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OFSC Delivers Strong Snowmobiling Season Despite Challenges
Season Peak of 26,000 Kms of Available OFSC Trails Reached on February 25, 2021
The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) extends sincerest appreciation to our 6,000 volunteers, whose trail-building expertise and operational dedication are the grassroots backbone of our local snowmobile clubs across Ontario. Despite facing unprecedented and continually evolving challenges, their volunteer efforts, cooperation and determination during the past season helped achieved the commitment we made to snowmobilers in our Trails To Ride 2021 plan – to deliver the best possible trail riding experiences.
“I want to commend everyone on Team OFSC for our collective achievements this winter,” commented CEO Landon French, “from volunteers to landowners to stakeholders, and to staff who helped steer us through uncharted territory this year.”
In addition, the OFSC wants to thank each and every permit buyer for your patience and understanding through the season. We really appreciate your support of OFSC trails and your willingness to adapt to local riding this winter and for taking the necessary precautions. Certainly, if the positive, post-season feedback from snowmobilers on social media is any indicator, many of you agree that this season was a success story given the circumstances. And what a story it was…
Challenge:
From the outset, the OFSC realized that living up to our commitment to deliver a great season would require walking a fine line between the expectations of our districts, clubs, volunteers, landowners and permit holders, and the changing pandemic requirements from various public health authorities. Overall, the season came off well with record permits sold.
Trails Report:
We are pleased to report that first available OFSC trails showed Yellow or Green on the Interactive Trail Guide (ITG) as early as December 14, 2020. With Old Man Winter’s cooperation, we had more than 13,000 kilometres of trails available in 15 districts by January 25, 2021. From that date through March 8, 2021, we had an average of 20,045 kilometres of OFSC trails available, including over 22,000 for the Family Day Long Weekend, and topping out at a peak of 26,000 kilometres on February 25, 2021. The last trails closed for the season on March 22, 2021. Fortunately, in a season with many atypical travel restrictions, trail availability was relatively close to home for many riders in most OFSC districts.
Unfortunately, some pandemic restrictions were frustrating for those who live in public health regions that do not have any OFSC trails or in regions where trails were closed for a period of time. After sharing such an abnormal season, we empathize with those who were not able to ride as they normally would and join you in looking ahead to a better season next year.
As everyone knows, the sole exception was the North Bay Parry Sound area, where their public health unit unexpectedly closed OFSC trails to snowmobilers on January 21, 2021. We did, however, score a small win by being able to continue trail maintenance and grooming operations, without which our trails could not have re-opened quickly when the ban was lifted on February 22, 2021. We had worked diligently behind the scenes to get this trails closure rescinded as early as possible.
So how did we avoid an imposed province-wide shutdown of OFSC trails at any time during the season? It was the result of great teamwork, creative innovation and flexible planning. Here are several examples:
Outreach:
Throughout the fall, the OFSC consulted with a variety of agencies, stakeholders and other recreational groups to gain knowledge and insight into their pandemic experiences and ideas. All season, we carefully monitored public health developments and changes, tailoring our pandemic response protocols to meet all new recommendations and expectations.
Health & Safety:
In cooperation with Workplace Safety North, the OFSC announced our own health and safety protocols to help ensure our clubs and volunteers were able to work smart and safe throughout the season. Throughout the fall, our District Health & Safety Coordinators delivered this training to clubs and volunteers. Next, we implemented Ride Smart 2021, our common sense approach to help snowmobilers do their part to avoid community spread and keep trails open, which also made “snowcial distancing” part of our sledding jargon for 2021.
Communications:
We also initiated a comprehensive communications plan to keep snowmobilers up to date about developments through a total of 35 weekly newsletters commencing August 11. For example, one communiqué emphasized the proven physical and mental health benefits of snowmobiling, while other releases explained changing public health measures applicable to OFSC trails and how to comply with them. Our releases also served the important purpose of building and maintaining credibility for, and confidence in, organized snowmobiling with the various authorities and agencies charged with overseeing pandemic response across Ontario.
Recognition:
We were quickly recognized by government, public health and industry stakeholders for our progressive leadership in keeping recreational snowmobiling on the “approved recreational activities” list. In fact, thanks to our Flex Trails option and local riding opportunities, OFSC trail riding stood out among other leading winter recreational choices for being allowed to remain open throughout the entire winter.
So let’s give one another a large pat on the back for a job well done – and start dreaming about great trail riding next winter!
