- by Hub staff

"Where you want to live" includes Owen Sound's  beautiful neighbourhoods, trails and parks, and over the past year more and more people have discovered them for snowshoeing, crosscountry skiing and just a good fresh air walk.  Snowmobilers too, local and visiting, are finding this a great winter to get out on the sled.

We market our snow - to tourists and people looking to move their home or business here. And although the City supports the "stay home" advice of public health authorities, they have not changed that passive marketing for this pandemic year.

"Owen Sound is a sledder's paradise," reads our Owen Sound tourism site. "There are more than 3,600 kilometres of groomed trails in the region ..., and with an average yearly snowfall over 330 centimetres, Owen Sound is the ideal destination for fresh powder! Snowmobile trails enter the city at various points with easy access to accommodations, restaurants, gas stations and shopping opportunities.

"Four established trails pass through Owen Sound: the Bruce Peninsula Tour (193 km), the Queen's Bush Tour (185 km), the Saugeen River Tour (263 km) and the Walter's Falls Tour (142 km). Complete trail routes available on the District 9 OSFC web site."

The rules haven't changed either - for licensing, insurance and permits with a yearly renewable sticker.  If a driver does not have a valid Ontario driver's licence, a motorized snow-vehicle operator’s licence (MSVOL), issued by the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) in co-operation with the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) will allow them "to drive on trails established and maintained by a recreational organization for the use of snowmobiles." "You must carry your driver’s licence or snow-vehicle operator’s licence when you are driving your snowmobile anywhere other than on your own property. You must show it when asked by a police or conservation office."

Where can snowmobiles operate? The OSFC website has great trail maps, and keeps them up to date with closures or restrictions.

"Snowmobiles are only permitted on public highways when directly crossing. In specific circumstances, snowmobiles can operate on the non-serviced portion of some highways."

In Owen Sound itself?  There are go and no-go zones. The snowmobile above on 8th Ave East at 7th Ave. is quite legal, but according to the City by-law the driver cannot cross or drive on 6th St or 8th St, so it might not be much of a ride.  The rules for snow-machines in our parks are also covered in by-laws updated in 1994 and 1996 to include them.  Our by-law enforcement is complaint-driven, by the form on the City website.

We're sharing this magnificant outdoor space, and this year there are more "ummotorized" users than ever.  Watch out for each other, obey the rules, and stay safe.