Until Shutdown Ends, Stay Close to Home & Only Ride Local When Trails Are Available
(Barrie, ON: December 31, 2020) – In support of the existing provincial shutdown and to limit non-essential travel, the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) urges snowmobilers to avoid travelling outside their local public health region, and only ride local trails when availability shows as Yellow or Green on the Interactive Trail Guide (ITG).
The OFSC highly recommends that snowmobilers avoid trailering and travelling to destinations that are outside their public health region. To discourage travelling by snowmobile beyond public health region boundaries, the OFSC has made trails between health units temporarily unavailable (showing Red on the ITG) until further notice. Trails to Quebec, Manitoba and the United States remain closed.
As noted in a previous release, the OFSC was pleased to see that the Government of Ontario stated “trails servicing snowmobiles will be allowed to be open following all public health guidelines” during the shutdown. It should also be noted that most snowmobile trails in Ontario are unavailable (Red) at this time.
Meanwhile, the OFSC asks all snowmobilers to be considerate of others to ensure the best season possible. Snowmobilers are urgently reminded to only ride local OFSC prescribed trails when available, to avoid damaging the property of generous landowners.
While taking advantage of available local riding opportunities, the OFSC recommends that snowmobilers follow OFSC Ride Smart 2021 protocols to stay safe.
Snowmobilers are reminded to check their local public health guidelines prior to every ride, and to refer to the ITG and Go Snowmobiling App regularly to plan appropriate local rides, and to reconfirm routes and available services.
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.
