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$400 dollars who can afford that. I'm never snowmobiling again. I'm going to sell my $20,000 snowmobiles, my $10,000 dollar trailer and I won't have to spend $150.00 a weekend on gas and $200 on food. Never mind the $1000.00 I spend on maintenance on each sled per year..............and think how much I save on the $350.00 belts $400..................way too much money to spend.

Realized a few years back, with some careful planning, and not missing any appointments, I can make my 100th blood donation on the same day as my 50th Bday.

The OFSC has tried to make it appealing and affordable, I’m afraid it hasn’t worked for reasons they cannot control. The reality that most can agree on is the sport is expensive, permit being one of the cheapest today is the point, that’s not changing, so come to terms with that and move on. stop trying to pretend it should be an inclusive sport, it no longer is. sorry, but that’s the reality IMO.

Unfortunately not all trail permit buyers are snowmobile fanatics who read snowmobile forums 12 months of the year and will pay anything to ride. Or buy $25,000 snowmobiles every couple years. There has to be a balance in order to get the local when convenient to ride from home sledders to buy when they might ride the trails a few times a year. For them maybe there is a monetary tipping point. Last thing anyone on here should do is post up negative comments and make judgement on another person based on financial decisions to buy a permit. Maybe it is a big decision in a retired guys life to buy a trail permit when he can ride 10 year old sled down a road allowance to the lake and fish and he can be happy with that. Not everyone is as financially secure as most of the guys reading and commenting on this forum. Part of the problem with this sport is the cost and making it an affordable package to attract the new and hold the old riders In my mind to survive the trail system needs the revenues from the on the fence to buy permit riders buying also.

Gas tax on vehicles maintains our roads, and many other things. Gas tax on sleds should help maintain the trails. It really should not be a hard argument to win or justify, and if not in place annually already, why not. Same argument can be used for boats, if not already for locks, etc…

From our district manager. Hi Club Executive, I wanted to bring to your attention an article published yesterday in Orillia Today regarding the lack of OFSC funding for ice damage on snowmobile trails in the Orillia area. After reaching out directly to the OFSC, I have confirmed that this article was not fact-checked prior to publication, and the OFSC was not given a reasonable opportunity to respond. They are currently determining the next appropriate course of action. This type of misrepresentation is damaging to our clubs, undermines permit sales, and could negatively impact our relationships with the MTO. It also stands in direct violation of the OFSC Code of Conduct. In the meantime, all District 9 clubs are asked to: Not share this article on their Facebook pages. Remove it immediately if it has already been posted. Refrain from commenting on or liking the article if encountered on other pages. Thank you for your attention to this matter and for helping to protect the integrity of our organization

Lol, that's me, the other one is my wife. Feed scoop and a feed cart.

Just to give all of you an idea of what we are dealing with in our area because of the ice storm back in March. We try to go out every Wed and bang some more off. However, 6-8 guys and 5-6 hours later, we have managed anywhere from 0.5-1km of trail cleared each time. It will be tough to get it all done by the time snow flies. The struggle is real! If you can help the affected areas, it is appreciated!!

That’s a big milestone for the feed auger, turning 50 this year 👍

The bill 101 promise that we voted for was not what we were promised. We were promised tral permit enforcement and investment from the province instead we got next to no enforcement,lowered funding,intensive provincial control and interference,club emancipation,removal of groomers and more.

Another thing that has affected permit buying is, local trails. Once the OFSC made TOP trails their priority, several local trails, loops were closed, and the clubs were not allowed to groom them any longer. The Dub, Wawa area were heavily affected by this. It is a shame that several awesome trails were closed, left unmaintained. What is puzzling to me is some areas have lots of local loops, while others were told, no more. At one time Dub and Wawa were The Hub, for 4 directions of trails, with a lot of local, and multiple "day loops" available. Many locals only ride local, and do not tour. They ride to cottages, to fish, or maybe to the next town to get a bite to eat, or see friends. They do not see the value in the permits any longer. Most of our area is Crown land, with many logging, trapping, fishing bush roads/trails. So the locals just utilized those, and forgo the permit. I honestly dont blame them, some times, groups feel left out, and this is one of those times. Ski

Yep, factors that can’t be controlled. The younger folks who likely have the time, don’t have the funds. The “older” crowd that now may have the funds, may not have the time or the passion to pursue it. I don’t know, but there has to be a matrix that tells the OFSC what it needs to be year after year that is pretty easy to identify what the cost needs to be. Just look at QC, they have the more consistent climate and the passionate ridership to support the sport and they increase it year after year - what does that tell you. I too live very close to Simcoe, this area used to be a great spot for day rides or even to start your ride to spend at a cottage in district 7, not anymore nor has been for a while, that will not change. I know the reality is the ridership is shrinking, but what I’m saying is that’s out of the OFSC hands, the factors for that are beyond them so set the price what is needed to support what can be supported, the permit price is not what attracts new riders, I think people are naive to still think that, there are too many other factors that are far more significant. People who are price sensitive to just the permit, IMO, are not going to be around for long or they truly do not comprehend what the permit price entails, or more importantly, what it does not include, like all the work done by people for FREE!!!

