So I woke up the other morning to a blanket of snow on my lawn.And while I was frozen solid walking the dogs, I couldn’t help but give in to the joy that was flooding over me. My neighbours scowl at me in this weather. They know this is the day I look forward to every April. The first good snowfall! Because of it’s beauty? Heck no! I’m elated because snowmobile season is around the corner.
So am I alone with having a warm feeling when it’s freezing out? Not at all. There are more than 3,000 snowmobile clubs in North America, all of whom welcome new members. Clubs and associations hold functions throughout the year so you can join a club and meet new friends for year-round fun. Sounds good, no?
Here in Sudbury, we’re lucky to have eight clubs that make up the Sudbury Trail Plan (STP): Broder Dill Snowmobile Club, Walden Sno Runners, Coniston/Wahnapitae Driftbusters, Northbound Sno Drifters, Onaping Falls High Riders, Valley Trail Masters, Nickel Belt Snow Spirits and Capreol Ridge Riders. All combined, more than 3,000 permits are sold. Why? Superior trails, great hospitality, and a wide variety of scenery.
Now, before you jump on a trail and start a ride, remember one very important feature you must have: a 2011 Trail Permit. If you haven’t already picked one up, the cost is $250. It lasts all season long and will take you from the Quebec border to the Manitoba border.
Another option is a Vintage Permit, only good for a snowmobile who is 15 years old or older. It has a cost of $125. Now, if you’re not planning to ride the trails all year, there is a seven-day permit available for $140 and a three-day permit for $100.
So with all that good stuff, where can you pick up said permit?
The first place you can go if you’re running the roads is a snowmobile dealer. They all have them and will sign you up. If you’re reading this at home, the easiest thing to do is pull up the STP website at
www.sudburytrailplan.on.ca.Click on permits and you’ll see the application form to print off and fill out. Then click on ‘Availability’ and you’ll be able to find the closest location.
So you see the permit money leaving your wallet, but ever wonder where the money goes? I’ve asked the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) that very question and they showed me their seasonal permit breakdown. Of the $250 (or $200 if the permit was purchased prior to Dec. 1), 60.5%, or $171.65, goes right back to the club. This pays for the trail operation expenses, such as fuel and repairs for the groomers. A whopping 16.75% goes towards insurance. The multimillion dollar cost of providing the liability insurance is massive but absolutely necessary; otherwise there would be no trails in Ontario. The OFSC Trail Fund gets 13.23%. This fund is to be re-distributed to help clubs with fewer permit sales and is also for various OFSC grants for the clubs. Finally, 9.18% goes towards various OFSC programs.
