The snow may still be way off from flying but some people locally are already thinking about snowmobile season.
Shawn Flindall, Director of Marketing and Communications with the North Bay Snowmobile Club, says fall is a busy time for area clubs.
“We spend a lot of time clearing trails and getting equipment in shape. There’s a lot happening behind the scenes for what we hope will be a very busy and snow-filled season,” he says.
Flindall says after about a six-week season last year they’re really hoping for a good season of about 12 or 13 weeks this year.
“We really got cut off last year so we’re really hoping for the best this season and we’ve got fingers, toes and eyes crossed hoping that the snow is working in our favour and COVID restrictions work in our favour as well,” he says.
Flindall says snowmobiling injects millions and millions of dollars into the local economy and there are many businesses that rely on snowmobiling to make their year.
“We certainly want to see a great season again, not just for riders, but for those businesses as well,” he says.
The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) has announced seasonal trail permits are increasing by $5 this year to help keep pace with rising operating costs.
Ryan Eickmeier, OFSC CEO, says it’s the first increase since 2018, with costs rising every year.
“We’re conservatively looking at about a $400,000 increase in revenue as a result of the permit increase and all of that money has already been committed back into the trail network,” he says.
Early bird pricing of $195 for a seasonal trail permit starts October 1st.
The price goes up to $225 on November 2nd, then $275 on December 2nd.
OFSC members are responsible for 30,000 kilometres of trails.
That’s roughly three-quarters of the way around the Equator.
(With files from Bob McIntyre)
