PISTON LAKE CRUISER

I hope next sled season is as good (or better) as this past season has been. As well, I hope all the OC'ers and your families have a great summer!

Only some Dubrieville trails and the Red Lake trail left open on the ITG. 418 km. total

Try this link to read Financial Post version of the article: https://financialpost.com/pmn/business-pmn/sea-doo-maker-brp-gets-crushed-by-us-tariff-changes-pulls-outlook-2

Unfortunately I can't read the link without paying a fee.

Amazing to look at the ITG this morning and see that the big loop and Sault to the big loop is still open on April 12th. That said, I don't think I would want to be starting a trip today.

I was intending to sell my boat this summer but I think I'll likely hang onto it if fuel prices stay up. Not likely much market for a 205 hp. 4.3 L V6 with a 4 bl. carb right now.

One would hope not. If it did happen the OFSC decision makers would be well advised not to again tell the clubs they have to re-open the trails that the same clubs just closed. I believe the decision makers would quickly be told to shove it if that happened.

You sound like you know the costs of doing the moves and when it's been done in the past it has been for long timeline repairs only. Unless the broken down groomer is going to be down for an extended period it doesn't make any $ sense. If the OFSC is actually ever going to get down to only 2-3 different groomer purchases (which I believe was the plan a few years ago) then the OFSC stocking some hard to get often needed parts might make sense. I know our local Case/International/Soucy groomer waited about 4 weeks last year (in a short season year) for a king pin which was a known issue for the particular units.

When a groomer is going to be broken down for an extended period the club is supposed to get in touch with their district Grooming Manager and that GM would arrange for the club to get the spare District groomer if one is available. If there isn't one available the club & GM decide what will happen next. While moving a groomer from the south seems like an easy choice, the time required to arrange and get the borrowed groomer as well as the cost to move the borrowed groomer back and forth become part of the discussion. Last fall, I heard that the cost to move a groomer ONE WAY to Northeastern Ontario from Southwestern Ontario was in the $3,000.00 range so $6,000.00 round trip. In addition it would likely be 4+ days before the groomer would arrive. So, given the costs and timeframe the decision is not as easy as saying lets get a groomer from Southern Ontario. Unless it is a case where the broken groomer is going to be down for an extended period, it doesn't make any sense. They could possibly do what we did in this area this past season when a groomer blew the motor. The surrounding clubs in 2 districts groomed some of the club's trails although the distances in the north might make that a non starter.

The gas station at Smooth Rock seems to have many issues of running out of gas, that said they pump a lot of fuel there. Jeff said in his first post that they carry fuel and so they should be good to get to Kap or at least Moonbeam without any issues no matter whether they come up the C to SRF or go to SRF via Cochrane and the A trail.

Looking at the OFSC online map https://ofsc.evtrails.com/# there are 2 with decent trail access. The Fairfield Inn & Suites and the Ambassador Motel. I haven't stayed at either of them and don't know what the availability of trailer parking would be. You would be best to get fuel top up at Goulais River. The only other spot that had fuel last year was the ski hill at Searchmount but I can't verify it's stiill available Jeff. You might have to come beck the way you go out based on trails open when you leave. Hope this helps.

Better to get at arranging rooms ASAP. Everything that I have read says its very busy up there. Signifigant storm going through today and tomorrow.

From the clubs F/B site: Golden Corridor Snowdrifters Kirkland Lake & Area dreStnposo1i7hfc16h07428l508f014it1chac1clhf73i6596t265cc9i5 · Trail Report for March 15, 2026 is Sponsored by all the volunteers and participants who are taking part in today’s poker run. The Husky left Bourkes yesterday and headed South on the A108 to KL and back. The TM140 left the shop and cleaned up local trails around town and also groomed the A110Q to Kenogami and the L103 on the way back. The TM130 left the Larder Lake yard and groomed into KL and cleaned up the L101 Always refer to the Interactive Trail Guide for up to date Trail Conditions. ofsc.evtrails.com

The Amosphere started going downhill a few years before Covid. At least the restaurant did. The last 2-3 times we were there before covid, the food wasn't as good and it was taking 45 minutes to an hour after ordering to get to the table. The last time we were there they told us that they only had 3 choices of mains. We intended to try the Eskers the next time but have never made it back up there. It's located up the river one block before the second bridge and just across the street that runs parallel to the river.We had been told the restaurant was very good as was the bar. They have some rooms wit outside doors.

No. We always stayed at the Forestel.