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From a very good source, over one thousand permits were sold last week at full pop.

You need to look at the ITG for Western Ontario. There's a ton of open trail and a lot of grooming going on and trails in our area are in awesome condition. We rode Conestoga Lake trails on Wednesday and both of us said it was the best ride on their trails we have ever had. Quit being so negative, get on that old Doo and go for a ride.

First ride

Permit enforcement Ski ?….it’s almost nonexistent. I’ll stir the pot..I’ve said for years your sled license should be a trail permit. Every licensed sled in province has a trail permit. No early sales just revenue generated at time of lic purchase. Ride it on trail or not..your choice. Enforcement would be a non issue..lic and insurance..good to go. I know that everyone north of French river does not buy sled lic..too bad get over it. Change the policy for good of everyone. Down side is grooming funds would go through MTO and distribute where there is snow and grooming going on. When’s the last time you saw government do a better job than private w a program? Upside is maybe permit costs go down..more revenue over more sleds less individual cost? I really don’t care about that part as I think permits are cheapest part of sledding. If our government would embrace it as a tourism program much like in Quebec it would be better for all. The current state w ofsc regulation and most of operations on the back of volunteers I don’t think is sustainable. More revenue would be generated so that a better operating system could be in place. Go ahead and bash away..I know there will be plenty. oh and BTW i am a landowner that has ofsc trails in two different regions and a club volunteer that is a groomer operator as well. I love sleds and snow, I only want to see it better for all. Let’s hope this winter is a return to the patterns of previous years and we get a good old fashioned winter that lasts until early April.

Never met him as well but condolences to everyone that knew him. Hopefully SJ and 02sled and anyone else that has gone before us have the trail all groomed up for him

Incorrect again! We do trail patrol when the trails are open for periods that make it worthwhile as do other clubs close to us. I checked some sleds for permits yesterday when out doing trail work. We will likely be setting up a patrol stop this weekend and next. There has been few patrol stops in our area the last 3 years because there was little to no snow and trails were only open a few days if at all. You aren't going to see patrol stops riding around your farm or other private property. Seeing sleds without a permit doesn't mean as much as it used to because they can have a recent purchase on their phone or like 2 that I stopped yesterday, daily permits in plastic bags in the sled.

Hi guys Here is a link to his Obituary and the service for him. https://www.mundellfuneralhome.com/tributes/robert-bob-macaulay

Permit enforcement is going to haunt us. Non-hardcore or "real sledders" are not buying preseason savings passes, to see if we get rideable, groomable snow. When we dont, they saved money, when we do, depending on if it is early or late, they may roll the dice, and ride dirty (no permit). This hurts the all in sledders, volunteers, the clubs, districts, and finally the ofsc. Ski

For me, I keep the level in that bottle on the low side. On my 1200, it will burp out coolant and make a mess if I add more.

Very happy to see it here around me for a change

Nothing is off the table when it comes to sleds. I normally buy used sleds every year and usually it's just because I see something I want to give a try. I was very close to a new Catalyst this year and glad I waited now. My problem this season is I'm way behind in servicing my customers. I go out the door with intentions to get some work done and the sled and trailer are still hooked up. Thoughts of work go out the window and before my vehicle is even warmed up I'm at the staging area unloading. lol

That was the point I was making. With almost nonexistent permit enforcement, we are doomed, to having many people ride knowing there is a good chance, they wont be caught. This needs to change. I too am a land owner that allows the ofsc trail on my property. I too volunteer with the club, I have my certificates for groomer operator but, havent had the on equipment training yet. Ski

Maybe they are more vocal this winter, but I've seen lots of posts on FB from OPP being on the trail and ticketing people

I’m planning on a big ride tomorrow and possibly stopping by the cowbell for a bite to eat. Has anyone been there by snowmobile? If so is it difficult to access? Thanks

Stayed in V Marie once never again . If the door to the motel would have been 4 inches wider we would have brought the sleds into the room . Everyone in the bar\ restaurant had the look of desperation in their eyes . La Bannik is top shelve cabins only l believe . Table cloth, tall stemmed glasses may be pricey . Great place for couples vacation or lunch . Teme Rose in Temiskaming is the place if they have availability .

Easy to get to by trail . Daughter rode there today ,sent pic 100 plus sleds , very popular stop . The closer to Blyth the lumper the trail . Lots of snow so groomer can have that table top in short order. We rode through Blyth on Thursday pushing 16 inches of powder . For the cool kids that is about 35 cm. of pow or fresh .

Yeah it comes off fairly easily, but getting your hand back in there and getting it screwed on straight, while pressuring down on it, is very challenging. On trail I just cracked it a quarter turn, never fully removed it. Took me a good half an hour to get it back on in shop. Never do it on trail 🤣

If not exactly the same, the 900 is very similar - no room to get a proper grip on the cap.

It was a favourite spot for many of us over years. I miss people and food, especially wing nights.

