URGENT MESSAGE TO ONTARIO SNOWMOBILERS RE: COVID-19

Posted on | by OFSC

Due to the pandemic Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the constantly changing updates and directives from all levels of government, the OFSC is taking proactive measures to support efforts to reduce the spread of this worldwide pandemic.

These are unprecedented times and like many other responsible businesses we are taking the necessary steps to ensure the safety of you, your families, our communities and businesses across the province.

Yesterday, the OFSC Board of Governors made a formal decision to cease trail operations and grooming effective immediately on any trails which are still available to the public.  Effective midnight, Saturday, March 21st all OFSC Prescribed Snowmobile Trails in Ontario will be closed and anyone accessing such trails from that date forward will be trespassing.  This advance notification will provide all remaining touring snowmobilers ample time to get home.

We’d like to thank all our loyal permit buyers, landowners, club volunteers and partners for their support this season and encourage everyone to do their part and stay healthy and safe as we all work together in overcoming this pandemic. We want to stress that this decision is not based on an economic basis. Although grooming operations are reduced at this time of the season, we still spend substantial monies on our open trails. We want to ensure permit buyers that any savings from funds not spent this permit year will be invested in the next season.

We encourage you to stay up to date on the latest COVID-19 information from our government here:

Federal: https://www.canada.ca/en.html

Provincial: https://www.ontario.ca/page/government-ontario

The Snow Sneak Peek Ontario Tour dates are cancelled amid concern for health and safety of guests and employees due to COVID 19.

Posted on | by OFSC

 

Thunder Bay.  March 14, 2020 – Out of an abundance of caution and concerns for our patrons and employees, The Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations have decided in conjunction with the guidance from Ontario Public Health officials to cancel the Snow Sneak Peak 2020 shows scheduled for March 17 and 18 at the Bells Sensplex in Kanata and March 20 and 21 at the Bradford Greenhouses on County Road ninety, Ontario.

We regret any inconvenience this may cause and continue to work with our Federal and Provincial Governments and snowmobile Federations to improve the business of snowmobiling.

More details will be available in due course on the snow sneak peek website, Snowsneakpeek.ca, including announcements regarding shows scheduled for Western Canada.

 

Contact:

Dennis Burns

www.Snowsneakpeek.ca

[email protected]

Dates are Set and Production is Underway for The Worlds LARGEST Snowmobile and ATV Show October 23, 24, 25, 2020 – International Centre Show

Posted on | by OFSC

Toronto, Ontario (Mar 5, 2020): Mark your calendars now for The Worlds LARGEST Snowmobile, ATV & Powersports Show, October 23-25, 2020 The Toronto International Snowmobile, ATV & Powersports Show (TISAPS).

Proudly presented by AMSOIL, Snowmobiler Television (STV), On Snow Magazine (OSM) and ATV WORLD Magazine, the 33rd Annual TISAPS will hit the International Centre, October 23-25, 2020, planning is already underway… Don’t miss it!

www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

Don’t miss The WORLDS Largest Snowmobile, ATV & Powersports Show, The Toronto International Snowmobile, ATV & Powersports Show. Mark your calendars now!

The 33rd Annual Toronto International Snowmobile, ATV & Powersports Show is one of the most interactive and family friendly Shows, with more things to do and more things to see. Powersports enthusiasts come from around the globe to be a part of this yearly adventure.

TISAPS continues to grow, and includes all aspects of Snowmobiling and ATV’ing at one place, and at one time, only at the International Centre where parking is free!

October 23, 24, 25, 2020 – For more information, to purchase advanced tickets, or to be an exhibitor at the show, please call 1-888-661-SHOW (7469) or email [email protected] or visit us online.

LARGEST SNOWMOBILE AND ATV SHOW… ANYWHERE!

EVERYTHING IN SNOWMOBILING, EVERYTHING IN ATVING!
OCTOBER 23, 24, 25, 2020 INTERNATIONAL CENTRE

Contact:
Mike Blakoe, Show Manager, Marketer Shows Inc.
27083 Kennedy Rd, Willow Beach, ON L0E 1S0
Tel. (905) 722-6766 Toll Free. (888) 661-SHOW
Email: [email protected]
www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

 

IMPORTANT NEWS UPDATE: LAND USE AGREEMENTS

Posted on | by OFSC

 

Dear Snowmobilers,

The last few weeks have presented confusing misinformation regarding trail access for some areas of the provincial system.

