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Find snowmobile information at Ontario Snowmobile Trails
Following participation growth of almost 30 per cent over the past two winters, the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) celebrates the coming season by announcing that the primary Ontario Snowmobile Trail Permit is now on sale at a very affordable fee that has not increased for three years.
http://www.goderichsignalstar.com/2015/10/08/snowmobilers-offered-30-per-cent-savings-on-2016-ontario-snowmobile-trail-permit
This 2016 Seasonal Permit, which enables snowmobilers to ride any of the more than 30,000 kilometres of OFSC Prescribed Trails for the entire winter, is now available online only (ofsc.on.ca) until November 1 for $180 – its lowest fee of the season and a 30 per cent saving off its regular fee of $260.
The OFSC is offering this pre-November 1 seasonal permit saving to help keep snowmobiling really affordable for everyone.
Last winter, Ontario riders responded enthusiastically to this value proposition, contributing to an unprecedented 83 per cent of permits being acquired online in 2015. OFSC online transaction is fast, easy, convenient and meets applicable government privacy and security protocols, enabling snowmobilers to purchase a permit without leaving their home and with total peace of mind.
This shift to online sales represents a massive shift in buying pattern from 2009, when snowmobilers purchased 100 per cent of their trail permits at local retail outlets.
Riders continue to agree with a 2014 Ontario Snowmobiler Preference and Opinion Survey conducted by the OFSC, wherein 95.8 per cent of respondents believe that Ontario snowmobiling is enjoyable, very enjoyable or extremely enjoyable.
Ontario Snowmobile Trail Permits are an official licence product of the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) and the OFSC is the exclusive authorized sales agent. Ontario law requires that snowmobiles entering an OFSC Prescribed Trail for the purpose of recreational snowmobiling must have a valid Ontario Snowmobile Trail Permit displayed.
So by purchasing a 2016 Seasonal Permit online on or before November 1, snowmobilers can not only save money and ride legally for the winter, but also contribute to the $1.7 billion economic impact that snowmobiling generates for this province each winter. Other permit types and fees are available online after December 1.
The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) is a volunteer led not for profit association that provides the voice for organized snowmobiling in the Province of Ontario. We provide leadership to member organizations in our commitment to enable exceptional snowmobile trails and rider experiences throughout the province. Our vision is that snowmobiling is recognized and celebrated as Ontario's premier winter recreation and tourism experience.
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Ontario boasts over 80,000 km in trails. Whether you're in downtown Toronto or North of Superior, we have a trail for you. The Ontario Trails Council is a registered charity, led by volunteers who promote the development, management, use and conservation of Ontario's trails. You'll find everything from gentle walking trails to rock faces for climbing and water routes to canoe and kayak.
Showing posts with label Ontario Snowmobile Trails. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ontario Snowmobile Trails. Show all posts
Monday, October 26, 2015
Ontario Trails News - snowmobiling growth and permit sales, find out more at Ontario Snowmobiling Trails, from the Ontario Trails News Archive
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Ontario Trails News - snowmobiling pass on sale till Nov. 1, 2015 from the Ontario Trails News Archive
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Find snowmobile information at Ontario Snowmobile Trails |
BARRIE— Following participation growth of almost 30 percent over the past two winters, the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs ( OFSC ) celebrates the coming season by announcing that the primary Ontario Snowmobile Trail Permit is now on sale at a very affordable fee that has not increased for three years.
This 2016 Seasonal Permit, which enables snowmobilers to ride any of the more than 30,000 kilometres of OFSC Prescribed Trails for the entire winter, is now available online only (ofsc.on.ca) until November 1 for $180—its lowest fee of the season and a 30 percent saving off its regular fee of $260.
The OFSC is offering this pre-November 1 Seasonal Permit saving to help keep snowmobiling really affordable for everyone. Last winter, Ontario riders responded enthusiastically to this value proposition, contributing to an unprecedented 83 percent of permits being acquired online in 2015. OFSC online transaction is fast, easy, convenient and meets applicable government privacy and security protocols, enabling snowmobilers to purchase a permit without leaving their home and with total peace of mind. This shift to online sales represents a massive shift in buying pattern from 2009, when snowmobilers purchased 100 percent of their trail permits at local retail outlets. Riders continue to agree with a 2014 Ontario Snowmobiler Preference and Opinion Survey conducted by the OFSC, wherein 95.8 percent of respondents believe that Ontario snowmobiling is enjoyable, very enjoyable or extremely enjoyable.
