Luke showcases what’s new from Polaris for model year 2026 and provides his thoughts on the new Voyageur 155 and the new narrow 39-41″ Escape front suspension now offered on the 2026 Switchback Assault.

Then AJ and Mark showcase the touring opportunities within the Ontario Highlands and why this amazing part of Canada has been the home of SNOWTRAX for generations.

“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

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…

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.

Our region rolls out Quebec’s largest network of snowmobile trails. Barely 75 kilometers away from North Bay, Ontario, Abitibi-Témiscamingue proposes an incredible choice of tours and accommodation facilities for all tastes.

Acknowledged in Canada and the United States as a snowmobile destination of excellence, tourism journalists, snowmobile industry experts and seasoned snowmobilers know that Abitibi-Témiscamingue offers the best snowmobile services.

Don’t miss Abitibi-Témiscamingue’s famous snowmobile festival from February 13 to 15, 2009. This winter, Abitibi-Témiscamingue is awaiting you with open arms!

Fun is waiting for you. Start your trip today.

Visit www.bonjourquebec.com/snowmobile.