Ah, I thought you misinterpreted what I typed, and was trying to re-write it for better verbage. I misinterpreted what you typed. I needed the "sarcasm" sign Leonard gives Sheldon on the Big Bang Theory. :D Ski

86 miles, nice morning run, didn’t dress properly and got a bit cold saw 30 or so out, good mix of brands one old skidoo formula s I think and a older Polaris classic 600 Met groomer on the way home teviotdale lot want that busy, I’m sure tomorrow will be be different lions park in Elmira was a few trucks I’m out of shape !

Thanks for all you do. St Clement's folks always did lots of patrol stops in past years during peak times, when club house was there 👌

No, these are newly purchased permits not replacements.

You just have to register and re new sled licensing according to your local laws. Ontario and Quebec are fussy on size and location of custom numbers. This is where some riders get in trouble. I say if you can easily read them standing 5 feet back from sled, you be fine. Only thing you need to ride in Ontario, is liability insurance, Ontario snowmobile trail permit, drivers license. See you on trails.

I was agreeing with you….without any enforcement over time fewer and fewer permits will be sold.

We were stopped on the rail trail going up to Markdale last week. The OPP just were looking for a trail permit and then waved us bye. But I understand that the farther north that you go the less chances that they will have trail patrol. So I really agree with what J Feces said in the above post.

Thanks Kris for posting this, never met him but feel a bond with all of the sledders on this site. Just another reminder to get out and enjoy life, it's short and clock is ticking for all of us. RIP, cancer is brutal.

Don't be a quitter now! This is shaping up to be the best season in 10 years. Because of the snow, it was/is a good time to sell a sled (as you discovered), but it is great time to buy a new or nearly new sled. Tell us that is what you are really doing.

Me too took me 5 hours to move all my snow on Tuesday morning. Have way too much drive way some of it is 45 feet wide. New blade working nice though.

A few more pics. Had a great trip up the Agawa Canyon on the Snow Train. Rode from the Soo to Hearst and took the train back many years ago…great memories 🥲

Bahhhhahaha. Perfect description of near every ride I go on. "eeny ,meeny, miny, moe". I could do without that feeling of panic as the fuel gets low, it's dark, poor visability and no clue where you are. lol

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-snowmobile/oakville-halton-region/2022-polaris-indy-vr1-650/1709291973 I rode out of Belwood Friday mid morning and for about 150 km I thought I had died and gone to sled heaven. Everything was smoothly groomed and even the bush trails that had been beat the week before, were more white snow than snirt. I miss navigated very early on my trip and should have abandoned my destination of the Wingham/Teeswater area. I know way too little of GreyBruce to be freehanding it, but at least I'm learning. I figured I had added about 50-60 km to my trip by going too far to the southwest before heading towards Wingham. Conditions were so good that I figured I could still do a north loop and get home for supper. Wrong. Must have been almost out of fuel getting to Teeswater with 206 km on the odo and I wasn't 100% full when I left Belwood. Immediately leaving Teeswater on B108 south, I noticed that the trail was more used up than the mostly local trails that I had been using earlier in the day. Fairly soon sunset was happening. I was a long way from Belwood. Just to make things more interesting the wind (warm southwesterly I think) really picked up. The drifts were developing quickly on the right side of trail. Visibility was compromised by blowing snow and darkness, but I had fuel and it was not cold. Only Mamma's Friday night supper was in jeopardy. The wind was strong enough that it blew me off the trail in open sections 4 or 5 times before Arthur. Got back to my truck about 7 PM and home before 8. 370km and 7.7 hours running time of blissful snowmobiling (much of it sitting at intersections deciding where to go). Not a drop of water or an ounce of food consumed, due to knowing I was late. I am getting a real geography lesson, visiting towns and villages I had never heard of (Little Egypt-who knew?). I am determined to get this sledding thing figured out, even if it kills me. I hope that most trails get/got groomed over the weekend to take advantage of the melt/freeze that happened. Great conditions in the morning. Most of the trail, post sunset, was well used up and badly drifted. No stopping then for pics.

Sorry to have the pass along the news that Bob passed the way this morning after a lengthy battle with cancer. Takem in 2023 at the marina north of Hearst

Due the postal strike, I know people from the states, who havent received their early bird permits yet. Ski

Very sad indeed. Thank you @revrnd for coming back to honor him, and update us. I have talked to him via chats on here, going over conditions a few times, I believe we met at the Novi show with Sledjunk once as well. These forums gave us friends, and helped us live vicariously through one another's adventures. It is sad we are losing our friends as we age. I hope the trails are smooth, and the wind is in your face my friend. You can now head out for a rip with Sledjunk, and beat us all to the fresh snow, and freshly groomed trails of the far north. Eric

Sold my sled. Posted tuesday night on market place and kijiji for $8200 and kijiji sold it by morning. Too many other things need my attention this season and sledding is proving to be to much of a distraction. I will however, be on the lookout for a deal I cant resist for next season. My wife says I will be back on the trails by the weekend. lol On the bright side, I see alot more Green on the map