Provincial Landowner Appreciation Week is October 2 – 9, 2023

(Barrie, ON. October 2, 2023): The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) is launching the 2024 snowmobile season with “Provincial Landowner Appreciation Week”, October 2 to 9, 2023. In grateful recognition of their often unsung contribution to organized snowmobiling, Landowner Appreciation Week celebrates over 18,000 community-minded landowners, who come from all walks of life, including thousands of farmers, and home or cottage owners, as well as private companies, municipalities, conservation authorities and others.

For more than 50 years, these landowners have voluntarily contributed to the well-being of their hometowns and the enjoyment of snowmobilers by donating the use of a portion of their private property for an OFSC Snowmobile Trail during the winter months. These OFSC trails provide safe and legal places for recreational snowmobilers with valid Ontario Snowmobile Trail Permits to ride, while connecting hundreds of rural communities and businesses by snow.

“We invite everyone who benefits from OFSC snowmobile trails to join our clubs and volunteers in celebrating our landowners,” said Ryan Eickmeier, OFSC CEO. “We also remind snowmobilers that land use permission is a privilege not a right, so please respect private property by staying on available OFSC trails during the winter months and keeping off their land for the rest of the year.”

Over 60% of the 30,0000 kilometres of OFSC Prescribed Snowmobile Trails are on private property with land use permission from landowners. With so many trails located on private property, this integrated, winter-only recreational network couldn’t exist without their generosity and cooperation. The OFSC reminds snowmobilers to always check the OFSC Interactive Trail Guide (ITG) for trail availability before entering any OFSC trail.

Under Ontario law, only snowmobiles displaying a valid trail permit can legally access available OFSC recreational trails throughout the winter months. By purchasing a 2024 Ontario Snowmobile Trail Permit between October 1 and November 1, snowmobilers can take advantage of the best permit deal of the year, saving $80 off the regular fee of a full season permit sold after December 1st. Information on 2024 permit types, availability and FAQ’s can be found at: https://www.ofsc.on.ca/permits/.