Snowmobile trails closed for the season

Snowmobilers are being warned to stay off of area OFSC prescribed snowmobile trails effective immediately as the snowmobile season has come to an end.

These trails are now reported as Unavailable (Red) on the OFSC Interactive Trail Guide at www.ofsc.on.ca.

Regular grooming operations have stopped, and clubs have commenced removing signs, lake stakes and closing gates.

Snowmobilers are also advised that rapidly deteriorating snow and ice conditions due to spring thaw make snowmobiling extremely hazardous anywhere. Roads and road crossings are now bare and the ice on all waterways is melting or unstable.

“The only safe and sensible course of action for snowmobilers is to put away their sleds until next winter,” said Chuck Breathat, Sudbury Trail Plan president. “The risks of trying that ‘one last ride’ are simply too high now that spring thaw has commenced.”

The public is also reminded that an OFSC snowmobile trail on private land reported as Unavailable means that access to that trail is also prohibited for any other users or persons for all other seasons, without the specific prior permission of the landowner.

“On behalf of our clubs and volunteers, I want to thank all of the landowners who have generously allowed the use of their property for an OFSC snowmobile trail this winter,” said Breathat. “We also appreciate the support of the many snowmobilers who bought trail permits to help pay their share of the cost of trail operations for the past season.”

For more information visit www.ofsc.on.ca or www.sudburytrailplan.on.ca.