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Snowmobilers told: ‘hold off on the snow dance’

Sault sledders are counting the days before Monday’s city council meeting

Sault Trailblazers Snowmobile Club is asking its members to hold their horsepower.

Local snow conditions are superb and grooming machines are out on the trails, but there are some technicalities to be ironed out before the local trails can open

"You can hold off on the snow dance – at least for a few days," the club said in a Saturday post on its Facebook page.

"Groomers are moving, but please be patient as the heavy snow conditions are making it challenging with swamps/creeks not frozen and many trees down or hanging down," the post said.

"We are also working steady on finalizing the last land-owner agreements which must be signed for every parcel before each trail segment is shown on the interactive trail guide and can be opened this year as mandated by the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) insurer."

One big obstacle may get resolved at a city council meeting on Monday.

Councillors will be asked to approve the city's first-ever land use agreement allowing the club to use municipal property for its trail network.

"Traditionally, the club has operated on various lands around the city without formal agreements," says Jeffrey King, a city solicitor.

"To better manage its costs, the OFSC has mandated that all local snowmobile clubs update, renew, or enter into land use agreements with any landowner whose property they occupy, including municipalities," King says in a report prepared for Monday's city council meeting.

"If agreements are not signed, it could mean that the trail network can’t open for this coming season."

If councillors decide to approve the five-year deal, the club will pay the city $1 for the use of municipal roads and property, as follows:

Vacant parcels

  • Strathclair/Sinclair Fields – NW corner of Second Line & Black Road
  • City property – east side of Birkshire
  • City property – west side of Birkshire
  • 374 Fifth Line – north of Fifth Line
  • 310 Fifth Line – narrow strip
  • 524 Fifth Line – landfill
  • West side of Great Northern Rd – narrow strip

Road allowances

  • Black Road – Black Road crossing
  • Third Line East – Third Line crossing
  • Old Garden River Road – OGRR crossing
  • Birkshire Place – Birkshire Rd crossing
  • Great Northern Road – Great Northern Road undercrossing  
  • Third Line East – Third Line crossing & parallel
  • Industrial Park – access to Fairfield
  • Fifth Line E – Fifth Line crossing

"The Sault Trailblazers Snowmobile Club Inc. has operated a snowmobile trail network in and around the city for 20-plus years," says King.

"Snowmobiling is a winter activity that is enjoyed by many enthusiasts and attracts tourism dollars. The OFSC, which the club is a member in good standing, generates an estimated $3 billion to $6 billion in snowmobiling-related economic activity for Ontario."

The five-year agreement requires Sault Trailblazers to maintain insurance including $15 million in coverage per occurrence for any liability arising from the grooming, operation, use and maintenance of the trail network.

The following are advisories for safe riding on OFSC trails:

  • stay on the trail
  • ride on the snowmobiler’s side of the trail
  • ride within the snowmobiler’s ability
  • ride with a companion or companions
  • be responsible for the rider behind
  • be extra cautious on corners and hills
  • stop at road and rail crossings
  • slow down in poor visibility and at night
  • stay alert to trail ahead and surroundings
  • do not tailgate
  • leave space between snowmobiles
  • ride in single file
  • always check trail availability on the OFSC Interactive Trail Guide
  • obey the posted speed limit on trails

Monday's city council meeting will be live-streamed on SooToday starting at 5 p.m,



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David Helwig

About the Author: David Helwig

David Helwig's journalism career spans seven decades beginning in the 1960s. His work has been recognized with national and international awards.
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