that meet or exceed EPA requirements for 2012.

In fact, Best Available Technology snowmobile engines produce at least 90% fewer hydrocarbons and 70% lower carbon monoxide. More reductions will inevitably follow as engines become even cleaner and as more Best Available Technology snowmobiles replace older ones on the snow. Overall, snowmobiles account for only a small fraction of all the motor fuel burned annually in Canada.

National Snowmobiling Environment Month is also a celebration of the many stewardship accomplishments of the OFSC and its member clubs. These ongoing initiatives include effective trail planning to protect sensitive habitats and species, to control erosion and to install bridges and culverts that protect rivers and streams, plus activities such as seeding, tree planting, working with government and environment groups, and ongoing education and outreach efforts within the snowmobiling community.

In addition to embracing Best Available Technology snowmobiles, the OFSC is using National Snowmobiling Environment Month to remind riders to leave tracks not trash; to maintain sleds at peak operating efficiency; to avoid noisy after market pipes; and to stay on OFSC trails when riding.

With $1 from every snowmobile trail permit sale allocated to environmental projects, the OFSC is committed to proactive leadership and support for snowmobiling and snowmobile trails, to conserve, protect and appreciate the environment in a responsible, long-term sustainable way, which enhances the health, enjoyment and prosperity of Ontarians, by working with stakeholders in many ways, including effective planning, education, programs and environmental projects.

The Foundation fills in the cracks, bridges the gaps and opens doors for financially disadvantaged children. Caring for a child who is sick or disabled is not only emotionally challenging but can be financially devastating.

Thus it is our mission to make things a little easier for these children, their families and caregivers. Through our programs, Angel Hair for Kids, and Kids Life Line, we are able to help those in need through a difficult time.

In most cases, A Child’s Voice Foundation is their last hope. To learn more about the Foundation, please visit www.acvf.ca.

The RIDE, hosted by the Muskoka Sno-Bombers Snowmobile Club, is on Saturday, February 26, 2011, at 10 a.m., and will start and end at the beautiful Touchstone Resort on Lake Muskoka (Hwy. 118, 5 Km west of Bracebridge) The RIDE will showcase the scenic Muskoka trail system, so be sure to bring your camera!

Be sure to arrive with full fuel onboard to make your day more enjoyable. Two routes are planned, a shorter one around Lake Muskoka, through Port Carling, Bala, Gravenhurst and Bracebridge, and a longer one north to Sprucedale and Kearney and back. Our Trail Patrollers and volunteers will be on the trails to lend assistance and guidance if needed.

Registration and a “meet and greet” reception, (sponsor to be announced) will be at Touchstone from 7-9 PM on Friday evening, February 25.

Come out and meet your fellow participants, and look over new sleds which will be available for demo rides on Saturday. Registration will reopen at 8 AM on Saturday. The Registration Fee is $30.00, which includes a wind-up buffet dinner and dance at Touchstone and each rider is required to obtain a minimum of $150.00 in pledges to support A Child’s Voice Foundation.

Tax Receipts will be issued for individual pledges of $20.00 or more. Trail side BBQ’s will be put on by other clubs during the ride. A Registration Form and Pledge Sheet are attached.

Mark the date on your calendar, and be sure to join us for a fun-filled day in winter paradise, and at the same time contribute to a very needed and worthwhile cause where Kids really do Come First!

Hundreds of people including members of the media will go snowmobiling for the first time this winter thanks to the OFSC Go Snowmobiling Give It A Try Tour, produced by Digital Video Productions.

As a major Go Snowmobiling Campaign initiative for 2011, the Give It A Try Tour will put first timers and reporters on new sleds from Arctic Cat, Ski-Doo (BRP), Polaris and Yamaha for a fun-filled snowmobiling experience.

On the road with Ocean Transport, the tour is scheduled as follows: Haliburton (Pinestone Resort) January 27 to 30; Wasaga Beach (Wasaga Sports Park), February 3 to 6, and February 10 to 13. Best of all, Give It A Try is absolutely free, but participants must register in advance at www.tryriding.com.

“Research by the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association has shown that the biggest deterrent to getting started in snowmobiling is not being able try it first,” said OFSC Go Snowmobiling spokesperson, Josh Grills. “Our major objective and the primary benefit of the Give It a Try Tour is to make that all-important first taste safe, affordable, accessible and fun.”

The 2011 OFSC Go Snowmobiling Give It A Try Tour, sponsored in part by Goodyear, involves local media, snowmobile clubs and sled dealers.

Since inception in 2008, the Tour has introduced about 1,800 newbies to snowmobiling. Following pre-ride safety instruction and practical sled orientation, participants go on their free ride in a controlled, supervised setting, wearing gear provided by Choko Design, Baffin boots and Royal Distributing. Murphy Insurance and Financial Services is providing ride insurance.

Go Snowmobiling promotes the lifestyle, experience and fun that trail riding offers Ontarians every winter. Its purpose is to grow snowmobiling by attracting new participants, persuading former riders to return, encouraging casual snowmobilers to ride more – and by urging everybody to do their sledding here in Ontario.

The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs is dedicated to providing strong leadership and support to member clubs and volunteers, to establishing and maintaining quality snowmobile trails which are used in a safe and environmentally responsible manner, and to furthering the enjoyment of organized snowmobiling.

Winter’s off to a great start across Ontario and a few select sections of snowmobile trails are already available on a limited basis for early season riding.

These Early Season Priority (ESP) Trails are a project initiated by the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC), in cooperation with its districts, clubs and volunteers, to provide permit holders with their first riding opportunities before Christmas. Typically, the entire OFSC system trails may not be fully open until January.