Land Use Permission agreements are secured by Clubs and Districts; this was again reconfirmed at the latest Board of Governors meeting in January. In some of the affected areas, access to the trails is dependent on the District and Club securing the necessary Land Use Permission (LUP) from the owners of the subject properties. Wherever an LUP has not yet been renewed or granted by the landowner, the trails remain closed. The OFSC has always and continues to consult with and assist Districts and Clubs to ensure key land use agreements do not result in personal liability exposure for our valuable volunteers.

Contrary to claims on various social media platforms, THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE to the OFSC insurance coverage in 20 years. Any information stating our coverage has been altered is false. The truth is, some clubs have recently, through a review process, discovered they have entered into agreements which expose them to liability activities completely unrelated to snowmobile trail operations.

The OFSC does not wish to see any volunteer exposed to such risk.

We strongly encourage our valued permit holders to stay updated and receive correct information through their Club and District board members. We remain optimistic that many of the current LUP challenges will be successfully resolved.

Sincerely,
OFSC Executive Committee

Questions about local land use permission and access can be directed to your District Office. Contact information for districts can be found here: https://ofsc.on.ca/find-your-district/

 

10 YEARS OF DATA REVEAL POOR BEHAVIOURS BEHIND MAJORITY OF SNOWMOBILE FATALITIES

Posted on | by OFSC

(ORILLIA, ON) – With Snowmobile Safety Week underway this week, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has released a ten-year data report on snowmobile fatalities, which officers hope will encourage snowmobilers to avoid the recurring behaviours that contributed to the majority of the incidents over the past decade.

During the past 10 snowmobile seasons (2009-2019), the OPP has investigated 175 snowmobile fatalities throughout the province. Among the findings in the report, excessive speed, loss of control, driving too fast for the conditions and ability impaired by alcohol were listed as the top contributing factors. In fact, alcohol was involved in almost half (45 per cent) of the deaths.

Another compelling fact is that almost half (45 per cent) of the snowmobilers who died were traveling on frozen lakes or rivers at the time of the incident. The circumstances that led to the deaths include intentionally driving onto open water (puddle jumping/water skipping), breaking through the ice and collisions with other snowmobiles and natural landmarks. (See complete data graphic below).

“Whether you are a beginner or seasoned snowmobiler, it is important to avoid all manner of risk while enjoying the thousands of kilometres of diverse, scenic snowmobile trails Ontario has to offer. Maintaining control of your snowmobile at all times and never making alcohol or drugs part of your ride will go a long way to keeping snowmobilers and their passengers safe this season.” — Vijay Thanigasalam, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Transportation

“Our OFSC Interactive Trail Guide is an excellent tool for keeping snowmobilers well-informed about the status of trails throughout Ontario. The OFSC, in partnership with the OPP is counting on all snowmobilers to take full responsibility for their own safety as well as the safety of their passengers and fellow riders this season.” — Andrew WALASEK, Director, Stakeholder Relations, OFSC

The OPP is reminding operators that no ice is safe ice. All riders should ensure they use proper safety equipment in addition to wearing appropriate outerwear for the environmental conditions they may encounter. Snowmobile Safety Week runs from January 18 to 26, 2020.

HELPFUL LINKS

Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs

Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations

OPP Contact: Sergeant Paul Potter, Coordinator, Specialized Patrol Phone: (705) 329-7660

OFSC Contact: Andrew Walasek Director, Stakeholder Relations, Phone: (705) 739-7669

Permit System Under Maintenance

Posted on | by OFSC

 

UPDATE January 17th – 1:30 pm: Permit System Now Online

On Friday, January 17th the OFSC Online Permit System has been taken offline for maintenance to the servers. Estimated restoration time is 3pm this afternoon. Any customers with urgent permit inquiries are asked to submit inquiries to [email protected] and a notification will be emailed when the permit system is back online.

All information about Snowmobiling in Ontario can be found at ofsc.on.ca and latest trail availability information can be found at: https://ofsc.evtrails.com/#