That sounds right - close duplicate trails to offset the "loss" based on no permit increase, etc.... Those trails are all or mostly all back (not 100% sure) - so does 5mil cover the grooming of those trails, bridge repairs of those trails, etc..... At the point the grant was issued, I do not think there was any bridge work done (too late perhaps), just trail prep to reopen (more time I would think than money). So I do wonder what that 5mil would be spent on to recouple this year.....with the great season that started a bit later, did that cause a big jump in full season permits as well. Who knows.    and to add, not knowing what the total number of permits sold is or at what price point, but if you take average of $250 (likely less) x 75,000 permits sold (should be more though) that is $18,750,000.00.....so an extra 5mil is approx. 25% of potential total sales.  

Just for the record, if I remember correctly, there wasnt a 5 million shortfall last season, it was a projected shortfall for this season. Hence the cuts, to bring us "in line" to reduce the overall budget. Ski

I feel as though nutter has touched on this based on his experiences being in the fold for a long time - I am not sure there is a concrete long term plan and things tend to work out, just look at this year and that 4/5 mil that helped to "work things out", just like a strong winter will too....things turn around when you think the bottom is falling out. Not the best business plan or approach....but....  Is the plan ahead mindset in the works mid-season or as the season comes to a close and things quiet down and reflection can be done...so Mar/Apr/May, but I would assume the volunteers would also like to step away after all the work just done too. I hope there will be some in depth discussion to help longevity of the sport, based on no grant for next year, etc....avoid trail closures and so on. But, how do things look now with the sales, the grants and where season is at right....was more my point and how the season has shaped up.   I think this start is now the norm based on weather......Dec and before is prep for snow on the trails soon, mid Jan the cold/snow comes with enough to start setting things up with opening some trails and continue to build.   Your point on getting your moneys worth in that one or two weekends has been my mindset for a bit with a trip or trips and the odd weekend or weekday ride - that enjoyment that it brings, is now enough, but that is not for all......I am not looking to get out of the sport as a result of that now limited seat time!       I am sure there has been break downs - just have not seen the negative reports and all seem to be positive, which is nice!   I feel as though the permit money will endure to close out this season, whenever that is - between permit sales and the 4/5mil grant, the trails that remain open later, should be fine.......it is surprising how many people hang up the sled early Mar, is it common for the south to still have trails mid Mar, I would assume when the weather shifts, things close fast around you....but who know what will happen. The grant was issued as a result of trails closing, how much money is really spent to open them knowing they were trails last year - I think it is more time than money spent on that and the grant will be used more so to maintain those trails and others by way of grooming hours covered for clubs able to keep grooming based on snow/weather......but that is just my thoughts that could be totally out to lunch.    

Been some groomers down in my area too.  if ofsc went 5 million in hole last year. I wonder how big deficit going to be by end of this year. Southern snow riders has 3 groomers going to try to keep up to traffic.  There trails were in best shape in d5. Flat and fast last Friday. Next year we should sell a pile of yearly permits. Be opportunity to raise prices and ensure we have some realible equipment.  I have a bad feeling permit money going to run out shortly and grooming going to cease early across province. I can see this happening, unless there been a pile of revenue come in to offset it hopefully I🙏  

On the first bold:   Same spot, I haven't seen or heard of any "plan" on how we keep moving forward. If the $5,000,000.00 grant is what saved this season - what are we doing looking ahead? What is the plan to not be losing trails next season?    On the second bold:   I would say a bit of a late start - but things got together fast, have stayed consistently great and the clubs, enough can't be said of what they've done, and continue to do.   Last weekend was probably the best weekend - Saturday/Sunday riding I have ever had in Muskoka - back to back - for conditions. I actually can't believe how spoiled my son and I were to be riding the quality of trails we did - on back to back weekend days in Muskoka. It was that good.    Last weekend was worth more than our permit dollars - I will say that.   If I never rode ever again, I would be done on a great note.