IMPORTANT OFSC UPDATE FOR PROVINCIAL SNOWMOBILE SAFETY WEEK

Snowmobilers Must Check Interactive Trail Guide Before Riding OFSC Trails

(January 11, 2024 – Barrie, ON): The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) launches Provincial Snowmobile Safety Week (January 13 – 21) by cautioning snowmobilers to always go online to consult the OFSC Interactive Snowmobile Trail Guide (ITG) before riding. Introduced in 2010, the proprietary ITG is well established as the sole authorized source for the status of 30,000 kilometres of OFSC Snowmobile Trails.

With the unusually late start to this winter, this Safety Week update is especially important because most OFSC Prescribed Snowmobile Trails have been unavailable for recreational riding as of this date. Making trails ready to ride requires prolonged sub-zero temperatures to set a deep frost into the ground and to freeze waterways and swamps solid, along with enough snow that groomers can pack a durable trail base. This essential and weather-dependent process is only beginning and may take a while to happen, so the OFSC emphasizes that riders must check trail status on the ITG to avoid trails that are not ready for snowmobiling at this time.

“As we await the cooperation of Mother Nature, I urge snowmobilers to make safety their #1 priority,” said Ryan Eickmeier, OFSC CEO. “Our clubs are eagerly awaiting the right conditions to make trails available, and the Interactive Trail Guide (ITG) is the place to go for trail status information.”

When consulting the ITG, snowmobilers should be aware of the following trail status categories:

  • Available Trails are coloured GREEN, meaning that the identified route(s) is accessible with the understanding that the trail will likely vary considerably in quality, attributes and terrain over its length, and that snowmobilers enter exercising care and caution at all times.
  • Limited Availability Trails are coloured YELLOW, meaning that the identified route(s) is limited with marginal riding opportunities, so snowmobilers enter with the understanding that they should exercise extreme care and caution while reducing speed.
  • Unavailable Trails are coloured RED meaning that the identified route is not available at this time, access is prohibited and anyone entering the property may be trespassing, so snowmobilers must not enter under any circumstances.

The OFSC also urges snowmobilers not to be fooled by an early snowfall or a skim of new ice into placing their lives in peril by travelling on newly formed or untested ice, riding off trail or running on public roads, none of which is a responsible alternative to GREEN or YELLOW trails as indicated on the ITG. The OFSC appeals to every snowmobiler not to head out for that first ride of this season too soon, and even when trails show GREEN or YELLOW on the ITG, always put personal safety first and ride responsibly by not taking unnecessary chances.

 


 

The OFSC is committed to proactive leadership in promoting safe, responsible recreational riding on OFSC Prescribed Snowmobile Trails, by building safer snowmobiling knowledge, attitudes and behaviours through rider education, safety legislation development and enforcement.

 

For questions or to schedule a media interview with the OFSC, please contact: [email protected] 

SNOWMOBILE TRAILS IN ONTARIO CAN GENERATE ANNUAL ECONOMIC IMPACT UP TO $6B

New Study Reveals Rising Numbers For OFSC Snowmobiling

2022-2023 At A Glance

  • Snowmobiling-related Economic Activity for Ontario: $3B – $6B Annually
  • Expenditures by OFSC Snowmobile Trail Riders: $1.48 Billion
  • Full Time Jobs Supported by OFSC Snowmobile Trails: 9,307
  • Taxes Generated by OFSC Snowmobile Trails: $538 Million

(Barrie, ON. November 9, 2023) – The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) has released a new study, “The Economic Impact of Snowmobile Trails in Ontario”, based on expenditure data from the 2022-2023 season. This 2023 report clearly shows that the provincial network of over 30,000 kilometres of OFSC Prescribed Snowmobile Trails is Ontario’s most valuable recreational trail network and a key pillar of our winter tourism economy. As a volunteer-led, not-for-profit association with 181 member organizations, the OFSC manages these premier snowmobile trails, which connect snowbelt communities while providing safe, enjoyable, and environmentally sustainable riding experiences for Ontarians.

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OFSC Celebrates National Snowmobiling Day October 28

It’s Time To Get Ready For The 2024 Season!

(Barrie, ON. October 23, 2023): The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) invites snowmobilers and other winter lovers to celebrate National Snowmobile Day with us on Saturday, October 28th. Canada has enjoyed a rich snowmobile heritage since Joseph-Armand Bombardier introduced the first “Ski-Doo” in 1959, an iconic debut that made 17th place on the CBC’s 2007 list of “The Greatest Canadian Inventions”.

Today, organized snowmobiling in Canada is a volunteer-driven, trail permit funded recreational activity  united nationally through the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations (CCSO) and managed by 12 provincial and territorial snowmobile associations representing 729 non-profit clubs. Over 1.5 million family participants enjoy 130,700 kilometres of marked, mapped and maintained recreational snowmobile trails connecting thousands of snowbelt communities and creating over $9.3 billion in economic impact and 41,000 related jobs annually.

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OFSC Celebrates Landowners Who Make Snowmobile Trails Possible

Provincial Landowner Appreciation Week is October 2 – 9, 2023

(Barrie, ON. October 2, 2023): The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) is launching the 2024 snowmobile season with “Provincial Landowner Appreciation Week”, October 2 to 9, 2023. In grateful recognition of their often unsung contribution to organized snowmobiling, Landowner Appreciation Week celebrates over 18,000 community-minded landowners, who come from all walks of life, including thousands of farmers, and home or cottage owners, as well as private companies, municipalities, conservation authorities and others.

For more than 50 years, these landowners have voluntarily contributed to the well-being of their hometowns and the enjoyment of snowmobilers by donating the use of a portion of their private property for an OFSC Snowmobile Trail during the winter months. These OFSC trails provide safe and legal places for recreational snowmobilers with valid Ontario Snowmobile Trail Permits to ride, while connecting hundreds of rural communities and businesses by snow.

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OFSC 56th Convention and AGM Kicks Off New Snowmobile Season

Ontario Snowmobile Trail Permit Fees for 2024 Season

(Barrie, ON. September 26, 2023): Recreational snowmobile trails do not just appear by magic each winter. That’s why hundreds of grassroots volunteers from across Ontario recently gathered in Muskoka representing 181 community-based snowmobile clubs who are members of the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC).

“Our volunteers are the backbone of snowmobiling in Ontario, and the 2023 Convention theme celebrated their perseverance, resilience and grit,” said Murray Baker, OFSC President. “Our provincial gathering provides an important opportunity for our volunteers to reconnect with peers, share best practices and appreciate collective accomplishments as trail preparations for the 2024 season move into high gear.”

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OFSC Safe Riding Message For National Snowmobile Environment Month

Environmentally-Friendly Sledding is Part of Being a Safe Snowmobiler

(Barrie, ON, January 31, 2023) – February is National Snowmobile Environment Month, and the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs celebrates by reminding trail riders that snowmobilers have a collective interest in keeping nature beautiful. To do so, riders must snowmobile responsibly to foster a safe environment by protecting and preserving our land, forest and fauna. This proactive behaviour will help ensure that future generations can enjoy recreational riding on OFSC Prescribed Snowmobile Trails for years to come.

National Snowmobiling Environment Month also celebrates the ongoing stewardship accomplishments of our member clubs and volunteers. These ongoing initiatives include effective trail planning to protect sensitive habitats and species, to control erosion, to protect rivers and streams with bridges and culverts, plus activities such as seeding, tree planting, working with provincial ministries and environment groups, and ongoing education and outreach efforts within the snowmobiling community.

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