Driver Training Course – Sunday December 9

young-snowmobilers

 

The WCSTA course is now fully booked.

There are other clubs holding courses, which can be found in the events calendar page of the Upper Canada Snowmobile Region website. For other driver training course locations and dates please check the UCSR Calendar

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WCSTA will hold a Driver Training Session on Sunday, Dec 9 for those who would like to obtain a snowmobile operators license.

A snowmobile operators license can be obtained for those over 12 years of age who do not have a valid Ontario drivers license. Those people 16 years and older, will be asked to submit a form to verify no Drivers license has already been issued to them.

It will be held at the Kinburn Community Center, starting a 9 am, and running until 4 pm

The course is 6 hours in length, going over snowmobiling safety, followed by a test. Proof of age, for example, by birth certificate, baptismal certificate, passport is needed, along with a parents signature of consent for their child’s attendance.

Registration forms will be filled out on day of course. If a parent cannot sign consent on that day, please contact Driver Training  Instructor to arrange filling out registration beforehand.

There is a fee for the course that is set by the province, at $40.00, payable in cash or cheque made out to W.C.S.T.A.I 

Our club will provide pizza lunch for students attending.

Class size is limited to 25 students.

To aid us with the registration process, please complete the pre-registration form below. Once this information is received you will receive a confirmation email within a day or two to verify that your application has been received. Please note that proof of age and parent signature will still be required when you arrive at the driver training.

You may also contact Eric Mesdag at drivertraining@wcstai.com, or phone 613 314 3933 for more info.

    Eyeglasses needed*

     

    Weather Warning – Trails Closed

    Tree branch with melting snow

    Weather Warning!

    We are closing all the West Carleton trails for Thursday and Friday this week because of warm weather and rain. We want to protect the base and will re open as soon as possible.

    Thanks for your patience. We have a good base that will give us all a good season. Colder weather will follow on the weekend.

    Thank you,
    Scott Hamilton
    president
    WCSTAI

    Happy New Year! Trail Status Update

    snowmobile trail grooming first pass on open field

    Hello everyone and Happy New Year from your WC Snowmobile Club.

    95% of the trails have been packed two times. The other small percentage we cannot get into yet with water in the swamps. But our volunteers are monitoring this on a daily basis.

    We are moving a few trails to Yellow status, Limited (use with caution).

    W19 is going to yellow.

    W11 from Carp Rd into Constance Bay. Including the W11A in Torbolton Forest is also going to yellow.

    W11 from Carp Rd into Kinburn will remain closed until we get some more snow. One field took along time to pass with the groomer and is not in great shape yet.

    W16 is close to going to yellow. Lining up volunteers to go and sign and picket from Canon Smith to Stonecrest. There is also an electric fence between Dunrobin Rd and Buckham’s bay that we are negotiating to open. This trail will go to yellow later this week but stay tuned for updates.

    The W311 (rail bed) is getting close to yellow but need some more snow in a few areas before we can safely change the status. The same goes for the rest of the trail system. We just need some more snow.

    Please use caution on the trails we have opened to limited

    The ITG (interactive trail guide) will show the change in status in the next couple of day. As we are sending this information to the District today and they will see it only tomorrow.

    Thanks for you patience, let’s hope we get some more snow this week.

    Thanks much,
    Scott Hamilton
    President
    WCSTAI

    Pre-Nov. 1 Permit Deadline Extended to Nov. 8 at midnight!

    Permit system now online for Pre-Nov. 1 Discount

    Buy my permit button

    The pre-Nov 1 discount deadline has been extended to Wed, Nov. 8th at midnight. Get 30% off your permit NOW!

    Important Reminders
    • Your transaction may take up to 12 seconds to process, please DO NOT resubmit or hit the back button during this time.
    • You should receive an email confirming your transaction immediately after it’s completed.
    • If you time out during your transaction or do not receive a confirmation email, please email permits@ofsc.on.ca immediately with the exact time of your attempted transaction and email address.
    • Only Pre-Nov 1 permit transactions completed by 11:59 PM on Nov 8 will be accepted.
    • Pre-Dec 1 permit fees apply as of Nov 9 and 12:01 AM
    • The OFSC remains committed to addressing any transaction issues previously encountered by Pre-Nov 1 permit buyers and has starting to work on resolving them as soon as possible.