Ontario Snowmobile Trail Permits are an official licence product of the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) and the OFSC is the exclusive authorized sales agent. Ontario law requires that snowmobiles entering an OFSC Prescribed Trail for the purpose of recreational snowmobiling must have a valid Ontario Snowmobile Trail Permit displayed. So by purchasing a 2016 Seasonal Permit online on or before November 1, snowmobilers can not only save money and ride legally for the winter, but also contribute to the $1.7 billion economic impact that snowmobiling generates for this province each winter. Other permit types and fees are available online after December 1.
Monday, March 23, 2015
Ontario Trails news - an excellent winter season on snowmobile trails, find your favorite Ontario Trail!
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Find your favorite trail - use the Ontario Trails Map |
This winter has been “awesome” for snowmobilers in the North Bay area.
And if Mother Nature co-operates, it could last a bit longer.
“It all depends on what happens Monday,” Shawn Flindall, a director with the North Bay Snowmobilers Club, said Sunday.
“In the typical year, the trails close down by the start of March break. But we might get another week or 10 days out of it.”
The snowmobile club, which operates almost 300 kilometres of trails across the region, has downgraded its trails to yellow from green. That means there could be exposed soil, puddles or other impediments to snowmobilers.
“We’re just saying to use additional caution,” he said. “The trails are still good.”
Temperatures Sunday climbed to about 7C, which Flindall admitted can play havoc with south-facing slopes. The mercury is expected to rise to 5C today, before going down to below zero for the rest of the March break.
“If we can get through the mild weather on Monday, we can get the groomers out again to groom the trails” this week.
“There are a few bad spots.”
He said most trails in southern Ontario have closed for the season, and snowmobilers from other parts of the province have been e-mailing the local club to find out what conditions are like in this area.
“This past week we’ve been getting five to 10 e-mails a day, every day, from people down south asking if there is good riding,” he said.
Friday, March 6, 2015
Ontario Trails News - Timmins snowmobiling and the discussion about Ontario snowmobile trails!
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Join the discussion about Ontario snowmobile trails |
Grooming Partnerships in the City with a Heart of Gold
TWEET ME:
.@Goldcorp_Inc Partners with Timmins Snowmobile Club to maintain existing snowmobile trails http://3bl.me/gaxbd6
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Thursday, February 26, 2015 - 6:00pm
Chances are if you live in the City of Timmins, you or someone you know owns a snowmobile. After all, Timmins is considered to be one of the most snowmobile-friendly cities in Ontario. With over 440 km of trails in the area, Goldcorp Porcupine Gold Mines recognized the value of ensuring that the Hollinger Haul Road did not disrupt existing trail connections in the City.
Patrick Dzijacky, Environmental Technologist for Porcupine Gold Mines (PGM) explained that since the initial proposal for the Hollinger Project, PGM has been working with the Timmins Snowmobile Club to ensure that existing snowmobile trails could be re-established in the area of the new haul road. Careful planning allowed the new snowmobile trail to follow the base of the haul road and the construction of an underpass, specifically for snowmobiles, provided a safe way to cross the road and connect with established trails. Goldcorp’s pit crews, with their heavy equipment, did an excellent job grubbing, removing trees and bringing in material to make the trail base more than suitable for the Timmins Snowmobile Club.
The efforts by PGM did not go unnoticed. Marc Lepalme, Vice-President of the Timmins Snowmobile Club said that the club is very grateful to have a world class company like Goldcorp who is willing to work with local organizations to ensure that mining activities are able to co-exist with outdoor recreational activities such as snowmobiling.
Lapalme commented, “The work Goldcorp put into ensuring a connection could be made to our existing trail network exceeded our expectations. The new snowmobile tunnel adds another distinctive feature to our trail system and is often the topic of conversation amongst snowmobilers that are travelling from outside our region. On behalf of the Timmins Snowmobile Club and all its permit holders, we thank you for making this trail a reality.”
This unique part of the Timmins trail system also caught the eye of the Temiskaming Abitibi Trail Association. In 2014, Northern Ontario Travel began promoting Ontario Snowmobile Tour Loops and as a result, the Temiskaming Abitibi Trail Association (OFSC District 14) developed the Gold Rush Tour, a 710 km circle route that takes snowmobilers through many historic and operating gold mines. According to Crystal Girard, Manager of the Temiskaming Abitibi Trail Association, the new section of the A111C snowmobile trail that PGM has developed is an excellent addition to this tour. It follows the haul road into the City of Timmins and provides snowmobilers the opportunity to see heavy mining equipment at work. It also passes around the historic Hollinger Mine property, home to PGM’s newest operation the Hollinger Open Pit. This new trail will no doubt bring riders into our District to experience these unique aspects of the Gold Rush Tour.
