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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 Snowmobile. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Snowmobile. Show all posts
Monday, March 20, 2023
Ontario Trails News - March 20, 2023
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Ontario Trails News - many snowmobile trails are closing now, beware of ice conditions says OTC.
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Find your favourite Ontario Trail! |
Snowmobile ice trails closed for the season
MANITOULIN—In light of the recent news (and the front page article in this paper regarding the Brechin couple that found themselves in the North Channel Friday afternoon during a snowmobile trip), The Expositor contacted Manitoulin Snowdusters media spokesperson Brad Middleton for a trail update. Currently all Snowdusters trails on Manitoulin and area waters are listed as ‘closed’ or ‘limited.’
Mr. Middleton explained that following the Friday incident, the Ontario Provincial Police requested the Manitoulin Snowdusters close all of the ice trails, which they did.
As of Monday morning, the land trails are listed on the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Club’s website as either ‘closed’ or ‘limited.’
“This is not only because there are some big bare patches starting to show, but also because it is getting hard to get in and out of the towns to get gas etc. due to bare roads and streets,” Mr. Middleton explained.
“However, if anyone chooses to use the land trails on March Break they still can, technically,” he added. “As always, and like the signs say, you are using the trails at your own risk.”
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.
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Ontario Trails News - respect the law, snowmobile trail users.
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Find your favorite ice-climbing trail! |
Respect the law, cops tell snowmobilers
Tuesday, January 27, 2015 by: BayToday.ca Staff
City police have issued a news release asking snowmobilers to respect the laws of the municipality.
Where snowmobiles are permitted
You may drive your registered snowmobile on your own property, on the private trails of organizations to which you belong, on private property when you have the owner’s permission or in permitted City zones. (see map).
You may drive your registered snowmobile on your own property, on the private trails of organizations to which you belong, on private property when you have the owner’s permission or in permitted City zones. (see map).
Snowmobiles are only permitted on public highways when you are crossing it directly, provided that you come to a complete stop before crossing and that you yield the right of way to all vehicles on the highway before doing so.
Where snowmobiles are not permitted
In accordance with the City of North Bay’s municipal by-law, snowmobilers are not permitted to drive:
• on sidewalks, pathways, footpaths, or other pedestrian ways within the city limits;
• in any parks, except those areas illustrated;
• in any school yard or playground within the city;
• on any lake within 500 feet of the closest building on the land,unless you are driving to a direct point on the land to a permitted area, or vise versa.
In accordance with the City of North Bay’s municipal by-law, snowmobilers are not permitted to drive:
• on sidewalks, pathways, footpaths, or other pedestrian ways within the city limits;
• in any parks, except those areas illustrated;
• in any school yard or playground within the city;
• on any lake within 500 feet of the closest building on the land,unless you are driving to a direct point on the land to a permitted area, or vise versa.
Permits required to drive a snowmobile in Ontario
You can drive a snowmobile if you have a valid Ontario driver’s licence (any class).
You can drive a snowmobile if you have a valid Ontario driver’s licence (any class).
If you do not have a driver’s licence and you are 12 years of age or older, a valid motorized snow-vehicle operator’s licence (MSVOL) will allow you to drive on trails established and maintained by a recreational organization for the use of snowmobiles.
However, you must be 16 years of age or older and have a driver’s licence or a motorized snow-vehicle operator’s licence to drive a snowmobile along or across a public road where snowmobiles are allowed.
Permits required to drive a snowmobile on approved trails
An OFSC (Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs) snowmobile trail permit is required to be displayed on the windshield of your snowmobile in order to ride on the trails. For information on pricing and availability of the permits, visit the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs athttp://www.ofsc.on.ca or the Near North Trail Association athttp://www.nnta.ca.