    On behalf of the entire team at OFSC, thank you again for your continued patience and support.

    Pre-Nov. 1 Permit sales important update

    Some riders have been having difficulty purchasing their permits online at pre-Nov. 1 pricing. OFSC has been working to correct this issue, but to help make sure everyone has an opportunity to take advantage of the 30% discount, MTO has approved extending the deadline by one day, and possibly more depending on when the system is back up and running. Please check back for further updates!

    Driver Training Course – Dec. 2nd

    young-snowmobilers

    WCSTA will hold a Driver Training Session on Saturday Dec 2nd, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Kinburn Community Centre for those who would like to obtain a snowmobile operators license. Please plan to arrive early as we need to verify proof of age, and obtain the permission signature from the parent/legal guardian.

    A snowmobile operators license is required to ride the trails in Ontario if you do not possess a valid drivers license. To be eligible, students must be 12 years old on or before the course date. A test will be given at the end of the course, and successful applicants can receive their Ontario Motorized Snowmobile Vehicle Operators licence. Any student under 16 must have signed parental consent.

    Proof of age is required (example, passport or birth certificate must be shown). Students over the age of 16, if seeking a Ontario Motorized Snowmobile Vehicle Operators licence, will submit a Driver Status Check with the MTO to show the student is “Unlicensed”. Those with valid drivers licences may also take the course, and receive an “Adult Card” confirming successful completion of the course.

    Course cost is $40.00. Pizza lunch will be served.

    To aid us with the registration process, please complete the pre-registration form below. Once this information is received you will receive a confirmation email within a day or two to verify that your application has been received. Please note that proof of age and parent signature will still be required when you arrive at the driver training.

    You may also contact Eric Mesdag at drivertraining@wcstai.com, or phone 613 314 3933 for more info.

      Eyeglasses needed*

      Explore Winter Like Never Before!

      Explore Winter Like Never Before!

      An Update from the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs

      (Barrie, ON October 12, 2017) – Some people are sad to say goodbye to summer, but snowmobilers in Ontario are revving up for the 2018 snowmobiling season. WCSTA is working hard to ensure trails are prepped for when the snow comes. There’s lots of trail work that needs doing and new volunteers are always welcome. So it must also be permit buying time and here’s what riders need to know.

      After four years at the same fee, all 2018 Seasonal Snowmobile Trail Permits (including Classic) have increased by only $10 according to news received on September 29. This follows the approval of a spring recommendation from the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO), which authorizes permit fees. Faced with rising operational expenses to deliver snowmobile trails and in support its of clubs and volunteers, the OFSC made a strong and urgent business case for the new fees, which barely cover the annual rate of inflation since 2013. The OFSC business plan also spoke to new fees being necessary to help cover the higher cost of continuing to purchase new groomers to improve trail quality and consistency. Since the 2015-16 season, the OFSC has invested $8.5 million to buy 35 new grooming units as part of its recently approved More On The Snow initiative.

      Snowmobilers can take advantage of 30% savings on their 2018 Ontario Seasonal Snowmobile Permit. For the low fee of $190 they can enjoy a winter full of adventure on any of the available 30,000 km of trails connecting communities throughout the province. This early rate is only available for a limited time. The fees go up at midnight EST on November 1, 2017.

      Once again, all permit sales will be online only. “Providing consumers with enhanced security, flexibility and convenience are just a few of the benefits of buying your permit online” says Remi Sauve, President of the OFSC. “Thank you for your support of organized snowmobiling in the province and we look forward to seeing you out on the trails this winter.”

      Permit Pricing

      For further information, please email marketing@ofsc.on.ca

      Landowner Appreciation Night and Season Kick-off Bash – Oct. 14

      Saturday October 14 is a big night for WCSTA. We are combining 2 events – a dinner in appreciation of all the wonderful landowners who make our trails possible, followed by the season kick-off “Bash ‘n Brapp”, featuring Ottawa Valley’s own Rainwater Whiskey, rising stars on the music scene!

