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 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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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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Ontario Snowmobile Trail Permits Now Online!

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(Barrie, ON: October 1, 2021) –  The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) launched early bird permit sales online on October 1st, giving riders an opportunity to save 30% on Seasonal Permits when purchased on or before November 1st, 2021. Permits can only be purchased online at https://permits.ofsc.on.ca.

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Province Introduces $5 Fee Increase for 2022 Seasonal and Classic Trail Permits

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Following 3 Year Price Freeze, Increase Puts More Money On The Snow

(Barrie, ON: September 7, 2021) – The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) is announcing a $5 permit fee increase for 2022 Seasonal and Classic Trail Permits. The increase will help the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) and its member organizations to keep pace with rising operating costs associated with Ontario’s favourite winter pastime, all while ensuring snowmobiling remains affordable across the province.

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OFSC Provides By The Numbers Overview of Organized Snowmobiling

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A Behind-The-Scenes Look At The Economics of Delivering Snowmobile Trails

(Barrie, ON: February 25 , 2021) – As the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) enters its 54th year as the voice for the volunteer snowmobile clubs in this province, it’s informative to look at a few of our “Snowmobiling By The Numbers”. Hopefully, they help all of us better appreciate the big picture of organized snowmobiling in Ontario – and what a massive, complex and valuable undertaking this year-round enterprise really is. It’s also a sobering look at the economic benefits that are being lost to snowbelt communities as too many trails are closed due to snowmobilers wandering off marked trails.

Most of these Snowmobiling By The Numbers are from the 2018-2019 riding season, the most recent figures available. While the numbers vary slightly from year to year, and may be down this season due to current restrictions, a primary and very unpredictable variable is consistent: What kind of season we get from Old Man Winter?

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