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.

WCSTA Club Meeting Tuesday April 1st

WCSTA Club Meeting Tuesday April 1st

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The April meeting for the West Carleton Snowmobile Trails Association will be taking place at 7:30pm on Tuesday April 1 at the Sports Bar in the W.E  Johnson Arena in Carp. All members of the West Carleton club, volunteers and landowners are invited to attend. If you would like to find out more about what goes on behind the scenes, or get involved, please join us!

Club Meeting Monday April 8th

Club Meeting Monday April 8th

The West Carleton snowmobile club holds seasonal monthly meetings at the Sports Bar in the W.E  Johnson Arena in Carp.  All members of the West Carleton club, volunteers and landowners are invited to attend. If you would like to find out more about what goes on behind the scenes, please join us Monday April 8th at 7:30pm!

This is our last regularly scheduled meeting of the season. Spring and Summer meeting dates, and Annual General Meeting to be determined.

New volunteer opportunities

New volunteer opportunities

Trail Clearing Oct. 2012
We have recently completed a number of significant trail improvement projects, in no small part thanks to a handful of volunteers who faithfully show up to get things done. As the ground frost starts to move in we have trail markers and signage to put up, and some brushing and clearing of trails to do. We could really use your help – so that we can all be out riding when the snow is on the ground! Please contact us to be notified of upcoming events and activities.

Last season was particularly challenging with several wet and heavy snowfalls that brought down a lot of branches and trees on our trails. Huge thanks to the volunteers who put in hundreds of hours of work to get trails reopened each time, making for a great season. Helmets off to everyone who’s pitched in and given a hand!

We are always looking for new volunteers for the wide array of things that need to be done to provide great trails and club activities. Whether you have a few hours, or a day here and there, we really want to hear from you and know what you are able to contribute to make our club and our trails the best in Ontario.

If clearing trails or trail marking and signage isn’t your thing, there are lots of other opportunities to get involved and meet new people. Organizers, food preparation and staff for events such as our poker run are always welcome, or people to help manage other club affairs are needed too. Just let us know your skills or interests.

Volunteering for the club is a great way to meet like-minded people, make friends – and is also a fun way for high school students to get their volunteer hours.

For more information, please contact us. We look forward to meeting you!

Work party on Saturday!

Work party on Saturday!

We are going into help our Pakenham Crew on the A trail between Almonte and Pakenham this Saturday. We are meeting at 9 AM outside Almonte on the end of Ramsey Concession 11A (as you come into Almonte on the March road, turn right at the traffic circle). A small few have been working very hard for 2 weeks now, trying to open up the trails and we really need your help! Help us get our groomer operators off chainsaw duty so they have more time to spend in the seat of the groomers!

Please contact Ted Kelly Phone (613) 623-3665 or by email at volunteer@wcstai.com for more information.

Volunteers still needed!

Volunteers still needed!

volunteering

The snow is here, and many of our trails are open, but we still need volunteers to help clear some trails or help with events. Whether you have a few hours, or a day here and there to help out, we really want to hear from you!

If clearing trails or trail marking and signage isn’t your thing, there are lots of other opportunities to get involved and meet new people. Organizers or staff for events such as our poker run, or people to help manage other club affairs are needed too. Just let us know your skills or interests!

Volunteering for the club is a great way to meet like-minded people, make friends – and is also a fun way for high school students to get their volunteer hours!

For more information, please contact us. We look forward to meeting you!

Getting Ready for 2012-13 Season

Trail preparation is well under way for the 2012-2013 season. Several small teams of our intrepid  volunteers made big strides last weekend, completing opening of the trail near Pinto Valley Ranch, and clearing brush along the Carp Ridge and in the old Crazy Horse / Holland Hill areas. There’s still lots to do to get ready for this season though, so we encourage you to get in touch with Ted Kelly, our volunteer coordinator for 2012-2013. Last year was a good year for snowmobiling in West Carleton, considering the limited white stuff on the ground, and this would not have been possible without our volunteers. Please help make the trails in your area even better this year by offering upo a few hours of your time!

To find out more please get in touch here!