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!!!

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.          

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

YES!