OFSC Calls On Snowmobilers To Do Their Part

 

(Barrie, ON – February 10, 2025): For Ontario Snowmobile Safety Week, the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) in partnership with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), reminds all snowmobilers to exercise common sense and adhere to these simple guidelines while out on the trails ensuring that everyone has the safest ride possible.

Let’s do our part in keeping Ontario’s snowmobile trails safe for all to enjoy.

Stay On The Trail: The OFSC reminds snowmobilers to only ride Available OFSC trails throughout the winter, and to always stay on the marked trail. OFSC Prescribed Snowmobile Trails are planned, prepared and maintained for the use of responsible recreational snowmobilers who display valid Ontario Snowmobile Trail Permits on their sleds. These snowmobile corridors are the smart choice for safety’s sake, and to avoid trespassing on private property or compromising the safety of landowners or their property. OFSC Reminds Snowmobilers To Stay On The Trail – Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs

Know Before You Go: When consulting the OFSC Interactive Trail Guide (ITG), snowmobilers should be aware of the following trail status categories:

• Available: Trails are coloured GREEN, meaning that the identified route(s) is accessible with the understanding that the trail will likely vary considerably in quality, attributes and terrain over its length, and that snowmobilers enter exercising care and caution at all times.
• Limited Availability: Trails are coloured YELLOW, meaning that the identified route(s) is limited with marginal riding opportunities, so snowmobilers enter with the understanding that they should exercise extreme care and caution while reducing speed.
• Unavailable: Trails are coloured RED meaning that the identified route is not available at this time, access is prohibited and anyone entering the property may be trespassing, so snowmobilers must not enter under any circumstances.

“With winter in full swing and more than 23,000 kilometers of trails to ride at the time of this release, I urge snowmobilers to make safety their #1 priority,” said Ryan Eickmeier, OFSC CEO. “With common sense and following these simple tips, we can all do our part in ensuring enjoyable rides are had by all.”

The ABCs of Safe Snowmobiling: As a quick reminder, doing your part is as easy as ABC:

A – Abstain from Alcohol & Drugs: Riding under the influence is illegal and carries the same penalties as impaired driving. It poses significant risks to your safety and others. Remember, “Zero Tolerance” and “Ride Safe, Ride Sober.”

B – Be Prepared For The Unexpected: Snowmobiling occurs in unpredictable environments. Always be ready with the necessary gear and precautions to handle emergencies. Check out these products from OFSC Safety Partners.

C – Caution, Care & Control: Practice common sense by staying on trails, riding within your capabilities, and moderating your pace. Avoid peer pressure and ensure you have enough reaction time to stay safe.

For more safety information, tips and partners, please visit: Safety – Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs

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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 recreational snowmobile trails managed by community based, member clubs and their volunteers generate up to $6 billion in economic activity annually.

For questions or to schedule a media interview with the OFSC, please contact: [email protected]

Volunteers and Landowners Make It All Happen, Thank Them by Staying on The Trail 

(Barrie, ON – January 23, 2025): Over the past year, volunteers have worked tirelessly with thousands of landowners to ensure trails were ready for everything Mother Nature was going to throw at them. With winter in full swing across Ontario, the time is now to recognize these efforts by doing one simple thing: stay on the trail.

“The commitment and dedication of our volunteers and the generosity of landowners cannot be overstated. Their tireless efforts this off-season is nothing short of heroic”, said Ryan Eickmeier,  OFSC CEO. “Now it’s time to do our part and show our respect to our landowners and volunteers by staying on the marked trail.”

With close to 50% of the OFSC trail network currently available for recreational riding, the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) is celebrating these unique and enduring relationships, and the incredible trail network of tens of thousands of kilometres of OFSC Prescribed Trails we’ve built together, about 60% of which are located on private property.

“Trespassing on private property and entering prohibited areas must become as unacceptable socially as it is legally,” stated Ryan Eickmeier, OFSC CEO. “Land use permission is a privilege, not a right, and it must be respected by every snowmobiler.”

The OFSC wants to remind everyone how valuable trails are to snowmobilers, landowners, and all Ontarians, while recognizing that illegal off-trail riding is an ongoing challenge that requires our united action. Trespassing on private land is not only harmful to longstanding landowner relationships, it also causes serious land access issues for member snowmobile clubs in many areas, while threatening the winter livelihoods of many rural and northern communities. We are calling all Ontario snowmobilers to take personal and collective action against trespass by:

• Always staying on the designated OFSC trail and never riding a closed trail.
• Respecting landowner rights and property.
• Refusing to ride with friends who trespass.
• Reminding new participants why it’s important to stay on the trail.
• Spreading the message across personal social media outlets.

Always refer to the OFSC Interactive Trail Guide for trail availability before heading out.

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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 recreational snowmobile trails managed by community based, member clubs and their volunteers generate up to $6 billion in economic activity annually.

For questions or to schedule a media interview with the OFSC, please contact: [email protected]

Snowmobilers are reminded to only ride available trails and always practice responsible riding habits this winter season

(Barrie, ON, January 13, 2025) – The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC), the non-profit, volunteer-driven association that oversees organized snowmobile trails in Ontario, is advising snowmobilers to remain patient as snowmobile clubs and their dedicated volunteers are actively working to prepare as many OFSC trails as possible for riding in the near future.

For International Snowmobile Safety Week (January 11-19), the OFSC reminds snowmobilers to only ride Available or Limited Availability OFSC trails and avoid riding Unavailable trails at any time during the winter. Snowmobilers can easily find out where there are Available trails to ride by checking Trail Status 24/7 on the OFSC Interactive Trail Guide (ITG) or on the OFSC Go Snowmobiling App. Trail Status shows on the ITG as:

• GREEN for Available: The identified route is accessible with the understanding that the trail will likely vary considerably in quality, attributes and terrain over its length.

• YELLOW for Limited Availability: Access to the identified route is limited with marginal riding opportunities, so snowmobilers enter with the understanding that they should ride with extreme care and reduced speed.

• RED for Unavailable: The identified route is not available at this time, with access prohibited, and entering any Unavailable trail on private property is trespassing.

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