An OFSC (Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs) snowmobile trail permit is required to be displayed on the windshield of your snowmobile in order to ride on the trails. For information on pricing and availability of the permits, visit the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs athttp://www.ofsc.on.ca or the Near North Trail Association athttp://www.nnta.ca.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Ontario Trails News - meetings on Toronto Trails, snowmobiling trails issues and OTC on Wikipeida
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Find out which snowmobile trails are open
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Monday, January 19, 2015
Ontario Trails News - a lot of snowmobile news, and a profile of Yours Outdoors
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Lot's of snowmobiling news - check out our page! |
More than a Snowshoe Hike: An Experience with ‘Yours Outdoors’
Snowshoeing is an ideal winter activity in many ways because it doesn’t take ideal conditions, it is inexpensive, and it is easy to do just about anywhere. While many people appreciate the sport for its simplicity as a get outdoors and be active kind of outing, others need more. If you’re looking to get children and teens to fully embrace the fun of a snowshoe outing, or have friends who need a reason to get out, experiential tourism with Yours Outdoors may be the answer.
Yours Outdoors
Located in the Haliburton Highlands in central Ontario, Yours Outdoors is focused on providing people with more than an outing. Experts in Experiential Tourism (not just seeing something but immersing yourself in it and becoming a part of it), the company and its guides have been bringing the outdoors alive with their unique and customizable packages since 2004.
Haliburton Highlands
Haliburton Highlands is one of the most beautiful settings in central Ontario. Famous as a tourist and cottage area, the region shares the same remote natural beauty as its neighboring Algonquin Park, combined with 600 lakes and rugged hills that gave it the highlands name (comparable to the Scottish highlands and named by early settlers).
The region boasts a strong visual and performing arts community, miles of cross-country ski trails and miles of hiking trails, perfect for snowshoeing. Many of the trails are connected to local resorts, making them very accessible, and in some cases providing stopping places along the way.
The Highlands are filled with bed and breakfast lodgings, small and larger resorts and cottage opportunities so it’s possible to find a variety of options to make a snowshoe trip here into a weekend or even week-long getaway adventure.
More than a Tour
Under the direction of Experience Broker and company owner, Barrie Martin, all of Yours Outdoors’ adventures are designed to incorporate elements of the art, culture, heritage and nature that make up the region. Martin himself uses his more than 28 years’ experience as an educational specialist backed by a degree in wildlife biology and a keen interest in the highlands to create outings that are educational, engaging and filled with local history and highlights.
Many experiences are supplemented by experts in a variety of fields who bring authentic and distinct flavor to the adventure. While some packages have been pre-planned, Martin takes pride in creating unique and interesting custom packages to suit the group, time of year and specific interests.
Experiences
One pre-set package Martin created for the regional government is called the Story of Snowshoes. This experience includes time with local snowshoe collector Craig MacDonald who shares stories about his incredible collection of heritage snowshoes, followed by a hike and the opportunity to personally compare both traditional and modern snowshoes. For a family or a group of people just being introduced to the sport, this is a great way to explore the idea that snowshoeing is about more than an aided winter walk and is a chance to connect to the history and craftsmanship at the heart of the sport.
During the Art and Syrup of Maple experience, participants take a snowshoe hike through a sugar bush to check out modern and traditional methods for collecting and processing the syrup. When the spring snow is too soft for skiing and the lake ice too thin for skating, this is a great way to spend a warm, late winter, early spring afternoon outdoors.
Martin’s Family Fun on Snowshoes experience can include active games, animal tracking and role-playing games. Experiences like this provide a great snowshoe introduction for kids because they will be engaged, entertained and active.
Another experience, called Walk into Winter, can be planned for either a full or half day. Customizable, as with everything else, the tour might include a glimpse at the history of snowshoes, a hike with tips on winter travel and survival along the way, and a campfire with a bush lunch for a truly authentic feel.
For a really unique outing, the Heritage Adventure includes a snowshoe walk to a fur trade post and a visit with an 18th century fur trader who will take you back in to Canada’s history with stories and a traditional meal of baked beans, wild rice and bannock (a traditional flatbread).
More than Just a Day Trip
For those who are looking for more of an adventure, overnight and weekend outings are a great way to fully experience nature and the region.
“Snowshoeing itself has merit,” says Martin. “But when you can add in education and interpretation, it makes it more than an activity. It makes it an experience.”
He says he gets requests from school groups who use his programming to make curriculum come alive, from families looking to create unique memories, and from groups of friends looking for an experience beyond the ordinary.
For a snowshoeing adventure that is about more than a winter hike, check outhttp://www.yoursoutdoors.ca/packages.php.
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