The OFSC hand clubs have done absolutely everything they can to drive new ridership. overall costs and lousy weather are working against it. I have taken 10 plus friends sledding for the 1st time. not oneof them has bought a sled, and isn’t because they didn’t enjoy it. cost and time are the factors

Maybe it's time family permit is tried. Give families with more then one sled a break on second and third permit like Haliburton forest does. I know they looked at it before but maybe it's a way to grow revenue by getting more sleds permitted, that are only used occasionally.

Have to take it back to the OFSC's core mission. Its core mission is to provide leadership and resources to member clubs, ensuring exceptional trails and riding experiences across the province. This club is highlighting a resource issue. Maybe going public isn't preferred, but some press highlighting issues the provincial organization and this particular club is facing isn't necessarily a terrible thing. I rode their trails this past winter and they we're doing a great job. Hopefully OFSC management views this as an opportunity to improve. Also an opportunity to find new sources of emergency funding. A state of emergency was declared in Orillia during the ice storm. That brings access to funding from senior levels of government. Why wouldn't repairing trail infrastructure qualify for help.

Maybe raise permit prices to a necessary level....................

Well, in 10 years, there won’t be anything to work on except to change a battery!

Ya I should have been clearer. I suspect that Harley doesn't want to work on old bikes. But independent shops would for sure.

I'm actually surprised people wouldn't want to work on older bikes - wouldn't those be actual "mechanics" - not part changers? Easier to work on too?

thanks for all your dedicated hard work. I would help but I have appointments on Wednesdays. We were hammered in Lindsay area and we have cleared some trail. We are waiting now until the fall to continue. The OFSC has so little money that they want some trails closed and groomers gone. How will that save money is beyond me. Jerry

Yup, saw Dover turnout was strong.

I disagree Harleys are more popular than ever. Dover was packed. Also i see more and more young people on a Harley VS a sport bike

Too bad about Rocky's. I bought my first bike at Rocky's original location on Wharncliffe Rd. in 1967. They were also a Honda dealer at that time and I bought a 450 Honda new for $1,000.00. I personally think the facination with Harley's is starting to fade not to mention effect of retalitory tariffs. A friend of mine runs a bike repair shop in London. For many years in the recent past Rocky's wouldn't work on bikes more than 5 years old. They referred those bike owner's to my buddies shop.

Yep too much debt. New owners. Too bad.

Sounds like there is a lot more reasons for failure there then just a soft market.

While myself and most others really appreciate your efforts, it is just WRONG that the OFSC (if they haven't already) has not gotten directly involved to supply mechanized machinery and operator(s) or at least the money required to clear all the affected trails. This is above and beyond what should be asked of the volunteers. Lord knows there is more than enough work to be done through a normal year. I sincerely hope I will be informed that the OFSC has been directly involved through the districts in dealing this unusual situation but unfortunately I will not be surprised if they haven't.

Its a provincial trail system. You have to have a sled licensed and insured. Make the yearly fee $100.00 and give the money taken back to the clubs. You cant have it both ways. Either its provincially run, enforced and under a rule of law thus properly funded or nothing and its a free for all. But to bitch about a trail permit under $400 in this day and age is ridiculous.

Don’t expect it to grow either, unless your plan is turn sled trails into e-bike trails.

So where does the price need to be? I have a cottage in an area close to lake Simcoe. I can ride unassumed roads to Lake Simcoe. There are lots of people who just ride lakes. I spoke to a number of riders who buy permits but maybe won’t next year. After a great snow winter and no trails in our area due to technicalities they might be hard to get back. Whether you like it or not they are price sensitive. And the OFSC needs more permit sales or less costs=less trails! I have ridden over 11,000km total or so last 3 years. Safe to say I am not as price sensitive. And will buy permits.

YES!

