All trails are closed for now. It’s not looking great, but you never know. Poker Run was cancelled for this year, which is unfortunate for the riders and all the kids it will help out for the Snowsuit Fund. Please still consider making a monetary donation or donating some gently used winter clothing to help out. Thank you.
We are happy to announce that some WCSTAI trails have opened back up to ‘Limited’ status. There are still a few areas that we cannot open just yet, but please check the Interactive Trail Guide (ITG) regularly to see which ones we can ride on. It’s been a long wait, and we will hope for a season that runs late this year.
As always, PLEASE RESPECT TRAIL OPEN/CLOSED status as posted on the ITG. It’s been a frustrating season for all of us, and the last thing we need is closed trails due to riders ignoring trail status.
Happy and safe sledding everyone!
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
We are going to be training new Trail Patrol (trail wardens) on Wednesday January 10th from 7 to 9pm at Kinburn Community Centre.
Trail Patrol are on trail ambassadors for snowmobiling. We are there to promote a safe snowmobile experience for everyone, give valuable information to fellow sledders and promote our sport.
I should add this is also to get an update on your current training. We are moving to a district wide Trail Patrol not just by club. Come out to here about he changed as well. all good stuff.
Please email trailpatrol@wcstai.com to sign up or get more information.
The course is under two hours.
Thank you,
Scott Hamilton
President
WCSTAI
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
Groomers have started pre-season packing of West Carleton trails, and this cold weather is really helping to firm up our waterways and swamps. We need a little more snow, and things are starting to look good for a start to a great season very soon but TRAILS ARE STILL NOT OPEN.
There are various reasons, whether it be our landowners not able to open gates (yes livestock can still be out in the fields at this time of year). And there is still not enough dense snow in most areas which, as you may be hearing in the news is a serious safety issue. Club volunteers want the trails open as much as anyone, as we are all sledders too, but this takes a combination of the right snow/safety conditions and permission to open gates on our land owners properties. Trail patrol is now patrolling trails and with new legislation in place, trespassers can now be fined up to $10,000 for trespassing and riding on unopened trails. This is serious stuff.
Please, everyone remember that trying to get that jump on the season before trails are open risks it for all of us. We have lost some valuable links on local trails yet again this season and have had to significantly increase road running because of the few sledders who think that just one run on an opened trail does not matter. It does. Just one sled wandering where it shouldn’t be can result in a trail becoming a permanent dead end – and we can’t blame our landowners for trying to protect their crops, property and livelihood.
On a lighter note, West Carleton has some exciting new trails being opened this season, like rail bridges in Pakenham and Arnprior on the W311 and the A trail. It has taken thousands of hours and working with the goodwill of the public, towns and municipalities to get us, the sledders, access to these. These routes are being opened on a trial basis and access to these areas can still be revoked by riding on them now, before official opening.
It’s going to be a great year if people can please, PLEASE keep the sleds parked until they show “Available” on the Interactive Trail Guide. And if you know that person that still insists on trespassing on unopened trails – put some pressure on them – they are messing with all that money you have invested riding this year.
On behalf of the entire team at OFSC, thank you again for your continued patience and support.
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!
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.
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.
(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.”
For further information, please email marketing@ofsc.on.ca
