Every ride has a story.
Sometimes it's about a perfect day on the trails. Sometimes it's about a memorable destination, a favorite club event, or time spent with friends and family. But behind every one of those stories is another story that often goes untold - the volunteers who made it possible.

Throughout May, snowmobilers from across Ontario continued to submit Volunteer Shout Outs recognizing the individuals, clubs, and teams who go above and beyond for their communities. From trail work and grooming to administration, fundraising, communications, landowner relations, and everything in between, these volunteers are the reason Ontario's snowmobile trail system continues to thrive.

As part of our year-long commitment to Ignite Volunteerism, we're proud to share another collection of messages celebrating the people who make snowmobiling possible.

1. Dale, Whitewater Sno Goers “Dale is a dedicated volunteer and long-standing member of our club. He has been part of the organization for many years and continues to contribute in meaningful ways. He’s especially known for his fantastic BBQ, which is always a highlight at club events.” ~ submitted by Hilary B
2. Adrian, Thunder Bay “Adrian help me and a buddy plan a snowmobile trip around Lake Superior this last Feb/Mar 2026. Adrian patiently took my many phone calls with questions about our route. Very helpful. But then he went one step further and actully met us in Grand Portage and trailered us and our sleds to Marathon. Way above and beyond the call of duty. Adrian is an excellant ambassador for the OFSC and Canada as well.” ~ submitted by Ted K
3. Jim, Whitewater Sno Goers “Jim-our go-to for just about everything-holds a key position with the club and is always ready to step in wherever he’s needed. Often found in the groomer, he also takes care of warm-up buildings and installs advertising signs. No matter the task, Jim is already on his way before most people even ask.” ~ submitted by Hillary
4. Bill, Temiskaming “As Club President and District VP Bill is incredibly active in all aspects of the club. He is an active volunteer as he believes in doing right beside all of the other volunteers, brushing, staking, signing, MOU's, scouting out new trails, leading Tuesday Rides, introducing new riders to the sport, hosting permit buyer night's, trail patrol, and the list could go on for a week or so. He doesn't just volunteer a hundred or so hours each year, it's hundreds and hundreds plus each year. The question is tell us what they did? In this this case it's tell us what didn't he do? Organized snowmobiling and the Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Sno Travellers is very fortunate to have him.” ~ submitted by Daniel C
5. R. Vincent, Kenora “First winter sledder, was totally impressed-even amazed- to see the extent of trails, signage, mapping etc. plus the superb levels of communication. Hope to ride more next winter and get involved a bit.” ~ submitted by Ron E
6. Mark J, Twin Mountains “Mark is the guy every club wants. He comes out no matter the weather and just gets busy at any task. He goes and picks up materials with his own truck and trailer. He's just an all around great volunteer who knows what to do and gets it done." ~ submitted by David M
7. Ghislaine, Ignace “She has stepped up on everything from trail work getting MOU signed raising money helping clear brush also organizing the whole club she is like the energizer bunnie” ~ submitted by Dale
8. Barry, Bridgeport SC “Barry has been a member of the club for over 20 years. The past 3 years has stepped up to help out with Trail setup and Trail inspection. For the 2026 season Barry has taken on doing Trail Inspection,Trail setup as a captain position. Also tasks to help maintain chapter status with the district 5. Thanks Barry” ~submitted by Peter Z
9. Dan, Nation Valley Snowmobile Association “Like every year, Dan was an extremely valuable member of club again this season. A dedicated groomer operator, always there to help with groomer maintenance, putting snowmobile signs up, trail maintenance in and out of season, landowner relations, this man does it all with a smile on his face.” ~submitted by Andrew
10. Joanne, Northbound Sno Drifters “Thank you to our club president Joanne for your unlimited devotion to our club NSD. Your time, efforts and commitment to our sport and our community do not go un noticed!” ~ submitted by club member
11. Paul, HCSA “Paul is an amazing person, always positive and ready to take on any task. This past season he was involved with most of the cleanups from the wind and ice storms, without Paul we’d been lost. Thank you Paul!” ~ submitted by Joyce
12. Mitch, Arctic Riders “He does it all, from groomer coordinator, groomer operator, mechanic, helping other clubs in District 15, fund raising, working on trail projects, team spirits - party organizer and host for all the volunteers” ~ submitted by Monia
13. Terry, Bruce Mines “Terry gave his club his all this past season. From installing hundreds of posts to hundreds of feet of fencing to protect farmers fields on our new trail the TH2. He’s also responsible for the marketing for trail head signs and finding new corporate sponsors, which he puts 100% in to. We’re proud and honoured to have Terry with our club. Thanks Terry for all you do.” ~ submitted by Leah Anne
14. Stan & Mark, Opeongo “You don't get one without the other. Mark and Stan are the powerhouses behind the Opeongo Snowbirds! These two are irreplaceable- they cleared several kilometers of blow down from a windstorm last summer that would have closed the Top B Trail ALL BY HAND and chainsaw. You could call them the chainsaw ninjas! They are the true definition of volunteerism, teamwork and camaraderie! Thank you Stan & Mark!! ❤️" ~ submitted by Leah G
15. Edwin, Lennox & Addington “Edwin is a retired guy who is a backbone member of the LARR, serving on our club executive, creating content for our Facebook page, and putting in near-fulltime hours on trail maintenance and grooming. Guys half his age struggle to keep up. Master Trail Gremlin. Respect.” ~ submitted by Rick S
16. Erik Q, Muskoka Lakes Snow Trails “Despite recently moving to the area and being a new sledder, Erik and his family have jumped in with both hands to help the club. Erik is always eager to answer the call when any brushing is required, and he provided a ton of assistance this past fall when we had significant ice storm damage to clear up. His positive attitude and spirit of comradery have injected new life into our club, and he has been a great addition to our club."
17. Mario & Noah, Eastern Ontario SC “After being a proud snowmobiling fan and member for over 30 years, now my 12 years old son is fallowing me in my steps. It is my turn to return the volunteering favour i have been blessed with over the years. My son starting much sooner then I.
    Rock on snowmobiling friends!” ~ submitted by Mario
18.  Rob, SMART “Put in a bunch of hours, helped get us where we needed to go.” ~ submitted by Marc M
19. Kevin & Sno Bomber Volunteers “Perfect trails, the best we rode on this year in Ontario!” ~ submitted by Andy A
20. Chris, Red Lake “Very accommodating and helpful with the trails between Red Lake and Dryden. Fantastic trails. Appreciate all the hard work everyone puts in. Best riding around..” ~ submitted by Bryce
     

