The North Bay Snowmobile Club got the cooperation it needed from Mother Nature which means the area snowmobile trails are open.
"It is with great excitement that we announce that our local trails are beginning to open! And after only 9 days of open trails last season, we really are crossing our fingers for a more wintery winter this year," stated Shawn Flindall, director marketing and public relations with the local club.
"Our volunteers have put in many hours in order to get trails to this point."
However, Flindall notes that only about 25 per cent of the trails in our immediate areas of North Bay, West Nipissing, Mattawa, Bonfield and South Shore are open.
"The rest still remain closed," he said.
"Lack of snow depth is the primary issue. We hope to see more trails open in the coming days after the recent snowfall."
Flindall notes that area trails are open under yellow caution conditions.
"This is early season riding and trails are by no means perfect so please ride with caution," he said.
Once again Flindall urges sledders to use caution as well near area waterways.
"Ice conditions on all area lakes, swamps and waterways are inconsistent in these early season conditions, and with a lot of slush and pressure cracks," he noted.
"Please stay on the staked trail, and if the lake trail is not open – don’t go! People need to use extreme caution."
Flindall adds that trail conditions across our region, and across Ontario, will change significantly on a regular basis.
"We ask riders to refer to the trail maps via the OFSC website regularly for updates," he said.
"We are looking forward to a fun snowmobile season," he said.
"Snowmobiling is a $3-5 billion industry in Ontario, and it is a significant economic driver in North Bay and all northern communities."
Here are a few notes:
- Not all trails are open. Some remain closed for safety reasons – they’re just not ready due to low snow conditions. So we ask riders to check with the online trail maps to see where they can and can not go. Plan your ride accordingly.
- Trails are open under yellow “CAUTION” conditions. This is early season riding and trails are by no means perfect. Please ride with caution.
- Ice conditions on all area lakes, swamps and waterways are inconsistent in these early season conditions, and with a lot of slush and pressure cracks. Please stay on the staked trail, and if the lake trail is not open – don’t go! People need to use extreme caution.
- Trail conditions across our region, and across Ontario, will change significantly on a regular basis – we ask riders to refer to the trail maps via the OFSC website regularly for updates.
- Many trails are on private property – it’s illegal to be on them if they are still closed. Please only ride on open trails. Please - no trespassing!
- There have been several trail re-routes and trail closures this year – check the maps to be sure of your route.
- For many people, this will be the first opportunity of the season to ride – we encourage riders to ensure that their sled is in good working condition, know and share their planned route, dress appropriately, never ride alone, carry safety gear and follow all the speed limits, and rules of the trails.
- The NBSC and all area clubs thank the many landowners who allow us to use their property for our trails – without them, none of this is possible.