trail conditions – Page 2 – West Carleton Snowmobile Trails Association

OFSC Warns Snowmobilers To Keep Sleds Parked

On January 3, 2016 / Feature, Media Release, OFSC, Trail Conditions, West Carleton Snowmobile Trails Association

(Barrie, ON – December 17, 2015) – With early snow forecast this weekend in some parts of Ontario, winter’s on the way and so is the 2016 snowmobiling season. But it’s not time to start sledding yet and for safety’s sake, the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) cautions snowmobilers to keep their sleds parked and stay off OFSC trails for the time being.

Even going for a short snowmobile ride can be very dangerous at this time of year with the existing poor conditions. The ground, waterways and swamps are not frozen yet, nor is there enough snow base to protect yourself or your sled from terrain irregularities or other obstacles. Grooming operations have not started yet, so no OFSC trails are available to ride and all access to trails on private property remain closed. Snowmobilers are also reminded to stay off public roads and avoid trespassing on farmers’ fields.

For updates on trail status across Ontario, the OFSC recommends that snowmobilers visit the Interactive Trail Guide atwww.ofsc.on.ca

OPP/OFSC Release – OPP OFSC Joint News Release Be Prepared 21DEC15

West Carleton Trails Not Open Yet

On January 1, 2016 / Feature, Media Release, News and Events, OFSC, Trail Conditions, West Carleton Snowmobile Trails Association

Snowmobile trails still dangerous

Jan. 1 – We would like to remind riders that West Carleton Trails are not yet open, which means they are unsafe, and riding on them constitutes trespassing on our landowners’ private property.

We are in agreement with The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs’ statement, urging snowmobilers to hold off on their first ride of the season until trail conditions improve.

“We’ve got a whack of snow, but the ground is still warm. There’s no base there,” said Craig Nicholson, a spokesperson for the organization. “If people were to try to go out, they’re taking some dangers in their hands because there’s a whole lot of irregularities on the bare ground.”

The ground needs to be cold enough to freeze the boggy and swampy areas in the region and hard enough to support to weight of five- to seven-tonne grooming machines. And there are rocks and stumps that aren’t covered and there’s no base to protect the machine from those obstacles.

Please trust that we, the West Carleton Club are as eager as anyone to get out and start grooming the trails and are also in the process of assessing signage that has blown down by high winds on Christmas eve. The Club will keep everyone posted. For now we all need to will the temperatures to help get all of those water crossings and swamps you don’t normally even know are there during the season to freeze up.

Time to prepare

Nicholson encourages snowmobilers to take this time to check on their machines to make sure they are running safely and to ensure they have a first aid kit, a survival kit and a tow cable.

“As much as everybody is eager now to get out, and I’m as eager as anyone else, you’ve got to be really careful where you go,” he said.

According to Nicholson, it might seem like this is a particularly late start to the season, but the past two winters have been much colder than usual.

He anticipates the trails will to be safe by the middle of January and suggests riders check on the status of trails in their area by using his organization’s online map before heading out.

Thanks, and we hope to see you on the trails soon!

Our trails are now closed – Thank you!

On March 19, 2015 / Feature, Landowners, Media Release, News and Events, OFSC, Trail Conditions, Volunteers, West Carleton Snowmobile Trails Association

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.

Trail opening – please read

On December 18, 2014 / Feature, Trail Conditions, Volunteers, West Carleton Snowmobile Trails Association

Trails are not open yet! Please note the last paragraph

Attached is the current state of our trails, the green are the trails that have been picketed and are signed and ready for inspection.

The major push are the trails is the area south of the 417, Thursday we hope to complete the W 10 and W 9, and Friday the W 12 either side of Pakenham (from W 10 to W 9 intersection)

The big effort required this Saturday is the new re-route for the W 12 from Blakeney towards the A Trail (coming into Almonte), a small group attacked it last weekend, but there is still aprox 1 km left of a trail that has not we used or brushed in aprox 10 years. Please show up this Saturday at 9 AM, park on the side of the road around 314 Ridge Road off the top of Panmure, and then follow the trail makers in to the work party. The work requires pruners, chain saws, work gloves, we will provide a brush saw and pole saw. Due to the distance involved best to bring your sled or ATV

We need to get all trails signed and inspected before we can start the grooming and using the trails (and of course we still need some more snow). The few of us that are doing the bulk of the work are exhausted from a 3 month effort, and we know it’s the busy Christmas season, but these are the simple facts of what is required to open trails. Please lend a hand.

