Snowmobilers Buying Online by December 1 Save $5 Shipping.
Ontario Get Ready for Snowmobiling Week runs from November 26 to December 1 and is the last chance to buy a pre-season 2013 Snowmobile Trail Permit before the Dec. 1 fee increase deadline. This year the buying decision is about much more than individual snowmobilers saving $50 by purchasing early.
On behalf of 217 not for profit, local snowmobile clubs and their volunteers, the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) reminds riders that purchasing by December 1 is a fundamental building block for the community based clubs that deliver Ontario’s snowmobile trails.
Early permit revenue provides local clubs with the necessary funding to prepare and open area trails, including all of the other associated costs to get ready for winter like groomer payments, insurance and repairs. “Early permit revenue is the lifeblood of OFSC trails,” said Paul Shaughnessy, OFSC Executive Director. “Without it, clubs don’t have the ability to deliver the trails that snowmobilers want and expect or to fulfill their responsibilities for community based snowmobiling. Without early permit revenue, clubs also can’t deliver the trails that generate considerable winter tourism revenues for many snowbelt communities.”
Community based snowmobiling can only be successful if there is a partnership between local clubs/volunteers, landowners, municipalities, business operators and snowmobilers that support the user pay system by buying a trail permit. If any one of these partners isn’t active with their support, not only will snowmobiling in that community be at risk, so will the area trail network.
Organized snowmobiling in Ontario is comprised of strong local clubs with good community support. These clubs are the ones that develop, build, operate and maintain snowmobile trails, not the OFSC. Their individual trail networks combine to make the 32,000-kilometre provincial snowmobile trail system. Meanwhile, the OFSC provides programs and services to these member clubs to assist them with the work that only they can do.
So each individual rider’s decision to buy a permit by December 1 helps a grassroots snowmobile club keep its local trails open and maintained. That buying decision also demonstrates a broader commitment to community based snowmobiling and a desire to have snowmobile trails available for many years to come.
It’s easier than ever to buy a 2013 Snowmobile Trail Permit on or before December 1 by purchasing online. Buying online is simple, convenient, private and secure. This hassle free method of purchase saves individual travel time and costs to go to a retail outlet – and as a special bonus this season, it also saves the standard $5 shipping charge for riders that purchase by December 1. Best of all, each snowmobiler must select which club to buy from online, so the permit dollars are allocated to help where the buyer wants. To buy a 2013 Snowmobile Trail Permit online, visit www.ofsc.on.ca and click on the red online permit button on the left side of the home page.
While the Province of Ontario continues to invest in the tourism development of snowmobiling, no government dollars go into trail operations, where permit revenue remains the primary funding source. As such, “user pay” is all about snowmobilers helping snowmobilers to provide great winter recreational trails. That’s why the OFSC invites riders to buy a 2013 Snowmobile Trail Permit during Get Ready for Snowmobiling Week.
The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs is a volunteer led not-for-profit association, which through strong leadership, provides a wide range of quality programs and services to, and on behalf of, its member organizations. Our provincial network of organized snowmobile trails connects Ontario communities, providing responsible riding experiences that are safe, enjoyable, and environmentally sustainable.
