It’s Snowmobile Safety Week.
The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) joins the North American snowmobile community and our Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) partners in celebrating the 2022 snowmobile season with International Snowmobile Safety Week, January 15 to 23.
The OFSC is the non-profit, volunteer-driven association that oversees organized snowmobile trails in Ontario.
Safety Week is an excellent opportunity for the OFSC to deliver a season-long message to recreational trail riders: Ride responsibly for your own safety and for the safety those who share the trails with you.
“Safe trail riding is always a top priority for the OFSC,” said Ryan Eickmeier, CEO, “but it’s even more important for every snowmobiler to take our common sense message to heart this winter as we welcome so many new riders to our trails.”
Tens of thousands of Ontario snowmobilers choose to ride OFSC Prescribed Snowmobile Trails each winter and return home safely after every ride. These winter enthusiasts, who ride with an Ontario Snowmobile Trail Permit on their sleds, can collectively travel up to 150 million kilometres per season on 30,000 kilometres of OFSC trails. This is one of the world’s largest recreational trail systems, totaling almost twice as many kilometres as Ontario’s provincial highway network.
The OFSC Interactive Trail Guide (ITG) helps trail riders make the smart choice of staying on the trail. The ITG is the only authorized source of information for recreational snowmobiling on OFSC Prescribed Trails. Using the ITG or the Go Snowmobiling Ontario App, riders can confirm that trails are either GREEN (available) or YELLOW (limited availability) trails before every ride. Any trails shown in RED (unavailable) are not safe for any snowmobiler to ride at that time. The PRO version of the Go Snowmobiling App even includes a “Share My Location” function that can be used as a safety tracker in case of emergency.
Trail riders should always choose the right safety gear. This includes a properly fitted, fastened and approved snowmobile helmet, and brightly coloured, weather proof outerwear with reflective materials, purpose-made for snowmobiling. A protective TekVest is also a worthwhile addition to trail safety gear.
Most #OFSC trails are CLOSED. Please do not trespass. Once open, remember that departing from marked trails can be dangerous. You don’t know what’s underneath the snow. Ride safe & sober! Check trail status:https://t.co/wybEbtunww #SnowmobileSafetyWeek #OPPSAVE @GoSnowmobiling^gp pic.twitter.com/1MLHvF0TrJ
— OPP Central Region (@OPP_CR) January 14, 2022
https://twitter.com/OPP_HSD/status/1481413773785288705
What's your favourite winter past time? Whatever it is, please be safe doing it. #bbropp pic.twitter.com/StEBox2hOg
— OPP Central Region (@OPP_CR) January 12, 2022
Please wait for #OntarioTrails to open and do not trespass. Exercise patience and ensure you have all required documents before riding out. Check OFSC trail conditions: https://t.co/wybEbtunww @GoSnowmobiling @OPP_HSD #OPPSAVE ^gp pic.twitter.com/E0zV3hQyRh
— OPP Central Region (@OPP_CR) January 10, 2022
January 15th – 23rd is #SnowmobileSafetyWeek. #OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt and Sgt. Paul Beaton remind all riders that the quality and thickness of ice can change quickly and can vary from location to location. Remember! #NoIceIsSafeIce. pic.twitter.com/pGlX65swuc
— Ontario Provincial Police (@OPP_News) January 15, 2022