I was thinking the same thing about people having the opportunity to go on a lake, field, etc…to have a chance to be exposed, or best case friend or family that has spare sled to try it out. For me it was a family that let me try his sled, that turned into a weekend rental trip and then my own purchase. But that does not change the permit price or change who will come, IMO - if they decide at that point they enjoy it, thoughts turn to many of the other expenses in order to dive in, that will not become cheaper in this day and age that no one can influence. Set permit price at what it needs to be (the cheapest part of the sport) and enforce the use of the trails by the means required. For anyone using the permit as a reason not to stay in the sport, are already done with it or looking for reasons to be, and are just complaining about nothing. The permit I bought this year, I am not even sure made it into my sled, I know for sure I did not ride any OFSC trails…which I think makes that two years in a row for me…lol!

I agree sledding has priced itself into the "exclusive" sport category. Gear and accessories alone can add up quickly. However, we have a few sleds that run around private farm lands and ditches and got used alot this year by friends and family that have never taken an interest in the sport previously. They got rolled over and stuck all winter and the riders had a ball. Three of them now have newer used sleds from those experiences. The heavy snowfall this year made it possible for them to have some fun they didnt know they were missing. The sleds are older but not eligible for classic passes so none were registered or insured for trail riding. As ofsc trails cross some of these properties I can neither confirm or deny that they may have seen abit of trail running in the hands of a couple folks, but either way, it brought them into the sport as legitimate riders. I think that if classic permits were based on 15 year old sleds again, we might see more people riding something more affordable just to have the experience. Once on the trails, there's the natural progression that comes with that experience. No different than fast cars or boats. It's addictive. Not all of us, but alot of us became addicts the first time we had the experience. The opportunity just had to present itself. Just the opinion of a hopeless addict with a tolerant wife. 😁

Yep, agreed….shut Er down.

Here's the 3 proposals for 2025-2026 Permit pricing in Quebec. The top price is early permit price:

That was from a District 9 Manager speaking to District 9 club directors. "This just sounds like they wanted to be squeaky wheel without going thru whole process to get some funding/help equipment. " There is a process the clubs are supposed to follow to receive funds for any expenses. The first step is to approach your District office for the funds as the District pays for all applicable approved club and grooming expenses within the District.

yes, but the point being, not everyone is like you or willing to do what needs to be done to go riding, its easier to say screw it than put a little effort into it. You have to LOVE sledding to be in it and stay in it these days, liking it isn't enough anymore. As soon as you complicate things, there are a lot of people that will just say forget it.

Holy freakin crap. 9 sticks today cost what a loaded 68 Dodge Charger cost when I started playing hockey. I was outfitted head to toe for less than the cost of one stick now. lol I'm looking at an old Hespeler on the wall right now. A chunk of lumber.

People that whine about permit costs obviously have no other outlet for fun and ride without a permit anyway. It's a small drop in the expense bucket. It cost me more to respool a few reels just for early spring fishing not to mention the rest of the years seasonal fishing. Whats a couple Starbucks a day cost? Or going to a concert or even taking the family out for a decent meal. People need to realize the cost of entertainment is always costly. A trail permit is about as cheap as it gets. Volunteers wont be there forever if they cant get an assist when Shyte goes south. It's alot of physical output to clean up messes like we've had and guys with time on their hands are usually older. I'm sure a rowboat a beer and a bobber to stare at seems more appealing on a hot summer day.

I do not believe we will see big dollar funding from the provincial governmant any time in the future. They don't seem to have enough money to keep our roads in decent condition and that should be a much higher priority than sled trails. It's time for us to pay a more realistic amount for permits if this sport is to continue to support the trails we have in Ontario. I'm sure there are a lot of riders who spent more in 24 hours this past winter snowmobiling than what their permit cost.

Our area is a complete mess as well. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. We will all get there but it will take time. OFSC. When your outgo exceeds your income, then your upkeep becomes your downfall. Funds are tight FWIW. ODSC They should also reach out to the city, township and county to see if they have any funds available. They may be surprised. Snowmobiling is a economic benefit to their region so they may receive financial assistance from their local governments. A few thousand $$$ here and there can go a long way.

Must be an issue or there wouldn't be a news story. Like everything, there's this side and that side. Truth is somewhere in the middle. Perhaps ODSC needs to be more patient. I'd imagine that the other clubs in the area have the same problem due to ice storm.

Th th th that's all folks. Still snow in the bush, lots of ice left on lakes but, rotting fast. Shore ice leaving fast, on the river. Thanks for stopping by my snow report. See you next fall. Ski