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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!

I was thinking the same thing about people having the opportunity to go on a lake, field, etc…to have a chance to be exposed, or best case friend or family that has spare sled to try it out.  For me it was a family that let me try his sled, that turned into a weekend rental trip and then my own purchase.  But that does not change the permit price or change who will come, IMO - if they decide at that point they enjoy it, thoughts turn to many of the other expenses in order to dive in, that will not become cheaper in this day and age that no one can influence.    Set permit price at what it needs to be (the cheapest part of the sport) and enforce the use of the trails by the means required.  For anyone using the permit as a reason not to stay in the sport, are already done with it or looking for reasons to be, and are just complaining about nothing.    The permit I bought this year, I am not even sure made it into my sled, I know for sure I did not ride any OFSC trails…which I think makes that two years in a row for me…lol!