There will be no increase in the cost of permits for use of the region’s snowmobile trails this year.
That is despite increasing costs to maintain those trails.
Permits went on sale on October 1st, and the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs is hoping snowmobilers will be quick to snatch them up.
In doing so, the Federation released details about the cost and how that money is used.
Chief Executive Officer Ryan Eickmeier says they felt it necessary to inform riders.
“Most of the 80,000 permit holders in the province don’t have as much visibility into what it actually costs to go out and maintain these tens of thousands of kilometres of snowmobile trails,” Eickmeier.”
“We thought it was time to share that information and ultimately share more details about the financial situation we find ourselves in.”
The Association notes that while trail permit fees are holding steady, expenses have increased 52% in the last five years.
More than $61.8 million has gone to keep trails open over the last three seasons, including over $35 million for trail and grooming costs, $8 million for infrastructure and over $18 million for new groomers or upkeep on existing ones.
Eickmeier says they saw strong demand for trail permits between 2020 and 2022.
“But as those prices increase and continue to increase, our permit sales kind of came back down to pre-COVID levels. And it’s created a scenario where those price increases just haven’t been met with the demand for permit sales right now. So it’s left a gap for sure.”
Eickmeier notes that a majority of the trail permits are sold in southern Ontario, but all clubs benefit from the revenue generated.
“So there is a dependency between the two in that southern Ontario will subsidize the north in terms of permit sales, and the north will subsidize the south in terms of weather and trail availability.”
Eickmeier says last year was one of the better seasons with great trail availability in almost all parts of the province between December and April.
Much comparison is made about Ontario’s fees with those charged in Manitoba and Minnesota, which are considerably lower.
Eickmeier says those comparisons are not fair.
“We have extremely robust risk management procedures, coordinated grooming. We have centralized distribution of funds and funding for operational expenses for our clubs. So, there really isn’t a fair comparison between Manitoba and Minnesota.”
Permit costs will remain at $214, with planned increases of $30 on November 2nd and another $50 after December 1st.
The OFSC notes snowmobiling generates up to $6 billion in economic activity in Ontario during an ideal season.
