If last weekend’s snow was any indication, winter is on it’s way. Local snowmobile clubs, businesses and tourism organizations are now ramping up to show community members and tourists what a Parry Sound winter has to offer.
Bill Park, president of District 10 of the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs, said he’s hoping to have most trails within the eight area clubs open for use early in January – weather permitting.
"I remember grooming (the trails) as early as November 22 and not grooming them until January 20," he said Wednesday. "Winters always vary. In 1982 we had no snow all year."
According to Park, some trails are open to snowmobilers with only one foot of snow, while others require at least three feet of snow, depending on the topography.
In the past year $250,000 of government funding has gone towards improving the trails in district 10, which includes the Carling Trailblazers, Cramadog Snowmobile Club, DunAhmic Snow Riders, the Magnetawan Ridge Runners, North East Georgian Bay, the Six Star Snow Riders, the South Seguin Snowmobile Club and the West Muskoka Trail Riders.
The improvements include replaced culverts, repaired bridges and realignment and general repairs on trails.
Park said throughout the past five years sales for full-season permits have held steady. Sales for the three and seven day passes, however, have been steadily dropping.
Park said he attributes the lack of temporary permits going out to less American tourists coming to ride area trails.
"I blame it on the American economy and the difficulty now to cross the border," he said.
Park, who operates a business in Seguin Township, said the snowmobiles he rents to tourists come with a permit, making enjoying the sport a little less expensive.
"If someone has a $7,000 sled and they insure it, they’re going to buy a pass," he said. "But if someone only wants to go out, say, two weekends in the season, and they don’t want to maintain their 15-year-old sled, this is a good way for them to still enjoy the activity without all the hassle."
Despite recent snow, the trails aren’t ready to go yet – and avid snowmobilers need only be patient, said Park.
"The year is what you make of it," he said. "I’ve seen short seasons with tons of trail use and long seasons with little activity out there. What people should be doing now is getting their honey-do list cleared now so they can ride when the snow is here."
Throughout his time riding on local trails, Park said he hasn’t picked a favourite spot to go out on his snowmobile.
"I love all of district 10," he said. "It provides so many great snowmobiling opportunities. I love the variety we have here."
Georgian Bay Country (GBC) is working on a number of projects to increase tourism during the winter, including a possible tour of the area by snowmobile for tourism journalists. According to Anna Marie Harris, manager of GBC, the tourism organization is partnering with the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs and the Parry Sound Snowmobile Club to put on the "familiarization" tour.
"This is an excellent, free way to get the word out about our beautiful area," said Harris, who recently made presentations to area municipalities detailing the organization’s goal of increasing tourism by 25 per cent. "It is our job to present this area the best we can and show the journalist everything we have to offer from snowmobile rentals to a great dinner sitting by the fireplace."
Winter activities
GBC is also promoting other popular winter activities the area has to offer such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
"Of course, we can’t forget about the avid ice fishers," she said. "Just because you don’t have the equipment doesn’t mean you can’t rent it."
According to a study by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture for the Parry Sound Area, 871,000 tourists made overnight visits to the Parry Sound District in 2009, spending approximately $159 per night. Fifty-six thousand of those people visited between January and April.
"It is very important to stress this region as a four-season destination," said Harris, noting GBC is working on presenting a mini tourism summit March 7 at the Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts.
Explorers’ Edge, also promoting area tourism, is working towards doubling tourism figures by 2020. The regional tourism organization, which has received $1.2 million in annual funding from the province, targets the greater Toronto area and the Golden Horseshoe from a marketing point of view.
James Murphy, manager of Explorer’s Edge, said while the organization isn’t mandated to support local tourism organizations like GBC, Explorers’ Edge is working with GBC through signage, education and social media.
"We’re still defining our organization," he said. "We’re the new kids on the block. We know that. GBC has been here a long time."
Murphy said he’s heard many people say they aren’t sure exactly what Explorers’ Edge is.
"We are going to fill that brand with meaning and develop relationships with GBC and the Chamber of Commerce to find out what works best."
