Our trails are now closed – Thank you!

Spring thaw - Trails Closed

Trails are now closed. Thanks to our landowners and permit buyers

Snowmobilers are being warned to stay off of area OFSC Prescribed snowmobile trails effective immediately as the snowmobile season has come to an end. These trails are now reported as “Unavailable” (Red) on the OFSC Interactive Trail Guide at www.ofsc.on.ca, because area clubs have stopped regular grooming operations, and signs and stakes are being removed and gates and fences closed. Snowmobilers are also advised that rapidly deteriorating snow and ice conditions due to spring thaw make snowmobiling extremely hazardous anywhere. Roads and road crossings are now generally bare and the ice on all waterways is melted, melting or unstable, and now the only safe and sensible course of action for snowmobilers is to put away their sleds until next winter. The risks of trying that ‘one last ride’ are simply too high now that spring thaw has commenced.

The public is also reminded that an OFSC snowmobile trail on private land reported as “Unavailable” means that access to that trail is also prohibited for any other users or persons for all other seasons, without the specific prior permission of the landowner. On behalf of our clubs and volunteers, we want to thank all of the landowners who have generously allowed the use of their property for an OFSC snowmobile trail this winter. We also appreciate the support of the many snowmobilers who bought trail permits to help pay their share of the cost of trail operations for the past season.

A very special thanks is also extended to all of the club volunteers who donated their services to assist local clubs in providing a successful season of snowmobiling. Although the winter is over, snowmobiling has become a year round business, so many volunteers will start immediately to plan and prepare for next winter.

We are actively looking to fill a number of roles within the West Carleton club, as well as looking for individuals, groups or families to ‘adopt’ sections of trail and help with signing and maintenance of them. If you are interested in helping out, please let us know.

Thank you landowners!

Thank you landowners from WCSTA!

Thanks to our landowners, permit buyers and volunteers

Every year generous landowners allow the winter use of their property for the enjoyment of snowmobiling. This land use is a privilege that is crucial to the existence of our snowmobile trails, and provides many social, recreational and economical benefits to our entire community – not to mention memories made out on the trails and at events with family and friends. On behalf of our clubs, volunteers and businesses that benefit from OFSC trails, the West Carleton Snowmobile Trails Association wish to extend sincere “thanks” to our landowners for the use of their property again this season.

People are being warned to stay off of area OFSC Prescribed snowmobile trails as trails are now reported as “Unavailable” on the OFSC Interactive Trail Guide at www.ofsc.on.ca. The public is also reminded that an OFSC snowmobile trail on private land reported as “Unavailable” means that access to that trail is also prohibited for any other users or persons for all other seasons, without the specific prior permission of the landowner.

We also appreciate the support of the many snowmobilers who bought trail permits to help pay their share of the cost of trail operations for the past season.

A very special thanks is also extended to all of the club volunteers who donated their services to assist local clubs in providing a successful season of snowmobiling. Although the winter is over, snowmobiling has become a year round business, so many volunteers will start immediately to plan and prepare for next winter. If you are interested in helping out, please let us know.

OFSC Trails Now Closed for the Season

Spring thaw - Trails Closed

Trails are now closed. Thanks to our landowners and permit buyers

Snowmobilers are being warned to stay off of area OFSC Prescribed snowmobile trails effective immediately as the snowmobile season has come to an end. These trails are now reported as “Unavailable” (Red) on the OFSC Interactive Trail Guide at www.ofsc.on.ca, because area clubs have stopped regular grooming operations, and signs and stakes are being removed and gates and fences closed. Snowmobilers are also advised that rapidly deteriorating snow and ice conditions due to spring thaw make snowmobiling extremely hazardous anywhere. Roads and road crossings are now generally bare and the ice on all waterways is melted, melting or unstable.

It has been a phenomenal season, and now the only safe and sensible course of action for snowmobilers is to put away their sleds until next winter. The risks of trying that ‘one last ride’ are simply too high now that spring thaw has commenced.

The public is also reminded that a OFSC snowmobile trail on private land reported as “Unavailable” means that access to that trail is also prohibited for any other users or persons for all other seasons, without the specific prior permission of the landowner. On behalf of our clubs and volunteers, we want to thank all of the landowners who have generously allowed the use of their property for an OFSC snowmobile trail this winter. We also appreciate the support of the many snowmobilers who bought trail permits to help pay their share of the cost of trail operations for the past season.

A very special thanks is also extended to all of the club volunteers who donated their services to assist local clubs in providing a successful season of snowmobiling. Although the winter is over, snowmobiling has become a year round business, so many volunteers will start immediately to plan and prepare for next winter. If you are interested in helping out, please let us know.

West Carleton Snowmobile Trails Association Announces 2011 Landowner Appreciation Draw Winners

2011 West Carleton Snowmobile Trails Association Landowner Appreciation Draw Winner

The winner of the 2011 West Carleton Snowmobile Trails Association Landowner Appreciation Draw, Doug Craig, receives his Husqvarna 455 chainsaw from (l. to r.) Greg Veldhuizen, President W.C.S.T.A.I, Len Stavenow of Valley Rent-Rite and Ward 5 Councillor Eli El-Chantiry.

For immediate release;
Nov. 7, 2011

West Carleton Snowmobile Trails Association Announces 2011 Landowner Appreciation Draw Winners

As the board of directors of the West Carleton Snowmobile Trails Association gear up for another winter of fun on the trails, they are pleased to announce the winners of the 2011 landowner appreciation draw.

Landowners form the backbone of organized snowmobiling in Ontario. Without their commitment and generosity, much of the 34,000 km. Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Club’s trail system would not be possible. Landowners receive no compensation, so in this sense, they too, are an integral part of the voluntary system that makes organized snowmobiling work in Ontario.

First prize in this year’s draw, sponsored by Ward 5 Councillor El-Chantiry and Valley Rent Rite in was a Husqvarna Model 445 chainsaw with a retail value of $469.99. The lucky winner was Doug Craig of Deer Run Rd. in Pakenham. Second prize, also from Valley Rent Rite was a DeWalt cordless hammer-drill with a retail value of $249.99 which went to the Rick Craig of Diamondview Rd.

Third, fourth and fifth prizes were gas certificates from Barrs Service Centre in Pakenham, Nicoll’s Ultramar in Woodlawn and Darvesh’s Store in Kinburn. Winners were Peter Nanne, Waba Rd. and Tom Beaubien of Galetta Sd. Rd. and Luc Menard of Dunrobin Rd.

Sixth through Thirteenth received a $50 gas card courtesy of Petro-Canada, awarded to the following landowners: Gord Nesbitt, Bill Robinson, Arden Strong, Bill Ryan, Ron Lindsay, Stanley Cavanagh and Jeff Hunt. The balance of our twenty winners received a $20 gift certificate from Home Hardware. These go to Claude Proc, Tom O’Rourke, Bill Hackett, Robert Copeland, Jim Stevenson, Don Miller and Bruce Hudson.

On behalf of all of our W.C.S.T.A.I. members the board congratulates the winners and thanks all of the area landowners that make our local trail network possible.

2012 Permits Now Available

Prices for the 2011-2012 seasonal permits have been held at last year’s levels; $200 before December 1st and $250 after. Classic permits (1997 model year or earlier) remain at $125 and are available all year. Local outlets are listed at https://www.wcstai.com or, for the ultimate in convenience you can order on-line at http://www.ofsc.on.ca (note: classic permits are only available on-line – check either of these web addresses for the details).