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.
Meanwhile, we are aware of safety concerns being expressed on social media about many novice and former snowmobilers expected on the trails this winter. So, the OFSC is strongly recommending that new or returning riders invest an hour or so to check out the Safe Rider tips under Resources on the OFSC website (especially sections 3, 4 and 5) which are also great refreshers for every snowmobiler. While you’re there, please also take a moment to read the waiver and answer your burning questions about Ontario snowmobiling regulations under the Motorized Snow Vehicles Act (MSVA). If you know anyone who is new or returning this winter, please do us all a favour by sharing the Safe Rider link with them.
Our Trails To Ride 2021 plan 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. So please do your part by staying off Red trails, following Ride Smart 2021 recommendations and being a Safe Rider!
Throughout the coming season, the OFSC advises snowmobilers to check the ITG and Go Snowmobiling Ontario App regularly and frequently to plan your rides and reconfirm your route before starting each morning.
The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) is a volunteer led, not for profit association that provides the voice for organized snowmobiling in Ontario. OFSC snowmobile trails managed by 200 community based, member clubs generate up to $3.3 billion in economic activity in the province each year.