ESP Trails are located within driving distance of the 401 corridor, are localized segments not yet linked or connected to most other trails, and are shown as “Limited” (Yellow) on OFSC Trail Status Reports (www.ofsc.on.ca). The first ESP Trails to open are in the Barrie/Collingwood area of OFSC District 8, but others are also scheduled to come on line very soon.

The OFSC is pleased to announce these early snowmobiling opportunities, but as with ski hills who may only have one or two runs open at first, ESP Trails are not intended to provide the full riding experience that will be available later when everything is open.

The OFSC is urging snowmobilers to enjoy the sections that are available, and to show their appreciation and respect to club volunteers and landowners by staying off the many trails that remain closed and are not yet ready for safe snowmobiling.

Specifically, this means that where an ESP Trail section ends, riders must turn around and go back, and not expect to complete a loop or ride the distances that will be available when the whole trail system opens.

“If riders cooperate by sticking to the ESP Trails, then this initiative will succeed and likely be continued. If they do not cooperate, and trespass on adjacent closed trails, then we will have to re-evaluate to protect our clubs, trails and landowners,” said Jeff McGirr, OFSC Administrator, Trails and Risk Management Programs.

The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs is non-profit organization dedicated to providing strong leadership and support to member clubs and volunteers, to establishing and maintaining quality snowmobile trails which are used in a safe and environmentally responsible manner, and to furthering the enjoyment of organized snowmobiling.

This annual launch of winter by the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) invites Ontarians to discover the many social, health and recreational benefits of snowmobiling, including the world’s largest recreational trail system.

As its name implies, Get Ready to Go Snowmobiling Week is also the cue for OFSC snowmobilers to start making ride plans and preparing sleds and gear. Sled dealers and snowmobile clubs across Ontario are marking Get Ready to Go Snowmobiling Week with open houses and other special events.

Get Ready to Go Snowmobiling Week is also the last full week for purchasing Seasonal Snowmobile Trail Permits at the pre-December 1st fee of $200. This season, Get Ready to Go Snowmobiling Week also celebrates many OFSC firsts to improve the rider experience, including: Snow Guarantee: Riders who buy a 2011 Seasonal Snowmobile Trail Permit on or before December 15, 2010 can get paid cash if it doesn’t snow this winter.

OFSC 2011 permit members can purchase the OFSC Snow Guarantee online at www.snowguarantee.ca for $10 (tax included) on or before December 15, 2010. New Website: The OFSC’s new public website is totally revamped for this season with a new look, improved navigation and better information.

The OFSC is also now on Facebook and Twitter, and its eNewsletter is going to a qualified list four times this season. Interactive Trail Guide: The new Interactive Trail Guide features the most accurate and up to date display of the entire 34,000-kilometre OFSC trail network available anywhere.

As it becomes fully integrated and functional this season, OFSC snowmobilers will be able to plan their rides, check for in-season re-routes and detours, and view the latest, colour-coded trail status updates online.

iSnowMobile: OFSC snowmobilers can check trail status from their iPhones by downloading the entire OFSC trail network directly from the Interactive Guide with the OFSC’s new iSnowMobile app (available at www.apple.com/iphone for $2.99).

Routable GPS: Snowmobilers who ride with their Garmin, Magellan or Lowrance units can now purchase routable or non-routable versions of the OFSC provincial trail system on a base map that also includes detailed lakes, rivers, roads, etc.

The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs is non-profit organization dedicated to providing strong leadership and support to member clubs and volunteers, to establishing and maintaining quality snowmobile trails which are used in a safe and environmentally responsible manner, and to furthering the enjoyment of organized snowmobiling

Visit www.ofsc.on.ca.

High tech is improving the Ontario snowmobiling experience as riders receive even more value for their permit dollars.

The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) has launched its totally revamped, super-easy to navigate and content-rich website. High tech features include many snowmobiling firsts, such as the interactive trail guide, visual trail status reports and iSnowMobile, the new OFSC iPhone App.

To achieve these high tech advances, the OFSC partnered with MapSherpa, a leading provider of outdoor oriented mapping products and solutions. With the all-new the Interactive Trail Guide, Internet savvy OFSC snowmobilers will now be able to plan their rides, check for in-season re-routes and detours, and view the latest, colour-coded trail status updates online.

Based on the most recent GPS digital data, the new interactive guide features the most accurate and up to date display of the entire 34,000+ kilometre OFSC trail network available anywhere. Best of all, access is free for OFSC riders. OFSC snowmobilers can take their trails with them and check trail status wherever they are by downloading the entire OFSC trail network directly from the new Interactive site to their smart phones via the new iSnowMobile app (available at www.apple.com/iphone for $2.99).

For a small fee, riders can also order customized and high definition hard copies of the Interactive Trail Guide site with a choice of area, size, layout and base map. In coming months, the OFSC will further enhance the site with such new features as popular tour loops, digital trail distances and expanded points of interest that can include the locations of items as diverse as signboards, bathrooms, club houses and events, and scenic lookouts, plus pop-up contact info for and photos of lodgings, restaurants, gas stations, rental locations, dealerships, repair shops and much more.

Visit OFSC.on.ca for more!

The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs is non-profit organization dedicated to providing strong leadership and support to member clubs and volunteers, to establishing and maintaining quality snowmobile trails which are used in a safe and environmentally responsible manner, and to furthering the enjoyment of organized snowmobiling.MapSherpa delivers mapping solutions and high quality consumer mapping products to snowmobilers and other participants in the outdoor recreation market throughout North America. MapSherpa is a division of Canadian web mapping firm DM Solutions Group (www.mapsherpa.com / www.dmsolutions.ca).