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Photo by Martin Lortz for Ontario Tourism
Every year when snow is on the ground and our throttle thumbs are itching, our club is often asked why some trails remain unavailable for riding each year longer than others. While weather, running water and terrain play a big part in it, opening trails and keeping them open is a process with many moving parts. To help explain, please have a look a the attached article, by Craig Nicholson and Graham Snyder, and courtesy of OFSC Go Snowmobiling Magazine, Vol. 8 #2.
GSM Vol8#2 OFSC – Crossing Farmers’ Fields
IMPORTANT message regarding riding on rail line from Carp to Craig Side Rd.
We have been informed that the people who keep the track clear for the trains are having trouble as some Snowmobilers are running down the section of track to connect with the trails. Please STOP doing this. Self explanatory. You are trespassing….
Here is a notice from the CN website:
ATV and Snowmobile Safety
Safety starts with you…
- Riding a snowmobile or ATV can be an amazing outdoor experience. It can also be fatal — in the wrong hands. Here are some tips for riding safe.
- Cross only at designated locations (it is illegal and dangerous to trespass on railway property).
- Ride on approved trails only (look for signs about approaching a railway crossing).
- Expect a train on any track, in either direction, at any time.
- Be especially cautious at night or in snowy conditions (both make it difficult to see obstacles, passing trains or railway crossings).
- Stop at railway crossings to ensure you don’t ride in front of or into the side of a passing train.
- Contact the railway (using the emergency number prominently posted at crossings) or call 911 immediately if your ATV or snowmobile gets stuck on a track or railway line (a train can come at any time).
- Keep in mind that helmets, engines, wind and weather may muffle the sound of an approaching train.
- Do not ride next to the tracks (locomotives and railway cars are wider than the rails, leaving little or no room for you).
We are happy to announce that SOME West Carleton trail conditions have allowed us to open them to LIMITED status. Please check the ITG before you ride to see what trails are opening up!
Don’t forget to pick up your free 2016-17 Trail Guide at the clubhouse or one of our many supporters. There are lots of changes and some new trail! And, please support our sponsors!
Printed maps now available at the following locations:
Aquatopia Cafe – March Road @ 417
Blacks Corners Motorsports – Polaris – Carleton Place, Hwy 15
Carp Shell Gas Station – March Rd @ hwy 417
George’s Marine – Yamaha
The Lighthouse Restaurant – Constance Bay
Long Island Marina – 1424 Commodore Dr. Kars
March Road Motorsports – March Rd just East of Almonte.
Nicholls Gas and Variety – Dunrobin Rd. at Kinburn Rd.
Perth Power Sports – Ski Doo
The Point Lounge – Constance Bay
Sammy’s Restaurant – Dunrobin
Urban Powersports Yamaha in Arnprior.
Due to deteriorated conditions all West Carleton trails are currently closed. Please watch the Interactive Trail Guide for updates and be respectful of our land owners by staying off of their property until we are able to reopen. Thanks!
The WCSTA Trail Guide and map for the 2016-17 season is now available in PDF format. There have been quite a few changes and some exciting new additions to West Carleton trails for the 2016 – 2017 season. Much hard work has gone into getting access to the two sections of the old rail line between Arnprior and Blakeney and getting it opened up for OFSC member use. The BEAST has also been granted use of the same rail line from Carleton Place to Smiths Falls.
Printed versions to arrive very soon. To see our latest trail routes right now, download a PDF Trail Guide.
Pick up a printed copy when you’re visiting local club supporters and businesses in the new year. And please remember to support the businesses who have made this guide possible by advertising in it!
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Another awesome dump of snow last night and today and in the distance I think I hear groomers starting to warm up for some pre-season packing. Hopefully a good cold snap will also help our waterways and swamps, which are still far from being safe. But things are looking great!
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 this season and have been working hard to find suitable reroutes. 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 the W311 – the rail bed linking us from Arnprior, through Pakenham, Almonte, Blakeney and continuing on in the BEAST as #311. Huge thanks to the families who went out and brushed and put up the signs!
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.
For a very limited time, we have advertising spaces available on the WCSTA Trail Guide.
You can also get your business identified on the iSnowmobile mobile app and the OFSC Interactive Trail Guide as a Point of Interest, or have trailside signs installed near your business for the season. Deadline for advertising is Thursday December 15th, so don’t delay!
Single Map Ad:
1 square – $200.00 per square, colour ad (1-7/8 x 2”)
($100.00 per additional square to make your ad stand out)
Point of Interest (P.O.I.) Listing on OFSC Interactive Map and iSnowmobile Mobile App:
$75.00 per listing. This is the mobile app that many snowmobilers use to navigate. This is great for restaurants, gas stations, dealerships and motels/hotels.
Trail signs:
$75.00 This includes up to three trails signs that we place to direct snowmobilers to your business. The signs are supplied by the advertisers and approved by the club. With this option you also get to post one ad on our Facebook group per week to promote your business and/or specials
Package:
Trail map ad, POI listing and Trail signs. $300.00
Please email contact@wcstai.com for pricing and more details, or phone Ian Torrey at 613.832.4596.
The snow is still falling out there – beautiful! It’s looking like a great season ahead! But remember that conditions are still very unsafe for riding and absolutely no trails in Ontario are open. Your volunteers have been and are currently working hard to get signage in and find reroutes for trails that have been closed off from last year. Traveling on unopened trails is trespassing on private property and trespass charges can be laid, trails can be closed, but most importantly it is unsafe! And we all want to see you out there once we are able to get them open.
If you’re itching to get out on the trails, why not contact us to see where you can help with getting them opened up! Thanks.
St John Ambulance First Aid Course
Date: Dec 3 at Kinburn Community Centre 8:30 to 4:00 pm
WCSTA will offering a first aid course on Dec 3. Any of our groomer operators that are not already trained will be taking this course, and it is also a great idea for anyone who rides – especially in remote areas. This will be a one day St Johns Emergency First Aid course, geared toward snowmobilers and groomer operators.
The course will cover Emergency Scene Management, Shock, all CPRs (adult, child, infant), automated external defibrillator (AED), Severe Bleeding, Wound Care, Burns and Medical Conditions. There will be additional discussion and practice on other topics that may be relevant to snowmobilers.
Cost of the training is $109, and the Club will provide a complimentary pizza lunch.
If you would like to attend, please email contact@wcstai.com