"The trails may disappear each spring, but the impact of a volunteer lasts all year long."

21. Jeff, Jerry, Philip, Dean, Mike, Ron, Harry, Joe, Zach and all the other amazing volunteers @ Heart of Ontario “These amazing Club Executives and Volunteers provided one of the best riding seasons for the Heart of Ontario Club trails in many years. Dealing with trails that needed many hours of attention, cleanup, reroutes, grooming prep, signage, grooming and then all the required closure activities is a large task that was completed while providing some of the best trails we rode all season. Thank you Heart of Ontario Snowmobile Club, very much appreciated.”  ~ submitted by Chris G
22.  Austin, Maitland Valley SC “Set up stakes and took them down as well as repaired trail stakes and maintained cabins” ~ submitted by Scott W
23. Jordan R, Ellice Swampers “Jordan stakes and brushes trail. He is Ellice Swampers club president . He stores, operates and maintains our groomers. Jordan is also extremely active on the district level. His commitment to snowmobiling exceeds most volunteer positions requiring his time 12 months a year. This while juggling his time with a young family and his farming operation.” ~ submitted by Randy D
24. Gord R, BDSC “Gord has organized work days to clear trails every week since the ice storm of 2025. He also spent a lot of time helping the groomer operators with their operations.” ~ submitted by Mark L
25. Brad W, St Clements “Brad will always be out staking and taking steaks down meetings and totally involved with everything snowmobiling with our club” ~ submitted by Rick M
26. Marshall, Alliston “One of the hardest working enthusiastic young volunteers out there. Trails are always well groomed. Keep up the good work” ~ submitted by Eric E
27. Morley, DunAhmic Snowriders “Looked after organizing our volunteers Skandic operators all year.” ~ submitted by Doug M
28. All volunteers, Province of Ontario “For the eight times we went out times all the kilometers.We rode thanks to all the people that put the signs and the sticks, for which our fun rides would not be possible without them.” ~ submitted by Mike
29. Glen C, Havelock “Everything. Attends all meetings, grooms trials, leads groomer maintenance, organizes pre and post season trail development, brushing, gates opening and closing, volunteer assignments, landowner MOU acquisitions, landowner concerns, District 2 Committees, Health and Safety, OFSC, District and Club AGMs, Groomer Breakdown Rescues (our club and surrounding clubs), assists other clubs … and never accepts payment for any personal expenses incurred while undertaking all this work and effort. Glen is the snowmobile volunteer model we all aspire to." ~ submitted by Peter J
30. Jason H, Almaguin “Trail groomer. Kept our local trails in great shape.” ~ submitted by Darren L
     

