ONTARIO—The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) is once again celebrating Ontario’s Family Day Long Weekend (February 13-15) with an open invitation for a complimentary test-drive of OFSC trails. Since 2013, almost 30,000 riders who had not recently bought a permit have enjoyed the no cost Try Our Trails Weekend and many others are expected to be interested in this year’s event.
However, with variable weather and uncertain trail conditions in many parts of Ontario, the OFSC is also strongly advising anyone wishing to test drive OFSC trails to double check trail status on the OFSC Interactive Trail Guide prior to riding each day (ofsc.on.ca). Lower than normal snow conditions and milder temperatures mean that sledding opportunities are more limited than usual at this time, especially in southern Ontario, so snowmobilers need to take extra care to give themselves the safest possible riding experience while test-driving OFSC trails.
Safe riding starts with the ‘trail status’ view of the interactive trail guide. It provides an overview of the OFSC trail system, showing available trails (green), limited availability trails (yellow) and trails that are not available to ride (red). Based on this information, Try Our Trails participants must make their own responsible decisions about whether or not to ride, where to ride and what trails to ride safely on Family Day Weekend. The OFSC also advises all snowmobilers to stay off frozen waterways in southern Ontario.
The OFSC primarily targets its Try Our Trails initiative to attract new participants and former riders, and to encourage more families to experience Ontario trails for the first time. Those wishing to take advantage of this complimentary offer must go online at www.ofsc.on.ca to register a sled(s) in advance for a no cost Try Our Trail permit, then print it out and affix it to the windscreen. Displaying this permit complies with Ontario law requiring recreational snowmobiles to have and display a valid permit to access OFSC Prescribed trails. Try Our Trails Snowmobilers 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.
The OFSC is committed to proactive leadership in promoting safe, responsible riding, on and off Ontario snowmobile trails, by building safer snowmobiling knowledge, attitudes and behaviours through rider education, safety legislation development and enforcement.