2022 Permits go on sale September 1st !
Each year, close to 6,000 volunteers build and maintain OFSC snowmobile trails for all of us to enjoy. All of our volunteers continue to overcome many challenges to contribute to the recreational, social and economic well-being of their communities. Normally, we are able to celebrate these accomplishments in person at our AGM, but we were unable to gather this past year and then we were all swamped with keeping trails available during COVID uncertainties.
However, we have not forgotten that our 2020 recipients still deserve their hard-earned recognition – and it’s never too late to do it.
So with our apologies for the delay, we are honouring them throughout March, on social media as part of our end of season Volunteer Appreciation initiatives. Each of the five major awards received by districts will be highlighted individually and recipients sent their award plaque. Next, the OFSC will announce our provincial recipients for 2020 in a provincial media release and congratulate them personally in a special Zoom call.
Please join us in celebrating the district winners of the 2020 Outstanding OFSC Safety Ambassador.
This award is presented to an individual, or group of individuals, in recognition of outstanding achievement and contribution to the overall safety of organized snowmobiling through one or more of the following areas: Promotion, Education and/or Partnerships.
District 1 - Joe O'Neid Osgoode Carleton Snowmobile Trail Club
District 2 - Ron Rutherford Paudash Trail Blazers
District 4 - Robert Black Orangeville Snowmobile Club
District 6 - Cliff Lister Maple Leaf Snow Skimmers
District 8 - John Gee & Annette Blue Mountain Snowdrifters Snowmobile Club
District 9 - Jeff Hoffele Maitland Valley Snowmobile Club
District 10 - Bob Thorp, Nigel Munn, Ken Bretl, Ken Mihan, Jamie Bingham, Jeff Baker, Tim Brunton, John Britten, Doug Fraser Magnetawan Ridge Runners Snowmobile Club
District 11 - Mark Lepage Bonfield Snowmobile Club
District 12 - Charles Tremblay Valley Trailmasters
District 13 - Penny Fullerton, Echo Bay Snow Falcons Algoma Sno Plan Affiliation
District 15 - Serge Pominville Club Voyageur
THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO!
Thank you so much
We would like to thank everyone that was involved with the dedication of honoring our brother 💚💚💚 he was so loved and we miss him so much ❤❤❤ Sue , Peggy and Bobby Beauregard
💚💚💔💔😥😥😭😭
Amazing day yesterday dedicating a part of our trail in the name of Craig Beauregard Sr. A very loved volunteer in our club. Thank you to his lovely wife Wendy for hosting an outdoor small socially distanced get-together and continuing his legacy.
As one of the groomer operators in that area I always appreciated Craig's friendly demeanor, he was always ready to help with any trail issues. I know he was a regular at Kelly's Diner and often payed for coffee. This is a good jester on the part of the club!
Saw you guys celebrating by the fire and wondering what was going on....glad I waved to say hi! Noticed the sign right away also. Looked like a great time!
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.One way to prevent some trespassing is to ensure the trails along these fields get groomed more frequently, because powder is easier on the kidneys and back than endless moguls that pound your body and your sled. It’s out of sure desperation that has riders cheating making the trail 1 sled wider and then the trail becomes 200 sleds wide. Increased maintenance will eliminate most of Thai trespassing
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.
This content isn't available right now
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.(Barrie, ON: January 27, 2021) – With winter finally upon us and thousands of kilometres of trails now showing either Green or Yellow on the Interactive Trail Guide (ITG) for local riding, the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) has created a new tool to assist snowmobilers.....
Read full release here: www.ofsc.on.ca/2021/01/28/ofsc-adds-public-health-unit-boundaries-to-interactive-trail-guide/
Hey riders!! Beauty day out there!!
If anyone’s riding the trails between levack and dowling, please keep an eye out for a blue cotton mitt and a touque with a hole in the top.. may have lost them on my ride last night 😬
Thanx in advance!
It’s been found! 😄
Trails open, but Sudbury riders ask to 'snowcial’ distance
Trails open, but Sudbury riders ask to 'snowcial’ distance
www.thesudburystar.com
'You have to take the precautions that the experts are saying in order to keep the sport safe'
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.Tbh I have wanted to help and volunteer in the past but it seems every time the club reaches out for volunteers your meeting in the afternoon in the middle of the week. Last year me and a buddy decided to go do some brushing on our own one weekend though, and this year I have a new child so unfortunately haven’t done any trail maintenance
This content isn't available right now
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.
This content isn't available right now
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.