OFSC Urges All Snowmobilers To Follow Public Health Protocols

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Together We Can Do This!

(Barrie, ON: January 20, 2021) – On January 18th, the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) received the news that, effective January 21st, 2021, North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (NBPSDHU) is temporarily closing all OFSC trails within its region for the duration of the provincial Stay At Home Order. This district stretches from Parry Sound on the shores of Georgian Bay, east to Mattawa on the Ottawa River, and from Novar north almost to Marten River. It also includes many OFSC clubs and their volunteers in OFSC Districts 10, 11 & 7 who have worked very hard to prep their trails and, in some cases, had commenced grooming operations despite a late start to winter.

In a news release from January 18th, 2021, Dr. Jim Chirico, NBPSDHU Medical Officer of Health, stated that: “I have received many complaints about people travelling from other districts to use the local snowmobile trails, thus putting our district at risk of COVID-19. The OFSC recommends that snowmobilers avoid trailering and travelling to destinations that are outside their health unit region to snowmobile, but people have not taken the direction seriously.”

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OFSC Trail Riding Provides Physical & Mental Health Benefits for Snowmobilers

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Physical Activity of Snowmobiling Contributes To Rider Well Being This Winter

(Barrie, ON: December 17, 2020) – For more than 50 years, The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) has delivered 30,000 kilometres of snowmobile trails for the enjoyment of Ontarians while also providing numerous economic, social and health benefits. While the economic impact of snowmobiling is well-documented in several studies and now reaches up to $3.3 billion annually in our province, only recently have the social and health benefits of snowmobiling been professionally quantified.

According to a recent University of Guelph (UofG) study conducted for the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations (CCSO), “snowmobiling is a good form of physical activity.” The UofG Human Performance & Research Laboratory study concludes that snowmobiling is a “moderate intensity physical activity”, with a “typical ride using a similar amount of energy to downhill skiing or snow shoveling.”

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OFSC Stakeholder Outreach Initiatives Keep Snowmobilers Well Informed

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Broad Provincial Consultation With Stakeholders Guides OFSC Planning For This Season

(Barrie, ON: December 10, 2020) – Recently, the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) celebrated receiving the Rob Fleming Partnership Award from the Transportation Safety Division of the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO).

In its letter of congratulations, MTO stated that: “The OFSC has demonstrated a keen focus on ensuring a strong partnership through mutual co-operation, shared intellectual leadership and resources. The federation has exhibited an outstanding commitment as a partner to provide exceptional snowmobile trails and rider experiences throughout the province while ensuring rider safety.”

This notable recognition is a good example of the OFSC’s inclusive approach to communication with stakeholders and partners, and none are more important than snowmobilers themselves. To keep you informed and up to date about the coming season, we have issued 17 media releases and 16 newsletters since August. See all OFSC media releases here.

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Together We Can Do This: OFSC Requests Cooperation From Snowmobilers

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Do Your Part By Staying Off Red Trails, Following Ride Smart 2021 Recommendations
& Being A Safe Rider

(Barrie, ON: December 3, 2020) – Hold your horses. Curb your enthusiasm. Cool your jets. Don’t jump the gun. However you want to say it to snowmobilers excited about the first significant snowfall, the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) cautions that riding any OFSC trails at this time is premature, illegal and unsafe until a trail(s) show as Yellow (Limited Availability) or Green (Available) on the Interactive Trail Guide (ITG). Furthermore, premature use of any OFSC trail actually makes it considerably more difficult for a club to get that trail base set and ready for the upcoming season, so everyone has to wait longer. Worse, it is also trespassing that frequently results in a permanent trail closure.

As snowmobilers know, the OFSC, our districts, clubs and volunteers are working hard to deliver the best possible trail riding experiences this winter, but we need your cooperation and patience throughout the season to succeed. With many factors indicating increased participation in trail riding this winter, your assistance not only means staying off Red (Unavailable) trails at any time, but also includes following our Ride Smart 2021 pandemic response plan for healthy snowmobiling to prevent virus spread that could threaten everyone’s riding season.

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OFSC Updates Snowmobilers On Flex Trails & New Ontario Re-Opening Framework

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Flex Trails Provide Permit Buyers With Options For Trail Riding This Winter

What’s Included:
• Trails To Ride 2021 Plan Components
• Pandemic & OFSC Trails
• Flex Trails & How They Work Under Re-Opening Framework
• Do Your Part, Ride Smart

(Barrie, ON:  November 26, 2020) – In prior releases, the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) announced and updated its comprehensive Trails To Ride 2021 plan. It focuses on working through these challenging times to deliver the best trail riding experiences on as many trails as possible this winter with the cooperation of all snowmobilers.

This release updates our previous one on October 22nd. It reflects the new Ontario re-opening framework that took effect on November 7th. Since then, several public health regions have moved into a higher restriction level, but to date only Toronto & Peel are in the Grey-Lockdown level. Click here for details on the current status of public health regions across the province.

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OFSC Provides Fall Communications Recap For Snowmobilers

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All the OFSC News You Need To Know (To Date) To Be Ride Ready This Winter!

(Barrie, ON – November 12, 2020): Since August, the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) has shared a ton of information through our website, Facebook page and newsletters. Our communications focused on evolving developments affecting trail riding for this winter, in addition to news about the early permit sales program.

Now, with growing anticipation among new and returning snowmobilers to hit the snow, a brief recap and progress reminder about trail developments may be helpful to put everything that’s happening in context as we get closer to winter. We hope this update will also answer any questions those who may have missed our regular communications still might have.

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