ONTARIO— Last winter, almost 11,000 Ontarians tested OFSC snowmobile trails with a no cost ‘Try Our Trails Permit’ affixed to their sleds. The promotion was so successful that the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) is inviting first timers, ‘newbies’ and former snowmobilers to do it all over again in 2014. Regular permit buyers are also invited to bring their families and friends along for a ride at no charge.
In cooperation with the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO), the OFSC is celebrating Ontario’s only mid-winter statutory holiday long weekend with the return of the 2014 no cost Try Our Trails Permit to encourage more people to get outdoors and enjoy winter by going snowmobiling on OFSC trails. This permit is available without payment from those who pre-register online and is valid only from 12:01 am on Saturday, February 15 until 11:59 pm on Monday, February 17, 2014. Permit registrations start online at 12:01 am on Saturday, February 1.
“As part of our Go Snowmobiling Ontario Campaign, the 2014 no cost Try Our Trails Permit is our invitation to Ontarians to give us a try this winter at no charge for a permit,” said OFSC President Brenda Welsh. “For Ontario’s Snowmobiling Family Day Long Weekend, we want to show new participants what we have to offer, to introduce them to our trails, clubs and volunteers, and to provide them with a truly enjoyable and memorable winter adventure.”
The 2014 no cost Try Our Trails Permit is available only by pre-registering online at www.ofsc.on.ca and printing out a permit good for Ontario’s Snowmobiling Family Day Long Weekend only. There is no charge for either the 2014 Try Our Trails Permit or the registration process, but to access OFSC trails, a printed permit must be affixed to the sled to which it is assigned in accordance with Ontario law. Any sled on OFSC trails without a permit on Ontario’s Snowmobiling Family Day Long Weekend is illegal and the operator can be subject to a fine of up to $1,000. Riders must also carry a valid driver’s licence or Snow Vehicle Operator’s Licence, sled registration, proof of insurance, and follow all the rules and assumptions for safe OFSC trail riding.
Across Ontario, OFSC clubs are welcoming Try Our Trails participants to join the fun at numerous club events and activities being specially organized for Ontario’s Snowmobiling Family Day Long Weekend. So family and friends can have more enjoyable snow days, a complete list of events and activities is available at www.ofsc.on.ca .
With 213 community based clubs and over 150,000 family members, the OFSC is a volunteer led not-for-profit association, which through strong leadership, provides a wide range of quality programs and services to, and on behalf of, its member organizations. Our over 30,000 kilometre provincial network of organized snowmobile trails connects Ontario communities, providing responsible riding experiences that are safe, enjoyable, and environmentally sustainable.
