OFSC Shares High Level Plans for Upcoming Ontario Snowmobile Season

 

New Health & Safety Initiatives Coming For Snowmobile Trail Operators & Riders

(Barrie, ON – August 11, 2020)As the voice of organized snowmobiling and a recognized leader for powersports tourism and recreation in this province, the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) is developing new strategies to ensure the health and safety of its volunteers, landowners and riders for the coming snowmobile season.

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.

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OPP REPORT SEASON’S FIRST SNOWMOBILE FATALITY, ISSUE WARNING WITH OFSC AHEAD OF HOLIDAYS

(ORILLIA, ON) –. With mild temperatures forecast for many parts of the province into the holidays, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) are warning snowmobilers to stay off closed OFSC trails. The OPP is also urging riders to stay off frozen waterways as they too remain unsafe.

The OPP responded to its first snowmobile fatality of the season earlier this month after a man lost control of his snowmobile. The tragic death is the latest reminder that snowmobiling comes with an unpredictable environment and unique set of risks.

Excessive speed, driving too fast for the conditions losing control and alcohol are among the top contributing factors in OPP-investigated snowmobile fatalities every season.

Snowmobilers are reminded to regularly check the OFSC Interactive Trail Guide for real-time trail availability information over the holidays and throughout the season. OFSC prescribed trails are subject to laws governed under the Ontario Motorized Snow Vehicles Act and enforced by police throughout the province.

The OPP remains committed to saving lives on Ontario highways, waterways and trails.

The OFSC wants to remind snowmobilers to Go Safe when they Go Snowmobiling Ontario!

 

LEARN MORE

 Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs

 Snowmobile Safety in Ontario

 

OPP Contact:         Sgt. Paul Potter, Coordinator, Specialized Patrol

Phone:                       (705) 329-7660

 

OFSC Contact:      Andrew Walasek Director, Stakeholder Relations,

Phone:                      (705) 739-7669

PROVINCE OF ONTARIO ANNOUNCES SUPPORT OF SNOWMOBILING INDUSTRY

September 23, 2019 (Mississauga, ON) – Ontario’s Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney addressed over 200 members of the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs at their annual meeting in Mississauga on Friday, committing to long-term, sustainable funding of $500,000 annually to support Ontario’s snowmobiling industry. Minister Mulroney also reiterated the government’s support for online snowmobile driver training and permit vouchers, streamlining processes and cutting red tape.

“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 [email protected]

OFSC Interactive Trail Guide Offline

 

 

To show our appreciation for use of your land and to protect you during the off-season, we will be turning off trail data on the Interactive Trail Guide and Go Snowmobiling Ontario App in the next few days.
Snowmobilers, we’ll be back on line closer to the start of the 2020 snowmobile season.