31. Brandon L, Ignace “Brandon volunteered hundreds of hours this past winter. He worked physically hard with long hours to develop the trails. Always willing to help. Very reliable. Showed up early every time. The trails in our area were great this year and it would not of been without his help.” ~ submitted by Ghislaine M
32. Matt V, Temiskaming “Matt does so much, he works with landowners, marks all trails, brushes trails , grooms,rescues those in need and so much more. Very grateful to have Matt as a volunteer each year!” ~ submitted by Ann M
33. Greg W, Science Hill “Works with land owners, stakes trails. Etc. good guy” ~ submitted by Kevin M
34. Duane, Grenville SC “I would just like to thank everyone at the Grenville club for having the best trails in this area this year. I know it took a lot of work before, during and after the season to make that happen. I’m glad to see the club really step up in the last couple of years and maintain some amazing trails despite the weather and breakdowns” ~ submitted by Spencer M
35. Jeff V, Near North Snowdrifters “Kept me updated on trail status and important dates.” ~submitted by Angus C
     

"Volunteerism isn't measured in hours. It's measured in moments made possible."
 

36. Argyle Riders SC “All members of the club tirelessly worked to open and keep trails in good shape." ~ submitted by Tom H
37. Tall Pines “All volunteers should be recognized for multi day grooming and great coms on Facebook.” ~ submitted by Peter H
38. Brad V, Southampton “Served as president, countless hours preparing trails and organizing the club as well as season close activities.” ~ submitted by Mike P
39. Claude & Jack, Snow Devils “Really nice trails!” ~ submitted by Stephane
40. Ignace Otters “Been in business since 1996 and this year we have had the most snowmobilers visiting daily ever, definitely noticeable and heard only good things about the trails . It’s great to see visitors enjoying the trails, so we like to applaud the Ignace club, Sioux lookout , atikokan, dryden and whoever else is involved. The extra traffic has been great for the community and businesses . Well done. Cheers” ~ submitted by Kevin
     

41. Kevin L “Spent countless hours organizing making sure trails where in fit shape and ready to go.” ~ submitted by Shane
42. Kyle, Chesley District Easy Riders “Kyle goes above and beyond ti make sure the trails and club are running smoothly. He is an avid rider and know what it takes to have good trails.” ~ submitted by Amy K
43. Patricia S, Missing Link “Missing Link Cafe” ~ submitted by Mike M
44. Georgian Bay Snowriders “I ride a lot of different club trails ,theirs where amongst the best, clean clear and flat.” ~ submitted by Shaun
45. Harold B, Temiskaming “Harold has been on our board for many years. Harold remains very active in helping stake and sign trails and lakes and so much more. We absolutely appreciate him!” ~ submitted by Ann M
     

KNOW SOMEONE WHO DESERVES RECOGNITION?

Submit your shout out and be part of what comes next.

Submit your shout out today!