      Land owner dinner

      The evening starts at 5:00 pm with a roast beef dinner, catered by Valley Roots – complimentary to WCSTA land owners. Sledders are encouraged to join us, meet your land owners, and show them your appreciation. There will be a cash bar and complimentary non-alcoholic beverages.

      RSVP for dinner – email landowners@wcstai.com, or call 613.263.7907 (please include number of tickets requested on RSVP)

      Bash ‘n Brapp

      Then, at 9:00pm, part two of the evening starts. “Bash ‘n Brapp” is going to be our most ambitious event yet, featuring entertainment by Rainwater Whiskey. Rainwater Whiskey is a hard hitting country band from the Ottawa Valley and have opened for Bill Durst, Brea Lawrenson, Jordan McIntosh, Rory Gardiner, the Roadhammers, Kira Isabella, Aaron Pritchett, The River Town Saints and Brett Kissel, as well as headlining the Metcalfe Fair!

      This is going to be a can’t-miss party with over the top entertainment! There will be a cash bar, raffle, door prize and 50/50 draw.

      As an additional thank you, tickets for our land owners are available for a deeply discounted price of $10!

      It’s important that you RSVP right away though so plans for dinner can be finalized. If you are a landowner, or know a landowner who has not been contacted yet, please spread the word or contact us at landowners@wcstai.com.

      Prices

      Land owner dinner

      Land owners plus guest – free

      Sledders – $25pp (per person)

      Dinner plus Bash ‘n Brapp

      Land owners and their guest – $10pp

      Sledders – $40pp

      Bash ‘n Brapp only (for sledders)

      Early bird special – $15 (limited quantity)

      Order online – $20pp

      At the door – $30pp

       

      Ordering tickets

      Advance Bash ‘n Brapp tickets may be ordered online through Eventbrite (small service charge applies)

      or by email money transfer (pick up ticket night of event). Please contact bashnbrapp@gmail.com to arrange transfer

       

       

      Important Meeting! WCSTA AGM – Tuesday September 5th

      Important Meeting! WCSTA AGM - Tuesday September 5th

      WCSTA AGM 2015

      Very important general meeting! We need a huge turnout.

      This is a transition year for our club becoming part of District management under the MOTS (More On The Snow) program. And there is a potential for big changes to our club’s management with a very important election of officers. We need West Carleton Sledders to voice their opinions and concerns to make sure  the executive and volunteers can continue to make our club great. This year it is possible that major changes will occur to your Board of Directors and Officers.

      We need your support at this one annual meeting.

      Also, there will be an update on the great success we have had with securing the County Rail Line as a brand new trail. There has been a huge amount of work by several club executives (including all of you who voiced political support) to make this exciting project happen.

      Please join us at the West Carleton Snowmobile Trails Association Annual General Meeting – Tuesday September 5th, 7:00pm, at the Kinburn Community Centre.

      Board of directors will be nominated and elected by our members at this meeting, and we encourage all current permit holders to join us and participate in continuing to set the course for snowmobiling in West Carleton, and representation of our club within the OFSC. Many great things have been happening for our club, and you can really help out by getting involved!

      So, please come out to the AGM and see what is going on with your local club. We are continuing to try to plan more fun and exciting things this year, but we need your help to make them happen! Get to know our dynamic team of volunteers, fellow snowmobilers and hard-working directors. Here is a list of some things we are doing now, along with some new ideas brought forward by current volunteers and board members.

      • Poker run in support of the Snowsuit Fund
      • Landowners appreciation dinner
      • Braap ’n Bash event with live entertainment
      • Trail side BBQ
      • Fund raising (selling raffle tickets, trail map advertising)
      • Family free weekend
      • Day and night group rides

      Immediately following the AGM the newly appointed Board will commence with the election of President, Vice President and other Officers for the 2017-2018 season.

      We hope to see you there!