OFSC Trails Now Closed for the Season

On April 3, 2014 / Feature, Landowners, Media Release, News and Events, OFSC, Trail Conditions, Volunteers, West Carleton Snowmobile Trails Association

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

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.

Media Release; Get Ready to Go Snowmobiling Ontario Week – November 24 to 30

On November 27, 2013 / Media Release, News and Events, OFSC

(Barrie, ON. November 22, 2013) – The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) and its member clubs are celebrating the coming sledding season during Get Ready to Go Snowmobiling Ontario Week, November 24 to 30. The celebration starts as club volunteers are hard at work clearing, preparing and signing over 30,000 kilometres of OFSC trails. Although OFSC trails are not available for snowmobiling at this time, early indicators are very positive for a great 2014 snowmobile season ahead, with long-range forecasts predicting a cold, snowy winter and many parts of the province already having experienced below zero temperatures and early snowfalls.

With tens of thousands of trail permits already sold, Get Ready to Go Snowmobiling Ontario Week invites more Ontarians to discover the family fun of organized snowmobiling, plus its many social, health and recreational benefits. Get Ready Week is also the cue for OFSC snowmobilers to start making their Ontario ride plans and preparing their sleds and gear. As well, Get Ready Week marks the final days that Seasonal and Classic Snowmobile Trail Permits are available at pre-December 1st savings. Permits can be bought online at www.ofsc.on.ca.

This season, Get Ready to Go Snowmobiling Ontario Week also celebrates many OFSC initiatives to improve the rider experience that can be found online at www.ofsc.on.ca:

Tour Loops: The OFSC has launched a new winter product with eight exciting tour loops that make exploring Ontario easy and convenient. Each loop delivers a unique snowmobiling adventure on well established, marked and maintained trails with good access to services and amenities.
Interactive Trail Guide: The OFSC Interactive Trail Guide features the most accurate and up to date display of the entire OFSC trail network available anywhere. This online tool enables OFSC snowmobilers to plan their rides and view the latest
Colour-coded trail status updates: (Red = Trail Not Available; Yellow = Limited Availability; Green = Trail Available.)
Early Season Priority (ESP) Trails: Snowmobilers looking for their first ride of the season can find it on ESP Trails. These OFSC trails on old logging roads, abandoned rail lines, utility corridors and unassumed road allowances will signal their early limited availability by turning from red to yellow on the OFSC Interactive Trail Guide.
New Website: The OFSC’s new public website is being revamped for this season with a new look, improved navigation and updated information. The new site will be launched in December.
Mobile Apps & Routable GPS: OFSC snowmobilers will soon be able to check trail status from their smart phones by downloading the latest version of the OFSC trail network with the OFSC’s faster new snowmobile apps. Routable versions of
The OFSC provincial trail system will also be available for download to popular GPS units. Coming in December!

The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs 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 provincial network of organized snowmobile trails connects Ontario communities providing responsible riding experiences that are safe, enjoyable and environmentally sustainable.

Poker Run to be Rescheduled

On February 4, 2013 / News and Events, West Carleton Snowmobile Trails Association

Due to lack of snow, icy conditions and open water, the Poker Run has had to be rescheduled. We apologize for the inconvenience – please stay tuned and we will post you with updates once a new date has been determined.

Everyone join in and do the snow dance so that we can get our trails back into shape!

New volunteer opportunities

On January 16, 2013 / Feature, Trail Conditions, Volunteers

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!

On January 9, 2013 / News and Events, Trail Conditions, Volunteers

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!

On January 5, 2013 / News and Events, Trail Conditions, Volunteers

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!

Posts Tagged trail conditions

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

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