Brendan Zuidema, Mine General Manger for PGM, firmly believes in Goldcorp’s tenant that building partnerships and giving back to the communities where we operate is essential to being a good corporate citizen. “This trail system is important to the City of Timmins and the region. The construction of the underpass was a small investment compared to the returns for the Timmins economy and the enjoyment of thousands of snowmobile enthusiast.”
Goldcorp is committed to building a legacy of social and economic benefit in the communities it operates.
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Ontario Trail News - answer our survey on the benefits of trails, and snowmobiling in Peterborough
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Be sure to answer our survey on the Benefits of Trails |
PoV: Snowmobiling plan worth consideration
Wednesday, February 4, 2015 11:05:09 EST AMObserve safety guidelines and common sense when operating a snowmobile. Wear a helmet, warm clothes and don’t drive impaired. Snowmobiling is not allowed on public property in Camrose.
Observe safety guidelines and common sense when operating a snowmobile. Wear a helmet, warm clothes and don’t drive impaired. Snowmobiling is not allowed on public property in Camrose.
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Snowmobile tourism is big business in many parts Ontario, but not so much in Peterborough. This area, a tourism jewel, attracts visitors galore over the three other seasons, but come winter, things slow down.
That's why opening some of the city's trails up to snowmobiles in winter makes sense - to a point.
Ontario boasts 30,000 kilometres of interconnected snowmobiling trails. Avid riders often take a week or two to journey around the province along these trails, spending on food and fuel and staying in lodges and inns that cater to the snowsuit crowd each winter.
There's very little sign of them in Peterborough, though.
Head out in to the county and further north, west and east and you find safe, mapped routes that offer snowmobilers a chance to explore a side of Ontario most of us don't see in winter; the Abitibi Canyon Loop, the Bon Echo run and the Goldrush Tour near Timmins are good examples. Communities in the north go to great lengths to accommodate their snowmobiling visitors, even constructing smaller secondary bridges to get them across rivers and ravines in some areas.
Nobody's proposing anything that major here. Not yet, at least. But there is a suggestion before council to allow snowmobiles on sections of the Trans-Canada Trail as it comes into the city, particularly a new section to be built this year south of Lansdowne St.
It's an interesting idea, one with some issues associated with it, but something worth considering.
The positives: The trails are barely used in winter. They're impassable on foot, and while they're well-suited for cross-country skiing, that sport is enjoyed by a fairly small group, and is definitely not a tourism draw.
Trail groups would maintain the routes in winter, so taxpayers are off the hook for that; cost wouldn't be a problem. Combined with the Pan Am Games paying for the trail revitalization and the city gains a tourism draw without going out of pocket.
There are negatives, some of them raised already by city staff, who recommend against the idea. Skiers and snowshoe enthusiasts are no doubt going to have concerns about snowmobilers on the trails. People living nearby will have something to say about the noise. Safety, of course, will always be an issue. These are valid concerns - but do they outweigh the benefits?
So, as city staff start work on a plan for the trail, it makes sense for council to try this out. Give it one year, one full winter. Weigh the pros, weigh the cons, and make the right decision. Going forward, there's potential for tourism growth here, and the city deserves to have that trail explored.
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Ontario Trails News - snowmobile permits selling well
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Learn more about the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs |
There isn’t even snow on the ground and snowmobile riders are already pumped to hit to the trails. Roger Klein has more.
Published Monday, December 1, 2014 6:41PM EST
Sales for OFSC trail passes across the region have spiked as snowmobilers across Ontario are revving up to get the season started.
Mid Ontario Snowmobile Trails manager Kevin Hagen says sales in his district are up by 39%.
“I would chalk it all up to last year’s winter,” said Hagen. “Some predictions are that we will have another winter like that this year, so as a snowmobiler I am really happy and hope that really happens.”
Thousands of snowmobilers went online to buy an early bird permit and by doing so, saved themselves $50.
Not only have permit sales increased, but snowmobile dealers have also been selling through their stock.
J & R Cycle owner John Broderick says his repair shop near Stayner is also expecting to be busy this winter.
“Everybody remembers last winter and rightly so,” he said. “As a result of that, there is a little more forethought going into it this year. People are trying to get their sleds ready before the snow actually hits, which is a good thing because it's always good to be prepared.”
Sledders have until midnight on December 1st, to buy their permits before the early bird price ends.
Read more:http://barrie.ctvnews.ca/snowmobile-trail-permits-selling-well-1.2127891#ixzz3N6kBfMOJ
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