OFSC Celebrates National Snowmobiling Day October 28

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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

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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

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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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Madawaska Rail Bridge Receives Provincial Support

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(Madawaska, ON: January 27, 2023) – The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (O.F.S.C.) and the Opeongo Snowbirds Snowmobile Club were joined by Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke M.P.P. John Yakabuski to announce the completion of the Madawaska rail bridge refurbishment project.

“As we build Ontario, our government is making record investments in infrastructure, like the Madawaska rail bridge, to ensure snowmobilers can continue safely enjoying the province’s premier trails for generations to come,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. “Congratulations to the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs on re-opening this critical link, which connects the communities of Whitney and Barry’s Bay.”

This infrastructure project is supported by a $208,919 investment from the Government of Ontario. Funding was announced by Minister Mulroney at the O.F.S.C. Annual General Meeting in September 2019.

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Ontario Snowmobile Trail Permit Fee Increase

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(Barrie, ON: September 29, 2022) – The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) is announcing a $5 permit fee increase for 2023 Seasonal and Classic Ontario Snowmobile Trail Permits. The increase does not apply to Multi-Day or Special Event Trail Permits. Permits and Permit Gift Cards sales commence online October 1, 2022.

Well below Canada’s current inflation rate of 7.0%, this modest permit fee increase ensures that trail riding will remain as affordable as possible for Ontario snowmobilers this season. At the same time, it also enables the Federation to keep pace with rising operational costs and allows us to make considerable investments in the groomers, trails, and infrastructure required to deliver Ontario’s premier winter tourism activity.

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OFSC Delivers Strong Snowmobiling Season Despite Challenges

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Season Peak of 26,000 Kms of Available OFSC Trails Reached on February 25, 2021

(Barrie, ON: March 31, 2021) – The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) extends sincerest appreciation to our 6,000 volunteers, whose trail-building expertise and operational dedication are the grassroots backbone of our local snowmobile clubs across Ontario. Despite facing unprecedented and continually evolving challenges, their volunteer efforts, cooperation and determination during the past season helped achieved the commitment we made to snowmobilers in our Trails To Ride 2021 plan – to deliver the best possible trail riding experiences.

“I want to commend everyone on Team OFSC for our collective achievements this winter,” commented CEO Landon French, “from volunteers to landowners to stakeholders, and to staff who helped steer us through uncharted territory this year.”

In addition, the OFSC wants to thank each and every permit buyer for your patience and understanding through the season. We really appreciate your support of OFSC trails and your willingness to adapt to local riding this winter and for taking the necessary precautions. Certainly, if the positive, post-season feedback from snowmobilers on social media is any indicator, many of you agree that this season was a success story given the circumstances. And what a story it was…

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