2025 OFSC permit now available for Order

[skidooboy]

2 hours ago, Domino said:

I was hesitant on getting my permit early so as not to throw away $400.    Whomever thought this was a good time to increase permit pricing needs to get there heads examined.   FFS, I didn't even hit a trail last year.   I want a do-over.  

 

Understanding that all the pre-work was still done by many volunteers, the grooming costs had to be a fraction of what they were budgeted.

 

 

 @Domino, There was no OFSC permit price increase this year. Did you order 2 by error, or are you thinking Quebec pricing? Ski

[stoney]

41 minutes ago, skidooboy said:

 @Domino, There was no OFSC permit price increase this year. Did you order 2 by error, or are you thinking Quebec pricing? Ski

I thought there was a slight increase this year for the Ontario pass?

Agreed though, it’s not $400 for one pass….I'm guessing he bought two that came in just over $400. 

[Strong Farmer]

3 minutes ago, stoney said:

I thought there was a slight increase this year for the Ontario pass?

Agreed though, it’s not $400 for one pass….I'm guessing he bought two that came in just over $400. 

No there was no increase this year.  Hopefully we get some snow so this permit price rant goes away and we realize how cheap it is 😎

[Domino]

46 minutes ago, skidooboy said:

 @Domino, There was no OFSC permit price increase this year. Did you order 2 by error, or are you thinking Quebec pricing? Ski

Ahh, you are correct.   They increased it last year.   Last year I paid $221 too much.

 

 

[Domino]

1 minute ago, Strong Farmer said:

No there was no increase this year.  Hopefully we get some snow so this permit price rant goes away and we realize how cheap it is 😎

It’s not cheap when the trails are closing and the weather doesn’t cooperate.   

[Strong Farmer]

5 minutes ago, Domino said:

It’s not cheap when the trails are closing and the weather doesn’t cooperate.   

Change is slowly happing that's for sure. We might be back to un organized snowmobiling in future like it was before trail system evolved.  Maybe this year willl be year we can ride lake musoka and Joesph like olden days 😎. 
what I notice is for some reason banana belt has moved north no doubt. How far it goes over time no one knows. It's pretty bad when it affects Cochrane trail system in middle of winter 😳. 

[skidooboy]

1 hour ago, stoney said:

I thought there was a slight increase this year for the Ontario pass?

Agreed though, it’s not $400 for one pass….I'm guessing he bought two that came in just over $400. 

 

I thought there was an AGM thread on here, that said they decided not to raise the permits, after such a dismal winter, and riding season. Ski

[stoney]

54 minutes ago, skidooboy said:

 

I thought there was an AGM thread on here, that said they decided not to raise the permits, after such a dismal winter, and riding season. Ski

I thought permit increase discussions and approvals would have to be done sooner than at the end of the previous season to be in affect since it requires MTO approval, that likely takes a bit of time. 
As for an increase this year, not sure why I thought there was…clearly I’m mistaken. 
 

I am a little surprised to hear on this forum people criticize the permit amount…even with the crappy seasons we have had…especially knowing what so many pay for a QC pass, sleds, gas, trucks, trailers, etc….$221 bucks is a small drop in the bucket all things considering. 

[Strong Farmer]

50 minutes ago, stoney said:

I thought permit increase discussions and approvals would have to be done sooner than at the end of the previous season to be in affect since it requires MTO approval, that likely takes a bit of time. 
As for an increase this year, not sure why I thought there was…clearly I’m mistaken. 
 

I am a little surprised to hear on this forum people criticize the permit amount…even with the crappy seasons we have had…especially knowing what so many pay for a QC pass, sleds, gas, trucks, trailers, etc….$221 bucks is a small drop in the bucket all things considering. 

Early permit a bargain for sure.  All about averaging over course of 3 winters you  save enough to cover permit for one bad winter basically. 

[95rxl650]

8 hours ago, stoney said:

I am a little surprised to hear on this forum people criticize the permit amount…even with the crappy seasons we have had…especially knowing what so many pay for a QC pass, sleds, gas, trucks, trailers, etc….$221 bucks is a small drop in the bucket all things considering. 

No kidding. I just dont get the complaints. Fuel, dinner and ticket to sportsman show, $200 wasted.

$221 for one good weekend of sledding, worth every penny.

$275 for a spare belt, $180 for 2 jugs of oil and folks complain about a pass???

It's an expensive recreational pass time. If $221 is a deal breaker, then might I suggest snow shoes or a toboggan?

[signfan]

2 hours ago, 95rxl650 said:

No kidding. I just dont get the complaints. Fuel, dinner and ticket to sportsman show, $200 wasted.

$221 for one good weekend of sledding, worth every penny.

$275 for a spare belt, $180 for 2 jugs of oil and folks complain about a pass???

It's an expensive recreational pass time. If $221 is a deal breaker, then might I suggest snow shoes or a toboggan?

No you'll spend over $200 on snow shoes.  Lol.  Can't afford that.

 

https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5055-464/msr-lightning-explore-snowshoes-mens?colour=International+Orange&size=25in&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpvK4BhDUARIsADHt9sRKexW2fywlN3vqnRTAHYszKfVOgWVS6DKR72yWg6BuUy065V2hrHsaAo9ZEALw_wcB

[Domino]

Overall when you look at what it takes to have a trail system, I agree that our permit price is fair.   However, when you buy permits and never ride a single meter of OSFC trail, it no longer seems like a good purchase.  Like buying $200 snowshoes and never stepping foot in them.

