Ontario snowmobilers aren't exactly optimistic about the 2023 sledding season – it's the middle of January and the ground is barely frozen, with none of the snow necessary for a groomable base on sanctioned trails.

A sudden chill and snowfall doesn't give a green light to hit the trails as local clubs cannot groom until the ground is hard enough to accept a compacted base, and any water crossings have frozen enough for safe crossing.

The OFSC trail map from Saturday, Jan. 14, shows the effects of mild weather this winter.

Operators should take notice that the OPP is continuing its singular campaign against snowmobiles with exhaust modifications. Trail-side inspections of snowmobiles must show stock exhaust – after-market solutions are banned on the official trail system. (Ed. note: The Hub would like to see a similar campaign banning after-market exhaust systems on motorcycles, cars, trucks, and all other conveyances on public roads.)

The OPP and Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) are urging caution as Snowmobiling Safety Week braaaps off Tuesday, Jan. 17, with an online media event:

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The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and its Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) partners are cautioning snowmobilers about the increased risks posed by a milder winter and reminding them of the common sense approach needed to avoid a tragic outcome to their riding season.

The late onset of cold temperatures and lack of snow in many parts of Ontario have set a particularly dangerous stage for snowmobilers, especially those who are considering riding on frozen waterways. Close to 40 per cent of OPP-investigated snowmobile fatalities have occurred on frozen lakes and rivers over the past 10 years. Snowmobilers are therefore urged to avoid all frozen waterways at all times.

The majority of OFSC trails are currently unavailable and snowmobilers need to stay off all OFSC trails except those that are open. Check for trail status updates on the OFSC Interactive Trail Guide when planning your ride.     

With speeding, driving too fast for the conditions and alcohol/drug-impairment the leading causes in snowmobile fatalities, snowmobilers are reminded that the conscious choice to include these (and other) risks in their ride – more so than the risks themselves – make snowmobilers their own worst enemy when tragedy strikes.  

With Snowmobile Safety Week kicking off across the province this weekend, make every ride a safe one so that you can enjoy the world-class snowmobiling Ontario has to offer and, more importantly, so that you can get home safely to your family.    

Please join members of the OPP, OFSC and special guests for a live social media event on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. The event aims to make it a safe and enjoyable season for all Ontario snowmobile communities!

Snowmobile Safety Week runs from January 14-22, 2023.

Visit here for more information about the OFSC and snowmobiling in Ontario.

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Your Hub correspondent at the controls of a classic 1969 Skidoo Olympique, during the classic Ontario winter of 1970; helmet availabilty was a couple years in the future.

source: media release, OPP