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Ontario Snowmobiling Facts
- On a snowmobile, the same rules of the road and penalties apply as for
driving a car, including possible fines, loss of driver's license, criminal
record, and/or imprisonment.
- You are required to carry your driver's
license, snowmobile registration, and proof of insurance at all times.
- To drive a snowmobile legally, a valid driver's license or a snowmobile
operator's permit is mandatory.
- You and your passengers must wear a helmet
while riding a snowmobile.
- In order to ride OFSC snowmobile trails, a valid
trail use permit must appear on the windshield of your sled. Permits can be
purchased from your local snowmobile club.
OFSC Stop Program
OFSC Stop Program. In this trend-setting program, OFSC volunteers are trained
by partnering police services, and sworn in as Special Constables and Provincial
Offenses Officers. They then become members of the Snowmobile Trail Officers
Patrol (S.T.O.P.), empowered to enforce provisions of the Motorized Snow
Vehicle Act by issuing tickets or making arrests. They also assist police
in sobriety enforcement. For MSVA enforcement purposes, S.T.O.P. Officers
have the same authority as police officers. Visit their website at
www.stopofficer.com
Trail Patrol
The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) Snowmobile Trail Patrol
Program commenced in 1983 at the time when snowmobile trails were being
managed under a user – pay system. Trail Patrol Officers are dedicated
Snowmobile Club Volunteers who regularly patrol Ontario’s snowmobile trails,
provide valuable trailside information to snowmobilers and promote the provincial
user pay system.
Unique opportunities exist by joining the Trail Patrol Program.
It demands an adventurous spirit and a high degree of personal integrity.
You will often deal in unstructured situations that will test your
resourcefulness. For more information about volunteering contact us at 705
887-1288.
Landowner Program
The existence and usage of snowmobile trails is a privilege, not a right.
OFSC snowmobile trails depend on land use permission from both private and
public land owners. To assist clubs with land securement and retention, the
OFSC provides clubs with standardization land use permission forms,
liability insurance and the Warden Program. Every OFSC
member has a responsibility to help keep trails open by staying on the trail
at all times and respecting private property.
Insurance Programs
The OFSC maintains General Liability Insurance to protect itself, member
clubs and landowners on claims arising from trail-related operations and
incidents. Directors and Officers Liability Insurance offers protection for
executives and boards of the OFSC and member clubs on claims arising from
actions and decisions made on behalf of the organization. Environment
Liability Insurance protects clubs on claims arising from environmental
incidents, while a Special Event General Liability Insurance Policy covers
clubs for "racing type" activities such as radar runs and grass drags.
Volunteer Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance protects registered
volunteers while engaging in club sanctioned activities. Finally, Trail
Smart offers affordable snowmobile insurance exclusively to OFSC Trail Permit
Members.
Environment Program
Funded since 1993 from a dedicated levy of $1 from every Trail Permit sold,
the OFSC's 'Conserving Ontario's Last Frontier' Environment campaign supports
a broad range of initiatives from Deer Feeding (with Ministry of Natural
Resources and Ontario Federation of Anglers & Hunters) and Tree Planting
Projects to research, college bursaries, and trail signs with key messages such as
"Leave Tracks Not Trash" and "Protect Our Environment - Stay on Trail". The
Environment Fund also sustains grants for club environmental projects. Each
January is designated as OFSC Environment Month to promote responsible
riding.
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