 

Hopefully we will have a better season this year.   The more rules that the OFSC keeps placing on the system that creates costs, takes away from the trail system and discourages the generosity of land owners.   We have lost to many trails from disrespectful riders and the fear of liability.

 

The Quebec system, for a resident, could be seen as cheaper than Ontario when you consider the inclusion of insurance.  The QC government supports its to maintain the tourism.  Smart!

[RAMSOMAIR]

I've been saying we need to adopt the Que model for decades.

[Strong Farmer]

43 minutes ago, RAMSOMAIR said:

I've been saying we need to adopt the Que model for decades.

Ontario end Quebec is a totally different market. Weather more favourable over there too, then parts of Ontario. Eventually it won't be worth it it setup trails below musoka. Then we can save costs on groomers, stakes, signs etc, liability should be less on less km's of trails,  only issue is it might hurt pass sales having no trails in southern Ontario. Last year trails available less then a week here. Does this make sense 🤔 to keep doing it and expecting a longer season 🤔. Some trials south of highway 7 and 8 barely open now. 

[PISTON LAKE CRUISER]

33 minutes ago, Strong Farmer said:

only issue is it might hurt pass sales having no trails in southern Ontario.

I think "might hurt" is way to conservative. If you close the trails in what is now considered southern Ontario the OFSC would need to close up shop.  

[Dave K]

1 hour ago, PISTON LAKE CRUISER said:

I think "might hurt" is way to conservative. If you close the trails in what is now considered southern Ontario the OFSC would need to close up shop.  

I can always tell when we are the furthest south trails open.  Parking lots are jammed up, wherever there is a space, people take it.

 

And thats usually on a yellow trail.  If you lose our trails, you lose anyone south of us who won't/cant trailer to Parry Sound, Sudbury etc... for a day or two of riding

[Strong Farmer]

3 minutes ago, Dave K said:

I can always tell when we are the furthest south trails open.  Parking lots are jammed up, wherever there is a space, people take it.

 

And thats usually on a yellow trail.  If you lose our trails, you lose anyone south of us who won't/cant trailer to Parry Sound, Sudbury etc... for a day or two of riding

That's a good observation. People are trailering farther north now then say 10 years ago. Seems highway 7 and 8 is right on edge of snow line lately., I haven't road much south of it in recent years. Odd time south gets blasted for a day and it's a mud fest with traffic by afternoon it seems. 😎

Hopefully lake effect and colder weather returns this winter. Watch this might be winter all snow lands south of highway 7 and we ride to turkey point 😎.  

[stoney]

2 hours ago, Domino said:

Overall when you look at what it takes to have a trail system, I agree that our permit price is fair.   However, when you buy permits and never ride a single meter of OSFC trail, it no longer seems like a good purchase.  Like buying $200 snowshoes and never stepping foot in them.

 

Hopefully we will have a better season this year.   The more rules that the OFSC keeps placing on the system that creates costs, takes away from the trail system and discourages the generosity of land owners.   We have lost to many trails from disrespectful riders and the fear of liability.

 

The Quebec system, for a resident, could be seen as cheaper than Ontario when you consider the inclusion of insurance.  The QC government supports its to maintain the tourism.  Smart!

I’d say steal of a deal. 
But when you don’t use it at all, it does create doubts about buying one, I have some doubts this year since I never used mine last year at all, but those doubts are not at all because of the price. 
Im sure I’ll buy next week anyways and hope I use it this year…if not, at least I’ve supported the cause. 
Although this year I think I’ll not put the permit on my sled until I need to use it so I don’t need to remove it after not even possibly using it through the season. 
Should be a tax right off though….lol

 

[Spiderman]

5 hours ago, RAMSOMAIR said:

I've been saying we need to adopt the Que model for decades.

Insurance and the law in/around it is main thing holding that back.

 

Those 2 things are not easy to just “change”, and unless they do, the system can’t do much.

 

We can’t have what they, because we don’t have what they have.

[Spiderman]

The pass is the absolute least expensive part of the cost of sledding. It’s not up for debate.

 

And let that sink in next time you pull your helmet and goggle combo that cost twice as much as a pass to ride groomed trails anywhere they are open in a province the size of Ontario over your head.

 

[CAT RIDER]

Well said Spiderman!

[Domino]

21 minutes ago, Spiderman said:

The pass is the absolute least expensive part of the cost of sledding. It’s not up for debate.

 

And let that sink in next time you pull your helmet and goggle combo that cost twice as much as a pass to ride groomed trails anywhere they are open in a province the size of Ontario over your head.

 

Just because something is the least expensive part of a larger cost does not in itself justify it.  I’m not arguing the value of a permit, however if i don't get to ride a single trail, then it has zero value for me.  Thats making it hard to justify at any price.   I put my $221.50 in the snow slot machine and pulled the lever.  Hoping the gamble pays off.    

[PISTON LAKE CRUISER]

Sometimes you just have to put it on the trailer or in the truck to get a ride when there is no snow available at home. That part has been around for a number of years in Southwestern Ontario Ontario.

[Spiderman]

There are two ways to look at value, but In this case, the value provided from the permit is substantial.

 

 

[Strong Farmer]

4 hours ago, Domino said:

Just because something is the least expensive part of a larger cost does not in itself justify it.  I’m not arguing the value of a permit, however if i don't get to ride a single trail, then it has zero value for me.  Thats making it hard to justify at any price.   I put my $221.50 in the snow slot machine and pulled the lever.  Hoping the gamble pays off.    

Thsts better then paying full pop and having to wait for it to arrive in mail, when you need it. Can't be much worse than last year right 😎.