Together We Can Help Keep Trails & Services Open This Winter
What’s Included:
• Doing Our Part
• 4 Steps For Stopping
• Riding Prepared
• Preventing The Spread
(Barrie, ON: November 5, 2020) – The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) is committed to delivering the best possible trail riding experiences for snowmobilers this winter. In accordance with the latest information from Public Health Ontario, the OFSC’s pandemic response plan is enabling our districts, clubs & volunteers to do everything possible to make the provincial trail system available to ride, while respecting and protecting the snowbelt communities, hospitality providers and residents that serve OFSC trails.
Doing Our Part To Keep Trails & Services Open – To make this work, we snowmobilers must also do part to prevent transmission of the virus on every ride. While we all know that the riding itself is relatively safe, the risk increases considerably whenever we stop along the way. So, everyone needs to practice socially responsible behaviours when interacting with each other or visiting trail accessible services and communities. Not doing so could result in closed services, limited access to communities and possibly even trail restrictions during the season.
That’s why the OFSC is launching Ride Smart 2021, a common sense approach to help snowmobilers work together to keep the fun happening!
4 Steps for Stopping –We all want to keep trails and services available this winter, so let’s make sure we and our riding companions get with these easy, Ride Smart 2021 steps during any interactions with others when stopping while trailering to the snow or during our trail rides:
1. Physical Distancing – Indoors or out, keep a minimum of 2 m (6’) apart at all times, with no direct contact.
2. Face Covering – Wear a mask covering your nose and mouth when not wearing a helmet, except while eating or drinking.
3. Hand Cleaning – Carry personal hand sanitizer and use it often.
4. Occupancy Limits –Avoid overcrowding, especially inside hospitality services with capacity restrictions in place.
Riding Prepared – For rides this winter, Ride Smart 2021 also advises that we:
• Be open-minded and flexible to adapt our ride planning to new challenges this winter.
• Form our own regular “riding bubble” of like-minded, socially responsible snowmobilers.
• Avoid any trails temporarily unavailable due to local public health unit restrictions.
• Plan ahead carefully for rest stops and washroom facilities.
• Check in advance to ensure that expected services are open to visitors at the time of our ride.
• Before leaving, double check the Interactive Trail Guide (ITG) to reconfirm the status of the trails.
• Carry extra fuel for each sled.
• Bring snacks and non-alcoholic drinks to consume trailside and take our garbage out with us.
Preventing The Spread: I Won’t Ride Any Trails If –
• I’ve tested positive for COVID-19 and/or am not feeling well. I’ll stay home until I am fully recovered. Same goes if I live in the same household with someone who has COVID-19 or is showing symptoms of COVID- 19.
• I have just returned from travel outside of Canada. I’ll self-isolate for a minimum of 14 days before riding OFSC trails.
Ride Smart 2021 also advises all snowmobilers to check with our local Public Health Unit prior to every ride. Pandemic information is constantly evolving, so throughout the coming season, Ride Smart 2021 recommends snowmobilers check the ITG and Go Snowmobiling Apps regularly and frequently to plan our rides and reconfirm our routes before starting each morning.
Together, We Can Do This – Let’s Ride Smart 2021!
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.
